Any Audi Avant drivers?

[Red V8]

Hi, a couple of questions following on from a recent service

1. Is it possible to change the rear number plate light bulb without replacing the whole unit, stealer quoted me £43.34?
2. Is it normal to need new front discs after 24k (don't look bad to me), also what would you expect to pay at a non franchise, stealer wanted £294.53?
3. Is it normal to have to renew the rear anti-roll bar bushes at 24k, having never carried more than a set of golf clubs in the back, again stealer wanted £135.55?
4. Does a 2.4 V6 really hold 6 litres of Mobil 1, and why do they charge twice the price of Halfrauds for this?

As you can probably tell, I'm not best pleased with latest service... having driven Audi as my main car for past 10 years... and it's not as if I'm not used to shelling out for service as my other car is a TVR... Oh, and they said above prices include 30% discount as car is just over 3 years old.

Made a good job of washing it though, can't fault Robert for his attention to detail...

[Byff]

Red V8 said:

1. Is it possible to change the rear number plate light bulb without replacing the whole unit, stealer quoted me £43.34?

Don't know, some units have the lamp incorporated into them. Is there any way you can try and open the unit and see if there's a lamp in there, after all, if you need a new unit, if you damage it in the process it doesn't really matter.

Red V8 said:

2. Is it normal to need new front discs after 24k (don't look bad to me), also what would you expect to pay at a non franchise, stealer wanted £294.53?

Depends on you mechanical abilities, if they look ok to you, with no signs of cracking or score marks, then leave them. You could always pop down to kwikfit and ask them to check the pads - they'll probably recommend changing the pads, but if theres nothing wrong with the discs, they wont say anything. If they recommend changing the discs without being prompted, there might be something you've missed and it'll be worth investigating further.

Can't comment on the price, I nearly had a heart attack when the Lincoln's brake discs came in at £180 each - that's just supplied, not fitted. I just took it to a local engineer and had it skimmed for £15.

Red V8 said:

3. Is it normal to have to renew the rear anti-roll bar bushes at 24k, having never carried more than a set of golf clubs in the back, again stealer wanted £135.55?

While it's in the air at kwikfit, just have a sneaky glance at the bushes - if they are worn, they'll have loads of cracking/bulging and will look visibly in poor condition. If the car's handling ok and your not getting any knocking, then I'd presume they were ok.

Red V8 said:

4. Does a 2.4 V6 really hold 6 litres of Mobil 1, and why do they charge twice the price of Halfrauds for this?

Check your handbook - it'll have listed fluid quantities.

[Red V8]

Thanks for the advice Byff... I think a trip to the local quickfit might be in order

[tvrbob]

If you do need new disks you should buy them from Unipart or any other motorfactor outlet. Copy units are perfectly good and usually cost less than £50/pair

[Red V8]

Tailgate light fixed... one screw and a clean of the contacts with some emery paper... £45 better off already.