Independent garage in West Kent?

[SevenoaksS4]

Hello everyone from sunny West Kent.

I have owned my 05 S4 Avant since October 10, having acquired it from the Audi VW independent garage in Bromham, Wilts. A manual, and metallic dark blue in colour, it had had two previous owners (the first was a BP exec from Bournemouth who clearly got his fuel on the company!) and done only 40,800 miles. I have now got it up to 40,600, having just returned from a few days of great driving in the Pas de Calais. Previously owned a series of Impreza WRX PPP four/five doors going back to 1997, and although the S4 is a bit of barge when cornering by comparison (probably need RS 4 anti-roll bars - what do they cost?), it sure is better built and goes like a train in a straight line.

I live in Sevenoaks, West Kent, and I was wondering if anyone can recommend an Audi specialist garage in my general area (preferably not London)? I have been to Tonbridge Audi once when my rear windscreen jet and blade gave up the ghost back in January, and although they were very pleasant, the whole experience was a little painful on the wallet!

Thanks in advance, and happy Easter

[SevenoaksS4]

Sorry, mileage should be 45,600! Would be a great trick if I could indeed wind the clock back when I drove it!

[spikeyboy101]

per your other thread:

For Servicing and any other work i use Dean at 4rings. www.4rings.co.uk

Just had my Cam Covers replaced both sides - Tonbridge Audi wanted £370 for each side. 4rings did it for £130 each side.

Their a mobile indi - very good, helpful and a fraction of the cost of Audi.

Think most of the guys working for dean came from Maidstone Audi

If you go to them mention that David Lee refered you

I am in no way affiliated to 4rings - just like to recommend and push business peoplesd way who deserve it.

I dont go near Tonbridge Audi - far to many issues with them in the past.

For refernce im in Paddock Wood

[SevenoaksS4]

Thanks David. Certainly worth considering. How many times have you used them? I've also had a price from AmD in Essex too

[spikeyboy101]

I have been using 4rings since around 2007 - once my car was out of warranty period.

Had various jobs done by them: Servicing, Fitting New Rotor's and Pads (twice) S4 eats OEM front Rotors, found i needed new ones every 30,000 miles (one reason why i changed to ESC Rotors, plus they are fair better at stopping the car), Cam Covers replaced, MAF sensor replaced (Dean was very helpful in this instance as the MAF actually went when i was at the Ring, surprising how unhelpful all the garages were at the Ring, all i knew is that i had ESC light on, then the Engine Manament Light - obtained the fault codes but now one knew what the issue was, texed the fault codes to Dean who told me what the issue was - this was a Saturday afternoon), In comparison i also rang Tonbridge Audi 4 times, never got a single return call from them (i could give you a long list of the issues i have had with Tonbrdge Audi, this and the price was the reason i sought an indy and havent looked back).

I use them for various reasons:

1) Mobile so no hassle of taking the car to garage, getting to work late etc - they come round and do the job when im at work and the Wife pays them.
2) Cheaper than Audi.
3) More helpful then Audi.
4) Do a better job than Audi.
5) You can source parts and they will fit.
6) Most of their business comes via word of mouth - so they take more care in the work they do or they dont get any business or referals.

the list goes on.

Actaully found out about 4rings from another forum (tyresmoke)

[spikeyboy101]

Just curious what price have AMD quoted - is it a major service ?

I hate to think how much Audi charged for a new rear washer jet, i have had two replaced now, they keep clogging up think i have been charged like 25p by 4rings each time, had them done when car was serviced.

[gottanS]

Audi charge around £6 for the part and no doubt at least 1/2hours labour so probably £75 all in.

[spikeyboy101]

[SevenoaksS4]

Quoted £395 + VAT for a six-year/60,000-mile service – excuse my ignorance, but I presume that is a major one? Have only had the car since October, so this will be my first experience of an S4 service. The Audi garage in Tonbridge were awfully polite, but I did feel a little out of place, and the bill was rather steep to say the least! Gave the car a nice wash and valet though. Car's not due to be looked at until August, but I am keen to see what is available in the meantime. Hoping to get Hotchkiss S4 ARBs fitted at the same time, which I am assuming 4rings would do if I supplied them

[spikeyboy101]

Ok - just looked at my last service:

Milage 67,000 - price £345 inc vat (plus included sump sensor of £80)

Milage 57,710 (Major Service - Includes new spark plugs, Brake Fluid £372,08 inc vat. (done July 2009)

Been using them since 2007.

I would expect that they could change the ARB - best to give them a call and check

[SevenoaksS4]

Thanks. How do they cope with not having a hoist, as I took my Clio Trophy to my local Renault specialist at Ren7Oaks on Saturday for a little bit of work and mentioned Four RIngs to him? Like me, he was wary of any mechanic not being able to get at car and look at it from underneath

[spikeyboy101]

To be honest i dont know - i have only been there when they have done two jobs - both times they used trolly jacks to lift the car up.


I guess if they needed to have a pit they would decline to take the job on.

One thing i do know is that i had my front lower suspension arms replaced just before christmas at SEtyres - they used genuine Audi part on 1 side and non genuine (which i didnt know) on the other - when 4rings serviced the car they pointed out that i had new arms and one was non genuine - SEtyres did change the part FOC. My point is that 4rings must have been able to get under the car to see the part.

My view is that any garage that has a location is always going to knock mobile guys as they have less over heads and can run at lower costs. I agree that some things cant be done mobile, but a service and general work i dont see why this cant be done mobile.

Each to there own - all i will say is that all the work that 4rings have done has been excellent and customer service has been second to none.