Standard to Longlife Servicing Questions

[Slackworth]

Evening all,

The previous owner of my car (2008 A4 B8 3.0 TDi) did low miles so was on bog standard Oil & Inspection services whereas I want to move it to Longlife next service but seems to be confusion about what is needed on the initial changeover service. Mileage when it is ready will be around 63k.

When I spoke to Audi they just said it needs a major service no questions asked...shock horror!!! whereas the Indy said it depends what filters had been changed previously. History is currently as follows:

43k / June 2013 - Oil Service + Air Filter + Fuel Filter + Brake Fluid
50k / June 2014 - Inspection Service + Dust & Pollen Filters

What exactly needs doing and can I do the air filter and pollen filter myself if needs be to save some cash at the garage? Not so sure I fancy the fuel filter....

 

[Point_Audi]

I usually get Audi to change the oil for me and I always change the filters myself! Air and Pollen are very easy, the fuel takes a bit longer but is easy done by yourself!

 

[s3_trev]

Hey slackworth, you're not changing to that service every 2 years carry on are you??

 

[jdp1962]

I'm not a fan of long-life. Personally, I'd stick with fixed-interval servicing.

 

[Gazwould]

By all means use the LongLife oil , but don't do the LongLife intervals .

 

[Slackworth]

I'll never make it to 2 years before having a service (and in my opinion too long anyway) as I'll get a year maximum but annual mileage is around 18-20K so need to try and extend things a little as the cost of standard servicing will work out quite a bit higher?

My BM used to do 18k intervals and that lasted me 210,000 miles with no issues

How easy is the fuel filter to do?

 

[Darren92]

You're nuts. For all the price of the oil and the filter from TPS it makes sense to keep it on the 10k interval.

 

[Gazwould]

That would be every 6 months .

 

[Gazwould]

What oil are you using ?

 

[Slackworth]

I thought with TPS it was trade only?

Currently standard oil but would switch to Longlife if Longlife servicing.

Surely a Longlife once a year will be cheaper than a standard oil and inspection twice a year?

Don't want to do oil changes myself but happy to do air and pollen filters.

 

[Gazwould]

What do you call standard oil and do you have a DPF ?

 

[razza1]

Audi use long life oil even on annual/12k service plan apparently...

 

[Gazwould]

Not surprised as probably DPF .

 

[Darren92]

Oil for LL and fixed is the same, generally Castol 5W30 or Quantum LL3 (exactly the same oil btw, different label, quantum is cheaper and available from any VAG dealer) both meeting DPF spec of 507.00. If it doesn't meet 507.00 then it's not suitable for cars with a DPF.

TPS is technically trade only but depends who you get on the desk. Even the filter as a normal customer is less than £10 and 5L of quantum oil if you shop around is less than £40 then add £1.50 for a new sump bung and washer from any VAG dealer.

If you follow the correct service schedule set out in your service book you won't be changing every filter every service. Generally it's oil/filter, then oil/filter + pollen then oil/filter + major service. But check your book.

 

[Slackworth]

DPF is a yes. Unsure of what oil is in currently but it is whatever Epsom Audi put in it last year.

I used to supply my own oil to BMW and they did the rest of the service for £68 and quite happy to do the same again...just the various filters I can't seem to get a straight answer on and then how that relates to which service I need. Stafford Audi didn't even bother asking and just said I needed a major service regardless...

Happy to change the other filters myself though and wave the invoices at Audi or an indy

 

[Zafi]

I have mine serviced on long life, I supply oil and get a price match from the local indy.
Then in between the Audi service I do my own oil change. Works out cheaper than paying someone to drop the oil, but keeps the car healthy and gets the correct stamps in the service book.

Dealers will always try to get you to spend your money. Tell them what you want, dont ask them!

For instance they would probably advise against mixing tyre brands yet will have Audi Approved Used cars on their forecourt with mixed tyres cos its their money not a customer's.

 

[s3_trev]

Thats interesting Zafi. As long as the oil is coming out every 10k or so whether its long life or not, I think thats a good thing. Like someone else above, my VAG specialist puts in the long life oil for me, but it gets changed every 10k. For the price of oil compared to the price of an engine, you really would need to be insane not to give your engine every chance in its life, and skimp in this area.

 

[Slackworth]

Hi Zafi,

When you ask for a price match, do you a supply own oil price from the indy?

 

[Zafi]

Yes, I email the indy and ask him for a price for a XX000 mile service for my car, including genuine Audi filters, excluding oil.
Then I book the service at Audi dealer. When I drop the car off I show them the quote and tell them there is 5 litres of oil in the passenger footwell. They match the quote.