Dealer vs Specialist Service

[lives2ride]

The time has come to do the cam belt and 75k service on my yr 2000 S4 Avant and I have had a couple of quotes. The cam change is same price at both dealer and specialist ie about £500 but the sevice I could save £200 by getting it done at Awesome GTI in Manchester.

Just looking for some guidance as the car has a full dealer history and I wondered how much a non dealer service would affect my resale value (ie is it worth it ?) and if I could be confident of the quality of the job - they have emailed me a work sheet and seem very thorough.

I am under the impression that some specialists can be as good if not better than main dealer. Their service also includes, oil filter, air filter, oil, spark plugs and an engine oil flush. From what I have heard Audi do not include spark plugs and the like in their service prices. They would also include changing the tensioner, roller and waterpump in the cambelt change.

Anyone any thoughts ?

[dazzer]

Just had my cambelt changed by Tom Cocking in Yeovil. Transpired that my cams were a couple of notches out when Tom dismantled the car and some parts had been fitted incorrectly. He was amazed that my car even started.

My car had a water pump replaced by audi previously so the audi dealer either buggered the job up or it left the factory like that. Now I am not suggesting that you should be cautious of all audi dealers. Just be aware that protecting the residual value of your car should not always take priority over where you get certain jobs done.

[CliveH]

I agree with you completely Dazzer (how's it going?) - mine is booked in on Friday for service, MOT, new brakes at a local independent garage I trust, not even an "independentand AUdi specialist", but the owner just happens to have a beloved A6 quattro.

I'm not knocking Audi dealerships either. I'm also not convinced that a complete set of Audi dealer stamps in the service book adds much to residual value - what is just as important is evidence of regular and thorough servicing (ie the bills).

[BRETTCOLLINS]

Take the car to a garage that knows the engine and car I'E your model.
To Many people in main dealers/ Audi specialist garages/tuners say that they know everything, but really know nothing. BE WARNED

[stan]

If you were buying a used Audi would you take a VAG serviced car over an independent serviced one ? Personally I would have done when I bought my S4. However as an S4 owner of 3 years and having experienced the official Audi experience my preference would be with the independent specialist.

[CliveH]

I agree with you Stan - I was of the same view before I bought mine last year, but experience has taught me otherwise.

Certainly the "average man in the street" would normally go for the car with the Audi service stamps when considering 2 otherwise identical cars and this is what generates the premium, but I still dont think it's that significant at these levels.

[Dippy]

I too agree in general, however in reality how many S4s are bought by the "average man in the street"? It is more likely that a potential buyer will be an enthusiast, and if you can convince him/her of your good reasons for going to an independent for work, then it's unlikely to affect the price.

I think this is even more true as soon as the car has any "invasive" mods, because they will override the buyer's concerns about FASH.

To the original question.
THE STANDARD AUDI CAM BELT CHANGE DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL THE COMPONENTS THAT SHOULD BE CHANGED. And before you question my use of "should", there are cases of people having problems with the excluded components.
Also the standard Audi service will cover oil every time, but the air filter and spark plugs are every 40K.

I don't know Awesome GTI but they do seem to have a good reputation. If THEY suggested changing the extra components (as opposed to your asking), then it proves they know what they are doing. If they're cheaper on labour as well then IMO it's a no-brainer.

[IN315]

My dads 20v quattro now done 210,00 miles and the last time it saw a main dealer was at 1 year old and 15,000 miles. Its only ever had VAG parts inc oil. its now worth £20 more with VAG stamps in the service book.

[simple1]

My 10v quattro is now 24years old, and the last time it went to a main dealer was in 1984, when a 20,000 mile service cost £600...... thats about 1800 quid in todays money it never saw a garage after that........ was always done by me Still runs like a swiss watch, has been rebuilt twice and only drop in value is £12,000 in 23 yrs.
Right.......... enough of the piddle taking....... although it is all true, take the car to a specialist to get the timing belts etc done, because theyy charge half the labour dealer does, but make sure they do the entire jobby, water pump and wheels are as important as the belt itself.....seems strange a specialist looking the same price......... depending on miles, get the service done in a dealer....

[rs666]

My experience favours independants.

On my TT it had 3 years FDSH, but when a coil pack went I found the orginal spark plugs were still in, should have been changed on second service.

Just bought the RS6 and have found the orginal brake fluid in it. It was totally useless. Plus when changing the discs and pads the discs were extremely difficult to get off, not a spot of copper grease anywhere even though they were fitted by a dealership, same for the wheel bolts.

The bleeding nipples on the calipers were touch and go too.

All these are basics and its pretty poor to see this from premium trained/priced outlets.

So my RS6 has been straight to a reputable independant for brake fluid, coolant and oil change as I have no faith in the fact these have been done by the dealership.

[arS4]

Sounds much of a muchness I've got a Subaru at the moment (whilst looking for an S4 Avant) - it went to the stealer. i mean dealer for hte 1st couple, and since then has been at my local garage ever since (in a little countryside town, where the mechanic services all makes, but also looks at Group N rally cars)
Since he's looked at all of my cars, and my parents', when I find my Audi, I'll be taking it there too.

Yes, price does come in to it (we're not all made of money - well you RS6 owners might be!! ), but it's more value knowing that the job's been done right

Dano

[shineydave]

as a recent purchaser of an S4 i did look for a full Audi history. to clarify that i wouldn't have paid more for one with a full dealer service but i would have favoured it over a similar car with an independant service record. my experience of Audi service is based on Audi ownership reaching back 20 years. as in all industries there's good and bad. my first '88 series Quattro was purchased at 12 months old from a north yorkshire dealer who consistantly failed to cure an oil leak from the back of the rocker cover and returned my car on one occasion with an ambiant air temp sensor hanging by the wires. however wharfedale audi have been excellent and have never caused me any concern, i suppose the key is to know thy enemy. i'm sure there's other threads on here that point to good and bad dealers and independants so i suppose it's a case of looking for the good ones and giving them your hard earned and then ensuring any prospective purchasers knows that they're the creame of the crop

[mikeyquattro]

My 98 S4 had FASH, until I bought it. It's gone to Dialynx ever since!

[CliveH]

So now it has FISSH! (Full Independent Specialist Service History)

[mikeyquattro]

Goodwork!!