Audi dealers adore bragging about their specialized maintenance. However, when it comes to regular maintenance visits, we are all aware of how expensive those Audi dealerships can be.
The dirty little secret is that you don’t need to take your Audi to the dealer for maintenance, repairs, or any other form of service. Although you have a choice as to where you take your automobile for service, the dealership wants you to feel obligated to use them. The truth is that bringing your car to an independent garage will result in superior servicing. Here are several reasons to choose a mobile Audi mechanic over an Audi shop.
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They Are Less Expensive
Audi dealerships are upscale establishments. Modern construction and showrooms costing millions of dollars are not self-sustaining. In reality, visits to the service facility generate a sizable profit for Audi dealerships. In actuality, independent Audi mechanics are typically less expensive. They avoid all the expenses associated with maintaining an Audi dealership as a result.
Why should an oil change or tire rotation cost more? An independent Audi mechanic can complete the same task for a lot less money and with outstanding results.
Most Independent Audi Shops Are Interested In Keeping Your Car Running Longer
When you bring your Audi into a dealership, you are essentially treated as a nameless consumer. Independent Audi dealers are unique. These businesses place a strong emphasis on developing relationships with their clients. They take delight in their work and know everyone of their clients by name. If you truly care about your Audi, you should entrust it to mechanics who are motivated to preserve the life of your automobile.
Audi Mechanics Have the Same Tools and Computers as a Dealership and Oftentimes Even More
Audi dealerships are proud of their cutting-edge servicing department. The truth is that a reputable independent Audi shop will have the exact same tools. In fact, some independent Audi repair facilities will go above and beyond by possessing even more sophisticated diagnostic equipment. That’s because the independent Audi dealers are aware that in order to attract customers, they must go above and beyond.
Avoid believing the claims made by Audi dealerships that they are the only ones qualified to service your car. Independent stores also offer excellent Audi service.
Independent Shops Usually Have Audi Mechanics that Know the Brand Better than the Dealership Because They are Seasoned Career Mechanics
You might be surprised to learn that dealership service facilities have high turnover. In other words, it will be fortunate if the same mechanic services your car twice at a dealership. Career technicians who work in independent Audi shops typically serve the same clients year after year. This implies that you will have a single skilled professional that can service your car for many years. Knowing that the same individual is constantly inspecting your Audi’s engine will give you greater peace of mind. They will be able to identify a potential issue right away because they are familiar with your car.
Many Audi Shops Are Enthusiasts and Know Tricks, Tips, Etc. to Get Better Performance or More Life Out of Your Car
Independent Audi mechanics frequently have a passion for the brand. They will therefore be aware of the small hacks and techniques to make the most of your car. You should absolutely take your vehicle to an independent Audi shop for maintenance if you own an Audi S or RS model. You can achieve the edge you seek and increase your performance. Even if you don’t drive a high-performance Audi car, independent shops can extend the life of your Audi.
Audi Shops Are Also Better for Out-of-Warranty Models
Have you had your Audi for more than five years? The majority of Audi dealership service departments often work on newer model cars. This indicates that these dealerships might lack the expertise needed to properly service your older model Audi.
Both new and older model Audi vehicles are frequently serviced at independent Audi shops. Your out-of-warranty Audi will be properly handled by them so that it lasts as long as feasible.
Independent Audi Shops Aren’t Going to Try to “Upsell You All the Time
Have you ever had your tires rotated at a dealership and received the “difficult sales pitch for new brakes and tires? Dealerships offer a variety of “The service center has a system in place to try to get every dollar out of each customer who drives in.
You won’t encounter the pushy corporate sales tactics at a local Audi dealership. Instead, you get the service you asked for. The independent Audi mechanic may advise more work depending on what they observe during your service so that you may discuss any potential impending maintenance your car may require, but it will always be in your automobile’s best interests. Unlike Audi dealerships, these independent Audi stores won’t make a hard sell to you.
An Independent Shop Can Be More Nimble When It Comes to Routine Service
Have you ever spent more time than expected at a dealership repair center? Well, delays are usual at dealership service centers since they frequently become overrun with cars.
