Help! My gear box needs replacing and Audi are charging £3,573.49

FAJ_2

Hi

I'm a saver. Before I buy I save up, and I really, really don't believe in credit to get something if you can't pay for it. My partner and I saved for my Audi which we bought at Christmas, and just recently we saved for the new bathroom which has now used up my savings and been paid for. However, two weeks ago the A4 was "sick" and the local garage I usually use can't help as it has to plugged into the Audi diagnostic computer. They tell me it needs a new tiptronic gear box and this is going to cost £3,573.49. Can this be right? Does anyone know anything about Audi costs? The car is worth £10K so I can't not have the gear box fixed or I'm throwing money away hand over fist, but I also don't have that kind of cash without borrowing it and that really hurst my pride. My shares have crashed in value so cashing them in would be a waste. Does anyone have any great ideas? Please, please help. Thanks.

missile

Suggest you get a second hand box fitted then you might be better trading the car in.

Much of the cost will be labour, so going to a good non-tranchised garage who specialises in VW/Audi, rather than the Audi dealer will save you money.

RDA

I would agree entirely.

I am guessing that an Audi A4 worth £10K is around 4 years old and therefore well out of warranty, although a goodwill claim through the dealer is a real possibility.

If this doesn't work, I would suggest finding a local Audi specialist with the appropriate diagnostic equipment who can recommend an appropriate solution.

There are many gearbox reconditioners around with good, solid records for providing replacement units at far below this price level. A quick Google revealed several in my local area.

vikingaero

https://www.fedauto.co.uk

This site is recommended by Honest John in the Motoring Telegraph to find a decent automatic transmission gearbox specialist.

My dads A Class Merc developed a gearbox fault and Merc wanted £4-6k for a new box. I'd read in Honest John about a guy called Trevor King of King Automatics in Epsom. I contacted him and he arranged for someone to collect the Merc. He warned us that he had a waiting list for repairs stretching to a couple of months. Trevor told us not to worry and that it was likely to be the valve body and ECU. One new valve body and ECU and our pockets were £1,300 lighter - but quite a bit different from a new gearbox and £4-6k!

mrtg0525

Find out what the cost split is - usually changing a gearbox doesn't take that long (2-4 hours I'd guess) so it's likely that the majority of the cost is parts cost. If that's the case, try to find a reconditioned box...

If labour is the majority of the cost then go find an Audi specialist instead of a main dealer. In fact, if you can find a decent one I'd get a second opinion from them anyway before coughing up the cash.