Gearbox / diff oil change.

[mf51y]

My dealer said that they were sealed for life no maintenance required....unusual for Audi, they would love to plan an expensive routine maintenance but nothing in my service booklet which is why I queried with Audi?

First post Audi quoted for the change doesnt make sense if not required?

[coffey555]

Oil degrades over time so change the gearbox and diff fluids regardless of what the service manual does or does not tell you.

[neilparf]

My dealer said that they were sealed for life no maintenance required....unusual for Audi, they would love to plan an expensive routine maintenance but nothing in my service booklet which is why I queried with Audi?

First post Audi quoted for the change doesnt make sense if not required?

I suspect that's Audi Bedford trying to make a fast buck.

There's no regime for them and no mention in the booklet - you are right. It's down to preference. I see no reason when an engine oil change can be so regular then why not consider a diff and GB change? I'm not saying Audi are wrong, but back in 2006/2007 Audi was sure their DRC was sorted when the RS4 was manufactured and look at that engineering fiasco that turned out to be. I'm saying that ownership and fluid changes is not quite as hard and fast as Audi state when it comes to things like diff and GB change.

They are 'sealed' (not as in you can't drain the oil and change it 'sealed') and frankly if you don't want the expense of changing it, that's fine. But on MRC's standard service item page, they include a diff and GB change as part of the offered maintenance.

http://www.mrctuning.com/index.php?opti ... &Itemid=59

Just to add, Audi recommended a long life service regime on the RS4 also - now that's an ill thought suggestion. Oil change at 18K miles - not for me and indeed a lot of owners on here.

The RS4 is a high performance car - any persistent fluid change can only enhance the life of a 7 year old drivetrain. I do know that after a GB and Diff change 1-3 when cold was noticeably smoother and even more so when warm...

It's about preference...

[cherub72]

I got mine done when I had my clutch done, the guys at Audi VW Specialist Centre in Harrow did it for the cost of the oil as they had the thing apart already. They said it was a non service item but as it was apart made sense to do it then. Can't say it drives any differently but nice to know it's been done

[RossDagley]

Thanks guys. Sorry for any confusion - I asked them to quote for oil change whilst it was in for the drc diagnosis. It wasn't their suggestion.

I picked up the car from Bedford audi this afternoon and drove it directly to Hitchin audi on the advice here. What a difference in service and cost!

I'm told the accumulator is unlikely (but possible) and so the price for supply and fitting including recharge has dropped to £510.

Hitchin also said they'd do a brake fluid change for £59 which seemed fair - more so as only 3 hours previous Bedford audi quoted £84.

The final deal clincher on hitchin audi was when I asked them and Bedford do they actually have their own drc equipment. Bedford borrow it in from another branch whilst hitchin have their own. My (perhaps naive!) mind interprets that as they do it more frequently so know what their doing...

Why there is such huge disparity between what is fundamentally a single brand is beyond me. It really doesn't do audi's rep much good :/

[neilparf]

Thanks guys. Sorry for any confusion - I asked them to quote for oil change whilst it was in for the drc diagnosis. It wasn't their suggestion.

I picked up the car from Bedford audi this afternoon and drove it directly to Hitchin audi on the advice here. What a difference in service and cost!

I'm told the accumulator is unlikely (but possible) and so the price for supply and fitting including recharge has dropped to £510.

Hitchin also said they'd do a brake fluid change for £59 which seemed fair - more so as only 3 hours previous Bedford audi quoted £84.

The final deal clincher on hitchin audi was when I asked them and Bedford do they actually have their own drc equipment. Bedford borrow it in from another branch whilst hitchin have their own. My (perhaps naive!) mind interprets that as they do it more frequently so know what their doing...

Why there is such huge disparity between what is fundamentally a single brand is beyond me. It really doesn't do audi's rep much good :/