When I purchased my car a couple of weeks ago, I purchased Audi Care. I'm normally someone who does a ton of research on any significant expenditure, but in this case, I'd purchased Audi Care based solely on the recommendation of this forum. I only really knew that it covered 5 years of oil changes and the big DSG service. Out of curiosity, I dug a bit deeper into Audi Care to see what was covered and figured that I'd post my findings in case they'd benefit anyone else. This information is based on my interpretation of the US 2017 maintenance schedule and Audi Care documentation.

Maintenance for the 2017 A4 is performed at 10k mile or 1 year increments, whichever is reached first. Minor maintenance services are performed at 10k, 30k, 50k... while standard maintenance services are performed at 20k, 40k, 60k... Interestingly, the maintenance schedule doesn't explicitly call out that minor maintenance services are also performed as part of the standard maintenance service, but I validated with a service advisor at my dealer that minor maintenance items are performed at standard service intervals as well.

The first minor service at 10k/1 year is provided free for all 2017 Audis, while Audi Care covers the next four scheduled services. Audi Care only covers scheduled maintenance, not wear items (brake pads, tires...) nor mechanical failure. Here is the listing of services that I believe that Audi Care covers. For the purpose of keeping the list readable, I have only included what I consider to be significant components of a service.

• 10k/1 year (free for all Audis)
  • Change oil and filter
• 20k/2 years
  • Change oil and filter
  • Change pollen filter
  • Change brake fluid (Every 2 years, regardless of mileage)
• 30k/3 years
  • Change oil and filter
• 40k/4 years
  • Change oil and filter
  • Change pollen filter
  • Change brake fluid (Every 2 years, regardless of mileage)
  • Change DSG fluid and filter (40k, regardless of age)
  • Replace spark plugs (40k/6 years)
• 50k/5 years
  • Change oil and filter

Having looked at the list, I feel like Audi Care is a pretty good value at $849 if you're intending to keep the car at least until the 40k/4 year service. I'm pretty sure that this list of services would exceed the cost of Audi Care at an independent mechanic, let alone the dealer.

Please let me know if anyone sees errors or omissions.

 

I'm not sure how much it will cost you, if you don't have the Audi care. But my salesman told me i can still purchase audi care after the first free maintenance. Also, it depends on which dealership you go to, the cost of maintenance might be different.

 

Correct, you can buy AudiCare at anytime but to get the full benefits you'd have to get it before you hit 24 months/20k.

You do run the risk of Audi changing their price of AudiCare. I just rolled it into my car loan.

When I bought AudiCare for my B8 4 1/2 years ago I think AudiCare was $50 cheaper. Still $50 increase in 4 years isn't too bad.

If you have any mechinal issues it should be covered under the 4 year/50k warranty. Don't expect to have too much wearable items within 50k miles. Just take care of your ride and she'll take care of you.

 

Might want to double check but I believe that you must purchase it before the end of your first year for that price.

 

I think they will check your wiper blades for free under Audi Care, but you still have to pay for them if they need to be changed.

 

Yep, you're right. Tripped up by the small print. I've edited the original post to remove the references to the wiper blades.

 

It seems that if you are going to put 10k+ miles per year on your car, then it pays to get Audi Care. In my case, I drive about 5k miles per year, so it would not make sense as I would never need certain parts of the included service schedule during my first 5 years.

 

At 5K miles per year you should still be doing an annual service though. Probably wouldn't need the pollen filter changes, but should still be changing the oil filter. Cars with higher annual mileage are better able to "evaporate" any water that accumulates within the oil while driving, those with lower mileage less so.

 

Yes, I do plan to do that. However, if you look at the big service that is needed at 40k, the extra items there are all based on 40k miles and not the time period. I won't reach 40k until way after Audi Care would be expired.

 

why aren't tire rotations part of the scheduled maintenance?