Cambelt change - confusing!!

[Wolverine]

Well, Audi customer services have just told me a cambelt change is 2.9-3.2 hours, but some places might add further hours for cost of removal of the front-end or chnaging pretensioners etc ... however, CS technician maintained that the total job should definately not cost more than 5 hours.

[peterb]

Well, I picked my car up from its 3 year service, and typed on my invoice was 'Cambelt renewal due at 40,000 miles'.

I queried this, saying that Audi Customer Services had informed me differently. She went away to check and after about five minutes came back to say I was correct! 3 years or 60k miles. I asked for a price - she said the system showed 7.5 hour labour which, together with parts (belt and tensioner only) came to a few quid shy of £1100.

I'm still trying to decide what to do! Should I ring around and look for a better price, or pester the dealer because they mucked me around (I told them when I booked the car in that it was due for the belt change, but they didn't believe me) and push for a reduction?

[bogie]

I was told 3 years/60K when I bought my RS6 recently...they did it at 38K for me as the car was 3 years old

[fenny123]

Yes please find out and confirm, mine is due soon depending on what the answer is 3yrs.. 20, 30, 40, 50K miles >??

[Wolverine]

3yrs or 40k miles, whatever is first, is what I have been told.

[peterb]

Nope, 40k is the fixed-mileage interval for the (old) RS4. The current guidance from Audi CS is 3 years or 60k miles, whichever comes sooner.

[Wolverine]

Sorry, Peter you are correct. I got confused as I remember on my service notes, the chief engineer put "cambelt change needed at 40k", but CS said as you did.

[alangjones]

My M5 had a cam chain.No worries after 245K miles. The RS has a belt, if belts go -sh-t happens, expensive brown stuff.I have seen a belted engine after belt went. NASTY ! I got my belt changed at 38K ,safer and cheaper than sorry. Will get a rebelt at about 78K Rather spend a grand or so on belt change than have a new engine

[rjpatrick]

Just had mine done (perhaps should have put 'Been Done') at Amersham Audi (Part of HR Owen) - After some pressing they quoted me one the phone £646.75 + VAT = £759.93 total. I thought that this sounded good and agreed to go ahead - getting some warranty items looked at as well - see other post on groaning steering also had problems with passenger door speaker not working. Asked them to give the car a once over as at end of warranty and would like any other items fixed under warranty. Oh and an MOT (£44.15)

Anyway when I go to pick the car up I'm presented with a bill for......

Remember I'm expecting £760 (belt) + £44 (MOT) = £804

So guess what - the bill is for £1454

I'm a bit surprised (incredibly pissed off and depressed, remembered why I don't normally use Amersham despite their being just up the road from where I live).

I remonstrate - first of all off comes the £100 +vat for the check over.

So we're at £1285.13 can I shift them from this - No

Seems that the £760 is only for the labour - doesn't even include the belt (£48.48 + VAT) not to mention £360 + VAT of asorted other rollers, levers and tensioners.

I did ask when I was quoted the usual does this include VAT sort of questions - didn't think that I'd need to ask 'Does this include all parts?' as well.

I'm still waiting for the service manager to ring me up to discuss - failing this what to do?

My own fault - should have had it in writing - but the UK dealers I have had dealings with have all been disappointing in one way or another. Never been the same since the brand separation from VW.

Only went to Dealer as car still in warranty(like Wolverine) and didn't want to risk subsequent disputes in case of problems.


rjp

03 RS6 Black Outside + Black Inside
W S8 Black Outside + Black Inside
M S6
J 80 2.8E

[Rupert]

Sounds typical infortunately. I've been quoted suspiciously low figures before (for a service), "yes sir, all inclusive".

I recorded all of the conversations I had when asking for quotes, and made sure that I got the quote put "on the system". Thankfully they quoted low and honoured it, and I saved £200.

In general, they don't care what figure they tell you, they don't know what work they're going to do for that money, and they see you as a cash cow. How the hell do they expect someone to react when presented with a bill £650 MORE than quoted? An appearance on watchdog might be in order!

[Wolverine]

How many hours labour were you charged for the cambelt and how much is their hourly rate ?

Also, I was quoted £364.20 inc VAT for all the parts (belts, rollers, tensioners etc).

[rjpatrick]

My understanding is that it was 6.5 hours (although 'the book' time is 7.5) and that makes their rate £100/hour + VAT (£117.50/Hour) starts to compete with legal fees.

Parts total was £409.40 +vat (£481).

Of course the first question they always ask is 'Is this a leased car?' whether that's because they charge the leaseing co's more or not I have never been able to fathom. As the car's mine it also tends to p me off to be routinely treated so badly and I like the mis-match between their core values and reality:

Borrowed from their website, my italics:

Promise – service bookings made within 10 days dependent on courtesy car requirements
Mobility – we offer alternative transportation to keep you mobile
Peace-of-mind – our courtesy cars are fuelled and insured
Attentive – we ask your permission before we carry out any extra work
Trust – there are no hidden charges
Accountability – we name the technicians who work on your car
Consistency – training means standards are maintained
Pride – wash and vacuum after every Service
Assurance – that, in the unlikely event of a complaint, your issues will be dealt with properly

rjp

[SteveH]

That is truly savage, in the end I paid less than £800 all inc in January despite being quoted much more originally. Its definitely worth the Petrol to drive out of London to another location... I drove to Manchester just for a set of front discs as the saving by ringing around the country and driving up to Manchester more than paid for my time and fuel. I can't believe they tried to charge £100 for looking at the car, on top of the service charge.

It is amusing the labour charges; have commented before that individually I can employ Architects, Engineers and Lawyers for less than the fees I pay for my car to be serviced. Saying that I have had significant £'s of warranty work performed on my car, feel that I am in credit in the balance of things.

[BigMo]

Just been to ask about my 40k service. Involves 2 days work on the belts (more than one), change of spark plugs, levers, tensioners, pollen filters, brake fluid, oil fluid, etc.......£1450 all in!!!!!!!

[rjpatrick]

Just been to ask about my 40k service. Involves 2 days work on the belts (more than one), change of spark plugs, levers, tensioners, pollen filters, brake fluid, oil fluid, etc.......£1450 all in!!!!!!!

Suonds very reasonable - which dealer are you using?

rjp