<xcwork@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1193460995.395236.302290@z24g2000prh.googlegr oups.com...
> Audi Steven Creek Service Department puts _its profit_ over many
> things including its integrity in giving you a fact based assessment
> of your vehicle. Please take _extra_ caution if you get your car
> service there especially when it is out of warranty.
>
> My misfortune this passed summer 2007 was I misplaced my trust and let
> them change my time belt at 60K miles. I later discovered I didn't
> need it till 80K miles. I could have SAVE $2K off my service bill.

60K miles may be overly cautious for the timing belt changeout but many
would also say that 6 years is not terribly unreasonable. What does seem a
bit much is the $2000 charge for the T.B. change. I hope for that price they
also changed out the water pump and tensioners. You'll always pay a premium
to have the dealer work on your car else there'd be few independents out
there. Check on Audiworld's forum for advice on a good independent in your
area.

 

On Oct 27, 5:10 am, "dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwd...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Yes that service writer probably gets a commission and loves his percentage
> of your extra $2000 job.
>
> What year is your Audi and would the longer warranty on the powertrain help
> you in this situation?
> Did you contact the Audi customer center in the USA?
>
> Now you might have needed the belt but I like to have proof that it is
> needed.
> If the belt was oily then did they change the seals or gaskets that caused
> the oil problem too?
>
> things have to make sense!
> later,
> dave
> (One out of many daves)
>
> <xcw...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1193460995.395236.302290@z24g2000prh.googlegr oups.com...
>
> > Audi Steven Creek Service Department puts _its profit_ over many
> > things including its integrity in giving you a fact based assessment
> > of your vehicle. Please take _extra_ caution if you get your car
> > service there especially when it is out of warranty.
>
> > My misfortune this passed summer 2007 was I misplaced my trust and let
> > them change my time belt at 60K miles. I later discovered I didn't
> > need it till 80K miles. I could have SAVE $2K off my service bill.
> > The service advisor David said it was normal wear and tear during my
> > visit. When I approached him afterward, he changed his story and said
> > it was oil on my belt. His lack of integrity was _unbearable_. I saw
> > this behavior at the service advisor level and management level. I met
> > with their service department manager and learned that this unethical
> > business practice is one way for them to increase their profit.
>
> > My advice to you is when they say "your car _need_ something", get a
> > second professional opinion before placing your trust on them
> > especially when your car is out of warranty.

Hi dave (vwdoc1), I own a 2001 Audi A4. My car has a 5 years or 40K
warranty on it. I believe if I had a timing belt issue and I worked
hard and insisted on a cure instead of a bandage solution, they might
have fix it under warranty. I don't know if powertrain warranty covers
this. After this incident, I had a conversation with Audi Customer
Center USA. They were not much help.

Here is the kicker. They told me I had a cam adjuster gasket leak
during that same service period. They fixed it and I got a bill for
it. As discussed in this alias, cam adjuster gasket leak is _very
common_ on my model and year. Apparently, Audi service dept only fix
this gasket leak problem during the warranty period when it is at the
highest severe level 4 even though it might become a bigger problem (a
COLLATERAL damage in my case: gasket & time belt) when your vehicle is
out-of-warranty. My advice to all Audi owners is to have a robust
conversation with your service dept to learn if you have a cam gasket
leak problem and how severe. If you do have one, insist they fix it
under warranty

I believe there are 4 severity levels from 1 low to 4 the hightest.
Audi questionable position right now is it will only repair level 4
the worst severe level under warranty.

