Dilemma - Dealer or No Dealer!!!

[MELUNS]

Guys
In need of some help please .
I have recently bought a beautiful RS6 Avant (53).
She become 3 Yrs Old this weekend so has fallen out of warranty.
She obviously needs her cambelt changed (three years) and also needs brake discs and pads (all used within the negotiation of sale price).

Anyway my confidence is currently lower than low in all the dealerships that I have called regarding their knowledge and expertise in pro actively looking after a RS6. There wildly different opinions of when and how things should be done is frightening to say the least. Calling Audi CS doesnt provide me with anymore confidence either.

In contrast speaking with Ed today at APS (independent audi specialist in the south) has filled me with huge confidence and comfort that their are indeed organisations that not only "know" what they are taking about, but speak from experience.

My issue is that if I choose APS to get my work done, I am essentially making the decision to go withouth an extended warranty for the next 12 months, as although they use only original Audi parts, and work to Audi guidlines, I am sure it would invalidate any extended warranty terms and conditions that AON would impose.

So the million dollar question is...................

!) Should I take my pride and joy to a company that seriously knows their RS6s and charge acceptable labour rates and use Audi parts. But at the same time go without a dealer warranty.

OR

2) Sign up for an extended dealer warranty and place my pride and joy in the hands of a seemingly dissinterested and substandard technicians???

PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

[bobjebb]

Such a tricky one this. My opinion only but here goes. I think you should get yourself under warranty full stop. Not sure that you'll invalidate by servicing elsewhere? Someone may be able to shed light on it. Anyway, I think you should get Audi servicing on a car that's only 3 years old. Not every dealership is bad, I know an Audi tech in the SE who knows what he's doing, and will give you a very reasonable discount. Also, Ed will tell you himself that Wayside in Milton Keynes know their stuff too by all accounts. He deals with them and I'm sure he'd give you the contact there. Then again, if you're going to keep the car for another 5 years, get a Warranty Direct type cover and service it to the highest standards at APS.

Good luck.

[Golfather]

If it was something like a Golf, I would say go to an aftermarket tuner.
But with the RS6, definately get a dealer warranty
Although they have us by the balls when it come s to pricing, its worth every penny.
I've had an EGT sensor replaced on mine, 20 hours labour, engine out job.
All covered under warranty, so I've more than recouped the costs.
You may find that even with the dealer warranty, you are not obliged to use the dealer for servicing, and can still use APS. But may need to check the small print first to be sure.

[SteveH]

I agree with Bob, although it pained me to pay it (I don't believe in extended warranties), the risk associated with RS6 component failure and the artificially inflated £'s they charge for parts that are usually only available from Audi led me to buy the first extended warranty I have ever purchased. Ordinarially I find that the Audi prices are'nt too bad for servicing the beast in comparison to previous cars I have owned. The major bills are the Cam belt and brakes (oh and the odd dozen tyres or so), but they are not that frequent. My last service was just over £200, which is a bargain for such a performance car (included 10 Litres of oil at stealer prices!)

[bbigman2000]

Warranty mate 100% main dealer, mines in just now for 2 new turbo's under warranty engine out !!

[SteveH]

...mines in just now for 2 new turbo's...

[shimmy]

bbigman

didnt you just buy her!!

did you know about it on purchase?

[MELUNS]

Think I have found a happy medium!!!
My local audi dealership (Ridgeway Group) has an alternative extended warranty to the Mondial one , as they were unhappy with it.
This one is run by Aon and is like for like (with Mondial) but half the cost annually.
This policy also allows you to get the servicing carried out from a non dealer as long as long as the work is carried out in line with the manufacturers guidlines.

Hopefully this is a win win situation. APS will provide a receipt for any work confirming that audi original parts were used and the work was carried out to audi schedules.