Hi all,
Well...40K was about 3K ago, and I still haven't serviced my (knock on wood) trusty little friend whose been great so far. Bought my '01 225Q roadster 7 months ago at 38K and have not had any service whatsoever done yet..The indie mechanic who first inspected it when purchased said to eventually service at 40K, and it would run me about $350, unless they checked the breaks and needed to do break work...

I asked what exactly would be done (since I don't have an Audi Manual), and he said oil change, microfilter something, and I can't remember the rest...Anyone know what is an ABSOLUTE must at 40K? (for the record, I believe all fluids etc were changed at 38K when I bought the car, oil was fresh, clutch and everything else healthy...It is now at 43K!). THANKS!

PS: This same mechanic said to hold off on the belt change until 60K (though the car is an '01, mind you).
PS#2: Do you guys get quoted $150 for oil changes? That's what I got at an audi/porsche dealer...I'm thinking Penzoil but hope they aren't going to be nimwits.

 

i usually change my oil and filter around every 5K miles.
the mechanic is correct about the timing belt. change it at or before 60K.

$150 is too much for an oil change. i can take my own oil and filter and get it done for about $25 when i get other things done to the car. the micro air filter is something that you can do and change in 5 minutes...buy the air filter from ECS tuning or even from the dealer (which is more expensive).

Haldex oil and filter should have been changed...if not, which it is usually ignored by dealers, you should do that.

 

I'm around 40k now and will get my service in about 1-2k. I go to my technician in West LA and he and I discussed my options.. since I just bought the VTDA quite recently, no need to change/clean air filter. But I do need an oil and oil filter change, cabin filter change, haldex oil and filter change, spark plugs (4) change with either Denso Iridiums or the NGKs, and possibly new brake pads since they're squeeking. Oil change is around $60 w/ labor, haldex oil is another $60 or so, brake pads will cost you and so will spark plugs (~$50, w/o labor). These are the necessities.

$150 is definitely too much for an oil change. I get a very viscous Mobil 1 Synth 0w-40, which is Porsche-spec, at my technician, for around $60.

 

I have my intermediate 5K oil changes done at a local shop in Mill Valley. Oil change runs about $100 for oil and labor and another $12 for the oil filter.

Your car need the Haldex serviced at 40K. That requires a special kind of tool and special lubricant and a special filter.

40K service is a major service for a 2001 TT, so I would expect the price at an Audi Dealer to be in the $350-$550 range (a total guesstimate) so the Independent quote of $350 is ballpark OK if the person was going to do the Haldex too and use the right oil and filter for it.

The Audi TT is not an inexpensive car to maintain.

$150 for oil change only at Audi Dealer would not be that far off for L.A. area. Remember the belly pan has to be removed and the filter is a bear to get to and get off. I think Sonnen in Marin has an oil change special for customers that is about $125, but they use Castrol and it may not be synthetic. Audi of Oakland quoted me $190 for an intermediate oil change for non-synthetic oil for my 3.2 TTQC, so your $150 is within limits for a dealer that does not do specials.

The reason I do an independent shop here is I trust them, I get the exact brand and weight of oil that I want, and the price stays about $112.

When I take my car to Audi of Oakland for scheduled maintenance because it is still on CPO. I take along my own oil and give it to them to install. They supply the filter. Cost is zero to them and I pay about $48 for the oil that I buy from my independent shop.

ECS is also a source for an oil change kit. You can buy it from them and pay labor and disposal charges to have your independent shop install.

Do a search on Google or on this site to find out exactly what service is required for a 2001 TT at 40K miles.

 

of varied insight when I was first considering purchasing this car. And yes, like you said, it is far from being cheap to maintain...That comes as no surprise...And though it hasn't given me any trouble, I guess I don't drive much either! Still haven't decided if I will go "Japanese" next time around, but German is just so addictive.

And while we're talking EU, my indie mechanic (who is also Sal's mechanic and quite the Audi/BMW enthusiast) recommends MOTUL for oil. I tipped off my oil with some MOBIL synthetic something...

 

If I didn't know better, I'd say your TT is that "other TT" in my parking garage haha! Though that one has a "PL" =Poland emblem on the back. Would you mind revealing who your tech is?
My guy is great, but his shop is really far for me in terms of just a service...

 

GET A MANUAL!!!
Mobil 1 0-40 meets the VW Spec (the only Mobil 1 that does)
Castrol European Formula does as well, both are full synthetics same as the Pentosynth the dealer will likely use.
40K is the BIG one go to the Dealer if you have warrantee otherwise use a GOOD indy shop.
Im sure some here can tell you one in your area.
Pay now or you will surely pay more later!<ul><li><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&amp;ih=002&amp;sspagename=S TRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&amp;viewitem=&amp;item=12005473240 5&amp;rd=1,1">Manual Here</a></li></ul>

 

Oh and brake fluid should be changed every 2 years, regardless of mileage.

 

Just email me if you want more info