 

On Oct 27, 5:10 am, "dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwd...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Yes that service writer probably gets a commission and loves his percentage
> of your extra $2000 job.
>
> What year is your Audi and would the longer warranty on the powertrain help
> you in this situation?
> Did you contact the Audi customer center in the USA?
>
> Now you might have needed the belt but I like to have proof that it is
> needed.
> If the belt was oily then did they change the seals or gaskets that caused
> the oil problem too?
>
> things have to make sense!
> later,
> dave
> (One out of many daves)
>
> <xcw...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1193460995.395236.302290@z24g2000prh.googlegr oups.com...
>
> > Audi Steven Creek Service Department puts _its profit_ over many
> > things including its integrity in giving you a fact based assessment
> > of your vehicle. Please take _extra_ caution if you get your car
> > service there especially when it is out of warranty.
>
> > My misfortune this passed summer 2007 was I misplaced my trust and let
> > them change my time belt at 60K miles. I later discovered I didn't
> > need it till 80K miles. I could have SAVE $2K off my service bill.
> > The service advisor David said it was normal wear and tear during my
> > visit. When I approached him afterward, he changed his story and said
> > it was oil on my belt. His lack of integrity was _unbearable_. I saw
> > this behavior at the service advisor level and management level. I met
> > with their service department manager and learned that this unethical
> > business practice is one way for them to increase their profit.
>
> > My advice to you is when they say "your car _need_ something", get a
> > second professional opinion before placing your trust on them
> > especially when your car is out of warranty.

Hi dave (vwdoc1), I own a 2001 Audi A4. My car has a 5 years or 40K
warranty on it. I believe if I had a timing belt issue and I worked
hard and insisted on a cure instead of a bandage solution, they might
have fix it under warranty. I don't know if powertrain warranty covers
this. After this incident, I had a conversation with Audi Customer
Center USA. They were not much help.

Here is the kicker. They told me I had a cam adjuster gasket leak
during that same service period. They fixed it and I got a bill for
it. As discussed in this alias, cam adjuster gasket leak is _very
common_ on my model and year. Apparently, Audi service dept only fix
this gasket leak problem during the warranty period when it is at the
highest severe level 4 even though it might become a bigger problem (a
COLLATERAL damage in my case: gasket & time belt) when your vehicle is
out-of-warranty. My advice to all Audi owners is to have a robust
conversation with your service dept to learn if you have a cam gasket
leak problem and how severe. If you do have one, insist they fix it
under warranty

I believe there are 4 severity levels from 1 low to 4 the hightest.
Audi questionable position right now is it will only repair level 4
the worst severe level under warranty.

 

On Oct 27, 5:10 am, "dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwd...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Yes that service writer probably gets a commission and loves his percentage
> of your extra $2000 job.
>
> What year is your Audi and would the longer warranty on the powertrain help
> you in this situation?
> Did you contact the Audi customer center in the USA?
>
> Now you might have needed the belt but I like to have proof that it is
> needed.
> If the belt was oily then did they change the seals or gaskets that caused
> the oil problem too?
>
> things have to make sense!
> later,
> dave
> (One out of many daves)
>
> <xcw...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1193460995.395236.302290@z24g2000prh.googlegr oups.com...
>
> > Audi Steven Creek Service Department puts _its profit_ over many
> > things including its integrity in giving you a fact based assessment
> > of your vehicle. Please take _extra_ caution if you get your car
> > service there especially when it is out of warranty.
>
> > My misfortune this passed summer 2007 was I misplaced my trust and let
> > them change my time belt at 60K miles. I later discovered I didn't
> > need it till 80K miles. I could have SAVE $2K off my service bill.
> > The service advisor David said it was normal wear and tear during my
> > visit. When I approached him afterward, he changed his story and said
> > it was oil on my belt. His lack of integrity was _unbearable_. I saw
> > this behavior at the service advisor level and management level. I met
> > with their service department manager and learned that this unethical
> > business practice is one way for them to increase their profit.
>
> > My advice to you is when they say "your car _need_ something", get a
> > second professional opinion before placing your trust on them
> > especially when your car is out of warranty.

Hi dave (vwdoc1), I own a 2001 Audi A4. My car has a 5 years or 40K
warranty on it. I believe if I had a timing belt issue and I worked
hard and insisted on a cure instead of a bandage solution, they might
have fix it under warranty. I don't know if powertrain warranty covers
this. After this incident, I had a conversation with Audi Customer
Center USA. They were not much help.

