Useless dealer

[CraigM]

Just had my 80k service carried out yesterday by my local dealer (Edinburgh Audi) including getting the belts changed along with the waterpump. Also got a new radiator under warranty as the old one was leaking slightly.

Was going through the bill this morning and noticed that they have charged me for 7 litres of engine oil - strange as I thought the engine only takes 6 litres. Also printed on the invoice was "tyre pressures set to 30 psi" a little odd as they are supposed to be 36 psi.

I phoned the dealer to ask why they did this and was told that the engine takes 7 litres I argued that the handbook, previous service invoices and other dealers all say 6 litres - they refused to believe me and told me it is definately 7 litres. I then asked why they only put 6 litres in during the last service and he couldn't answer me, just said that the engine takes 7 litres.

I then asked why they dropped the tyre pressures to 30 psi and was told because thats what they are supposed to be. I questioned him why the handbook and sticker on the fuel flap both say 36 psi and was told they must be wrong as they should be 30 psi....................

Can anyone please just confirm that a 1998 A4 2.8 30v quattro with standard engine and tyres (205 55 16) should take 6 litres of oil and have tyre pressure of 36 psi before I go mad at them.

 

[jdp1962]

I'll check this evening & get back to you.

 

[m_o_w_g_l_i]

I've had similar when I had a Saab, they said it was dealer practice to charge for a full 5 litres even thought he car only took 4! We fell out and I got a refund, they weren't very happy about it though.

 

[madvw]

Audi UK here you come...

 

[AndyMac]

Craig that must have been a hefty bill, Audi charged me £700 for just the cam belt change on my 30v and as I didn't know any better they didn't do the water pump.
So had to have the whole job done again the following year when the pump started to seize (could so easily have resulted in an engine rebuild). Luckily by then I'd found a really good specialist who did everything for £400. I'll never use those overpriced muppets again.

TBH you're better off taking your own oil.
But at 80k FASH is not really going to effect the resale value so I'd always recommend a good VAG specialist as 1. they're half the price on labour, 2. they use OEM parts but they're cheaper and 3. they seem to actually care about you and the car.

 

[tubtub]

Does the 80K service include an oil filter change? If it does, that could be why more oil was used; the filter contains oil which stays in if it isn't changed.

 

[madvw]

the oil filter gets replaced on every oil-change.

 

[CraigM]

Thanks for all the replies.

They charged me for one 5 litre and two 1 litre cans so there is now way they can say they had to charge for 7 litres.

The bill was £890 which I don't think was too bad. I would have taken it to an independent garage but the car is still under warranty and was getting the new radiator (under warranty) at the same time - made sense to get the belt done whilst they had the front end off for that.

I have tried calling the dealer several times to speak to the service manager but he hasn't returned any of my calls - looks like I will have to write to Audi UK.

 

[jdp1962]

Audi A4/S4 Owner's manual, November 1998

Page 207: Oil capacity of six-cylinder petrol engine is "approx" 6.0 litres.
It also has a warning not to put too much oil in.

Page 164: "The tyre inflation pressures (for normal summer tyres) are listed on a sticker inside the fuel tank flap - see illustration. Correct inflation pressures are very important, especially at high speed."

Have just checked the sticker on my 1999 2.8 30V Quattro, & it says 36 all round for normal running. I'm guessing from your comments that your says exactly the same.

The remdy for the tyres is easy. You put the extra air in yourself, and vow never to let the cretin who reckons it should be 30 (I'm surprised the steering wheel turns at that pressure!) any where near your car again.

As far as the oil is concerned, it's possible it took slightly more than 6 litres by the time the filter had filled up, so they'd have had to break open the second 1.0 litre bottle. Way I see it, they should have handed you the part-used bottle with the remaining oil in there, seeing as they've charged you for it.

Get onto the Dealer Principal & ask for the unused oil that you've paid for!!!!!

Incidentally, if you've not got an owner's manual, PM me your email address & I'll scan & send those pages to you.

 

[AndyMac]

I made the same mistake and it was the last time I used a stealer.
It would have been cheaper at an independent including paying for the rad.
The job is pretty much all labour with about £100 on parts, so you are paying £80+ per hour rather than £45-£50 at an independent.