Servicing?

[babbers21]

Hey

I have an 2007 A4 Avant 2.0TDi 170 due for servicing soon, has done 121,000 miles now, has 6 Audi service stamps so far.

Just wondered what your opinions are and where you guys get your cars serviced.

What are the pros and cons of using an Independent Specialists as opposed to Audi? Apart from money!!!

[mini-mad-matt]

Hi,
It all depends on what you want the service/stamp to "do" for you. If your main concern is the quality of the service for your own use, I would use a good independent, as a lot of the time they're more thorough and usually half the price of a main dealer. If you're thinking about selling the car on in the near future, then a main dealer stamp might be what you want, as it seems to be a good selling point to have a full Audi service history. I have heard of cars coming back from a main dealer service without even the air filter even being changed which is just terrible.
I've always used independents, but my current car is due it's next service in 2000 miles (at 48000) and I'm also wondering whether to bite the bullet and go main dealer to keep up the stamps.
As a side issue, has your car ever had the injector issue prone to the 170s? We only ever hear of people who have had a problem with the 170 injectors, and never anyone who hasn't. Would be very interested to know if your car has or not, with it having covered 121k.

Cheers
MMM

[babbers21]

Unfortunately yes we have experienced the injector failure last year only 4 months after we bought the car! I then contacted the Audi dealer the car was originally bought from for the maintenance history of the car and they confirmed the car had previously had injector failure in Sept 09 when the car was just over 2 years old.

Think we will probably end up going to main dealer because as you say it is a good selling point. Although we love the car but as I've heard many say the injector does lower your confidence in the reliability of the car :-(

[mini-mad-matt]

Cheers for the info re the injectors. I'm Just waiting for the day now. It's really ruining my enjoyment of what is otherwise a beautiful car.

[darren_mcneill]

Hi,
As a side issue, has your car ever had the injector issue prone to the 170s? We only ever hear of people who have had a problem with the 170 injectors, and never anyone who hasn't. Would be very interested to know if your car has or not, with it having covered 121k.

Cheers
MMM


Is this a very common issue with the 170's?

[mini-mad-matt]

Afraid so. I'm just waiting for the day. Long drive to N.Ireland in a few weeks for a wedding with the nippers in the back. Think I'll leave early and sit in the inside lane all the way to Stranraer Just in case! ;-)

[Adman]

Hey

I have an 2007 A4 Avant 2.0TDi 170 due for servicing soon, has done 121,000 miles now, has 6 Audi service stamps so far.

Just wondered what your opinions are and where you guys get your cars serviced.

What are the pros and cons of using an Independent Specialists as opposed to Audi? Apart from money!!!
Your car has done over 100k. In my opinion i'd do the servicing yourself. It saves you £100+ in labour, but as others have said it is a good selling point if you are thinking of selling. I have 71k on my 170 and do all the servicing myself, have done for the past 10k.
I've had bad experiences with garages in the past, and this is purely personal experience, my local indie started finding things wrong with the car that didn't need doing. My local Audi dealer have badly diagnosed problems in the past costing me a fortune with absolutely no results. This is why I do it myself, I know exactly what has been done, piece of mind. BUT i do not plan to sell the car in the near future.

And like I say, this is my personal experience. Just my opinion

Ad

[mini-mad-matt]

All very valid points Adman. All comes down to personal choice really. I'm still trying to weigh up what to do with mine. As a matter of interest as we've been speaking about it in this thread, has your car had the dreaded injector issue?

[Adman]

All very valid points Adman. All comes down to personal choice really. I'm still trying to weigh up what to do with mine. As a matter of interest as we've been speaking about it in this thread, has your car had the dreaded injector issue?
Indeed. Had one go at 37k, couple of months after I bought the car. Its just a waiting game for the rest!

[darren_mcneill]

Im still in the process of buying my car, would it be worth my while avoiding the 170 and going for a 140??

This forum has certainly opened my eyes!!

If its not a BLB issue, its a 170 injector failure!! Lol...

[Adman]

Im still in the process of buying my car, would it be worth my while avoiding the 170 and going for a 140??

This forum has certainly opened my eyes!!

If its not a BLB issue, its a 170 injector failure!! Lol...
I wouldn't necesarily avoid the 170, just get one that is later than a 57 plate or one that has had the injectors replaced!

[Puresilk]

From a personal perspective once a car has gone over 80K then id go independent as I don’t think you will recoup the money by doing expensive main dealer services.

I know that Audi on the 2.0 TDi change only the Oil and oil filter on every service. The Fuel filter is changed every 40k, the pollen filter 20k and Air filter 60k. They charge around £349 now for a major service but if you want everything changed you will end up paying around £450 - £500 mark.

My Indy change oil and oil filter, pollen filter, Fuel Filter, and air filter on EVERY service and do the major long life service for £290 all in!

I feel Indy's offer so much more value for your money.