Dealers, dealers, dealers.....
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 137
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From: Nothern Virginia
Dealers, dealers, dealers.....
Nothing dramatic but I feel a bit like complaining. I gave my car to the dealer to check a few things on my S8. Among one of them, I asked them to see if the cabin/pollen filter needed replacement as the A/C sometimes starts to smell a bit musky when I start the car. They came back saying that they were recommending to replace the filter.
So, just for the fun of it, let's take some guesses as to how much they were asking to replace the filter...
PS: Just for information, a good charcoal filter cost approx $50 and it takes 5 minutes to replace it (even for someone like me). Here a link on how to replace the filter for those interested (https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho...t=cabin+filter)
So, just for the fun of it, let's take some guesses as to how much they were asking to replace the filter...
PS: Just for information, a good charcoal filter cost approx $50 and it takes 5 minutes to replace it (even for someone like me). Here a link on how to replace the filter for those interested (https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho...t=cabin+filter)
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Nov 2010
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Nothing dramatic but I feel a bit like complaining. I gave my car to the dealer to check a few things on my S8. Among one of them, I asked them to see if the cabin/pollen filter needed replacement as the A/C sometimes starts to smell a bit musky when I start the car. They came back saying that they were recommending to replace the filter.
So, just for the fun of it, let's take some guesses as to how much they were asking to replace the filter...
PS: Just for information, a good charcoal filter cost approx $50 and it takes 5 minutes to replace it (even for someone like me). Here a link on how to replace the filter for those interested (https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho...t=cabin+filter)
So, just for the fun of it, let's take some guesses as to how much they were asking to replace the filter...
PS: Just for information, a good charcoal filter cost approx $50 and it takes 5 minutes to replace it (even for someone like me). Here a link on how to replace the filter for those interested (https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho...t=cabin+filter)
they charged me over $500 to change my purge valve ($15) on my 4.2 C6 .... i know what they r...
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 190
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From: Woodstock, MD
You didn't go to Tyson's did you? Those guys are crooks! I'm going to say $225+tax($100 for the filter and $125 for an hour of labor).
I remember you were in Silver Spring that day you stopped by the house. If you are in the area routinely I would highly recommend the dealer there. Evan and Aaron are the service writers there and they take great care of me. I have been very satisfied so far. How's the car working out otherwise? Any mods yet? I still haven't pulled the trigger on the exhaust.
BTW-I have the same musty smell on start up, especially when the AC is on, and I changed my filter about 10K miles/14 months ago.
I remember you were in Silver Spring that day you stopped by the house. If you are in the area routinely I would highly recommend the dealer there. Evan and Aaron are the service writers there and they take great care of me. I have been very satisfied so far. How's the car working out otherwise? Any mods yet? I still haven't pulled the trigger on the exhaust.
BTW-I have the same musty smell on start up, especially when the AC is on, and I changed my filter about 10K miles/14 months ago.
Last edited by gaspasser19; Jul 29, 2011 at 12:27 PM.
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 137
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From: Nothern Virginia
Good guess and yes, this is where I went.
They asked $250 + tax for changing the filter. They even told me that the filter cost $60 (so $190 for labor)...I almost laughed.
To top it off, they even recommended an "AC summer special" where they would check/clean/recharge your AC system for $220 + tax.
Bottom line, I probably just need a filter change and they asked $470 + tax... Convenience has a cost but this is a bit above my threshold.
Otherwise, the car is working great. I still find myself taking the car for a drive just for the sake of driving it. No major modifications except getting a Recaro seat for my daughter that matches the silver/black interior
(http://www.modparent.com/catalog/pro...5/image/21567/)
A colleague of mine just installed an AWE exhaust on his S5. The sound is indeed pretty incredible (maybe a bit too much for me in the configuration he chose).
They asked $250 + tax for changing the filter. They even told me that the filter cost $60 (so $190 for labor)...I almost laughed.
To top it off, they even recommended an "AC summer special" where they would check/clean/recharge your AC system for $220 + tax.
Bottom line, I probably just need a filter change and they asked $470 + tax... Convenience has a cost but this is a bit above my threshold.
