£1000 - MOT Failure!!! WTF?

[s3mad_dude]

Just had my car fail it's MOT at Audi. They wanted £999 to replace front and rear anti-roll bars, NSF track rod end, and replace a hose under the bonnet to cure the engine light.

WTF!!!

Anyhoo, one of the ex-Audi mechanics started up his own business specialising in VW/Audi about two years ago so I got in touch with him and he can fix it all in for just shy of £500, which isn't too bad I suppose.

My question is whilst I'm getting the ARBs replaced, shoud I have R32 ones fitted? What is the benfit as I see loads of people getting this mod done on here.

Cheers.

 

[1animal1]

Are you kidding me, at 500 it's still rich for what needs doing, plus I'd doubt they both need replacing.sounds fishy to me

 

[Sandip]

Are you kidding me, at 500 it's still rich for what needs doing, plus I'd doubt they both need replacing.sounds fishy to me

Agree, £500 is excessive!

When i asked Audi about my anti roll bar bushes they told me it was wise to change the anti roll bar at the same time???? Not sure why lol (only did bushes, still ok)

What's the hose that needs changing?

 

[s3mad_dude]

Well, that's a MOT, track rod end and breather hose too. Not sure which pipe it is but it's the one near the inlet manifold, not sure what it's name or part no. is.

Bushes are included but this is Audi's opinion, the ex-mechanic chap hasn't seen it the car yet so will be nice to get a second opinion anyway judging by your replies.

Well if it does need ARBs, what do you guys suggest is a fair price for regular or R32 ones supplied and fitted?

 

[1animal1]

tell you what its most likely to be, the ARBs have plastic pieces that keep the bushes intact, sometimes these break...the consensus with Audi mechanics is that they always need changing because of this plastic breaking.....not always the case, i know mine were fine

and if i were you mad id be getting rid of that pipework under the mani, check out the catch can group buy....otherwise you'll end up having to buy a collection of hoses from Audi which can still fail again and still wont provide as much protection from oil seaping into your turbo inlet pipe

 

[mk1chopper]

Its more than likely (as 1animal1 said) the collars that locate the bush's in place have broken off, but if Audi have failed the mot on this then they will need changing. Get the R32 items, I regret not doing this when I replaced mine (didnt have the funds) there a great alternative to more expensive aftermarket ARB and are a proved improvement to the S3 handling. As for the price £500 include parts is possibly a little bit steep. The front arb isnt a straight forward swap though, and you'll require the wheel alignment to be checked after. Audi will be charging you £100 an hour labour so there quote doesnt surprise me. QST is based in west sussex, might be worth giving them a call and seeing what they'd charge for having the work undertaken.

additional info:

I use TTS for a lot of work on my car, they charge £100+vat (2 hours) for fitting of the front ARB and £50 +vat (1 hour) for the rear