Here is the kicker. They told me I had a cam adjuster gasket leak
during that same service period. They fixed it and I got a bill for
it. As discussed in this alias, cam adjuster gasket leak is _very
common_ on my model and year. Apparently, Audi service dept only fix
this gasket leak problem during the warranty period when it is at the
highest severe level 4 even though it might become a bigger problem (a
COLLATERAL damage in my case: gasket & time belt) when your vehicle is
out-of-warranty. My advice to all Audi owners is to have a robust
conversation with your service dept to learn if you have a cam gasket
leak problem and how severe. If you do have one, insist they fix it
under warranty

I believe there are 4 severity levels from 1 low to 4 the hightest.
Audi questionable position right now is it will only repair level 4
the worst severe level under warranty.

 

On Oct 27, 5:10 am, "dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwd...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Yes that service writer probably gets a commission and loves his percentage
> of your extra $2000 job.
>
> What year is your Audi and would the longer warranty on the powertrain help
> you in this situation?
> Did you contact the Audi customer center in the USA?
>
> Now you might have needed the belt but I like to have proof that it is
> needed.
> If the belt was oily then did they change the seals or gaskets that caused
> the oil problem too?
>
> things have to make sense!
> later,
> dave
> (One out of many daves)
>
> <xcw...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1193460995.395236.302290@z24g2000prh.googlegr oups.com...
>
> > Audi Steven Creek Service Department puts _its profit_ over many
> > things including its integrity in giving you a fact based assessment
> > of your vehicle. Please take _extra_ caution if you get your car
> > service there especially when it is out of warranty.
>
> > My misfortune this passed summer 2007 was I misplaced my trust and let
> > them change my time belt at 60K miles. I later discovered I didn't
> > need it till 80K miles. I could have SAVE $2K off my service bill.
> > The service advisor David said it was normal wear and tear during my
> > visit. When I approached him afterward, he changed his story and said
> > it was oil on my belt. His lack of integrity was _unbearable_. I saw
> > this behavior at the service advisor level and management level. I met
> > with their service department manager and learned that this unethical
> > business practice is one way for them to increase their profit.
>
> > My advice to you is when they say "your car _need_ something", get a
> > second professional opinion before placing your trust on them
> > especially when your car is out of warranty.

Hi dave (vwdoc1), I own a 2001 Audi A4. My car has a 5 years or 40K
warranty on it. I believe if I had a timing belt issue and I worked
hard and insisted on a cure instead of a bandage solution, they might
have fix it under warranty. I don't know if powertrain warranty covers
this. After this incident, I had a conversation with Audi Customer
Center USA. They were not much help.

Here is the kicker. They told me I had a cam adjuster gasket leak
during that same service period. They fixed it and I got a bill for
it. As discussed in this alias, cam adjuster gasket leak is _very
common_ on my model and year. Apparently, Audi service dept only fix
this gasket leak problem during the warranty period when it is at the
highest severe level 4 even though it might become a bigger problem (a
COLLATERAL damage in my case: gasket & time belt) when your vehicle is
out-of-warranty. My advice to all Audi owners is to have a robust
conversation with your service dept to learn if you have a cam gasket
leak problem and how severe. If you do have one, insist they fix it
under warranty

I believe there are 4 severity levels from 1 low to 4 the hightest.
Audi questionable position right now is it will only repair level 4
the worst severe level under warranty.

