Fixed vs Variable Service intervals

**P13TR0** · 19-08-2017,11:34 AM

I am looking for people's thoughts on fixed vs variable servicing. I understand that fixed (1year or 9000 miles) is recommended by Audi if you drive fewer than 10000 miles per annum or mostly city driving or you do a lot of towing, hill climbing or high rev driving.

Our Q7 is mostly driven by my wife around town during the week, but we also do between 4 and 8 long runs per month. We are right around the 10'000 miles per year mark. I want to keep this car in good condition, but I don't want to burn cash for no reason as there are far more fun ways to do that!.... what do you think, fixed or variable?

**Rob69** · 19-08-2017,12:37 PM

Fixed IMO - as you say the car does mostly short town journeys, ie multiple cold starts, then short drive where it likely barely gets up to full operating temperature. If you intend to keep it a long time that is.

**Gazwould** · 19-08-2017,01:25 PM

Fixed , I wouldn't have variable on any car or situation .

**Lukenkarl** · 19-08-2017,02:07 PM

If you don't want to waste money unnecessarily at Audi go for variable / 2 years 18000 miles and do the oil and filter yourself or at an indi at 9000 but don't reset the ecu

**muumipeikko** · 20-08-2017,01:08 AM

This seems to be one area BMW beats Audi hands down. My old M3 from memory started off with 15K on the service clock, if I thrashed it they might take 50 miles off the clock as punishment! equally town driving took about 50 likes off for every 20-30 driven.
From a practical point of view you need to ask yourself a few questions:
1: Is car on PCP finance, make sure you fulfil the minimum service interval contractually to avoid hefty penalties.
2: How long are you going to own car?

Lets say you are thinking of flipping after 3-4 years, you will reap none of the advantages of the increased servicing interval you but will incur at least one expensive day sitting at the Audi garage drinking coffee while car gets a once over. This is especially true if you are the sort who finances on a PCP deal and flips regularly as you will never ultimately own the car so why look to make the short time you are the temporary custodian as expensive as possible?

**P13TR0** · 20-08-2017,10:08 AM

Thanks for your responses. I bought the car cash, primarily because we have 1 year old twins and a three year old. I expect to keep the car at least five years to serve as the family wagon. On reflection and based on comments here, I think I will stick on the fixed service interval.

i totally agree with the statement that BMWs condition based service schedule is a better approach. I was surprised to find Audi didn't do the same!

**t1sh** · 22-08-2017,05:33 AM

I don't know what kind of service packages you got in UK. However I have 3y/90000km in Poland. First service was at 27800km next one was variable and at 43000km only oil change. At the moment I have 48000km and still 23000km to go for oil change however only 12000km for 60k service.

I should have opted for 150kkm however it is too late, now.
I had front brake pads changed at 43kkm! Which I believe is fair amount of driving for such a heavy vehicle!