OT-Prepaid Maintenance on Audis, BMW, Mercedes, etc

[Knight Shift]

Is this a huge ripoff?
For Audi, for $829, this takes care of service at 15,000-mile service, 25,000-mile service, 35,000-mile service and 45,000-mile service. They claim it saves you at least 39% off of regular prices.

This is what you get--Items with "6" at the end such as Wiper Blades are extra if they need to be replaced. So, all you are getting is an inspection, an oil changes, air filters and spark plugs at 35,000 miles and topping off of fluids for $209/visit.
Found out today that they don't even cover tire rotation. They offered to change my front brake pads and rotors for $1150 (My car is at 25,000 miles). That's insane.

Engine Oil/Oil Filter | Change oil and replace filter
Wiper Blades | Check condition and replace if necessary6
Windshield Wipers/Washers | Inspect and check function
Headlight Wipers/Washers | Inspect and check function
Tires and Spare | Inspect for wear/damage, adjust pressure if required
AdBlue® Fluid | Refill completely (fill volume depends on model)
Service Reminder Display | Reset
Brake System | Inspect system, check pad wear, check fluid level
Cooling System | Inspect system, check fluid level, add if necessary
Exhaust System | Inspect system
Engine Compartment | Inspect for leaks
Battery | Test and replace if necessary6 (except Q5 hybrid)
Dust and Pollen Filter | Replace
Automatic Transmission and Final Drive | Check for leaks
Manual Transmission and Final Drive | Check for leaks
Continuously Variable Transmission (multitronic®) | Change ATF
Front Axle | Test for excessive play, inspect all dust seals
Driveshaft Boots | Inspect
Spark Plugs (Audi Care) | Replace at 35,000 miles or three years7
Spark Plugs (Audi Care Select) | Replace at 55,000 miles or six years7
Power Steering Fluid | Check, add if necessary
Air Cleaner | Clean housing, replace filter element
Belts and Tensioners | Inspect condition and replace if necessary6
Underbody | Inspect for damage and leaks
Road Test | Check all systems for correct on-road operation
Lights | Check all exterior and interior lights for proper operation
Brake Fluid | Replace every two years regardless of mileage

 

[RU4Real]

Wait... what dealer?

I just had my wife's A4 at Catena in Freehold last week and they mentioned it would need brakes soon. They quoted me $1400 for pads and rotors for all 4 wheels.

I can tell you from my own experience, I don't typically get those service intervals performed. I keep up with oil and all filter changes but all these assorted "checks" that they do are, in my opinion, superfluous. Routine maintenance items that pop up get done by my local STS.

 

[Knight Shift]

The dealer in West Long Branch. I found a highly rated local repair shop in the Bayshore area that has made quite a business for itself servicing Mercedes, BMW, Audis, etc. Read many reviews today, and one guy had same car as me, and he said he got quoted front brakes at 65% off the dealer quote, and when he got his final bill, it was even lower. Brake jobs are routine maintenance. Way back in the day, I did my own brakes without issues. Don't have the time, and things are a lot more complicated these days. But, $1150 is rich. I looked up the parts and they were under $200. Most of the folks driving Audis and other vehicles maybe don't think twice and just pay it. Ouch.

 

[RU4Real]

The dealer in West Long Branch. I found a highly rated local repair shop in the Bayshore area that has made quite a business for itself servicing Mercedes, BMW, Audis, etc. Read many reviews today, and one guy had same car as me, and he said he got quoted front brakes at 65% off the dealer quote, and when he got his final bill, it was even lower. Brake jobs are routine maintenance. Way back in the day, I did my own brakes without issues. Don't have the time, and things are a lot more complicated these days. But, $1150 is rich. I looked up the parts and they were under $200. Most of the folks driving Audis and other vehicles maybe don't think twice and just pay it. Ouch.

Ya gotta shop that stuff.

What's interesting in this case is that I asked STS what they would charge for brakes on the A4 and they were over $1600.

For comparison, I had STS do a brake job on my Escape over the winter. They charged me about $850 to replace all pads, resurface the front rotors and replace the back ones. A week later I had to take the car back to them because it had an obvious rotor-related vibration in the front end. They called me up and said, "Yeah, they need to be replaced, they should have never been resurfaced. We screwed up, this one's on us."

Auto repair is a complicated thing.

 

[Knight Shift]

Ya gotta shop that stuff.

What's interesting in this case is that I asked STS what they would charge for brakes on the A4 and they were over $1600.

For comparison, I had STS do a brake job on my Escape over the winter. They charged me about $850 to replace all pads, resurface the front rotors and replace the back ones. A week later I had to take the car back to them because it had an obvious rotor-related vibration in the front end. They called me up and said, "Yeah, they need to be replaced, they should have never been resurfaced. We screwed up, this one's on us."

Auto repair is a complicated thing.

Complicated because lots of rip off artists and people that don't know what they are doing. I'm going to the mechanic near me on Monday for a quote on the front brakes, and will let you know how it turns out. The review posted online said he used all OEM parts. I can't believe STS quoted you that high. When I lived in Belmar, we used to go to Tire Craft/Goodyear in Pt. Beach, and they always were lower priced, honest and dependable. Mechanics are like significant others--if you find a good one-stick with them and treat them well.

 

[RU4Real]

In a way, I'm not really sad about the difference in the quote. For one thing, I've spent an easy $10k at STS over the years and the know it. I'm pretty sure that's why they stepped up on the issue with the Ford. We have a good relationship and, as you said, that kind of thing begets loyalty.

But on the other hand, I have no issues with letting Catena do the work on the Audi. Their prices are competitive, I get a sweet new loaner whenever I need one and when I go in to buy another car we'll already have a solid relationship.

 

[Knight Shift]

Catena has a great rep. I bought my first Audi from DCH, and they were solid, no nonsense. When I bought my second one, I was shocked that I got put through the high pressure sales pitch on all the nonsense car dealers try to sell you such as teflon coatings, etc. That did not happen and DCH. I may go to Catena for my next car.

 

[RU4Real]

It's weird. I got my first one at Schneider-Nelson and I thought they were great. They're just too far away. We got the second one at Bell and I've wanted to choke them to death for the last two years. I brought the car to Catena for the first time a month ago to replace a headlight bulb - which they did as an unscheduled driver-through, on a Saturday, in 20 minutes, for very little money.

I had it in last week to do the Phase 1 oil consumption test, per the TSB covering that generation of the EA-888. Before they gave it back to me they removed the Bell license plate brackets and put on their own. That car will never see Edison again.