 

<xcwork@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1193460995.395236.302290@z24g2000prh.googlegr oups.com...
> Audi Steven Creek Service Department puts _its profit_ over many
> things including its integrity in giving you a fact based assessment
> of your vehicle. Please take _extra_ caution if you get your car
> service there especially when it is out of warranty.
>
> My misfortune this passed summer 2007 was I misplaced my trust and let
> them change my time belt at 60K miles. I later discovered I didn't
> need it till 80K miles. I could have SAVE $2K off my service bill.
> The service advisor David said it was normal wear and tear during my
> visit. When I approached him afterward, he changed his story and said
> it was oil on my belt. His lack of integrity was _unbearable_. I saw
> this behavior at the service advisor level and management level. I met
> with their service department manager and learned that this unethical
> business practice is one way for them to increase their profit.
>
> My advice to you is when they say "your car _need_ something", get a
> second professional opinion before placing your trust on them
> especially when your car is out of warranty.


If it is the 1.8T engine, the timing belt/tensioner/waterpump should be
changed at 60K miles. They are known to fail on that engine anytime after
60K, resulting in upper engine damage and a $3-4K service bill. Even with
low-mileage vehicles, that maintenance should be performed at no more than 6
years, even if the mileage is less that 60K.

As far as what they charged you, that is, at most, about a $1K job at an
independent shop in the SF Bay Area. Yes, dealerships charge premium prices
for parts and labor, and there service is usually no better (and sometime
much worse) than a good independent shop. There are a number of good
independent VW/Audi shops in the area, such as Streetwerke in Palo Alto, and
Bugformance and Autowerkstat in San Jose.

 

<xcwork@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1193460995.395236.302290@z24g2000prh.googlegr oups.com...
> Audi Steven Creek Service Department puts _its profit_ over many
> things including its integrity in giving you a fact based assessment
> of your vehicle. Please take _extra_ caution if you get your car
> service there especially when it is out of warranty.
>
> My misfortune this passed summer 2007 was I misplaced my trust and let
> them change my time belt at 60K miles. I later discovered I didn't
> need it till 80K miles. I could have SAVE $2K off my service bill.
> The service advisor David said it was normal wear and tear during my
> visit. When I approached him afterward, he changed his story and said
> it was oil on my belt. His lack of integrity was _unbearable_. I saw
> this behavior at the service advisor level and management level. I met
> with their service department manager and learned that this unethical
> business practice is one way for them to increase their profit.
>
> My advice to you is when they say "your car _need_ something", get a
> second professional opinion before placing your trust on them
> especially when your car is out of warranty.


If it is the 1.8T engine, the timing belt/tensioner/waterpump should be
changed at 60K miles. They are known to fail on that engine anytime after
60K, resulting in upper engine damage and a $3-4K service bill. Even with
low-mileage vehicles, that maintenance should be performed at no more than 6
years, even if the mileage is less that 60K.

As far as what they charged you, that is, at most, about a $1K job at an
independent shop in the SF Bay Area. Yes, dealerships charge premium prices
for parts and labor, and there service is usually no better (and sometime
much worse) than a good independent shop. There are a number of good
independent VW/Audi shops in the area, such as Streetwerke in Palo Alto, and
Bugformance and Autowerkstat in San Jose.

 

<xcwork@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1193460995.395236.302290@z24g2000prh.googlegr oups.com...
> Audi Steven Creek Service Department puts _its profit_ over many
> things including its integrity in giving you a fact based assessment
> of your vehicle. Please take _extra_ caution if you get your car
> service there especially when it is out of warranty.
>
> My misfortune this passed summer 2007 was I misplaced my trust and let
> them change my time belt at 60K miles. I later discovered I didn't
> need it till 80K miles. I could have SAVE $2K off my service bill.
> The service advisor David said it was normal wear and tear during my
> visit. When I approached him afterward, he changed his story and said
> it was oil on my belt. His lack of integrity was _unbearable_. I saw
> this behavior at the service advisor level and management level. I met
> with their service department manager and learned that this unethical
> business practice is one way for them to increase their profit.
>
> My advice to you is when they say "your car _need_ something", get a
> second professional opinion before placing your trust on them
> especially when your car is out of warranty.


