servicing any recomendations

[stea4tdi]

evening, its been a while since my last post but i need some help
i am due a service in the next few weeks on my a4 2.0 tdi 05 plate
it has just covered 32,000 miles, but had its last service at 29,000
so has only covered 3,000 miles in twelve months , i know it needs a full service but audi have said they can put me on the long life service which is 2 year intervals or 19,000 miles any thoughts or recommendations as to servicing outside the audi dealer network or is it better to stay with audi
any suggestions thanks.

[gman3.0]

Ive always had service on my cars once a year regardless of the miles, but thats just me !
As for who carries out the service i would either go to the dealer or an approved service centre, just so that if anything goes wrong im covered for warrenty purposes.

[RickT]

Hi there,

Due to the mileage you do, i would sick to the 12 month service plan but thats upto you..

Do you just not use the car? it all honesty It wont really need doing if you have only covered 3k, but from a service history point of view try a VAT registered garage,

Rick

[paul b]

12 months or 10,000 miles.

Anyone running a Longlife service regime is too tight to think of the long term damage that could be caused to the car.

In all honesty you could probably go to Longlife due to the small amount of miles you do, but you never know when that may change (job changes etc).

[peteo]

I have a similar scenario in that my car is due a service in late May by which time it will have done just over 4,000 miles since the last one (done by previous owner).

I will get it done because I am not comfortable with running a car with old, and probably very contaminated oil if you do mainly shortish journeys.

There are other time related things like brake fluid which the experts say degrade with time as distinct from use.

I sometimes think we could do with individual service plans. My last car was a Honda and the dealer I used then had this very practical approach for low mileage users in that you had two short services for every full one and this reduced costs whilst making sure you had an annual oil and filter change.

Once I get this one out of the way (need it for VAG used car warranty), I might move to this system.

[zollaf]

another thing to be aware of with low mileage cars is things seizing up, like brakes. as your pads will last ages, i would recommend an annual inspection. this would involve removing the caliper and visually checking the pads for glazing, cracking and corrosion. then remove and clean/grease the caliper slides. clean the caliper carrier where the pads sit and apply a little copper slip. doing this will save money in the long term as you then wont need to start replacing caliper carriers because the pins have seized into place.

[stea4tdi]

thanks for all your replies, its given me a few things to consider

thanks again everyone

[gosgirl]

I will get it done because I am not comfortable with running a car with old, and probably very contaminated oil if you do mainly shortish journeys.

There are other time related things like brake fluid which the experts say degrade with time as distinct from use.

I sometimes think we could do with individual service plans. My last car was a Honda and the dealer I used then had this very practical approach for low mileage users in that you had two short services for every full one and this reduced costs whilst making sure you had an annual oil and filter change.

[paul b]

I don't get this individual service plans ********.

12 months or 10k whichever comes first, standard service interval! That means that oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter and pollen filter should be changed at least once every year! Add spark plugs if you have a petrol.

It is a lack of maintenance that ruins cars!