An independent shop will be more adaptable and able to finish your routine service more quickly. Your time is valuable, and a local store will typically get you back on the road more quickly.
Independent Shops Can Provide Customized Solutions
A 60,000-mile service or a 90,000-mile service are two popular packaged services at an Audi dealership. These packages typically include 20 or more services, the total cost of which might reach the hundreds or even the thousands. However, only half of the services included in the plan might be required for your car.
You can receive specialized servicing at an independent Audi shop that is centered on what’s best for your vehicle, not what’s best for the dealership’s coffers.
Independent Shops Are Community Based
When you visit an Audi dealership, you are dealing with a large automaker that is only concerned with making money. Someone from your neighborhood owns an independent garage. These independent Audi dealerships want to turn a profit, but they also want to be respected in the neighborhood. This implies that you will receive individualized servicing from an independent Audi dealership.
For instance, you will have to spend roughly two minutes on hold with an automated service that instructs you to “push 4 for parts” if you call an Audi store. An actual live person is more likely to answer the phone and respond to your questions in an independent store.
Does an Audi require maintenance from Audi?
Hello, I have a first service due (18,000). After speaking with Audi, they confirmed that, in terms of the warranty, the vehicle does not need to be serviced at an Audi dealership.
I have previously used a garage for my Audis that uses genuine Audi parts and Audi long life oil, and the owner was an Audi employee before to opening.
I believe that saving over $150 on a service and oil change is a no-brainer, but I’d love to hear what the other members think.
Is maintaining an Audi expensive?
Additionally, CARCHEX contracts have affordable prices. The terms for bumper-to-bumper protection on a 2017 Honda CR-V with 45,000 kilometers are as follows:
FAQ: Audi Maintenance Cost
Audis are expensive to maintain as vehicles. The average annual cost of an Audi repair, according to RepairPal, is $987. This is significantly more than the $652 average across all brands. Because Audis are luxury automobiles and employ pricey speciality parts, their routine maintenance expenses are also probably a little more than those of most other types.
If maintained properly, almost any car, even an Audi, may last for many years. Audi owners claim to have kept their cars for up to 150,000 miles.
Audi automobiles do not include maintenance for nothing. Customers can, however, purchase Audi prepaid maintenance contracts. Some Audi dealers might provide free vehicle maintenance protection.
Why is Audi maintenance so costly?
Therefore, when commentators and YouTubers make generalizations about how expensive it is to sustain any business, they are merely selling you clickbait.
Of course, certain Audis cost a lot to maintain since they are difficult to repair and unreliable, such the D3 Audi S8 or the original Audi Q5, which are real horrors. Others, such as a B5 Audi A4 or a C6 Audi A6, on the other hand, are reasonably simple and affordable to maintain if done correctly.
Are Audis Expensive to Maintain?
It would be more entertaining if I made a bold generalization for you. But the truthful and uninteresting response is that it largely depends. All the factors we already covered play a role.
Some Audis are a headache to maintain, will empty your bank account before you know it, and add a lot of gray hairs to your head. Some, though, are a dream, requiring minimal upkeep and having cheap parts.
Older Audis tend to be a little easier on your money and your mind, if there’s one generalization I can make. Audi vehicles from the 1980s and 1990s come from a time when they were incredibly reliable, and anything that does go wrong is usually not too difficult to fix.
Additionally, its parts are readily available and reasonably priced. The more recent an Audi becomes, the more expensive upkeep becomes. But even those assertions aren’t universally true to the letter.
Therefore, even while it might be entertaining to make a clickbait claim that BMWs are only ever headaches or only ever nightmares, that is not what we do here.
Get A Quote From A Third-Party Extended Warranty Company
Extended warranties from third parties offer the freedom that the dealer warranty from Audi cannot. They also offer convenience and peace of mind. You don’t have to deal with dealers; you can use your preferred store. Both options have trade-offs, but a warranty service contract is unquestionably something to think about.
Finding the greatest deal on an extended warranty for an Audi is worth the investigation. We discovered that the majority of aftermarket warranty providers offer five or more levels of coverage throughout our investigation into the finest extended warranty businesses.
Furthermore, you can typically locate a plan that will cover the high-tech components of the vehicle. For these things, several companies provide plans specifically.