If it is the 1.8T engine, the timing belt/tensioner/waterpump should be
changed at 60K miles. They are known to fail on that engine anytime after
60K, resulting in upper engine damage and a $3-4K service bill. Even with
low-mileage vehicles, that maintenance should be performed at no more than 6
years, even if the mileage is less that 60K.

As far as what they charged you, that is, at most, about a $1K job at an
independent shop in the SF Bay Area. Yes, dealerships charge premium prices
for parts and labor, and there service is usually no better (and sometime
much worse) than a good independent shop. There are a number of good
independent VW/Audi shops in the area, such as Streetwerke in Palo Alto, and
Bugformance and Autowerkstat in San Jose.

 

<xcwork@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1193460995.395236.302290@z24g2000prh.googlegr oups.com...
> Audi Steven Creek Service Department puts _its profit_ over many
> things including its integrity in giving you a fact based assessment
> of your vehicle. Please take _extra_ caution if you get your car
> service there especially when it is out of warranty.
>
> My misfortune this passed summer 2007 was I misplaced my trust and let
> them change my time belt at 60K miles. I later discovered I didn't
> need it till 80K miles. I could have SAVE $2K off my service bill.
> The service advisor David said it was normal wear and tear during my
> visit. When I approached him afterward, he changed his story and said
> it was oil on my belt. His lack of integrity was _unbearable_. I saw
> this behavior at the service advisor level and management level. I met
> with their service department manager and learned that this unethical
> business practice is one way for them to increase their profit.
>
> My advice to you is when they say "your car _need_ something", get a
> second professional opinion before placing your trust on them
> especially when your car is out of warranty.


If it is the 1.8T engine, the timing belt/tensioner/waterpump should be
changed at 60K miles. They are known to fail on that engine anytime after
60K, resulting in upper engine damage and a $3-4K service bill. Even with
low-mileage vehicles, that maintenance should be performed at no more than 6
years, even if the mileage is less that 60K.

As far as what they charged you, that is, at most, about a $1K job at an
independent shop in the SF Bay Area. Yes, dealerships charge premium prices
for parts and labor, and there service is usually no better (and sometime
much worse) than a good independent shop. There are a number of good
independent VW/Audi shops in the area, such as Streetwerke in Palo Alto, and
Bugformance and Autowerkstat in San Jose.

 

<xcwork@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1193460995.395236.302290@z24g2000prh.googlegr oups.com...
> Audi Steven Creek Service Department puts _its profit_ over many
> things including its integrity in giving you a fact based assessment
> of your vehicle. Please take _extra_ caution if you get your car
> service there especially when it is out of warranty.
>
> My misfortune this passed summer 2007 was I misplaced my trust and let
> them change my time belt at 60K miles. I later discovered I didn't
> need it till 80K miles. I could have SAVE $2K off my service bill.
> The service advisor David said it was normal wear and tear during my
> visit. When I approached him afterward, he changed his story and said
> it was oil on my belt. His lack of integrity was _unbearable_. I saw
> this behavior at the service advisor level and management level. I met
> with their service department manager and learned that this unethical
> business practice is one way for them to increase their profit.
>
> My advice to you is when they say "your car _need_ something", get a
> second professional opinion before placing your trust on them
> especially when your car is out of warranty.


If it is the 1.8T engine, the timing belt/tensioner/waterpump should be
changed at 60K miles. They are known to fail on that engine anytime after
60K, resulting in upper engine damage and a $3-4K service bill. Even with
low-mileage vehicles, that maintenance should be performed at no more than 6
years, even if the mileage is less that 60K.

As far as what they charged you, that is, at most, about a $1K job at an
independent shop in the SF Bay Area. Yes, dealerships charge premium prices
for parts and labor, and there service is usually no better (and sometime
much worse) than a good independent shop. There are a number of good
independent VW/Audi shops in the area, such as Streetwerke in Palo Alto, and
Bugformance and Autowerkstat in San Jose.