Audi Repair and Maintenance Costs: How much should I expect to pay for repairs?

How much should I expect to pay for regular service and maintenance for my Audi?

The cost of maintaining an Audi or any high-performance automobile varies dramatically based on the condition, age and specific vehicle model. Whether you drive a supercharged 3.0L DOHC V6 or 4.2L TDI Diesel Q7, staying current on your vehicle maintenance can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Regardless of the year, model or engine type, it is important that you regularly maintain your Audi.

In general, you should expect to service your Audi every 10,000 miles or once per year. Experience has shown that a minor service including oil, filters, and inspection will cost between $120 and $200, while a major service including transmission services will cost between $200 and $400.  Although not tied to a regularly scheduled maintenance brakes are another common maintenance item.

Current Audi braking systems use compound materials and depending on your specific model, a complete brake job front and rear will typically cost between $800 and $1200. It is important to use the proper grade brake pads and brake rotors for your specific Audi. Remember NOT ALL BRAKES ARE CREATED EQUALLY. The old adage of you get what you pay for applies. You can spend $70 on a set of brake pads or you can spend $270 depending on your specific model and the performance level you are looking for.

You should stay away from cheap aftermarket brakes that will not stop your Audi as it is designed. Ceramic brake pads are a good aftermarket alternative and have the advantage of lower dust. Expect to pay a comparable amount to an Audi OEM pad, but with increased stopping grip and less dust.  Please stop by German Auto Center and we will be happy to print a maintenance schedule for your specific Audi or other German performance automobile.

What should I expect to pay for an Audi oil change?

The primary cost to an oil change on your Audi is the oil itself. Today’s higher performance synthetic oils used in all late model Audi engines can cost between $8 and $10 per liter and depending on your engine, your Audi will use between 5 and 9 liters of oil. Please see our technical tips section at www.germanautocenter.com for more information regarding engine oils.

We at German Auto Center can not stress enough the importance of using the right oil for your vehicle. Remember all newer engines as well as all turbo charged engines must use full synthetic oil such as Mobil 1 or Castrol full synthetic. Older Audi models used mineral based oils and should not be replaced with synthetic oils. As the environment in Austin Texas is a little hotter than what is found in Germany, German Auto Center recommends changing your engine oil more frequently than the Audi recommended service intervals of 10,000 miles.

If you drive a turbo-charged or supercharged model, we recommend changing your oil every 5,000 miles due to the extreme heat these engines produce; late model non-turbo charged engines should change oil every 7,500 miles. On older models or models using mineral based oil, we recommend changing your oil every 5,000 miles.

How much should I expect to pay for major Audi repairs?

There is no way to really answer what you should pay for a major repair on your Audi. Common repairs related to vacuum leaks, oil leaks and coolant leaks can vary widely from $200 vacuum leak to a $600 oil separator or $900 water pump or timing belt. As with the some of the later model V8 engines utilizing timing chains, repairs to the timing chain and chain tensioners require engine removal and can cost several thousand dollars to complete.

Please contact the experts and German Auto Center and we will be happy to give you a detailed estimate. As always, German Auto Center will save you significantly over comparable repairs at the Audi dealer or from a general repair shop that does not specialize in Audi vehicles.

How much should I expect to pay for minor Audi repairs?

Although the cost of repairing your Audi will vary depending on the required repairs, some common repairs are related to the check engine light. Minor repairs such as spark plug replacement, minor oil leaks related to valve cover gaskets or vacuum leaks can often be repaired in several hours and typically will cost a few hundred dollars to repair. As always, if your Audi has a service light or check engine light or just not running the way it should, stop by German Auto Center and we will be happy to take a look and provide you a detailed estimate.

Is it worth paying for an Audi extended warranty?

If you have a need for a major repair, an extended warranty may be a life saver. There are several things that you should consider when purchasing an extended warranty for your Audi.  First and foremost, like going to a casino, the odds are in the favor of the warranty company. They are in business to make money off your policies. If you are inclined to purchase an extended warranty read the print carefully. Be sure you understand what is covered and what is not as well as confirming that you have the right to take your vehicle to any authorized repair facility.

Most policies will explicitly list what is covered and often have a statement that says if the repair is not specifically listed, it is not covered. Be forewarned, a good extended warranty is expensive to purchase and may not be available for your Audi if it has high mileage. The experts at German Auto Center will be happy to review your extended warranty with you and provide you with any advice.

What if I have an older model, what type of warranty should I consider? If any.

In general extended warranties for older high mileage Audis are limited in coverage. These policies typically will cover catastrophic failures only. Be sure you know what you are buying. Extended warranty companies that say the will cover any vehicle with any mileage should be avoided.

How much should I expect to pay for a replacement Audi key?

You should always have a spare key for your Audi. Today’s electronic keys can fail at any moment and leave you stranded. Keys can easily be ordered through Audi North America or through German Auto Center. Depending on your model, keys typically cost between $80 and $120 and will require programming to the vehicle once here. Be prepared to show proof of vehicle ownership when preparing to order a key. A valid registration or title accompanied with a photo ID will be required.

What’s the price and service difference between dealerships and specialty shops like German Auto Center?

German Auto Center specializes in Audi and other German manufactured vehicles. Since this is all we do, we know your Audi inside and out and have the equipment and training to handle all mechanical repairs on your Audi. Besides saving you significantly over the dealer’s inflated labor rate, German Auto Center can offer you parts option that go beyond what the dealer can offer. As a Bosch certified repair facility we can purchase many parts from the same source that Audi purchases their parts at a discounted rate. Consult the experts and German Auto Center for your Audi and German manufactured car needs. We will be happy to provide you a detailed estimate of any required repairs.

Have a question about your luxury automobile or does your model need special work? Please ask using the comment box below on our German Auto Center Facebook page and one of our experts will reply! German Auto Center is owned and operated by Len Gilmore.