"Don't trust Audi Forums, they scare monger"

[JD09]

This was the response that I received from a person at an Audi garage just now, while enquiring after prices for brake discs/pads (purely out of interest). She asked what my car was (she couldn't find it due to the private plate) and I explained it was a 1.8T with the 225 BAM engine code, to which she replied "unusual for someone to know their engine code".

The garage will remain anonymous but I find that just hilarious! Apparantly my Audi is "unique and not all software codes and faults will mean the same thing from one car to another"!!??

Anyone else had a similar experience??

JD

 

[leshkin]

Are you sure you were taking to a mechanic or the receptionist?

 

[JD09]

Service department apparently!!

 

[finesse]

lol

My garage wanted 249 quid for an oil change :|

 

[Ian W]

I'd be more inclined to go with - "Don't believe everything you hear regarding german reliability, its really not that good"

 

[JD09]

Better than French, let's be honest.

Here's a laugh for you; brakes, front, fitted etc; £322.84. Rear; £254.41.

Clearly those gold leaf pads that, instead of brake dust, coat your wheels in gold dust. . . !!!!!!

 

[jojo]

"Don't trust Audi Forums, they scare monger"

This is actually true for garages who have no interest in using the internet or car forums specifically. They don't believe in them and think it's all hearsay etc., so don't believe in the advice you are given over a computer, they know best of course...

Regarding the engine code, you need the engine code for most modern VAG cars to order the parts from an Audi or VW dealership from my experience, so knowing the engine codes to all my VAG cars is normal to me, and know the engine codes of other similar models is normal to me too.

 

[Westy]

When I called VW armed with all the part numbers for the Golf Mk4 aero wipers I got questioned about where and how I had got the part numbers! I explained that I got them from a forum and that I could get a copy of ETKA (the parts system containing all numbers) if I wanted. The guy nearly choked in disbelief!!!

 

[JD09]

Agreed JoJo, it is standard for most of us car enthusiasts.

 

[Mr.G]

My tuppence worth.

I'm speaking personally here, and can only mention my own experiences with Audi Forums and Audi Main Dealers/Garages alike.

If it wasn't for Audi-Sport.net more than likely I'd be severely out of pocket, lacking knowledge about my car and I'd never know about all the neat things that surround VAG cars, like for instance VAGcom and re-mapping etc.

Audi wish to keep this info hidden and ask you to pay a premium for the privilege of knowing very little. They keep everything closed book and put a high price tag on even the smallest of items they sell or provide. I am very grateful for all forums not just Audi-Sport.net, I'm a member of lots of others too.

Most dealers are ok, Bridgend suprised me today by helping me order parts for my broken clutch pedal, I guess it all depends on who you speak to, not always does that very person represent the company they work for, in a well enough manner. We are after all each of us "human", prone to moods, awkwardness, un-reliability (as much as a car if not more)!

 

[JD09]

We are after all each of us "human", prone to moods, awkwardness, un-reliability (as much as a car if not more)!

I'd add opinions to that and second it.

I've spoken to the same dealership about respraying a rusted part, talked through the fact that there is a very long thread about results of Audi's bodywork guarantee on AS.net and not a word was uttered about the forums/threads and the price was massively reduced. And these two individuals sit basically next to each other as I asked after the other person.

 

[Biggied]

While I do find forums very informative they can also lead you up the garden path, its knowing how to read through the bullsh*it & use the info as a tool to help, not just read things & asume they are 100% truth. As for dealers keeping info close to there chest, this is just good buisness sense if you ask me, If you were a plumber you arn't going to tell you customer how to fix there own boiler & lose the sale now are you?

Ewan.

 

[leshkin]

Here's a laugh for you; brakes, front, fitted etc; £322.84. Rear; £254.41.

Dealer price:
£700 for front bumper respray
£1200 for new front bumper and to spray it

Local body-shop (insurance approved & good rep) £275

The guy's comment at the body-shop - "Well, I'm not sure what they will be doing with it for that price..."

 

[martin g]

I agree with Ewan, you cant blame the dealers etc, very few actually sit there rubbing thier hands and knowingly rip you off. Most believe in thier service, use the pricing guides they are given and look to make a good living...but dont we all????

Im prepared to bet a lot of money that if inclined, after some serious investigation i can find a handfull of forum members who in thier own work have taken a bit more then they should and still come on here an moan about dealer pricing....very prepared to bet....let he without sin cast the first stone and all that. We all have the choice to go elsewhere or do it ourselves, I dont believe in slating the dealers, you can probably tell

No, im not a dealer or garage by the way...i just know how people can be.

On topic, forums are great for saving some cash yes...Ive only has the S3 two months ive done both Stat and o2 sensor myself, with advice from here and already ive saved £300 or so in labour, so thanks guys!

 

[The Maestro]

It's the same with everything in the world - especially in the UK - depending on your level of how street-wise one is will depend how much of a mug you're taken for. Unless you know the inside track of whatever you're looking into, you're gonna be met, most of the time, with someone looking to make a buck off your back! That's life, sadly, and our only defence is to research first, research some more, and finally ... research what you've researched. Hence, as someone else here said: the forums help, steer through the ******** and ignore the personal jibberish and hey, you'll be well armed for the mug waiting for you - and there are some right bullshitters in Audi dealerships. Just before we drove out here to Budapest - having a nice time thank you - my dealer made a comment to which I said; "Pah-leez, do you want to think about what you've just said and, before saying it again, ask yourself if I look stupid?" I've had issues with my dealer since day one. Anyway ....

Research, research research ... and then screw them for every commissionable allowances they can give you - because you'll know all about dealer margins etc before you have a dealer try, TRY, and tell you themselves - in lies!

But I'm not bitter.

Take care

 

[Oranoco]

pmsl. Reminds me of when I sent my ex to Ford to get a petrol cap for my RS Turbo. She told the guy what it was and his response was "Ford have never made a turbocharged Escort". When the guy came and had a look he thought it was an aftermarket kit and even when she pointed to the turbo he told her it was part of the air conditioning. What a spoon!!!!!!

 

[The Maestro]

What a spoon!!!!!!

Na, spoons are useful and do what they're supposed too. What an idiot, notknowing one their most famous production cars, lol.

 

[scott b]

to be fair to my local dealer, warrington audi, ive found the parts staff very helpfull and the prices to be cheaper than what i was expecting, bearing in mind i used to have a nissan almera and the prices for genuin nissan parts is higher than audis!