Audi service plan - does this sound right?

[yellowbentines]

Hello all, recently picked up my first Audi, a new Q5 with the 2.0tdi engine.

The dealer has offered a service plan, 36 months and covers 'all service items' - I've asked a couple of times exactly what this covers and they keep repeating that is covers all standard servicing but no consumables. They've quoted £19.69 per month with equates to £708.84 for first 3 annual services. Coming from Mercedes that's what I'd have paid for 2 services with Merc if I was lucky, so it sounds cheap.

But, is it for what I'll get in return? I cannot find any much information on the actual service schedule for this car, are those first 3 services essentially just 3 oil changes with a cursory look around (and the usual 'you need brakes/tyres sir') and perhaps a pollen filter in year 2? In which case I might just send it to my trusted indie who does an oil and filter change for £100 the last time I looked.

[Mark V GTD]

The first question is will you actually need annual servicing anyway? I had a new A4 for 21 months and never needed a service in that time as on variable servicing schedule.

[yellowbentines]

Apparently so, the myaudi app and the car both state the first service will be due in 9300 miles or at the 12 month anniversary. I'll do 12000 miles per annum at least so it'll be due before the first year is up.

I should have checked the service intervals prior to purchase but in all honesty it never crossed my mind.

Edited by yellowbentines on Tuesday 1st June 16:58

[Mark V GTD]

yellowbentines said:

Apparently so, the myaudi app and the car both state the first service will be due in 9300 miles or at the 12 month anniversary.

It will say that if its been set to fixed time/distance servicing regime. You may need it changed over to the flexible regime.

[Dr G]

12 months/9k it'll need an oil change. 200 ish

24 months 18 it'll need an oil change, inspection, and pollen filter. 350 ish

36 months 27k it'll need oil and brake fluid changes. 270 ish

Expect those prices to be higher at main dealer 'new car' rates.

Seek written clarification on what is and is not included. Don't buy without as the inevitability is you'll end up with 3 oil changes but everything else still to pay for.

[yellowbentines]

Thanks folks.

I now have the car booked in to have the onboard service indicator changed from fixed to flexible intervals - I don't do much city/stop-start driving and taking it in every 8/9 months based on the current fixed setting for an oil change just isn't needed IMO.

However, when booking it in the chap I spoke to was the same that I'd been emailing about the service plans, and tbh I'm totally unconvinced that they know what the plan covers precisely (and what is excluded) or at least aren't willing to confirm by way of any formal paperwork.

So...I think I'll pass on that and use an independent specialist I've previously used and trust, for all servicing. I know some will say on a brand new car it can affect resale value, but in my experience when part exchanging a car (various Mercs over the years at 1-5 yrs old) I've never been asked anything other than if it has a full service history - not whether it's main dealer or not.

[Dr G]

Ideally check the garage can log the work on Erwin (which they'll also need to access the correct service schedule).

Anyone can change the engine oil, the 'woops' moment with independent garages sometimes comes when they don't know a certain fluid/part is servicable, it gets missed, then causes an issue the warranty won't fix as a result. Not to say franchise dealers never manage to do exactly the same thing...

[Sheepshanks]

yellowbentines said:

However, when booking it in the chap I spoke to was the same that I'd been emailing about the service plans, and tbh I'm totally unconvinced that they know what the plan covers precisely (and what is excluded) or at least aren't willing to confirm by way of any formal paperwork.

My experience is with SEAT and VW and I'd say the dealers (even the service manager at the VW dealer I use) are completely clueless on servicing. VW didn't seem to know the difference between fixed and variable servicing. SEAT had different prices for fixed and variable servicing but it looked like just a way of charging more for the same work.

Certainly with these two marques, servicing just means the very basics. Everything else is a customer option, but you'll find service advisors who pick up on those things will declare them to be "mandatory". So stuff like brake fluid, Haldex (the VW service manager didn't know the interval had changed from 40K miles to 3yrs some years ago), ATF changes etc are all (expensive) extras.

I noticed VW just launched "All In" service, MOT, roadside and warranty. That's going to be interesting when service advisors try and upsell extra work and customers discover that "All In" doesn't mean that at all.

With Mercedes the monthly fee includes everything called for (although Merc's Electronic Service Sheet system is not without issues and can often miss work that should be called for).

