Servicing - Main Dealer or Independant?

[gazzer_s3]

Hi all
As above, do you use Audi Main Dealer or Independent Audi Specialist for your yearly servicing?
I used Independent for my last service but it was only the Oil service so just wondering whether to go main dealer for next service?
Car is 2010 plate S3 & was set up on long life service but have had it changed to 12 monthly intervals.

Thanks
Gary

 

[chris.vincent3]

I do it myself Not paying someone else to do my job, and in my eyes, least I know the service is done properly. Known garages to put on rounded sump plugs.. Not worth the stamp in the book in my eyes.

 

[Brodster]

As above and I have a 2012 S3. Was quoted £326 plus VAT for an interim oil change so binned it and did it myself for £35 and got the book stamped. The price difference between certain areas is unreal as I have seen prices as low as £100 for an interim oil change.....its ridiculous why prices are so varied.

 

[gazzer_s3]

I paid just over £100 for the interim oil change so £326 +vat is criminal! Not sure what's involved on next service as my car was set on long life servicing before oil service.

 

[Marshy]

Do my own work.
As above at least you know the jobs done right!

 

[s3_sid]

if its only £100 its worth it for the resale value but unfortunately most independents have more skilled and time served mechanics than main dealers which seem to be filled with cheap teen labour to do simple jobs !

it is always worth getting it up on a lift when servicing things and go through the whole car remove all the wheels check everything quick sand of the center bores and copper slip to keep it was to remove the wheels,

but it all down to what you want to do its always going to be worth slightly more with full main dealer service history, but if you plan keeping it a few years then you wont get back what its cost you extra

 

[chris.vincent3]

Also, chances are on a cheap oil change service they didn't flush the engine of old oil, just filled it back up with new oil with traces of old oil still in the engine.

Wish people paid me £326 to do an oil change. I could retire by the time I'm 30.

 

[s3_sid]

i wouldn't say its a major issue making sure all the oil is flushed out the engine to be honest just run a touch of oil into the engine with the sump plug off if your that fussed but i wouldn't start dropping the sump or tanking oil cooler off to gt rid of it all,

but i find the biggest thing is people cross threading sumps, i dont know why they dont put a steel insert in them and be done with it from the factory! its always handy to have a few time serts to hand saves it happening again though

 

[AK47UK]

I might be way off here but is it true you can get a dealer stamp if you buy all genuine service parts and fit yourself? I might have imagined it but I'm sure someone told me a long time ago you could service your own car using OEM spec parts and still get a stamp in the book.

I have a full Audi service history on my car which the previous owner did but if Audi want big money for easy jobs I don't think I will have it serviced by them.

 

[PaulAr]

Worth mentioning that AUDI will honour goodwill contributions on repairs to cars with full dealer history, less than 6 year old, and 60K miles.
If you go independant or DIY you will forgo this so worth considering when making the decision to discontinue the dealer regime.
I guess it really depends how old the car is and how long you plan to keep it.

FWIW I wouldnt buy a premium high performance car such as an S3 that had a DIY history, although I would consider a car with an indy SH as long as it was carried out by a reputable specialist.

That said, when I have price checked specialist against dealer servicing its never been much more than £100 or so, which over a year is nowt when you consider it WILL have a positive effect on residuals.
Remember that general percention of full dealer history is very different to average Joe and the motor trade than it is for the regular the AS.net goer.
Even if a car can be in better shape for NOT having a dealer history and having been cared for by a good specialist.

I have always maintained the dealer history on cars that have had it but never used them for remedial work.
If the service throws up some repairs then I would have the book stamped then take it to a specialist for everyting else.

My 2p and experiences.
Each to their own I suppose.

 

[a3Tex]

As Paul says, I'd be wary of someone who had done the service themselves when buying a car. I mean obviously you know what you're doing but to the uninformed they are going to question it.

Local garages are fine for remedial work in my experience. If you look to sell your car in the local area then people will generally know who the good garages are. Certainly is the case my way, on my old car the local garage of choice was a main Vauxhall dealer! They're cheap but know what they are doing.

 

[ryanstewart9]

Worth mentioning that AUDI will honour goodwill contributions on repairs to cars with full dealer history, less than 6 year old, and 60K miles.
If you go independant or DIY you will forgo this so worth considering when making the decision to discontinue the dealer regime.
I guess it really depends how old the car is and how long you plan to keep it.

