Paul Clowser

I took my car in today so they could replace the upper control arms -- I'm convinced it will be back shortly for the lowers, but they won't listen to me. Anyway, when I was there, I asked to have the 15K service performed. I also asked for synthetic oil (Castrol). They said they will be charging me for the filter and oil because Audi doesn't pay for it. I am willing to pay the difference between dino and synthetic, but what's up with the oil and filter? Doesn't Audi buy dino oil and the filter at 15,000? I know this is quibbling over a small amount ($40), but this dealership's service department is consistent in its ability to disappoint me.

Paul Clowser
98.5 1.8tqms

Philip

Filter change is not included in 15K service. Although I would never change oil without also changing filter, Audi recommended maintenance on the 2.8 doesn't call for a filter change at 15K, 30K, and so on. See recommended maintenance in the owner's manual.

Andy Hedin

...your best choice is to purchase it elsewhere. I bought Mobil-1 on sale at K-Mart for something like $3.69/qt. while my local dealer wanted to charge me $7/qt. for the same.

Andy Hedin
'97 A4 1.8Tqms, Garrett 1.0 Bar, ABT Filter, APR/Borla Exhaust, Euro Headlights, more...

Paul Clowser

I thought it said to replace the filter at 15,000. This is a 1.8t.

Paul Clowser
98.5 1.8tqms

Philip

I should have realized that 15K (and 30K) are service intervals common to both 1.8s and 2.8s. With the 2.8, recommended maintenance calls for a new filter only every other oil change after the first one (at 7.5K for the 2.8). If the recommended oil-change interval for the 1.8 is consistently every 5K miles, and if the every-other-oil-change pattern is the same, you would, in fact, be entitled to a free filter at 15K. When I switched to Mobil 1 in my previous A4 (a '97 2.8QM), the only extra charge was for the difference between dino oil and synthetic. A filter was owed for that change, and there was no hassle about that from the service folks.

Philip
'99.5 2.8QM