Stoke Audi.

A

AnthraxUK

Member
Took the A2 in for cambelt change.

Blimey, it was into the leapords den.

Was sat down & a few questions.

Would you like a service at the same time ? No

When was the last time you had your brake fluid changed. Dunno. £48 if I said Yes.

Was asked about the premuim package.. this was confusing, but it contained a container of oil in the boot that I could top up with, some anti-bacterial treatment for the screenwash system, and a geniune audi keyfob "with the four ring emblem of audi".. I forget the price but said no.

Was advised that the air conditioning should be checked... I advised them that it does not have air conditioning. But they could check it it they liked.

So left it with them.

The service should have cost £275, and I left after confirming this. The young lady on the service desk advised me that she would contact if further work would be required as the job was being done, and after the complimentary health check.

A few hours later...

I got a call. While changing the cambelt it was noted that the alternator belt needed replacing. I was quoted the enhanced cambelt change (with water pump etc) and agreed to it. Told the bill would be £375

A few minutes later I get another call. They could not visually inspect the rear brakes as they are drum brakes. So they reccommended that I should pay an hours labour for inspection with a strip and clean. The handbrake works, and its passed its last MOT without any brake failure, so I kindly declined their offer of stealing my wallet of £89 for an hours labour.

Picked up the car same day, was charged £324.99 as the alternator belt was £50.00 (inc 1.4 hours labour my arse).

So, all in all, will I go back ?.. Only for a Job I cannot do myself.

Regards

Kev
 
Hi Kev, loved your description/story, was it meant to be amusing? I loved reading it!!

Servicing is a bit of a mine field I guess. My neighbour has had plenty of fun and games with porsche. They really know how to rob you blind -at their convenience of course! Wanted to charge him for a whole exhaust system, he had a chat with the chief mechanic and apparently it is a known fault, and that he should have the cracks welded up -which porsche did not offer until pushed to. Car is fine now.

Not sure where I am going to take ours on service time...

It is 7 years old and has done 80k+....local garage (I am in Kent)?

At least you know ur A2 is in top health now.

Bet you're kicking yourself over letting that keyfob go though! LOL!
 
Hi Kev
As part of the cambelt change they need to remove and replace the alternator belt. You should be only charged for the belt as no extra labour is involved in fitting the new part.
I think an alternator belt should cost less than £20.

Cheers Spike
 
Last edited:
I will be back at the dealers den on Monday morning to point out their antics.

Thanks for the information lads.

Regards

Kev
 
Xiter said:
Would it ever be appropiate not to change the water pump when the cambelt is replaced?
Click to expand...

On a small percentage of engines (not just A2's) the water pump bearings can fail shortly after the cambelt is changed. The theory is the new belt induces increased loading on the pump and if the bearings are not 100%, can lead to premature failure. A coolant leak from the water pump seals is usually the first sign of the imminent failure.
In addition, the plastic impeller on the Audi water pump can come loose over time so this is also a good reason to change the pump.
As cambelt change periods are typically 4 years or 60k miles, if you don't change the pump every time, it needs to last for 8 years or 120k and this is just too long for safety.

Cheers Spike
 
It's a good thing someone from Stoke Audi actually reads this forum... but also bad, as they should know better than to try and fleece an A2 owner!
 
spike said:
On a small percentage of engines (not just A2's) the water pump bearings can fail shortly after the cambelt is changed. The theory is the new belt induces increased loading on the pump and if the bearings are not 100%, can lead to premature failure. A coolant leak from the water pump seals is usually the first sign of the imminent failure.
In addition, the plastic impeller on the Audi water pump can come loose over time so this is also a good reason to change the pump.
As cambelt change periods are typically 4 years or 60k miles, if you don't change the pump every time, it needs to last for 8 years or 120k and this is just too long for safety.

Cheers Spike
Click to expand...

I'm a bit in a dilemma here. Due to changes in my work situation the circannual milage has dropped from about 14k miles to only 2k-3k miles. I certainly don't want to sell the car, but the single fact that it has a timing belt will put me off keeping it in the long run. We'll see...
 
After pointing out the problem with the invoice to Stoke Audi, they have apologised and refunded the difference in cost of the Alternator belt & the £50 charged.

Many thanks for all of your advise.

Regards

Kev
 
I am glad you got it sorted, The cheeky so and so's for charging you twice for the same job!

David
 
riverlad said:
The cheeky so and so's for charging you twice for the same job!

David
Click to expand...

Its not usually a deliberate ploy to extract even more cash out of the customer. In most cases the staff on the service desk are more clerical than mechanical so they would just look up the 'menu' price for a replacement alternator belt and add it to the bill.
There was another similar instance recently where a club member was charged for the cambelt parts individually even though Audi sell a cambelt kit which saves around £25 over buying the piece parts. They also got their money back

Cheers Spike
 
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