Opinions on keeping up main dealer servicing

[apole]

Hi guys,

Looking for opinions on the pros and cons of keeping up dealer servicing. Got a 2005 A6 3.2 FSI. Good condition, low miles for year, full main dealer history.

Looking into the cost, and taking feedback on experiences of local main dealers, I'm not convinced how important the audi stamp is in the service book now the car is a few years old.

I know a very good local garage, with a hugely experienced and honest mechanic that I have used for many years. They have the equipment to tackle most routine service tasks.

I would plan to use genuine parts, with the knowledge that this place would do a good and thorough job.

Any out of the ordinary jobs (such as tiptronic oil change, quattro system etc) I would use a good indi or maybe a main dealer. Would of course keep all receipts for parts and labour and use the right bits !!

Now if you guys were looking for a 2nd hand car, and found one with low owners, good condition, all paperwork etc, would it put you off and by how much if the more recent servicing wasn't done by an Audi main dealer?

I'm asking for 2 reasons, firstly cost over time with Audi is high, but as importantly I want to know the car has been properly looked after and speak/watch the mechanic actually doing the work.

Thanks in advance.

[Guest 2]

I'd say if you used genuine parts and kept a record of work carried out then you should be fine. After 4 years old the general condition of the car would matter more than a full Audi history.

If the garage you use could stamp the book too along with the paper record it should provide sufficient evidence of the mileage if you ever sell the car. Is it correct in England you can get all previous MOT certificates too? This would be useful to get too :)

Myself personally I keep all my cars in the dealer network incase of any problems but this is my own personal preference:)

[apole]

Thanks Chris, Yes I already have all the old reciepts, MOT's etc and even the original purchase invoice. I always keep all of this stuff as I feel it demonstrates the history is genuine and helps validate the mileage. I personally can never understand those who don't keep any of this, it's easy to get a service book and stamp it up, or get the mileage adjusted so I never take just a stamped book and the speedo reading at face value.

I'd get the garage to stamp the book up.

Thanks again, good to know as I could re-invest some of the money is more comprehensive servicing such as more frequent oil changes.

[Guest 2]

Same here, I've kept everything I ever got for my cars. I was looking the other night and I have over £6k's worth of receipts for my A6. Still starting with my newly purchased A3.

If you keep everything you shouldn't have a problem selling the car (if you do) compared with a dealer serviced car.

[bennettp23]

Same here, I've kept everything I ever got for my cars. I was looking the other night and I have over £6k's worth of receipts for my A6. Still starting with my newly purchased A3.

If you keep everything you shouldn't have a problem selling the car (if you do) compared with a dealer serviced car.

And how long have you had your A6?

[Guest 2]

3 years in April

[haysy]

Have you priced a service from Audi? You might be surprised.
My car, 2.7 TDI Le Mans Avant, is coming up to 4 years old, has done 85k (ex lease car) with full main dealer service history and is due a service (long life) and an oil change in the multitronic gearbox.
This will be the first time I have had the car serviced since I got it and I was going to get my local garage to do the service and find a specialist to do the gearbox. As a starting point I rang my local main dealer for a price for the gearbox oil change and they quoted me £134 which I thought was very reasonable so whilst I was on the phone I also got a quote for the service which was £247 again I didnt think this was too bad for a major service.
So the car is going into the main dealer for both jobs on Tuesday!
Also, if the worst happens and something goes wrong in the future I "may" get some assistance from Audi if the car has full main dealer history.

[apole]

Hi,
Yes I have and just called around again this morning. Apart from varying opinions as to what is needed when (which is concerning) a LL service and inspection best price is £339 at Audi and new front brakes £421 (inc discs).

My car isn't multitronic so uses more expensive oil there, and also the engine needs 8.1 litres of longlife oil which may explain the differences in costs, but that said the prices are much higher than a specialist or the route I was considering.

Thanks again.