Otherwise, the car is working great. I still find myself taking the car for a drive just for the sake of driving it. No major modifications except getting a Recaro seat for my daughter that matches the silver/black interior
(http://www.modparent.com/catalog/pro...5/image/21567/)A colleague of mine just installed an AWE exhaust on his S5. The sound is indeed pretty incredible (maybe a bit too much for me in the configuration he chose).
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Las Vegas, Nevada USA
My only comment is that 5 minutes is a low number. Without racing it would take me 10-15 minutes with the car already parked in the garage. I'd say they should charge .25 time units (15 minutes) so closer to $100-115 would be appropriate. That said; no Audi dealer like to write a service invoice for less than $300 and that's pretty rare. I'll bet the average is closer to $500
Last edited by Mister Bally; Jul 30, 2011 at 04:44 AM. Reason: recommendation of authorities
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Michigan
You complain and talk about how easy it is to check/replace the filter; yet you have the stealer still do it. Ever hear of asking prices before you blindly have them do work? You knew what to expect going in so why be ignorant and let them do the checks? Majority of the crap that goes wrong on these cars can be found on these forums or self-diagnosed. The rest I tell the dealer to shove it!
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 137
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From: Nothern Virginia
You complain and talk about how easy it is to check/replace the filter; yet you have the stealer still do it. Ever hear of asking prices before you blindly have them do work? You knew what to expect going in so why be ignorant and let them do the checks? Majority of the crap that goes wrong on these cars can be found on these forums or self-diagnosed. The rest I tell the dealer to shove it!
If they would have quoted something around $100, I might have let them do it because it would have felt like a reasonable price. To be fair, they have a business to run and the prices they charge is what they feel are the right numbers for them. I just didn't think that, in this case, it was a reasonable price/ good value based on the work needed.
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From: Vancouver, Canada
If they would have quoted something around $100, I might have let them do it because it would have felt like a reasonable price. To be fair, they have a business to run and the prices they charge is what they feel are the right numbers for them. I just didn't think that, in this case, it was a reasonable price/ good value based on the work needed.
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Good guess and yes, this is where I went.
They asked $250 + tax for changing the filter. They even told me that the filter cost $60 (so $190 for labor)...I almost laughed.
To top it off, they even recommended an "AC summer special" where they would check/clean/recharge your AC system for $220 + tax.
Bottom line, I probably just need a filter change and they asked $470 + tax... Convenience has a cost but this is a bit above my threshold.
Otherwise, the car is working great. I still find myself taking the car for a drive just for the sake of driving it. No major modifications except getting a Recaro seat for my daughter that matches the silver/black interior (http://www.modparent.com/catalog/pro...5/image/21567/)
A colleague of mine just installed an AWE exhaust on his S5. The sound is indeed pretty incredible (maybe a bit too much for me in the configuration he chose).
They asked $250 + tax for changing the filter. They even told me that the filter cost $60 (so $190 for labor)...I almost laughed.
To top it off, they even recommended an "AC summer special" where they would check/clean/recharge your AC system for $220 + tax.
Bottom line, I probably just need a filter change and they asked $470 + tax... Convenience has a cost but this is a bit above my threshold.
Otherwise, the car is working great. I still find myself taking the car for a drive just for the sake of driving it. No major modifications except getting a Recaro seat for my daughter that matches the silver/black interior
(http://www.modparent.com/catalog/pro...5/image/21567/)A colleague of mine just installed an AWE exhaust on his S5. The sound is indeed pretty incredible (maybe a bit too much for me in the configuration he chose).
The pollen filter costs around £30.00 here but the AC Summer Special you talk about is a rip off!
You should change your pollen filter every 12 months as it does not only cool/warm you it also keeps the blower motor cool. No body wants to be changing one of them?
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 137
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From: Nothern Virginia
Interestingly, the service advisor told me that they ended up spraying the existing filter with some sort of product (I could smell it when I took my car back) to help with the smell. While it was nice to do so, it seemed that they could have as well replaced the filter for a reasonable price if they did that. It did not make a lot of sense and the service advisor could not really explain the rationale when I asked. I am assuming that these guys have some sort of instructions/guidance and replacing the filter is $250 no matter what.
I ended up buying the filter for $50 at the dealer and replaced it myself. It took me less than 10 minutes for sure and I am not mechanically inclined.
I ended up buying the filter for $50 at the dealer and replaced it myself. It took me less than 10 minutes for sure and I am not mechanically inclined.