Really??

Three months out of warranty with less than 60k, with full Audi service history I had a rear spring snap.
Neither the local dealers or Audi UK had any interest in any kind of goodwill gesture.

In fact, I was told by the guy at Audi UK, that their responsibility ends at the three year mark unless extended warranty is taken out.
When I asked what's the point in having the car serviced with Audi then, he responded with 'apart from resale, nothing'.

For me it's a trusted independent from then on.

 

[PaulAr]

Really??

Three months out of warranty with less than 60k, with full Audi service history I had a rear spring snap.
Neither the local dealers or Audi UK had any interest in any kind of goodwill gesture.

In fact, I was told by the guy at Audi UK, that their responsibility ends at the three year mark unless extended warranty is taken out.
When I asked what's the point in having the car serviced with Audi then, he responded with 'apart from resale, nothing'.

For me it's a trusted independent from then on.

Yep.
But it tends to be for major stuff and/or known design issues though.
I had window regs changed out on a Golf at 50% contribution. This was a very common problem with Mk4s.

A guy on here had half of his substantial engine build cost covered on his 3.2 as it was related to the `timing chain stretch issue` that has be widely documented.

Not that I would necessarily agree, but I guess in your case a knackered spring was considered small value wear and tear?

Any contributions outside the 3yr term are descretionary so no guarantees. I think a lot depends on nature and magnitude of a repair or claim. And how hard the dealer tries to fight your corner.

Paul

 

[Marshy]

I tried for corrosion on my alloys at 38 months old with full audi history and the answer was no!
I'm a mechanic so do my own stuff at work using genuine parts and stamp the book.

It's maybe not audi history now but the books stamped and I have all the receipts for genuine parts.

 

[gazzer_s3]

So my car is 4yrs old this year, anyone know rough cost of Audi service & whats required?
As said car is S3 2010 plate with 21k on clock (not that mileage matters), Thanks

 

[Wicked666]

Main dealer for me as had issues with independents in the past. Plus I get a hire car for no extra costs and they also valet the car inside and out including the boot. Drop it off at 8am, get their car to get to work, then pick it up at 6pm. No need to have time off work or wait around. All work they do is on record and with a full main dealer history makes it easier to sell.

For my main service last year I shopped around a few audi garages to get the cheapest price. Was around £600 for full service, all filters changed, brake fluid, haldex, DSG + MOT in the end.

In my opinion for a little more I have piece of mind that less likely will go wrong.

Obviously I wouldn't pay audi £39 for new wipers

 

[Skandz]

my only discrepancy with main dealers -

once i took my car their for a major service - but they didnt change the spark plugs - reason why - oh sir the computer says they didnt need changing but they still had the ordacity to charge me for a full service...

went and changed out the plugs myself and could feel the difference instantly..

just my 2p worth - but my local indie - i know whats been done to my car.. and if i ask for something to be done it is definately done unluck the cheap skanking dealers

 

[Marshy]

Also main dealer servicing on a petrol car will never get the fuel filter changed as there's no recommended interval!!

 

[ron burgandy]

Just had a quote from my local dealer for my 4 year /38 000 service Is £309

 

[Dave-S3]

I think ill be using main dealers purely as the car cost me a lot and although i trust my local indy 100% and he's 100% reputable i want the stamp and the computer record. Plus the courtesy car is a bonus.

Plus if theres anything not done to my expectation or someone taking the mick (as I'm very particular) id rather do it with a main dealer than a indy!

 

[Marshy]

Just had a quote from my local dealer for my 4 year /38 000 service Is £309

Does that include the haldex service?

 

[Dan-Jnr]

Personally if the Audi warranty has expired I would go specialist independent. Audi stamps aren't worth anything in resell value as long as the history is stamped when it should and receipts to prove work then all is good. Just don't go to a back alley outfit.

 

[NKenny]

Specialist Indy for me. I like to talk directly to the person who has been working on my car. With Dealerships it is a service manager who has never seen your car or snotty receptionist.

 

[Dan-Jnr]

Out all the times I took my S3 8L to Audi Manchester they scratched my car on both of the doors, and the bonnet.
They don't give a damn about your car, and will fob you off as much as they can.

I agree with NKenny much better to speak directly with the person who is working on your car.

