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servicing with an independent when still under warranty

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 8:23 am
by rtd
folks

i still have a years manufacturers warranty on my car and the front pads now need replacing. have decided to replace discs at same time but i'm looking at £1300 with the stealer. if i went to a reputable indie i think i could get it done for under £900 however, will i be in breach of my warranty? obviously we would be using OEM parts etc. just want some clarity on this before i go ahead and book car with indie or stay in stealer network.

Re: servicing with an independent when still under warranty

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 2:28 pm
by Golfather
If the discs or pads prematurely warp or crack, your warranty claim would be against TPS, and then trying to prove the indie didnt mess up the job. Stealers wouldnt entertain you.

Best to get it done at stealers and get them to price match the indie, which they usually do or get close to, with some slight persuasion ;)

Re: servicing with an independent when still under warranty

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 2:37 pm
by rtd
Good point bro, will do as suggested.


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Re: servicing with an independent when still under warranty

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 5:23 pm
by Shimbo
Theres no affect on your warranty doing your own discs and pads using approved parts

Re: servicing with an independent when still under warranty

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 6:18 pm
by Foxy
Using an indie will not affect your warranty provided they use OEM parts, it's the law. I have not used a main dealer for consumables (brakes, fluids etc) for some years across a range of cars and have never had an issue, saving myself a few quid in the process. A good indie is often a lot better than a main dealer IMHO

Re: servicing with an independent when still under warranty

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 7:05 pm
by MikeFish
Servicing is one thing; have to use a VAT registered garage to maintain warranty. But changing brakes is not servicing ie there is no stamp in the book for it so you can take it where you like. As golf stated, the brakes will not be covered by Audi if you have them fitted elsewhere.

Re: servicing with an independent when still under warranty

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 7:07 pm
by doodlebug
Using dealer also gains you goodwill, but that’s difficult to put a number on. What I will say is that I have previously gained greatly from having maintained that relationship.

Re: servicing with an independent when still under warranty

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 8:25 pm
by MikeFish
doodlebug wrote:
Mon Oct 30, 2017 7:07 pm
Using dealer also gains you goodwill, but that’s difficult to put a number on. What I will say is that I have previously gained greatly from having maintained that relationship.
I agree for servicing, but they will be completely unaware of the fact you have gone elsewhere for your brakes unless the issue is with the brakes themselves.

Re: servicing with an independent when still under warranty

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 8:28 pm
by rtd
doodlebug wrote:Using dealer also gains you goodwill, but that’s difficult to put a number on. What I will say is that I have previously gained greatly from having maintained that relationship.
I used to think this way but when you’ve experienced crappy customer service and all they offer you is a reluctant apology then I have to walk they don’t deserve my hard earned.


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Re: servicing with an independent when still under warranty

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 8:48 pm
by doodlebug
rtd wrote:
doodlebug wrote:Using dealer also gains you goodwill, but that’s difficult to put a number on. What I will say is that I have previously gained greatly from having maintained that relationship.
I used to think this way but when you’ve experienced crappy customer service and all they offer you is a reluctant apology then I have to walk they don’t deserve my hard earned.


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I don’t disagree, and I think Audi are particularly bad here. You only have to look at how they used to be structured at Audi UK and how they are structured now. They’ve completely watered down the RS brand and the service that goes with it. Part of the reason I bailed.

Re: servicing with an independent when still under warranty

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 11:09 pm
by Surrey Sam
doodlebug wrote:
Mon Oct 30, 2017 7:07 pm
Using dealer also gains you goodwill, but that’s difficult to put a number on. What I will say is that I have previously gained greatly from having maintained that relationship.
x2

I've just had my dealer step up and cover all the labour cost for an engine replacement when Audi would only pay for the new engine. This is less than a week after the standard 3yr warranty expired.

If I didn't have that strong rapport built up with my dealer, then the whole experience could have been far worse than it all ready was.

Re: servicing with an independent when still under warranty

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 11:07 am
by Foxy
doodlebug wrote:
Mon Oct 30, 2017 7:07 pm
Using dealer also gains you goodwill, but that’s difficult to put a number on. What I will say is that I have previously gained greatly from having maintained that relationship.
I wish that were true but have had a enough situations where the dealer played hardball, despite my patronage, that I decided there's really no such thing as goodwill these days. I think margins are stretched and targets set to a point where there's very little slack in the system.

Re: servicing with an independent when still under warranty

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 7:13 pm
by Ian_C
Surrey Sam wrote:
Mon Oct 30, 2017 11:09 pm
doodlebug wrote:
Mon Oct 30, 2017 7:07 pm
Using dealer also gains you goodwill, but that’s difficult to put a number on. What I will say is that I have previously gained greatly from having maintained that relationship.
x2

I've just had my dealer step up and cover all the labour cost for an engine replacement when Audi would only pay for the new engine. This is less than a week after the standard 3yr warranty expired.

If I didn't have that strong rapport built up with my dealer, then the whole experience could have been far worse than it all ready was.
WOW, I've not been on the forum much lately and completely missed this!! :o

Re: servicing with an independent when still under warranty

Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2017 1:22 am
by FaisalJ
Sounds like you're having a rough time with the B8 Sam - hopefully getting near to being all sorted?


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Re: servicing with an independent when still under warranty

Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2017 2:18 pm
by Surrey Sam
Cheers chaps, not ideal but love the car, so have just sucked it up.

Hardest part was not the 3 months without it, but the current engine "running in" process. I'm only 500 miles (800km) in and have another 700miles to go before I can even use full throttle and revs. :cry:

Engine run in.jpg
Run In process