Main dealer or Independant

[FLIPKEY]

My A4 is now 5years old and the cambelt is ready for replacing.

Main dealer is the same price as the independant , however the independant say that they will change the auxilary belt at the same time, were as the main dealer will only change the cambelt.

1. does the auxilary belt actually need changing ?

2. who would you choose to do the job for you ?????????


thanx.

[wheely88]

If the prices are quite similar then I'd choose main dealer every time. Feel you have better comeback/clout if anything goes wrong -- courtesy car should be better too. Looks better in the service book too.

I am sure if you really want the aux belt changed at the same time, it woudnt cost very much more for Audi to do this as well.

[vma99r]

Hello, I have just booked mine into the main dealer and had the same choice, mine is a 2005 A4 (2.5 tdi) with 50,000 miles on the clock. I have also asked them to change the water pump at the same time.
Although the price made me cough out loud I went with them for the same reasons as above, they did give me a discount as the car is over 3 years old so that helped, it might be worth asking about any offers on cam belt changes as they did say that some engines were included but of course mine was not as it is over 2.0l.
Cheers Pete.

[sooty]

I normally go to an independent Audi specialist HOWEVER for a cam belt change I would go to the main dealer each and every time.


My sister had her cam belt changed once and the belt slipped in the garage and the car was never the same since... I would never risk it again.

[Puresilk]

Up to 100k and 5 years old i would use main dealer.

Over 100k miles I would just go for Indy as you will save so much more money and never recoup that when you sell the car anyhow.

Cambelt I would get done from Indy or Main dealer depends on price as both are just as good.

[sooty]

Up to 100k and 5 years old i would use main dealer.

Over 100k miles I would just go for Indy as you will save so much more money and never recoup that when you sell the car anyhow.

Cambelt I would get done from Indy or Main dealer depends on price as both are just as good.

I need to give Indy a try... Always hear good things about them.
I work in MK so would be easier to leave the car with them

[Lateknight]

Get a quote from a specialist (written preferably) and then take it to your Audi Dealer and see if they will price match.
VW currently have a campaign for this. Don't know if Audi do though.

[sooty]

Get a quote from a specialist (written preferably) and then take it to your Audi Dealer and see if they will price match.
VW currently have a campaign for this. Don't know if Audi do though.


I know VW price matched a service for my sisters car.

I don't think Audi are doing it although there is nothing stopping an Audi driver to go to VW to get the cam belt changed.