S4 sports diff specialists - repair or replace?

[RoyalBoob]

Hi,

Has anybody had their sports diff replaced or refurbished?

Mine (09 B8) has all the common age related problems. The electrical fault and the seals inside leaking.
My main solution would be to replace with a used working unit, however, just wondering how feasible is to have the diff taken to a specialist who would rebuild it and fix all the problems.

I know it’s not going to be cheap either way but anybody got any ideas on companies who specialise in these units?

Thanks.

 

[northpole]

any audi independent specialist will be cheaper than the dealer and will be able to replace it for you so i suggest you look for audi specialists in your area and ask for a few quotes... than ask audi for a quote also so you know how much you will be saving if not going to the dealer ( not everything is more expensive at the dealers but i bet you this one will be)

 

[Charlie Farley]

I would suggest you take it to a reputable specialist diff repair/servicing company and get it rebuilt.
You are correct in much as much it won't be cheap, but a repair will be way better and cost effective than getting another used unit or new unit from Audi, i think he last option is a non starter anyway as the cost will be bonkers from Audi.
anything gear and diff overhaul/repairs etc require specialist attention as they have very fine tolerance to be setup, if its done wrong then you will know about it, best to take it a company that know what they are doing full stop.
A good diff repair company will be able to help and most likely improve on the oe unit you have now, probably the best route to be honest.

best of luck

 

[Charlie Farley]

Where are you based?

 

[RoyalBoob]

Yeah cheers… well… I know a shiny new one will cost circa £10,500 + vat coding and probably labour. So that’s a no! Maybe £2,000 for a used one. I’m told by my indie that the later models are less problematic - I think there are subtle revisions based on the diff part code and a later letter in the code denotes later model….

But if rebuild was similar cost to a used one, I’d consider it since it shouldn’t have all the coding problems I’ve heard about.

I’m based in the Guildford / North Hampshire area.

 

[Charlie Farley]

I'm the Guildford area too and there are some good specialist service repair companies around this neck of the woods.
Have a chat with these guys, they are Indy audi specialists but will have sources for such repairs, etc that you need, really nice guys and top-of-the-game audi performance car-wise.

www.amdtechnik.com

A M D Technik​

 

[RoyalBoob]

I'm the Guildford area too and there are some good specialist service repair companies around this neck of the woods.
Have a chat with these guys, they are Indy audi specialists but will have sources for such repairs, etc that you need, really nice guys and top-of-the-game audi performance car-wise.

www.amdtechnik.com

A M D Technik​

Thanks. I've not used AMD before but both the Guildford indies have worked on the car. I don't think either are specialised enough to do the rebuilding work if I went down that route.

 

[Charlie Farley]

I don't think any indies are going to be fully upto speed with the job but maybe able to point you in the right direction of a specialist in the area.

 

[Charlie Farley]

There used to be a firm in weybridge a few years back that did this type of work and machining, also did sequential to manual g/box conversions for M3's etc, really skilled guys, i'll see if I still have their details.

rob

 

[RoyalBoob]

There used to be a firm in weybridge a few years back that did this type of work and machining, also did sequential to manual g/box conversions for M3's etc, really skilled guys, i'll see if I still have their details.

rob

Thanks...

 

[Charlie Farley]

They were called TW Engineering , no longer there I’m afraid , I think the owner retired a few years ago now and shut up shop, will see what else pops up .

 

[RoyalBoob]

Emailed SJB Autotech in Basingstoke who are one of a few DSG rebuilding specialists in the south. They don't know of anyone who rebuilds them.

 

[northpole]

look here and there are more companies that do this job, you just need to use the power of a search engine and the right words to find them, and usually after you've found one, all of a sudden you'll be able to find more.

 

[Charlie Farley]

have a chat with these guys,
https://everythingm3s.co.uk/
they do more than just BMW work and are specialist in the area you need assistance with.

 

[Charlie Farley]

nope, they wont touch audi either.

These do.

Contact - Gear Lab

www.gear-lab.co.uk

 

[Charlie Farley]

hope that helps.

 

[northpole]

Gearbox Specialists In Sheffield | M & T Transmissions

Over 300 popular vehicle reconditioned differentials in stock and we can recondition yours. National carriage available and same day dispatch call 0114 2363617.

www.mandttransmissions.co.uk

they actually state they do Audi differentials and have a refurbished option also meaning less downtime, just make sure you send yours back or you'll loose your 250 pound surcharge.

 

[RoyalBoob]

Thanks all... Have spoken to a few of these guys. They either don't have them on the shelf of they have to remanufacture. I think it's becoming clear that a used diff is the most pragmatic option.