Front control arm set fitted by Audi Dealer
06-03-2004, 08:03 AM
#1
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Front control arm set fitted by Audi Dealer
I had the complete front control arm set that I purchased from Andre in Germany fitted to my 1997 S8 by my local Audi dealer today, also track rod ends and a CV joint boot as well as the transmission fluid changed.
The service manager was down to earth and offered to do the transmission oil change for 1 hours labour to see if it improved my gearbox problems, so that they could do the same for others if it worked. I gave them the Audi Pages print out and they were happy to use it. I was also pleased that they agreed to fit the non genuine parts I suppied.
He pointed out that although Audi are expensive on labour charges, once one control arm is charged for each additional arm only costs a few minutes extra to fit, so the complete set was charged out at 6 hours work, plus the track rod ends and a stearing geometry check at an extra 30 minutes. Total charge 6.5 hours, which I was very impressed with.
The good news is that the parts fitted fine (no comments at all) and the gearbox feels smoother although I have not fully tested it yet.
The outer CV boot was charged for at 50 minutes, so the total bill including UK 17.5% Tax was £645 (Approx $1,100), which I think for a dealer was excellent.
The dealer is John Fox Audi of Nottingham, England. You read bad reports about Stealers, so I thought I should spread some good news where it is earned.
I was ging to do this job myself, but I think it would have taken me more than 2 days and a lot of blood sweat and tears, as well as bad languague!!
So the car is almost up to scratch now, just needs the stereo fixing and I am away. The only problem is that our petrol prices have gone up to over £5.00 per gallon ($9.00), which means that it will cost £80 ($144) to fill the tank!
Hope your contol arm sets go on OK as well.
Good luck!
Alan S.
The service manager was down to earth and offered to do the transmission oil change for 1 hours labour to see if it improved my gearbox problems, so that they could do the same for others if it worked. I gave them the Audi Pages print out and they were happy to use it. I was also pleased that they agreed to fit the non genuine parts I suppied.
He pointed out that although Audi are expensive on labour charges, once one control arm is charged for each additional arm only costs a few minutes extra to fit, so the complete set was charged out at 6 hours work, plus the track rod ends and a stearing geometry check at an extra 30 minutes. Total charge 6.5 hours, which I was very impressed with.
The good news is that the parts fitted fine (no comments at all) and the gearbox feels smoother although I have not fully tested it yet.
The outer CV boot was charged for at 50 minutes, so the total bill including UK 17.5% Tax was £645 (Approx $1,100), which I think for a dealer was excellent.
The dealer is John Fox Audi of Nottingham, England. You read bad reports about Stealers, so I thought I should spread some good news where it is earned.
I was ging to do this job myself, but I think it would have taken me more than 2 days and a lot of blood sweat and tears, as well as bad languague!!
So the car is almost up to scratch now, just needs the stereo fixing and I am away. The only problem is that our petrol prices have gone up to over £5.00 per gallon ($9.00), which means that it will cost £80 ($144) to fill the tank!
Hope your contol arm sets go on OK as well.
Good luck!
Alan S.
06-03-2004, 09:30 AM
#3
Yikes....on the tank fill up cost...
I found a new Exon station on the way home from office last night, that just opened this week, ( on Roswell Rd, in Sandy Springs - JimR ) that has 93 Octane for $1.99 a gallon.
06-03-2004, 10:48 AM
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Re: Sounds great, big change in ride/handling??
Hi Paul
The car seems a little tighter, but I did not notice a big difference so far. In fact the only reason I had the arm changed was because of the creaking noises!
I decided that it was probably better to have everything changed at once and get it over with.
I will throw it around in the next week and let you know how it feels, particularly at high speed. Although this car has blown my mind since I bought it anyway, it is almost as much fun as my 993 and I would say more fun at very high speeds because of its sure footed roadholding.
Has anyone had the new control arm set fitted in the US yet??
Alan S.
The car seems a little tighter, but I did not notice a big difference so far. In fact the only reason I had the arm changed was because of the creaking noises!
I decided that it was probably better to have everything changed at once and get it over with.
I will throw it around in the next week and let you know how it feels, particularly at high speed. Although this car has blown my mind since I bought it anyway, it is almost as much fun as my 993 and I would say more fun at very high speeds because of its sure footed roadholding.
Has anyone had the new control arm set fitted in the US yet??
Alan S.
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