Jump to content

Welcome to Autoworld Forum !

Sign In or Register to gain full access to our forums. By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.

Close
Photo

Audi A4 1.8tfsi B8 Maintenance


  • Please log in to reply

#1
billyc

Posted 16 March 2009 - 06:07 PM

billyc

    Veteran

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 121 posts
Hi Guys,

I just test drive the new A4 1.8T... very impressive. I have some questions that maybe you guys can help me out.

What is the cost of maintenance & repairs like? I understand that even the Audi specialists need to buy the spare parts from HICOM as there are no 3rd party parts distributor (unlike BMW or Merc), which is why the parts are expensive. Is that true?

#2
benny1001

Posted 25 March 2009 - 03:00 AM

benny1001

    Taxi Driver

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 465 posts
QUOTE (billyc @ Mar 16 2009, 06:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi Guys,

I just test drive the new A4 1.8T... very impressive. I have some questions that maybe you guys can help me out.

What is the cost of maintenance & repairs like? I understand that even the Audi specialists need to buy the spare parts from HICOM as there are no 3rd party parts distributor (unlike BMW or Merc), which is why the parts are expensive. Is that true?


Audi's maintenance cost is so darn high, get yourself prepared after the car passed the 3 yr warranty period... you may wanna stab a knife into your own stomach after you see the quotation for repairing your Audi... If you happen to own one of it like me.... smile_blackeye.gif

#3
A4orce

Posted 01 April 2009 - 01:43 PM

A4orce

    Road Warrior

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 563 posts
QUOTE (benny1001 @ Mar 25 2009, 03:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Audi's maintenance cost is so darn high, get yourself prepared after the car passed the 3 yr warranty period... you may wanna stab a knife into your own stomach after you see the quotation for repairing your Audi... If you happen to own one of it like me.... smile_blackeye.gif


I've owned my current 1.8T for 4+ years now and so far, I can safely say that the maintenance bills have been very reasonable. The bill will be higher when it comes to major servicing (at 100k km which includes a timing belt change) or replacing wear and tear parts, but overall, there's really no need to commit 'hara kiri' to maintain an Audi.

It also helps if you maintain your car reasonably well and also know reputable independent workshops to carry the maintenance works for your ride.

Also, take advantage of the promotion campaigns given out by Euromobil from time to time. They recently had a 25% discount of parts including lubricants and that means a lot of savings on original parts which also comes with 6-month warranty. Which model Audi do you drive?

#4
benny1001

Posted 05 April 2009 - 03:38 PM

benny1001

    Taxi Driver

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 465 posts
Hey bro, mine is 04 B6 A4 1.8T(I guess it's the very first badge and I'm one of the very first guy to get the A4 in PG). My A4 has got so many problem after I bought it. I'll list down the broken/defect items one by one for your reference.

1. Buttons on dashboard and door panel all melt and seeing the original colour of the white buttons starting at 3rd year. (recently met another B6 A4 guy at Prai Eon Service Center whose from PG too, he has this same problem.)

2. Alternator broke down: Order it directly from Bosch dealer in Taiwan cost only NT9700, around RM1000 per piece, got it installed at outside workshops for labor only RM60. Eon Service quoted me like RM2.5k+ something, crazy figure.

3. Air-con compressor broke down at 4th year: Eon Service quoted like RM5000 installed, another crazy figure, so again I go for outside air con workshop in PG to install it, cost around RM2800 installed, parts order from JB, I guess the JB people got the compressor from Singapore.

3. Front passenger side window broke down at the same year, unable to close the window. Got it replaced and installed at Eon Service for RM550 w/o labor, got it done when sending over to do 60000km service, total cost RM1374. (at the same time my old man's 8yr W211 E-Class font window broke down too, but C&C replaced it for only RM300!!!!!)

4. Front absorbers became very bouncy on highway at the same year, Eon Service quoted RM1000 per piece, and labor RM100/side. Crazy, again compare with my old man's W211 E-class, replace 4 pcs for below RM1500. Ok so I went to the workshop which I brought my estima and waja there for regular service looking for help, they quoted me for RM850 installed per piece. I end up do nothing with it, keep using it till now since my wife use the A4 for city drive only.

5. Recently serious event, transmission indicator lights blinking while driving or starting the engine. Later on the car jerks seriously with a huge "KOK" sound and engine dead for two times in different days when I was putting R from P to reverse out from a parking spot in Qbay shopping mall, then I realize it's gonna be big problem. Water temp goes up a bit over the middle range while driving slow or stuck at traffic jam. So I send in Prai Eon Service Center for diagnose, result was some horrifying parts broken.

a. Transmission control module(TCU) sensor malfunction, due to the sensor is built into the TCU unit, so the whole TCU needs to be replace, quoted RM8161 per piece w/o labor!!!

b. Cooling fan broke down, the whole set cost RM4340+ w/o labor.

c. Eon checked my brake pads are gone, quoted RM883 w/o labor for 4 pcs.

