Some honest advice...?!!

**Craigk2809** · 30-12-2012,09:07 PM

Hi guys, can anyone recommend a reliable Audi specialist around the Poole/Bournemouth area of Dorset? I'm still having a few problems with the auto box on my a4 tdi avant. It's been to two different places now who both say the gearbox oil can't be changed and I need a new box. After reading this forum I've seen that the gearbox oil MAY solve the problems Im having. At the very least I want to give it ago before taking the plunge on a new box etc.. Any help or advice greatly appreciated at this stage!
Thanks

**RON MOODY** · 30-12-2012,09:40 PM

Originally Posted by Craigk2809

Hi guys, can anyone recommend a reliable Audi specialist around the Poole/Bournemouth area of Dorset? I'm still having a few problems with the auto box on my a4 tdi avant. It's been to two different places now who both say the gearbox oil can't be changed and I need a new box. After reading this forum I've seen that the gearbox oil MAY solve the problems Im having. At the very least I want to give it ago before taking the plunge on a new box etc.. Any help or advice greatly appreciated at this stage!
Thanks

Can't be changed or they can't change it, a vast difference! What gear box have you got? if it's a multitronic a fluid change is the first thing to have done and it might well sort it out, it did mine.

**Craigk2809** · 30-12-2012,10:00 PM

That's a really good question! I suspect the latter!! It's a multitronic box - plenty of threads on here seems to suggest a change be the first thing to do. Just need somewhere to do it!!

**zollaf** · 30-12-2012,10:33 PM

a main dealer would be the best bet for that if you can't locate a good specialist. in fact, unless its a very good specialist that comes recommeneded, then i would just go to a dealer as the price will be about the same but at least you know its been done correctly with the right fluid.

**Craigk2809** · 30-12-2012,10:59 PM

That's a good shout. There's an Audi dealer a couple of miles away. Always been cautious of using main dealers though as I've heard some crazy stories about pricing!

**danclyon** · 31-12-2012,03:43 PM

Should be a menu job - about £150 inc vat - you'll need to factor in it being a whole day job unless you drop it off the night before, as the procedure involves getting the gearbox oil to a specific temperature before it's changed - and it takes a long while to cool down to that. I dropped mine in for service and oil change at 8am and picked it up again at 5.30pm and they couldn't work on it until after lunch to ensure the gearbox was at the right temperature.

HTH.

TBH all the specialists I've been to say just take it to Audi anyway as it's not cheaper for them to do it and they don't have the special filling kits etc. anyway.

Cheers,
Dan.

**nevo** · 31-12-2012,06:10 PM

Try F W Jesty Airfield rd christcurch,My sons used them in the past but get a maindealer quote and compare.

**danclyon** · 01-01-2013,06:40 PM

Worth noting that after months and months of having just a few Indy's in the UK that will touch Multitronics - there's been two or three places in the last month posting a replacement service for a full-recon unit at £1000-£1500 for the job done inc new clutch-pack/input shaft and full-recon of everything. One place was offering 2 year unlimited miles warranty too. Seems that they are finally falling into the "sensible" price bracket for replacements. Thankfully, I also noted one place was also doing the Autotronic in the wife's Merc - but I don't imagine a problem will occur with either box as both are getting their fluid changed 10-20% miles-wise before the recommended interval.

**Craigk2809** · 01-01-2013,07:37 PM

Thanks for the advice guys. Ill be booking an oil change tomorrow. For that sort of money it's definitely worth a shot. The thing is, the car has been a loyal old bus but has done a lot of miles (171k!) and so if it gets to the replacement box stage for costing circa 1500 I don't know if it's worth spending the money.. Although I love car!

**danclyon** · 01-01-2013,07:41 PM

Originally Posted by Craigk2809

Thanks for the advice guys. Ill be booking an oil change tomorrow. For that sort of money it's definitely worth a shot. The thing is, the car has been a loyal old bus but has done a lot of miles (171k!) and so if it gets to the replacement box stage for costing circa 1500 I don't know if it's worth spending the money.. Although I love car!

Do you have the service history? If so, you should be able to track down how many times it has been done. At 171k it should have been changed at or before 40k, 80k, 120k and 160k so should be fairly fresh as it were?

Cheers,
Dan.