Sticking with main dealer for service on 2012 S4?

[mattb46]

Hi

As per the thread title, I have a 2012 S4 avant which has done 35k miles and is due for a service. I plan to get the gearbox oil and filter done at the same time as its pretty close to the 37-38k change point.

The car is not covered by an Audi extended warranty or similar as it only does 5-6k miles a year and is driven gently by my wife 90% of the time

I would happily use an indie normally but have always been nervous re the gearbox going on this car (£10k bill) and so with the hope that Audi would cover a significant gearbox fault, am currently thinking that main dealer is still the way to go for the forseeable future. However am I dreaming if I think that Audi would approve in the future a gearbox warranty claim on a 2012 S4 which had been correctly serviced by Audi main dealers?

My other question is whether I could use an indie (eg Mark Tempest) and provided they could prove genuine audi parts had been used, be able to make such a warranty claim if the worse happened in a year or two's time?

Im based near Watford and my local main dealer has a pretty poor reputation.

Thanks for any advice

[lucido grigio]

Been mentioned recently,using an Indy then expecting Audi to pay for repairs on a 5 year old car out of warranty is highly unlikely.

If you want Audi goodwill,stay with dealer servicing.