Audi Dealer vs Audi Specialist Indy - your views on servicing and resale issues

[SamF]

Hi All,

I picked up a new 3.0 BiTDi a couple of months ago now and while it is way off, I just wanted to find out beforehand.

Im planning on keeping the car for 3 years so I guess 2 minor and one major services will be required.

My question would be - should I just put up with the extortionate dealer prices or should I use a trusted Audi approved specialist at half the cost?
How much does the official Audi stamp in the book really mean in terms of resale?

The Indy in mind I have used for the last 4 years on 2 VW Golfs and my previous A6 2.7 LeMans. All the technicians are Audi trained, the garage has the same equipment as they use in the dealership and they use only genuine Audi parts.

Im sure it may be down to a bit of snobbery when it comes to purchasing a second hand car to have a full dealer history, me personally, if it has been looked after and documents to back that up, I'm happy.

Cheers,
Sam

[Guest 2]

As the BiTDI is a relatively new model I'd be keeping it within the dealer network, makes sense to make sure it gets any updates it needs and you're only keeping it till the end of the warranty period anyway.

[zollaf]

depends who buys it off you. at the end of the day its going to be worth the same. if the first buyer doesn't want it or tries to knock you down because its been to an indy then send him on his way to buy something else and sell it to the next person that actually wants it.

[SamF]

Thanks both. I agree with the updates etc, is there any way of finding out, internet or something, if there are any pending updates other that going to a dealer and plugging in?

Zollaf, I completely agree with that approach, thanks!

[retired99]

I'd stay in the dealer network.

It’s going to cost a couple of hundred pounds. The cost of owning the car is several thousand pounds a year so the incremental cost is negligible.

You are clearly entitled to have it serviced outside the network. However, a vehicle manufacturer may legitimately refuse to honour warranties on the
grounds that the situation leading to the claim in question is causally linked to a failure of a specific spare part provided by an alternative supplier.

I don't suppose this is likely to be a problem but there is a, probably remote, risk of difficulties.

I suspect selling a car with a full manufacturer's service history is easier than selling one with a history from a non Audi service establishment.

Audi are much more likely to support out of warranty costs with an Audi history than without.

The saving is small in comparison to the cost of owning the car so I'd prefer to go with the dealer.

[Forkit]

There's also the price match - Audi matching for comparable service using genuine parts. Best of both worlds, just a few irritating hoops to jump through

[silo24]

Also, if you bought via VWFS/Audi finance on a PCP deal, you have no choice as they insist on it being serviced within the dealer network as part of the Contract Purchase.

[Allroad_2013]

Also, I'd be slightly suspicious of someone who spends £50K on a car and then bulks at paying for a dealer service. What else might the owner of skimped on? Oil maybe - topped up with lawnmower oil found in the back of the shed rather than the proper (expensive) oil?

I would imagine that a dealer taking it in in px would certainly knock off a few quid for non franchised dealer servicing.

[johnsimcox]

Remember as well that Audis no longer have a service book so you would either need to keep all receipts (which only goes to emphasise the non-dealer service record) or find a way to get non-dealer service recorded by Audi (others have asked about this before and I believe no answer has been found). Go with the dealer service, you (and future owners) will also stand a better chance of getting a goodwill contribution should there be a non-warranty issue further down the road

[JimC64]

Also, I'd be slightly suspicious of someone who spends £50K on a car and then bulks at paying for a dealer service. What else might the owner of skimped on? Oil maybe - topped up with lawnmower oil found in the back of the shed rather than the proper (expensive) oil?

I would imagine that a dealer taking it in in px would certainly knock off a few quid for non franchised dealer servicing.

I'd go along with the above really...

If it were me buying the car that is the exact thought I'd have in my head.
Depending on the miles you cover, driving style and which service interval you are set up for, the difference between dealer and indy will only be a few hundred pounds........for me..
stay with the dealer