The only time I was pleased with their service was when they did warranty work on my roof rails area, and that was because it was a local paint shop and not Audi.

 

[prt57]

I use the main dealer but rarely pay the full price as a bit of negotiation when booking in seems to do the trick!!

 

[sliced]

I just get the main dealer to do the £159 service to get the book stamped and then the rest elsewhere. but when you break it down its not as expensive as you think, a decent loan car for the day, wash and vac, car health check with a breakdown of what needs to be done and recommendations. Oh and the interim service ofc 😄

 

[PaulAr]

Personally if the Audi warranty has expired I would go specialist independent. Audi stamps aren't worth anything in resell value as long as the history is stamped when it should and receipts to prove work then all is good. Just don't go to a back alley outfit.

It narrows your market, especially if you are looking to trade it back to a main dealer.
I have also sold cars to people who would only buy a car privately if it had a main dealer history.

I had a mate who worked for AUDI years back and admitted that lots of stuff is `missed` to save time (and increase bonus), Ive also had some pretty crap experiences with a main VW dealer myself.

So on that basis I agree your car could well be better off in the hands of a good indy however the reality is that the residual value of the car IS affected. Crazy but true.

All of which means nowt if you plan to keep it long term.

 

[sliced]

It narrows your market, especially if you are looking to trade it back to a main dealer.
I have also sold cars to people who would only buy a car privately if it had a main desaler history.

I had a mate who worked for AUDI years back and admitted that lots of stuff is `missed` to save time (and increase bonus), Ive also had some pretty crap experiences with a main VW dealer myself.

So on that basis I agree your car could well be better off in the hands of a good indy however the reality is that the residual value of the car IS affected. Crazy but true.

All of which means nowt if you plan to keep it long term.

Couldn't agree more, When i was selling my last audi, the first question that would always pop up is, " is it audi full service history"
But also depends on value of car, if the cars worth say sub 5k, it won't affect the value of it much.

 

[AK47UK]

I think when my first service is due I will contact the Audi dealership (as I know the head of servicing at one of my local dealerships) to see what the damage will be and if it's too much I will go to an indy. I intend to keep my car for a long time and (I think) I got a very good deal on it anyway so in the end I expect the cost of ownership to be minimal and it should hold it's value well. Of course knowing my luck this won't be the case but for now I am loving my Audi

 

[the_cueball]

Worth mentioning that AUDI will honour goodwill contributions on repairs to cars with full dealer history, less than 6 year old, and 60K miles.
If you go independant or DIY you will forgo this so worth considering when making the decision to discontinue the dealer regime.
I guess it really depends how old the car is and how long you plan to keep it.

FWIW I wouldnt buy a premium high performance car such as an S3 that had a DIY history, although I would consider a car with an indy SH as long as it was carried out by a reputable specialist.

Are you 100% sure about that???

I service my S8 by myself, with my local indy doing anything I can't..

I did have 1 trip to the main stealers last year, and although my car is a 2002 plate, they done a warranty claim without fuss or cost to me.

I've also had warranty work (8 coil packs and 2 new front wings, inc paint) on my old S4 - 2003 plate with no charge.....it was also serviced by me - I had no issues with them trying to charge me, or get out of the work.

So my experience with my high performance Audi's seems to be somewhat different to what you are claiming...

and my DIY maintaned S4 sold within 3 hours of me putting the advert up... thankfully serious people can see when a car has been looked after, regardless of a bit of ink on a service book....

 

[gazzer_s3]

Just been quoted £300 for Oil change, Inspection + Pollen Filter! Will way up if I go to Audi or Specialist as was £111 last year at Indy Specialist!

 

[PaulAr]

Are you 100% sure about that???

I service my S8 by myself, with my local indy doing anything I can't..

I did have 1 trip to the main stealers last year, and although my car is a 2002 plate, they done a warranty claim without fuss or cost to me.

I've also had warranty work (8 coil packs and 2 new front wings, inc paint) on my old S4 - 2003 plate with no charge.....it was also serviced by me - I had no issues with them trying to charge me, or get out of the work.

So my experience with my high performance Audi's seems to be somewhat different to what you are claiming...

and my DIY maintaned S4 sold within 3 hours of me putting the advert up... thankfully serious people can see when a car has been looked after, regardless of a bit of ink on a service book....

Seems we have different experiences.

Pleased it worked out for you.