Over two weeks for a timing belt, I am asking too much?

[AndrewEH1]

So, over two weeks ago (05/08/2014) I dropped my car (B6 A4 3.0) off at the local independant german specialist for it's major service.

Along with the service a few other issues were raised, and once I had received the total cost (around £1,500!) a day later I said they were good to go ahead with the work.

The work included:

Timing Belt and water pump (quite a big job)
Full Service (not too tricky to do)
Air Con Service (not too tricky to do)
Brake Fluid Change (not too tricky to do)
Engine Software Update (not too tricky to do)
Front Anti-Roll Bar links (not too tricky to do)
Replacing cracked water pipe (4 hours labour apparently)

This garage is well known in the area and I have used them before without issue.

I realise that they are 'always busy' and they probably are as they have an excellent reputation.

I have been in regular contact, called them again this morning and they still aren't sure whether they will be done this afternoon...apparently they only got the timing belt kit yesterday...

Is over two weeks taking the biscuit? Or am I asking too much?

Edited by AndrewEH1 on Wednesday 20th August 12:00

[panholio]

They have had hold of your car all this time?

What are you driving around in?

[Schermerhorn]

99.99% of timing belt kits are available within a maximum of 1-2 working days in the UK.

The 3.0 B6 A4 is not a complete unique car. The suspension components are regular B6 (overlap with B5) parts.

Shoddy from the garage unless they have a complete monopoly of business on the entire area.

[cheesesliceking]

Schermerhorn said:

What car is it? (sorry if I missed it).

99.99% of timing belt kits are available within a maximum of 1-2 working days in the UK.

B6 A4 3.0

[AndrewEH1]

I've been a bus wker these past two weeks...

The car is an 2004 Audi A4 3.0 (a rarer engine, but still...)

[toerag]

I'm on 6 days for an unidentified noise from the back of the engine with an Audi main dealer.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I reckon your doing OK

[thatdude]

I dropped my car in with a local indy for cambelt and oil change and air con inspection (it was leaky) and brake fluid.

They had it a week, and in that time identified a binding rear caliper.

I got it back within a week, all fixed up including the work I hadnt originally planned


2 weeks is a little bit long IMO but then it depends on the availibility of parts that are not usual service items

[mccrackenj]

9 months for an engine swap, the last 3 months of which was to change the starter . . .

don't ask.

[anonymous-user]

AndrewEH1 said:

I've been a bus wker these past two weeks...

The car is an 2004 Audi A4 3.0 (a rarer engine, but still...)

Always take a courtesy car, even if you don't need it. You'll find they're a bit more keen to return your car if you have one of theirs as well.

[AndrewEH1]

Symbolica said:

Always take a courtesy car, even if you don't need it. You'll find they're a bit more keen to return your car if you have one of theirs as well.

Who would be paying for that though? Plus I think they only have three business cars two of which are massive VW pickups...not ideal really.

Edited by AndrewEH1 on Wednesday 20th August 12:50

[AndrewEH1]

Called them again, +1 day...

Seems a lot of the coolant pipework on this model becomes brittle over time so a lot of that is getting replaced.

[thatdude]

AndrewEH1 said:

Who would be paying for that though? Plus I think they only have three business cars two of which are massive VW pickups...not ideal really.

Edited by AndrewEH1 on Wednesday 20th August 12:50

take the pickup

own the road until you get your car back. behave like a , get some tatoos and gold medallions and have a horrific wedding for your daughter

then return to normal when you have your audi

[Raman Kandola]

Seems a bit too long but nothing insane until you said they waited two weeks for the part, thats when it gets a bit suspicious, Maybe they're really busy as u mentioned they're really popular and this is causing the delay?

[anonymous-user]

AndrewEH1 said:

Symbolica said:

Always take a courtesy car, even if you don't need it. You'll find they're a bit more keen to return your car if you have one of theirs as well.

Who would be paying for that though? Plus I think they only have three business cars two of which are massive VW pickups...not ideal really.

They make you pay for a courtesy car?

[eltax91]

AndrewEH1 said:

Called them again, +1 day...

Seems a lot of the coolant pipework on this model becomes brittle over time so a lot of that is getting replaced.

Tell them you are tired of the bus and ask to borrow a pickup. Park it on the drive and use the bus. At least they will want to rush a little more then, to get their truck back!

[AndrewEH1]

At this point there is not much benefit of getting a car off them. It'll take me about 2 hours to get to the garage to pick it up. Only to go back and get my car back tomorrow.

The bus to work only takes 15-20 mins so not much slower than a car thankfully...