Neova

Hi,

I just had the haldex service done at Owasco Audi for $187+tax. The service advisor was Jason Turner and it was done under 1 hour.

Seems reasonable since to buy the parts to do it myself would cost $60USD for parts and $25USD for that special wrench from ECStunning.com, plus shipping and brokerage. So I'm just paying $115/hr labour for the audi dealer and saving myself some hassle as I don't have the proper tools to do it. I think it requires a lift so you can get under the car...

I had called several Audi Dealer in the GTA, and to my surprise not too many technicians have any idea on the Haldex service because it is unique to the Audi TT.

For your reference here are some quotes I got

Audi Dealers
Audi Uptown Markham $380+tax (3hrs - 1st quote), $551 tax in (3hrs - 2nd quote)
Againcourt Audi Scarborough $320+tax (2hrs)
Pfaff Audi (Vaughan Mills) $470 tax in (2hrs)
Owasco Audi (Whitby) $186+tax (1hr)

Non-Dealers
Indepedent Tunning $180 cash (1hr)

seems like Owasco Audi are the only dealership that seems to have the know-how on the Haldex service.

I tried not to burst into laughter when i got some of these quotes over the phone - some of these incompetent dealers are trying to make me pay 2-3 hours labour for a 45-min job while giving their techs time to learn on the job on how to do a Haldex service...

The only problem with Owasco Audi is that they don't open for service on weekends which meant I had to take half a morning off work to get it done on the weekday, and the $60km round trip as well...

awd-leo

LOL...what reason did they (Audi Uptown) give you for the increased on the 2nd quote, Neova?

Neova

Haha... actually i spoke to the same service manager at Audi Uptown for both quotes. His name was "Joe".

He just joined the dealership and did not work on VAG cars before and especially since the Haldex is unique to the TT, he said he had to ask someone else.

First quote, I guess he asked one technician who did it once before, and because it was the tech's first time doing the Haldex service, it took him 2 hours + so that what the service manger quoted me.

The second quote, I guess the service manager asked a different tech, and this time the tech doesn't even know such a service existed, so after looking up some manuals, the tech quoted his manager 3-4 hours, and that's what I got quoted.

There's no other reason for charging $550 for an oil change (for the Haldex Clutch)!!!

afretes

Hi Neova,

It is great to hear an excellent service experience! However, I hope this is not another case of "you get what you pay for". It sounds a bit strange when a non Audi shop like Independent Tuning charges nearly the same as a dealer, that will for sure make me wonder why!
IE has been servicing Audiworld, Quattroworld and Audizine members' cars for a long time and for a fraction of what dealers charge.
Neova, it is just an observation from me that's all. I hope all is good : )

Neova

hi afretes,

thanks for your concern. While I believe in paying for quality parts and service, I also do not believe that I should pay for someone to "learn on the job". In the end I recieved OEM parts and service at a resonable price, which is good to know!

There were many DIYers over in the UK TT forums who have done this service themselves. It's quite simple if you have the right tools (a car lift and a special Audi wrench to remove the filter because it's hidden above the rear axle).

So when I looked for a dealer to do this, I'm looking to just pay a fair price for the parts (filter and oil) which should be around $50-$60 USD, then pay about an hour of labour. (anywhere from $75 to $125, dealer being on the high end)

So given the fact that an official Audi dealer and an independent garage charges the same for I will prefer the dealer unless I feel the dealer is incompetent. THis seemed to be the case with almost every dealer I called up, most don't even know what the heck a Haldex is!!! But Owasco audi actually had a price list displayed for how much the Haldex service costs $79 + 1hour labour @$99.

I don't see why I should have paid the other Audi dealers an extra hour or 2 for labour so that their techs can learn how to do this particular job.

Actually, even some of the independent VAG shops I've called around do not all provide the Haldex service, since there aren't many TT or S3 quattro's around.

Alan_G_03_TT

I saw ECStuning has the entire kit which includes wrench for $126. USD. I'm going to order this shortly because after reading the DIY articles available this is no big deal to do at all. As the service interval is I believe 30,000km's, the wrench will pay for itself in no time. Those dealer prices you were being quoted are totally rediculous! I'll call the Barrie dealership and let you know what they say.

Jazz

every 30k!!! dont think i have ever done it!! ieee
post Barries price when you get it. (im in a fight with them as they f-ed my rims up)
i might get the kits aswell.

Jazz

allan can you post a link to the kit plz

K04-S4

Audi says change MK1 TT Haldex Oil and Filter every 32K KMs. If you drive your TT in the winter and front wheels slip frequently, your Haldex is working hard. I would definitely follow Audi's suggest change interval and even sooner if winter driving. It should not take more than 1 hour for any properly equipped mechanic to change oil and filter.

http://www.modshack.info/images/hwrench.pdf

Haldex clutch fluid & filter change... Must this be done at an Audi Dealer? - AudiWorld Forums

Alan_G_03_TT

I think it's worth the drive to Owasco, because the Barrie Audi dealership told me $450.00!!! I asked if they had a price for the special filter removal tool and they said they can't sell it to me! Unbelievable, but anyway, based on the DIY articles this looks like a piece of cake to do in the garage, just need some ramps.

Link to the kit at ECS tuning: Notes :: ECS Haldex Service Kit <b>With</b> Tool

They charge 126.73 for the kit which includes the special tool, new filter, fluid cartridge, sealing washer, new drain plug. Sounds good to me!