John105

I take it you took it to an authorised Audi dealer?

Being a diesel, the synthetic oil will turn black within a few miles of use,
that is quite normal.

All UK Audi dealers have to adhere to a standard called "HSO", a German
standard smiliar to "BS" or "ISO" in the UK.

It would be more than the dealers franchise agreement worth to charge for
work not carried out.

And finally, please bear in mind that even though you wish to have the car
serviced outside the dealer network, an Audi dealer history holds a lot more
sway in the cars resale history and any future goodwill warranty claims
against Audi....For example if your windscreen de-laminates Audi UK will
replace it up to 10 years from date of registration if you show goodwill to
them by having it serviced by a main dealer.


"Barry Bingham" <simca75_nospam@operamail.com> wrote in message
news:1099238264.16795.0@lotis.uk.clara.net...
> Have just had my wife's '02 A4 TDi serviced for the first time after 17000
> miles and 24 months. Which means this is the first time it's seen a dealer
> since registration.
>
> I was pretty nervous about the whole idea of once every two year oil
> changes but found dealers insistent that this was AOK thanks to the new
> synthetics. Anyway I've gone along with it and waited until the car told
> me it wanted a service.
>
> Point is I suspect that the buggers have merely topped up rather than
> replaced the oil. The level is up - above the max mark - and, after only
> 20 miles, it's a far from reassuring black. Surely thats not right? I
> suspect that the grim reality may be that for all the valeting, coffee,
> and bullshit accompanying the £300 bill, the age old game of charging for
> work not done goes on as ever - greatly assisted by the fact that hardly
> anyone under 40 ever lifts a bonnet these days....
>
> Be glad when the warranty's up and I can find someone who actually
> services a car with an eye on its longevity rather than on pursuading me
> to buy a new one....... any other UK owners out there care to comment on
> Audi dealer "long life" servicing????

Barry Bingham

Thanks to all who've commented.

On Sun, 31 Oct 2004 23:22:50 GMT, John105 <johnprogers@ntlworld.com> wrote:

> I take it you took it to an authorised Audi dealer?
I did.
> Being a diesel, the synthetic oil will turn black within a few miles of
> use,
> that is quite normal.
I had not realised that this could happen in so few miles.
> All UK Audi dealers have to adhere to a standard called "HSO", a German
> standard smiliar to "BS" or "ISO" in the UK.
>
> It would be more than the dealers franchise agreement worth to charge for
> work not carried out.
I can see that.
> And finally, please bear in mind that even though you wish to have the
> car
> serviced outside the dealer network, an Audi dealer history holds a lot
> more
> sway in the cars resale history and any future goodwill warranty claims
> against Audi....For example if your windscreen de-laminates Audi UK will
> replace it up to 10 years from date of registration if you show goodwill
> to
> them by having it serviced by a main dealer.
I'd prefer to keep the relationship going for the reasons you set out.
My opening rant probably reflects my experience of other main dealer
networks. I moved to an independent with my Alfa not for cost reasons but
because I wanted to keep the car for some time and realised that I simply
could not trust main dealers to do what they said.

Barry Bingham

Thanks to all who've commented.

On Sun, 31 Oct 2004 23:22:50 GMT, John105 <johnprogers@ntlworld.com> wrote:

> I take it you took it to an authorised Audi dealer?
I did.
> Being a diesel, the synthetic oil will turn black within a few miles of
> use,
> that is quite normal.
I had not realised that this could happen in so few miles.
> All UK Audi dealers have to adhere to a standard called "HSO", a German
> standard smiliar to "BS" or "ISO" in the UK.
>
> It would be more than the dealers franchise agreement worth to charge for
> work not carried out.
I can see that.
> And finally, please bear in mind that even though you wish to have the
> car
> serviced outside the dealer network, an Audi dealer history holds a lot
> more
> sway in the cars resale history and any future goodwill warranty claims
> against Audi....For example if your windscreen de-laminates Audi UK will
> replace it up to 10 years from date of registration if you show goodwill
> to
> them by having it serviced by a main dealer.
I'd prefer to keep the relationship going for the reasons you set out.
My opening rant probably reflects my experience of other main dealer
networks. I moved to an independent with my Alfa not for cost reasons but
because I wanted to keep the car for some time and realised that I simply
could not trust main dealers to do what they said.

JP Roberts

I have heard that what official dealers do is vacuum the oil out of the
engine, rather than let it drain through the plughole. Can't certify that
one, though, as this is just something I got wind of.

JP Roberts

"Barry Bingham" <simca75_nospam@operamail.com> escribió en el mensaje
news:1099238264.16795.0@lotis.uk.clara.net...
> Have just had my wife's '02 A4 TDi serviced for the first time after
> 17000 miles and 24 months. Which means this is the first time it's seen
> a dealer since registration.
>
> I was pretty nervous about the whole idea of once every two year oil
> changes but found dealers insistent that this was AOK thanks to the new
> synthetics. Anyway I've gone along with it and waited until the car told
> me it wanted a service.
>
> Point is I suspect that the buggers have merely topped up rather than
> replaced the oil. The level is up - above the max mark - and, after only
> 20 miles, it's a far from reassuring black. Surely thats not right? I
> suspect that the grim reality may be that for all the valeting, coffee,
> and bullshit accompanying the £300 bill, the age old game of charging
> for work not done goes on as ever - greatly assisted by the fact that
> hardly anyone under 40 ever lifts a bonnet these days....
>
> Be glad when the warranty's up and I can find someone who actually
> services a car with an eye on its longevity rather than on pursuading me
> to buy a new one....... any other UK owners out there care to comment on
> Audi dealer "long life" servicing????

JP Roberts

I have heard that what official dealers do is vacuum the oil out of the
engine, rather than let it drain through the plughole. Can't certify that
one, though, as this is just something I got wind of.

JP Roberts

"Barry Bingham" <simca75_nospam@operamail.com> escribió en el mensaje
news:1099238264.16795.0@lotis.uk.clara.net...
> Have just had my wife's '02 A4 TDi serviced for the first time after
> 17000 miles and 24 months. Which means this is the first time it's seen
> a dealer since registration.
>
> I was pretty nervous about the whole idea of once every two year oil
> changes but found dealers insistent that this was AOK thanks to the new
> synthetics. Anyway I've gone along with it and waited until the car told
> me it wanted a service.
>
> Point is I suspect that the buggers have merely topped up rather than
> replaced the oil. The level is up - above the max mark - and, after only
> 20 miles, it's a far from reassuring black. Surely thats not right? I
> suspect that the grim reality may be that for all the valeting, coffee,
> and bullshit accompanying the £300 bill, the age old game of charging
> for work not done goes on as ever - greatly assisted by the fact that
> hardly anyone under 40 ever lifts a bonnet these days....
>
> Be glad when the warranty's up and I can find someone who actually
> services a car with an eye on its longevity rather than on pursuading me
> to buy a new one....... any other UK owners out there care to comment on
> Audi dealer "long life" servicing????