S3 Clutch Slipping

[rustysheriff360]

I've got a 57 reg. 40,000 mile S3 that is completely standard (apart from led numberplate bulbs). The clutch started slipping about 5000-6000 miles ago. It would only slip a little when cold for the first mile or so. In the last week, it's started to slip even after the car has done a 20 mile journey. It only slips for a small amount when the car is under load, e.g. Accelerating in 6th from around 50mph as the boost cuts in. I've just spoken to my dealer who recommends getting it replaced as soon as possible as if it continues to slip, the DMF can heat up and get damaged and may also need to be replaced at an additional cost of around £900. They have quoted me £799 to do the clutch excluding the DMF.
1) Is this a normal amount of miles for an S3 clutch before it needs replacing?
2) Does it need to be replaced ASAP as advised?
3) Does the costs sound about right?

Looking on Eurocarparts, a LUK clutch assembly and flywheel costs about £500. Is this the same brand as Audi use?

Any advice welcome.

 

[mjr901]

In regards to the DMF(LUK is what comes standard and are generally regarded good), change it anyway. no more than £300.

I changed mine at 20k when i did my clutch.

I still have it sat on my stairs from my 09 plate a year ago!

So if you want a lower mileage one, get in touch and we can work something out.

clutch wise, Sachs do an organic clutch which is oem spec, i have box etc so part numbers if you'd like.

If the car is staying standard, you may aswell stick a slightly uprated one on as costwise i dont think its much in it between that and Audi's own. **EDIT** Its double the cost of a standard LUK clutch...See a few posts down for details of LUK Clutch (although at the time is wasn't to me... so was worth while upgrade)

If mods are planned up to stage 2+, go with the full race sachs clutch. (LUK DMF still)

Any further, single mass flywheel and 'Spec' clutch see Alex's build thread for details.

+ normal for clutches and performance cars are very hard to put a pin on. Depends how they are driven etc, but i'd say, you've done well.

Fitting = labour £300

DMF - £250 ish

clutch- £240

Thats what i paid.

Main VW dealer.... although i do know them..

 

[rustysheriff360]

Thanks for info.

There are no plans to mod the car so a standard clutch would be what I was looking to get fitted.

i will have to speak to the dealer again as I'm sure he said an extra £900 for the DMF on top of the £799 which makes the main dealer DMF about 3 1/2 times the price you paid.

 

[OVRA3]

Thanks for info.

There are no plans to mod the car so a standard clutch would be what I was looking to get fitted.

i will have to speak to the dealer again as I'm sure he said an extra £900 for the DMF on top of the £799 which makes the main dealer DMF about 3 1/2 times the price you paid.

And the moral of that story is go to a good independent rather than the dealer. I admit the free coffee is great as is the skirt on reception but when she hands you that bill all the skirt in the world isn't going to make up for it!

 

[mjr901]

Thanks for info.

There are no plans to mod the car so a standard clutch would be what I was looking to get fitted.

i will have to speak to the dealer again as I'm sure he said an extra £900 for the DMF on top of the £799 which makes the main dealer DMF about 3 1/2 times the price you paid.

Extra £900 is an absolute Pisstake!!!

 

[rustysheriff360]

I went to the dealer as I drive past it on the way home and thought I could use this a comparison. I must have got the extra £900 for DMF wrong. I'm going to have to check this in case they were giving me a good price.

I think It's time to start looking for an independent.

 

[S3 syc]

I'd appreciate the part number please if poss as I'm having the same problem and I deal with Sachs at work so hopefully get 1 cheap.

 

[mjr901]

SACHS ORGANIC CLUTCH (equivalent to standard clutch but sachs so therefore in my mind better, not to be confused with the Sachs race one) part number is: 3000951830

LUK DMF: 415033110

 

[mjr901]

This is a really good website and is where i got my DMF from, its actually a motor factors somewhere, cant remember where, but i went there out of urgency and they seemed nice enough
.

Buy AUDI S3 2.0 2007 flywheel online and save | Buy Parts By-------- £274.43

Luk Clutch kit there too if your interested.

Buy AUDI S3 2.0 2007 clutch kits online and save | Buy Parts By ------- £132.62

I've shown the more expensive one that contains release bearing etc, might aswell change it for the sake of a few quid and it should be included in the labour costs anyway.

 

[OVRA3]

I went to the dealer as I drive past it on the way home and thought I could use this a comparison. I must have got the extra £900 for DMF wrong. I'm going to have to check this in case they were giving me a good price.

I think It's time to start looking for an independent.

You probably weren't wrong

 

[mjr901]

Total cost of parts = £407.05 inc VAT.

Your turn to find some good value labour!

6.5 hours is the quoted time for this job.

Average independant, What £50 an hour? so £325 labour.

Approximately With Everything Fully Fitted = £732.05

 

[MB RS3]

I've got a 57 reg. 40,000 mile S3 that is completely standard (apart from led numberplate bulbs). The clutch started slipping about 5000-6000 miles ago. It would only slip a little when cold for the first mile or so. In the last week, it's started to slip even after the car has done a 20 mile journey. It only slips for a small amount when the car is under load, e.g. Accelerating in 6th from around 50mph as the boost cuts in. I've just spoken to my dealer who recommends getting it replaced as soon as possible as if it continues to slip, the DMF can heat up and get damaged and may also need to be replaced at an additional cost of around £900. They have quoted me £799 to do the clutch excluding the DMF.


1) Is this a normal amount of miles for an S3 clutch before it needs replacing?
2) Does it need to be replaced ASAP as advised?
3) Does the costs sound about right?

Looking on Eurocarparts, a LUK clutch assembly and flywheel costs about £500. Is this the same brand as Audi use?

Any advice welcome.

Mate, i had the same issue with pricing from Audi for the exact same problem however mine was slipping in 4th at around 3.5 - 4k rpm... kick up a fuss and they will do it under a good will package... 40K is low mileage especially for the age! Don't let the "Stealers" win!

Good Luck!

 

[rustysheriff360]

I contacted the local dealer today to confirm the cost of the clutch and the DMF as I only had a quick chat with the parts guy previously. I was told by the service girl that the clutch is £849 and is the goodwill price and cannot be reduced anymore. If the DMF was required, it would be an extra £735 parts and labour. She did say that the petrol engines don't usually have DMF problems so it more than likely wouldn't need to be replaced. That's easy for her to say when cars on the ramp in pieces and they call me to say say it needs a DMF. I commented to her about how expensive the parts costs were and was told that the after market parts were not genuine Audi parts and probably wouldn't last as long. Even though the after market parts were either LUK or Sachs as fitted by Audi. So looks like a deadend with the dealer. I'm considering contacting the service manager in case he's a bit more accommodating but will more than likely drive the car until the clutch dies and then get an independent to do it at half the cost.

Moving on from this, I contacted a few independent specialists in the Norwich area today and got prices from £750 to £980, supplied, fitted and includes the DMF and VAT. At the average cost of the independents, I could have two clutches and DMF's supplied and fitted.

 

[br20vt]

In all fairness id never take my car to Audi for any work, i was not long ago quoted £125 for wheel alignment on my S3 at Teesside Audi, drove 5 mins down the road and had it done for £30, its ridiculous.

 

[S.]

audi service is a rip off!!! i mean +1500£ for oem clutch with DMF which barely handles stock power?
glad you looked at other places because if you're looking for stock clutch for stock power then you can probably get it for half price audi quoted..