Bogzoot

I have an S4 on order which I plan on owning for 6-8 years, and also plan on moving from LA to the central coast (San Luis Obispo) in 2-3 years. The nearest Audi dealer will about 2 hours away in Santa Barbara. So how does Audi handle this situation for warranty work (or not)? Does the local VW dealship or independent shop do Audi warranty work, or do I just saddle up the s4 and drive to Santa Barbara 2 times a year? (hopefully not more than that :-) Also, anybody know of a good independent shop in the SLO area?

markcincinnati

I believe you will have to follow their instructions for warranty work. I also believe you must be able to show that you maintained everything according to the manual. In that case, I (because I am a chicken guts), would have the oil changes (other than the first one -- which I would go back to the dealership to have done) done at the VW dealership and KEEP the paper trail.

I have heard -- but that was some time ago -- that if you had work done somewhere else other than at an Audi dealer and that if NON-sanctioned Audi parts were used AND Audi was feeling peckish, they would somehow tell you the such and such part you used, FIT well enough but was the cause of your need for a warranty claim.

But, with oil change requirements AFTER the first 5K change being 10K, and little else is done other than fluids and filters, I would think (hope) that a VW filter ought to be IDENTICAL to an Audi filter (for the 2.0 engine for instance.)

I would (see reference to chicken guts) make sure that the VW oil filter, for example, was acceptable and was the exact same one used by Audi. I say this based on a technicality -- the Audi A4 2.0T engine is very similar to the Passat CC 2.0T engine -- but obviously they are not identical (HP and torque are more substantial on the Audi engine,) and who knows, maybe Audi has part number 12345-A and VW has part number 12345-V and while they are "idendical" fitments, they may well not be considered a substitute insofar as your warranty is concerned.

Keep your paperwork no matter what, other than as you say for your one or two trips annually to the dealer.

u2jrmw

I think he is asking about repairs. In which case you have to go to the nearest Audi dealership. I drive a little over an hour each way to mine for service and warranty repairs.

NJRoadFan

You can have your car serviced at an indy. Just make sure they give detailed receipts indicating the mileage and the type of oil they used, specifically that its VW502.00 certified and an oil that is on their "official list". Just about every VW/Audi specialist shop will have VAG-COM to scan for codes and to service the rear brakes (need it to release the parking brake to change pads/rotors). A VW dealership can do the work, its up to them whether or not they will take an Audi in for service. Warranty work on the other hand must be done at an Audi dealership.

Laws prevent Audi from voiding any part of the warranty if you do the service yourself or elseswhere. I've saved quite a bit of $$ changing small things out like the cabin filter and air filter along with rotating the tires myself (which Audi doesn't even put on the service schedule after 5k). Most of the inspection items on the checklist you can easily do yourself with a flashlight.

Bob58

You have to take it to any Audi dealership. No indy shop or VW dealer will be approved or reimbursed for warranty covered diagnosis or repair.

If you are talking about prepaid scheduled maintenance under the AudiCare program you may have purchased with your vehicle, you have to take it to any Audi dealership for it to be done free of charge. Again, no indy shop or VW dealer can help you. They will not be reimbursed for it.

You can get your vehicle serviced at any shop (or even do it yourself) for scheduled maintenance or any repair but it will ALL be on your dime.

Bogzoot

thanks for the responses guys--I appreciate it.

liystalander

For what it's worth, Audi of SB is kind of bad. We've lived in Santa Barbara for about two years now, and have unfortunately had to go to Audi of SB for our repair and sales needs. The sales people treat you like garbage, due to the fact that the dealership is located in an affluent part of Santa Barbara. We ended up driving to San Diego to buy our new A4 because of it. (That, and San Diego had the best deal.) The Audi of Santa Barbara people wouldn't even call us back after we left multiple messages saying that we were interested in a car.

If you have a problem with your car, be prepared to take it in multiple times to have it fixed there. Hopefully, we're the only ones with consistant problems there. Overall, though, I recommend that you look elsewhere for service. If you're already driving 80 miles to Santa Barbara, what's 20 more to go somewhere that treats you better and gets stuff done?

Anyways, sorry for the tangent, and congrats on moving to SLO. It's a beautiful town.

Macallan21

You're kinda screwed. I live 50 to 75 miles from 3 Audi dealerships. They're all too far to drive to have something like an oil change done. So far I've only gone to the dealership if it was something warranty related, beyond that I just have a local indy shop do the work. It's cheaper and it saves me time. Plus I have someone nearby to go to.

Strong_J

Hello,

I have heard a lot of negative thigs about Audi of Santa Barbara, I do know a lot of people drive to Oxnard for work to be done because not only is the customer service better, but they do great work. I know the shop foreman at DCH Audi Oxnard is Robert Johnson is certified on everything and is a superb technician. I would take my car to him if I were you. Also, I know that DCH Audi oxnard gives loaner cars, and also has been know to have someone pick up cars from San Luis area. You should call them and talk to a service writer named Bill Profeta about what they can do for you.

There is rumor they are trying to build an Audi in SLO within the next year or so. Good luck!

jagtoes

It all depends on the brand of car you buy. In Audi's case you need to take it or ship it to the dealer for warranty coverage. As an example on how other brands work my nearest Lexus dealer is 1 1/2 hours away but we have a Toyota dealership 25 minutes away. Lexus told me they need to service the car for warranty work. , they send a driver with a loaner car. He drives my car to the dealership and do the service and returns it when done.