Audi service packs

tim_edwards32

Last year when my vehicle (Audi A3 Sportback) had 74,000 miles on the clock I brought it to Audi for a service. As part of this I bought The Audi service package for one minor and one major service and I was informed that the engineers would have a look at it and then do the appropriate servicing and I could use the other service in future. As it turned out it only required a minor service and therefore I had a 'Major service’ in credit for the next service.

The car has now asked me to book it in for a service again - it’s done 84,000 miles - so I called up the local Audi service center and asked them to book me in for the major service which I have in credit. The lady I spoke to informed me that the car is only due for a oil change and therefore does not need the major service, so I checked when it was likely to need a major service and she said that a major service is required every 60,000 miles as this is when the filters need changing. I was interested in this as I had been under the impression (from the selling of the package) that I was effectively paying for the next couple of services in one go to get a better deal? Now, as we know that the car had done 74,000 miles in July last year and had therefore been given fresh filters around the 60,000 miles mark (a year earlier) the chances are I wouldn’t need the ‘Major service’ for at least the next 3 or 4 years when my vehicle hits 120,000 miles.

I would say that I was very clearly lead to believe that this ‘deal’ that I had taken on would mean that I wouldn’t have to pay for my next couple of services and that the person who sold me this package was aware of my service history (they had it in front of them as we spoke) and knew that this was not an appropriate package for me to save money. In fact, I was paying for a product which I may never need at all.

Has anyone come across this before or have any thoughts as to what I might do? I have approached them to get a refund but have not heard anything back.

Thanks

WellKnownSid

Can you not ask for a major service to be carried out? I guess the only difference will be cabin, air and fuel filters will get changed, but at least you're set up for the next couple of services.

tim_edwards32

You're correct it is the filters that are changed as part of the major service. I can ask for the major service to be carried out and they will do that, but it's not needed and won't be for another 35,000 miles. The point here is that I never should have been sold this 'package' in the first place as it's not appropriate to my needs.

As an update an Audi service rep did call me and inform me that the fuel filter has not been changed, this should have been done at 60,000 miles. But despite the fact that they've had the car twice since then and I had paid for a 'major' service they haven't changed it??

Also, Audi in Bedford recommend a service every 18,000-20,000 miles or 2 years, whereas my car is set to prompt me to get it serviced every 10,000 miles?? They're a strange lot!

reeac

You seem to be saying that the oil and air filters are changed only every 60,000 miles. That sounds too infrequent to me. I have always changed oil filters at the same time as the oil and air filters at about 20,000 miles. Cabin filter is less critical. ..if the cabin smells bad then change it. My Jag., being 18 years old, doesn't have a cabin filter and always smells great inside but then I use the aircon to keep things dry.

WellKnownSid

The "filters" changed at the major will be cabin, air and fuel filters.
Oil filters will be changed at all services.

There are normally two types of service interval on VAG vehicles - at or around 19k / 2 years or every 10k / 1 year - and your car can be set up for either when the service interval is reset.

Personally, I would stick with the 10k / 1 year rough service interval if you value your vehicle...

daveyjp

Minor service oil filter and oil and not much else other than checks.

Major service as above, air and pollen filter.

Extras generally mileage based or at set years and not included in the service price.

Brake fluid. Every couple of years
Spark plugs if petrol
Fuel filter
Cam belt
Coolant changes

loskie

there are are a choice of two service frequencies in VAG cars. Variable and fixed. Fixed will be annual 10 or 12000m Variable will tell you when it is required usually 20 ish thousand or 2years. The variable service is aimed mainly at keeping fleet costs down not maintaining a healthy car.
For average private drivers I would say annual/fixed.
Plus you would be better off with a decent independant than an Audi franchised dealer for a car of your miles.

straighttalker

I'd go for the major service to get your money's worth.

mark5

The 10,000 mile service interval is better for the car, the 2 year one is designed to keep servicing costs low for the fleet markets.

Personally I would change oil/ filter and air filter every year and the diesel filter every few years, dpf regeneration can dump diesel into the oil so your oil quality is getting poorer, the more often the oil is changed the better.

If you read the front of your service book it will probably mention the 2 year long life service regime it will go on to say if you don't use your car in the correct conditions you should change to more frequent servicing conditions.

The front desk service staff at my local VW are very friendly, totally clueless about anything mechanical though and only know what the computer tells them, stick with regular oil changes.

mark5

I'm basing the above on a guess you have a diesel as well.

mark5

loskie wrote: »

there are are a choice of two service frequencies in VAG cars. Variable and fixed. Fixed will be annual 10 or 12000m Variable will tell you when it is required usually 20 ish thousand or 2years. The variable service is aimed mainly at keeping fleet costs down not maintaining a healthy car.
For average private drivers I would say annual/fixed.
Plus you would be better off with a decent independant than an Audi franchised dealer for a car of your miles.

I'm not sure how Audi compare to VW but VW are not to bad on general servicing costs especially on cars over 3 years old, throw in the free papers, coffee and cakes. They drop you home and pick you up again.
I took my in laws golf a few weeks back for basically an oil change service an it cost about £80, using long life oil I doubt an independent would do it much cheaper.
They get expensive for brake pads, timing belts etc though.