The service consultant told me, it will be RM15000 to replaced all parts after labor charge. I was going to faint after I heard it. So dam angry and disappointed that I think Audi's quality should be better than this, mainly because my bro has owned a B5 S4 in Taiwan for over 8yrs and that car has no major problems at all!! He even swap his K03 turbos to RS4's K04 turbo and the 5sp tiptronic transmission still able to withstand the increase of power! I left my A4 at the eon service center for like 3 nights thinking what to do, when the day I decide to get it repair outside of Eon and went over Eon SC to pick up my car, got in the driver seat and feeling something is touch my hair on the roof, turn my head up and saw the textile on the roof fallen down, all portion of it from front to back, making my day worse after seeing that. Now my A4 still laying at home waiting until I can find some trusted workshop to repair all those crap... By the way, the Eon service consultant also told me the next 80000KM service will cost around RM3000 which they need to replace the timing belt, engine mounting, engine oil, tranny oil and other stuff.... smile_blackeye.gif

#5
lalanuni

Posted 05 April 2009 - 06:07 PM

lalanuni

    Driver

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 35 posts
Sad for you after reading ur post...Actually i was trying to get used Audi A4 1.8T(B6) before i got my 407 last year..i like it's look especially with Oettinger bodykit..ehe! Btw, i suggest you better go SG and look for the parts rather spending extra $$ here. I can assure that certain parts are definately cheaper than any local audi dealer..wink.gif I really hope that your A4 can be "cured" as soon as possible..all the best!
lalanuni - A puggie begins..

#6
benny1001

Posted 06 April 2009 - 01:20 AM

benny1001

    Taxi Driver

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 465 posts
QUOTE (lalanuni @ Apr 5 2009, 06:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Sad for you after reading ur post...Actually i was trying to get used Audi A4 1.8T(B6) before i got my 407 last year..i like it's look especially with Oettinger bodykit..ehe! Btw, i suggest you better go SG and look for the parts rather spending extra $$ here. I can assure that certain parts are definately cheaper than any local audi dealer..wink.gif I really hope that your A4 can be "cured" as soon as possible..all the best!


Thanks man, I'm actualy an Audi fan and before getting this car, everyone was pushing me to get the 325i, but I insist to get the darn A4 because of the juicy 1.8T engine and the super fast yet smooth Multitronic. sigh...now the multitronic is killing me... forgot the mention in the previous msg, there is another 2 common problems for B6/B7 A4 would be the ABS module/computer and the spark coil. The ABS module/computer is supply by Bosch, but the housing has some kind of defect problem which it will melt after sometime, then the ABS indicator light will come on, the ABS module will cost around RM5000~6000 for a brand new unit, unless there is people overhere who knows how to replace the housing without breaking the internal parts. Saw the news from autonet.com.tw that there is some ppl in Taiwan who knos how to replace the housing already and it cost around RM1500~2000. For the spark coil, one of my friend's B7 A4 2.0TFSI already kena...luckily he replaced it under warranty, otherwise I guess it will cost around RM1500 for a new set...

BTW, the price for used A4 is really cheap...good news for buyer but bad news for first hand owner like me ... smile_blackeye.gif Got enquire a quote to trade in my A4 with a import/recon car dealer, they willing to take it for RM85k only!!! my god... smile_cry.gif How's your 407? I am considering the Nasim CKD facelift 407 too but afraid the cold market conti cars later I gonna kena again....



#7
lalanuni

Posted 07 April 2009 - 01:35 PM

lalanuni

    Driver

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 35 posts
QUOTE (benny1001 @ Apr 6 2009, 01:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks man, I'm actualy an Audi fan and before getting this car, everyone was pushing me to get the 325i, but I insist to get the darn A4 because of the juicy 1.8T engine and the super fast yet smooth Multitronic. sigh...now the multitronic is killing me... forgot the mention in the previous msg, there is another 2 common problems for B6/B7 A4 would be the ABS module/computer and the spark coil. The ABS module/computer is supply by Bosch, but the housing has some kind of defect problem which it will melt after sometime, then the ABS indicator light will come on, the ABS module will cost around RM5000~6000 for a brand new unit, unless there is people overhere who knows how to replace the housing without breaking the internal parts. Saw the news from autonet.com.tw that there is some ppl in Taiwan who knos how to replace the housing already and it cost around RM1500~2000. For the spark coil, one of my friend's B7 A4 2.0TFSI already kena...luckily he replaced it under warranty, otherwise I guess it will cost around RM1500 for a new set...

BTW, the price for used A4 is really cheap...good news for buyer but bad news for first hand owner like me ... smile_blackeye.gif Got enquire a quote to trade in my A4 with a import/recon car dealer, they willing to take it for RM85k only!!! my god... smile_cry.gif How's your 407? I am considering the Nasim CKD facelift 407 too but afraid the cold market conti cars later I gonna kena again....