[Mark V GTD]

Sheepshanks said:

My experience is with SEAT and VW and I'd say the dealers (even the service manager at the VW dealer I use) are completely clueless on servicing.

In contrast my experience with the local VW dealer was faultless and good value for money. They were knowledgeable and did exactly what they said they will do (and didn't do stuff I asked them not to do such as clean the car).

[yellowbentines]

Mark V GTD said:

It will say that if its been set to fixed time/distance servicing regime. You may need it changed over to the flexible regime.

Just a thanks again for this response, I otherwise wouldn't have known there is different service schedule options, and I'm sure they don't like telling customers that they can opt for longer intervals as it hits their service dept in the pocket.

Popped into Audi today and they switched the car over from fixed to flexible servicing in 15 mins, which is fine for the type of driving and miles I'll do and saves me from having to get it serviced every 8 or 9 months.

[Sheepshanks]

They should have asked you really but I never have been. They all (all VAG marques) come set to variable servicing from the factory and for retail customers get switched to fixed interval at PDI (unless they forget, as on our VW). Leased cars (even PCH) are left on variable - again, unless they get it wrong.

Sounds like your use case will be fine, but you do hear of people on variable getting the service warning come up very early if they do a lot of short runs.

[RammyMP]

I’ve just bought a new Q5 tdi, I’ve been offered a service plan for £10 a month for 10000 miles a year or £30 a month for 15000 a year. Both 3 year plans. I can’t predict my mileage for the next few years due to home working so turned them down.

[Sheepshanks]

RammyMP said:

I’ve just bought a new Q5 tdi, I’ve been offered a service plan for £10 a month for 10000 miles a year or £30 a month for 15000 a year. Both 3 year plans. I can’t predict my mileage for the next few years due to home working so turned them down.

The £10/mth one makes sense - on variable servicing it'll only need one service.

Even at 15K/yr it should still only need two services so the jump to £30/mth doesn't make obvious sense. Some things get called for at 40K miles (air filter, plugs on petrol, fuel filter on diesel) so perhaps it's assuming those would be needed on the second service. Still seems too much though.


If you take the 10K plan, what happens if you go over the mileage?

[RammyMP]

Sheepshanks said:

RammyMP said:

I’ve just bought a new Q5 tdi, I’ve been offered a service plan for £10 a month for 10000 miles a year or £30 a month for 15000 a year. Both 3 year plans. I can’t predict my mileage for the next few years due to home working so turned them down.

The £10/mth one makes sense - on variable servicing it'll only need one service.

Even at 15K/yr it should still only need two services so the jump to £30/mth doesn't make obvious sense. Some things get called for at 40K miles (air filter, plugs on petrol, fuel filter on diesel) so perhaps it's assuming those would be needed on the second service. Still seems too much though.


If you take the 10K plan, what happens if you go over the mileage?

7p a mile excess payment

[Fat hippo]

What happens if you sell part way through the plan? Di you get a refund? Can you cary it over to another Audi or is it lost?

[Mark V GTD]

The plan is attached to the car so goes with it to the next owner.

[fourstardan]

Mark V GTD said:

The plan is attached to the car so goes with it to the next owner.

You sure? Isn't it tied to the finance agreement?

I've had Audis on this servicing type deal and check everything thats included....you'll need the Stronic fluid replaced at a certain point if you hit that mileage which is probably not included.

Also get quotes for servicing around different franchises to see if this is really that cost effective compared to paying for your servicing at the time, you'll be amazed how cheaper some can be compared to other Francises.

[RammyMP]

fourstardan said:

Mark V GTD said:

The plan is attached to the car so goes with it to the next owner.

You sure? Isn't it tied to the finance agreement?

I've had Audis on this servicing type deal and check everything thats included....you'll need the Stronic fluid replaced at a certain point if you hit that mileage which is probably not included.

Also get quotes for servicing around different franchises to see if this is really that cost effective compared to paying for your servicing at the time, you'll be amazed how cheaper some can be compared to other Francises.

I was told the service plan is with the car. The cost is up front when the plan is bought but is spread over 3 years. If you sell the car after a year the payments continue for the full term. I was also offered the option of paying in full upfront, £300 for a 30,000 mile plan or £1080 for a 45,000 plan.