Help needed for friend with £5k repair quote from audi dealership for A3 Tdi

bantam1 · Jul 20, 2016

Hi Everyone,

Can you possibly help with some approximate costs and even recommendations for a local specialist?

I have a friend who owns a 2012 A3 Sport 2.0 TDI. He recently had an mot where he was advised about a 'slight chatter' from the gearbox casing, but was not told that it needed attention. A couple of weeks later this turned into a 'loud grinding and knocking sound'. Car still driveable and just been inspected by audi who are advising 'major damage' and bill for just over £5k for new box etc.

This sounds majorly wrong on so many levels, not least the quote! Car is in the Coventry / Kenilworth area - can anyone recommend a good gearbox / vdub specialist in this vicinity who can be trusted to diagnose and quote fairly? I had an 8L S3 a few years back and used to use Midland VW in Cannock back then who were great but if there's anything nearer to Cov / Kenilworth / Birmingham that would be great.

Not sure on diagnosis or realistic prices if this did need a new / recon box?

Many thanks all in advance,

B.

Audiforlife · Jul 20, 2016

A second hand box would be a maximum of around 500 notes. Dmf and clutch kit around 350 and I would guess labour in a reputable garage would be around 300-400

S3Alex · Jul 20, 2016

As above.

Also even if he buys a used box,rebuilding it completely would be under a grand if he bought a tired one.

desertstorm · Jul 20, 2016

Sounds like a Sachs clutch issue. One of my work colleagues with a 2011 2.0 TDI Golf had the same issue. The clutch pressure plate fails and pieces of the pressure plate machine a nice groove in the end of the gearbox . If the groove goes deep enough the gearbox is scrap.
My colleague managed to find a second hand box and along with a new LUK clutch it's all fixed now.

Sayam · Jul 20, 2016

Slaters garage in nottingham *seem* to have a good reputation online, especially for their DSG repairs, maybe worth having a chat and doing your own due dil?

bantam1 · Jul 21, 2016

Thanks all.

SootySport · Jul 21, 2016

A main dealer charges a premium because they will replace your box with a new one, not a recon unit, they'll also give a guarantee on it. They will also tell you that only Audi techs are capable of doing a professional job on your car and no one else can match up to them.
But we all know there are other VAG indies who can very capably change/repair a VAG gearbox just as well at a much reduced price.
Is it a DSG or manual box? may just be the flywheel or clutch that failed, but you can't be sure until the gearbox has been removed.
Whatever it is, it's a bit of a shock this has happened on a 2012 car. Your friend may have good cause to go through a main dealer and make a point of a gearbox failing after 3 years, it should last the lifetime of the car. He'll have more clout if he has owned the car from new and has full Audi service history. Consumer rights may also be on your side for this failure, look into that avenue as well.
Hopefully a couple of more indie recommendations will come along for you to choose from.

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Help needed for friend with £5k repair quote from audi dealership for A3 Tdi

bantam1

Registered User

Audiforlife

Registered User

S3Alex

Rarely neutral

desertstorm

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Sayam

Well-Known Member

bantam1

Registered User

SootySport

Registered User

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