My 2002 A6 Avant (w/35000 miles)is now out of warrenty and I recently had some work done at a dealer. The work was satisfactory, the folks who work there very nice, but the labor cost strikes me as horribly overpriced. I have driven BMW's for years and this is my first, and maybe my last, Audi. For instance"Replaced right front outer CV boot"; Parts $58, Labor $411)("Replaced
rear brake pads and rotors. Test drove. Operating to Audi specs."; Parts $216.10, Labor $372.45)
Is this normal operating costs to drive an Audi?

 

But i wouldnt blame Audi since people are paying their prices so why lower them?

If you want great work that wont hurt your wallet, then go to www.gocpt.com<ul><li><a href="http://www.gocpt.com">http://www.gocpt.com</a</li></ul>

 

Perhaps you should shop around.

 

But seriously...if out of warranty, skip the dealer and go here:<ul><li><a href="http://www.gocpt.com">you and your Audi will be much happier...</a></li></ul>

 

(1) I agreed to the cost before they started the work, assuming it was expensive parts. It wasn't until I got home and reviewed the details that I realized I had been charged $200 an hour labor.
(2) My reason for posting here was to see if this was unusual, and clearly it isn't, so I just bought the wrong brand automobile. Live and learn. :-(

 

well, I can't say it is usual to pay that much for dealer out of warranty work primarily because I haven't been back to the dealer since my warranty ran out. I too go to Al at chicago performance and tuning.

I agree, that is WAY too much for labor though. dealerships suck.

I don't think you will find you bought the wrong car, I am very happy with my audi. But the dealership is not the best price in town.

 

I never been to the dealer outside of warranty. But if the dealer told me that i needed work done and gave me the price of it, then i would tell them I will call them back. THEN i would ask his forum to see if their prices are too high. In which case we would have told you yes. No one forced you to go to the dealer for any of this.


Seems like that would be common sense. Guess not.

 

independant honest shop.

 

However I feel like chiming in for once. I am realistic enough to know that most of the bad rap we as dealers get we gave ourselves by taking customers for granted and assuming they were a ceasless supply. I will grant that point. However I would also say that like any business there are honest, good ones too.

Labor rates and flat rate have been a source of contention since the moment the auto industry started to charge and pay in that way. I agree with the other posts that you should always know the labor time and rate prior to authorizing repair because its your right to know. For instance we have a variable labor rate which means that depending on the skill level we charge different rates. For instance tires are our lowest rate in an effort to be competitive with the local tire stores. Now we are more because most tire stores don't have someone of Russ' caliber changing tires so my costs are automatically higher but at least we try. On more skilled repairs like maybe transmission work I charge my highest rate because that is where I use more of the speciality tools and equipment that are necessary and that most independents don't have. This can be confusing and if not disclosed properly may seem misleading but it is done with an effort to pass along the right expense to the right consumer. Speaking of costs I haven't heard anybody complain recently about the free cookies, coffee, water, loaner/rental cars or carwashes that most independents don't offer either. That is the cost of doing business but it is a cost.

I guess all of this to say that sometimes my feathers do get ruffled even though they shouldn't. But we aren't all "stealerships" at least not all of the time. So give us a chance on some stuff and the rest go to CPT because Al rocks. Oh and if you are in Naperville stop by for some water, coffee and cookies - they are free after all.

 

In reality, look at the size of the buildings between the two. Somehow all the associated bills that go with it have to get paid not to mention the amount of employees salary's have to get paid. If we charge $130 for one hours labor, how much of that do you think the dealer actually has left over after paying each person who had a hand in the dealings with your car after everything is said and done? Do you really feel that after almost 17 years of experience I should make a mere $20 an hour? Is my skill, training, and experience not worth something? How about all the other employees? Tim makes a mean spread sheet.
And yes, while the consumer can look at the flat rate pay tech's get as a way to rip off customers, it's actually there to help protect them. While a_CQ may think the tech dropped CV joint ***** and it took him longer and hence the higher charge, I can tell you it wouldn't matter. If I estimate a job to take 2 hours labor (using a industry standard labor guide) and it takes me 3 weeks to complete, you are still only paying 2 hour labors. There are certain areas that I shine and other areas that I struggle. Do you want to pay more labor hours because it took me forever to rebuild your manual trans? Doubt it. But if I get stuck doing one it will take me much longer than someone who is really good with them. I doubt anyone wants to pay for my inadequacies.
On that note, I need to go work on getting ready for Autobahn which our thieving dealer is a sponsor of. Also, if any of you are planning on bringing one of our many Audi loaners to Autobahn, please remember to take out the Ipass that is provided to you at no charge before getting on the track.