Hi benny,

So far so good, I am satisfied with my 407 at the moment maybe this the first time that i own a conti car..haha! There is a big difference between driving a conti car and a local car(my waja). Anyway, if you are aiming 407 now then you gotta go peugeot showroom and take a look..heeh! If you worry about resale value, I tell you a true story, one of my friend owned a 2004 407CBU, guess how much he sold it recently? RM95k! Its really amazing that he still can sold it with that good price..heeh! That's because Peugeot still has it's own resale market..believe me! If you wanna know more about Peugeot? Please go to peugeot session, thks!
lalanuni - A puggie begins..

#8
A4orce

Posted 16 April 2009 - 07:46 PM

A4orce

    Road Warrior

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 563 posts
Hey benny,

I too am driving the A4 B6 1.8T (04 model) but I've not seen or experienced the kind of repairs which has gone through your car. You must have got a lemon or luck just isn't on your side with the A4. I'll be doing my timing belt change inclusive of water pump, engine gasket, etc at an independent Audi workshop in KL next week and was quoted RM1,600 inclusive of labour. Parts are original Audi parts. My milage now is 90k km and the only 'major' component I've changed so far is the engine mountings (RM650 for both) and brake pads all round.

Incidentally, I called Euromobil 2 days ago to ask for a quote for a timing belt job - guess what, was quoted RM1,819 all in smile_thumbup.gif Does not include the water pump which I'm told is a few hunderd RM.

Why don't you drive your A4 to KL and get it fixed here, perhaps it may be a little easier on the pockets.

#9
benny1001

Posted 16 April 2009 - 08:27 PM

benny1001

    Taxi Driver

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 465 posts
QUOTE (A4orce @ Apr 16 2009, 07:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey benny,

I too am driving the A4 B6 1.8T (04 model) but I've not seen or experienced the kind of repairs which has gone through your car. You must have got a lemon or luck just isn't on your side with the A4. I'll be doing my timing belt change inclusive of water pump, engine gasket, etc at an independent Audi workshop in KL next week and was quoted RM1,600 inclusive of labour. Parts are original Audi parts. My milage now is 90k km and the only 'major' component I've changed so far is the engine mountings (RM650 for both) and brake pads all round.

Incidentally, I called Euromobil 2 days ago to ask for a quote for a timing belt job - guess what, was quoted RM1,819 all in smile_thumbup.gif Does not include the water pump which I'm told is a few hunderd RM.

Why don't you drive your A4 to KL and get it fixed here, perhaps it may be a little easier on the pockets.




Hello A4orce, thanks for your reply and advice, let me figure out how lousy our northern region workshop is, every parts they have here is ordering from other city, making the price double up already... smile_blackeye.gif I know there is quite some Audi specialists in KL like Audible, AVS, APR, ABT and more I think....but it's kind of far for me and I think my car will break down at Ipoh if I happen to drive it to KL hahah.... I think I will find some time later to search for cheap and reliable workshop in KL then ask for a flat bed tow truck to bring my car overthere and get it fixed.... the eon service guy told me, the more I drive my a4, the more damage will cause to the transmission and engine(cooling fan failed).

btw, the Euromobil u called..is it the Glenmarie one? or? Perhaps can you intro the workshop you go to me? hehe.. smile_big.gif

#10
A4orce

Posted 21 April 2009 - 07:50 PM

A4orce

    Road Warrior

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 563 posts
QUOTE (benny1001 @ Apr 16 2009, 08:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello A4orce, thanks for your reply and advice, let me figure out how lousy our northern region workshop is, every parts they have here is ordering from other city, making the price double up already... smile_blackeye.gif I know there is quite some Audi specialists in KL like Audible, AVS, APR, ABT and more I think....but it's kind of far for me and I think my car will break down at Ipoh if I happen to drive it to KL hahah.... I think I will find some time later to search for cheap and reliable workshop in KL then ask for a flat bed tow truck to bring my car overthere and get it fixed.... the eon service guy told me, the more I drive my a4, the more damage will cause to the transmission and engine(cooling fan failed).

btw, the Euromobil u called..is it the Glenmarie one? or? Perhaps can you intro the workshop you go to me? hehe.. smile_big.gif


Benny, just when I said everything was fine, my cooling fan died on me a few days back smile_blackeye.gif I guess it's due anyway. Got it changed at Autoreign, both the big and small fan and also the control module. All in I paid not more than RM2,900 for parts and labour! I notice you paid more than 4k, though not sure if it's the same parts you changed. So here you can already make the price comparison.

Yes, the Euromobil I called is located in Glenmarie, the official Audi distributor. Let me know if I can help with your car. Sending it in for my timing belt/waterpump change tomorrow. smile_approve.gif