The extended warranty offered by Audi is contrasted with the choices provided by ENDURANCE, one of our top-ranked providers, in the table below.
Should I have my car serviced at Audi?
According to your schedule, servicing your Audi at regular intervals will ensure its performance and longevity. If you decide to sell your Audi in the future, it will also boost its resale value. Generally, we advise scheduling an appointment for your Audi to be serviced every 9,300 miles or every 12 months, whichever comes first.
When my Audi requires maintenance, will it notify me?
Every 10,000 miles or one year after your previous maintenance, whichever comes first, your Audi will need to be serviced. When it’s time for your next service, a wrench-shaped indicator light on your dashboard will turn on. The “Service Due” indicator light serves as a helpful reminder.
Why is an oil change for an Audi so costly?
These varying prices for an Audi oil change can often be attributed to three things:
The price of the oil filter varies, much like the price of the oil itself, and it is typically advised to change it whenever you change your oil.
Most modern Audis require specialized synthetic oil, which typically costs more than standard motor oil.
Depending on the quality and level of performance of the oil, the actual pricing will change.
Visiting your local Audi service center for an oil change will provide you access to specialized knowledge and genuine parts, but you may expect to pay more than you would at a regular car repair shop.
You should also keep in mind that the price of an oil change for your Audi is divided into two parts: the cost of the actual parts and the cost of the labor. For instance, the average cost of the parts and labor for changing the oil in an Audi Q5 are $71 and $75, respectively.
However, you’ll discover that labor costs vary depending on your region, the service location, and the state of the market, but the cost of parts is typically more consistent.
Are oil changes more expensive for an Audi?
Since most mass-market vehicles only cost between $35 and $75 for an oil change, Audi will always have higher maintenance expenditures than the average vehicle on the road.
This is primarily due to the fact that Audi is a luxury vehicle, comparable to a BMW or Mercedes-Benz, and as a result, needs more expensive oil and specific filters. It costs more to maintain an Audi in top shape, but doing so will allow you keep driving it for many years to come.
Why are Audis such a bad bet?
From the small Audi A1 Sportback to the spacious Audi Q7 SUV, Audi provides a wide variety of automobiles. They’ve also experimented with hybrid and electric vehicles, with the Audi E-Tron Sportback being praised as a strong entry into the field of green vehicles.
Audi’s share a lot of its architecture and underpinnings with Volkswagen, though high-tech features and cabin materials are entirely unique to Audi.
But does that imply that Audi automobiles are prone to the same problems as VWs? In our post comparing the Audi S3 and Volkswagen Golf R, you can see how the two stack up.
Will you discover the same problems if you only look at Audi, from the most popular Audi A4 Saloon to high-performance sports cars like the Audi R8 Coupe?
The data below, which comes from Reliability Index, shows the different problem types that Audi owners report, how much of the total number of defects they make up, and how Audi stacks up against other manufacturers in each category.
- 16th place, 2.43 percent, was air conditioning.
- Fifth, 14.10 percent: Axle and Suspension
- System of Brakes: 7th, 3.56 percent
- System for cooling and heating: 31st, 7.83 percent
- 29th place, 23.13 percent: electrical
- 39th, 30.21 percent for the engine
- 28th, 7.10 percent: Fuel System
- 23rd, 6.06 percent: gearbox
- System for steering – seventh, 2.85 percent
- 20th place for transmission, 2.74 percent
The engine, cooling and heating system, electrical components, and fuel system seem to be the most frequently affected systems. We may perhaps explain why Audi receives lower marks for things like electrical components, despite the fact that these are some of the most expensive items to fix.
When compared to Skoda and Vauxhall, Audi delivers a ton more functionality. They provide a fairly extensive infotainment system with sat-nav and various touch screens, similar to many other luxury brands. The number of potential problems increases if you include features like cruise control, driver safety systems, and all the cameras, sensors, electrically operated seats, and other bells and whistles that the best new cars from these luxury companies come equipped with. Audi outperforms all other top luxury automobile manufacturers (apart from Jaguar) in this category, including Porsche, Volvo, Aston Martin, and Mercedes.