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Thank you Francis. I agree with all you've mentioned. I also agree with the fairly regular oil and filter changes. I know when I sold my car via Motorway they didn't complain about non Ford dealer services

Thank you , Joe. I bought an A3 on a 24 plate ( about 5 weeks ago) and it has done 18,000 odd miles. It has 1 years warranty left and the next service will be in 2027 and need it's first mot , too. I'm not being morbid , but I'm now 71 years old and of course whilst no one can for tell the future I would be reluctant to pay the all in plan.£700+ ( I believe that what I was quoted) ,as I might not be here?? Yes I would prefer to use an independent garage and I would definitely ensure that they use Audi parts. I'm not in a huge rush but need to make up my mind soon. I will have to look for a good independent garage and try and compare their costs. I do have an independent garage I've used in the past for previous cars. I shall have to enquire and see what price he quotes me too. I know when I used the Ford forums there was a "good garages" scheme?

Mines done the same. Adblue fault. Got a feeling it’s going to need replacing. Also having juddering every time I turn left and right. They changed the oil before. But looks like it’ll need a new transfer case. All this at 37k on the clock. My first Audi. Not really impressed as the car is so nice to drive and looks the part too. Got another 2 years warranty and will probably get rid after that. Are Audi’s unreliable these days?

Martin Interesting post re the costs and benefits....or pitfalls....of using an Audi specialist to service and maintain your car rather than an Audi Main Dealership. May I record my experiences of using an Audi Specialist Independent. I have owned 4 Audis in the past 20 years, all bought from new . An Audi A8, 2 Q8's and my present car, a 2026 S5 Avant. I am a fastidous owner and like to keep my cars in the very best condition. Not a fan at all of Audis....or any other main stream manufactures " long term servicing regimes ". Hence I generally have and have had a service and most imprortantly an oil change every 7 / 8000 miles. I have never used an Audi Main dealer for any services all 4 cars. The reasons are that I am fortunate to have near a superb Audi Independent Garage that I know and trust. Of course their servicing rates are a fraction of what Audi charge but more importantly to me , I truly believe that my cars are better looked and maintained to a higher standard than at the Audi garage. Also may I just add that the premise that by going down the Independent route, could affect the cars resale has not been the case with me. On my last 2 Q8's I did what most folk do and went on the WeBuyAnyCars website to find out a rough resale value . I then found a couple of Indendent dealers who specialised in more " higher end " pre owned cars. Both were pretty exacting on what cars they would actually put on their website and both were quite happy that the cars had been service their entire lives with an Independent. On both cars the important and deciding factor with the Dealers was that the Independent had a known reputation, used genuine Audi parts and was able to log on and record the services on the Audi Sevice regimes. And in fact, on both cars I was offered more than the WeBuyAnycars recommended price. So I think the main dealer stamp in the old service book was quite important once but not so much now. Just my 2 penneth.

A dilemma I had recently when the car reached 3 years old. Main dealer servicing will always look good on resale but is expensive compared to independents and I do have a good one near me that service my son's gti and uses only vag parts. The a3 is just 3 year's old. After looking at a range of costs and convenience I decided to go for the audi all-in plan which covers 2 services and mots, 2 years warranty and 2 year's roadside assistance. If the car had been older my decision may well have been different. Using a good independent is always a decent choice to reduce costs but you should expect genuine parts to be used. The savings are in the labour charges. Not able to help with recommendations near you but I expect a member local to you can give you a pointer. Best of luck with your purchase and finding a reliable garage.

Although not required as yet, I'm thinking /looking ahead and wondering about servicing costs. Like all Audi dealers/dealerships it's best I guess to have your car serviced by Audi but I'm sure the price/s will not be as cheap as independents? (Yes they would have to use genuine parts). Does this forum show recommended companies i.e good garages that will be cheaper but carry out as good work as Audi. I look forward to guidance. Thank you.

Thanks for the additional valid information.

Does your car not have a CCS charging port? For what it's worth my own car can only utilise type 2. I will not take it outside its home charging range because the majority of public type 2 charge points in Kent have been abandoned by their operators, and can not supply electricity. I have no reason to believe it is any different at your end of the country so I consider your proposed road trip to be very risky if you are reliant on type 2.

I have not the faintest idea what you are referring to, so how about giving us some details. We don't charge by the word.

Hi It is at the dealer under warranty but I wanted to know after the warranty was up could my guy get access to the diagnostic

Hello Peter, Wondering why you aren’t returning this under-warranty vehicle to the dealer, rather than getting paid-for 3rd party involvement -? Regards, Gareth.

Look up your own car via LLL parts, especially the stock steering wheel and take a note of the part number. Now cross reference that with other steering wheel variants of the same model up to the final build year, which I think was 2015. They should all be compatible. Auto electricians, recoding, sounds like a lot of work.

Hi all On a bit of a road trip, have planned the route around type 2 charge points. I can use my own charge cable ok, but even though the last energy supplier took a holding deposit, the charge failed to initialise and the deposit returned. It has happened several times now and makes me think I have a setting wrong in the car. Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated. I will post details of the trip at a later time in the appropriate thread. Andy

The ccm is out, all wiring will be removed and start from scratch. The windows will be ordered next week, the ecu will be ordered next week.

I’ve brought an 9” screen but don’t have an idea where to connect key 1 and key 2

Thank you for your help I will tell him and check his software pack. Good job it’s under warranty till next year

Hi it always says that, thats how they make money, you could try getting your garage to open the bonnet before plugging it in, if that won't work you are going to have to go the VCDS or OBDEleven route as both these have the capability to generate the challenge code to get in, Steve.

Hi I’ve got start stop not working engine management light on dash Says contact dealer

The lock is called SFD and any car post 19 that is VAG has it, most garage scanners won't touch it except if they have a newer platform software VCDS or similar OBDEleven pro which is the cheapest option, what are they trying to repair. Steve.

Hi I’ve been told by my garage that he can’t get into diagnostics as it’s locked Why is this done as I think this is illegal and how do I get it unlocked

Great work 👍what are you doing about the CCM?

Thank you 😊 🙏.

No idea on your financial set up. I’ve always bought my cars, so not constrained by PCP or hire purchase deals. I understand about the final balloon payment though. Often cars on finance tend to be 3-4 years old and have GFV (guaranteed future value). Stay within limited mileage, and hand back in good condition, etc. Just looked at the price of a new petrol A3 Sportback. You can easily pay £35k and it has halogen rear lights. It’s 2026! At the end of the day, it’s your money. Keep on top of servicing and oil changes and it should do you a good few years.

Any update for us Wayne?

There is something I don't understand here. Why, if you bought it three years ago, are you now having to pay another £13000?