Originally Posted by
saejin99
So, picked up my new SQ5 today and of course the finance guy did his speech on Audicare, Windshield protection, extended warranty, etc.
They were charging $1399 for Audicare which is the list price on AudiUSA. Said they only get $75 of profit on that. I passed for now as I wanted to get feedback from here on it.
In my pack of materials for the vehicle I have the Maintenance Schedule for 2022 Audi Models, so I wanted to list everything off and see if $1399 is really worth it.
I'll just list the major things that are needed as it seems there are a lot of things to inspect only during the maintenance visits.
10,000 miles : calls for "Minor Maintenance"
- Replace engine oil/filter (minor)
20,000 miles : calls for "Standard Maintenance" and "Minor Maintenance" and "Additional Maintenance"
- Replace engine oil/filter (minor)
- Replace dust and pollen filter (additional)
- There's quite a large number of inspections that need to be done here. Nothing specific to the Q/SQ5. (standard)
30,000 miles : calls for "Minor Maintenance" and "Additional Maintenance"
- Replace engine oil/filter (minor)
- Additional Maintenance does not apply to the SQ5 here
40,000 miles : calls for "Standard Maintenance" and "Minor Maintenance" and "Additional Maintenance"
- Replace engine oil/filter (minor)
- Replace dust and pollen filter (additional)
- Replace spark plugs (additional)
- Again, there's quite a large number of inspections that need to be done here. Nothing specific to the Q/SQ5. (standard)
So, am I missing anything here. The Finance guy did say these maintenance visits covered by Audicare were required for warranty claims if needed...guess in an extreme case that would be valid, but if I do my own maintenance and checks, that should be fine.
Seems like a lot of cash to drop on 4 oil changes, 2 dust/pollen filter replacements, 1 spark plug replacement, and from what I can tell and whole lot of visual inspections and some lubrication.
Fro BMW, their standard maintenance is free up to 36,000 miles. If you pay an additional $700 they include brake pad/rotor replacement if needed before your standard warranty expires.
Has anyone done a cost comparison lately. I know in the past Audi's required more maintenance than just oil changes like differential fluid change, timing belt, tranny fluid change, etc. That seems to be gone now and I've seen that on other vehicles like BMW where basically only an oil change and filter replacements are needed.
So, at $1399, each of the four required visits would average $350...but I'm sure the 10k and 30k service are the cheapest with 20k and 40k being the more expensive visits. Is that what Audi dealers are charging these days?
Just want to make sure I'm not missing anything before I decide to pass on this.
Basic maintenance must be completed in order to comply with the Audi warranty agreement, which is between the customer and Audi.
That means, when an oil change is due, the owner needs to, must, perform that maintenance to comply with the warranty agreement, to keep the warranty active.
That DOES NOT mean that the owner has to have Audi Care, nor does the owner have to pay Audi service to perform that oil change, or any needed maintenance.
The Magnusson-Moss warranty act prohibits manufacturers from requiring the customer to pay the manufacturer, or their agents, to perform the needed maintenance, in order to keep the warranty intact and active.
IOW, the owner can do the oil change personally, or use any other oil change service, shop, etc.
The only requirement is that the customer be able to provide proof that the maintenance was performed, if that comes into question regarding a warranty service claim.
If you do you own maintenance, then keep the receipts and other records as you proof.
Having Audi Care is not required in order to keep your manufacturer's warranty intact and active.
The inspections are nothing more than observational. Anyone, including the owner, can do inspections of their vehicle.
Go to Audi service during your warranty period and have them perform the already paid for services included in your warranty.
If the service suggests than a certain repair or maintenance is needed, and the Audi warranty does not pay for that, you are NOT required nor bound to have Audi service do that work, especially not bound in order to keep your warranty intact.
Oil changes, tires, brakes, wipers, and filters are maintenance items on all vehicles. The Mag-Moss warranty act forbids manufacturers from requiring the customer to use their service and parts in order to keep the warranty intact.
If the manufacturer does choose to require certain maintenance and parts, to keep the warranty intact, then the manufacturer has to provide that service and/or parts.
For example, Audi requires annual oil changes, and Audi provides those changes for a certain number of years, and/or miles.
In that case, the customer needs to allow Audi to do that service.
You already paid for those services, so of course you should use them.
That benefits the customer and Audi.
When Audi included maintenance is no longer paid for by Audi, you are free to do the work yourself, or choose another mechanic/shop if you choose that.
I have a 2018 S4. I did buy the Audi Care as it saved me money on my lease, and gave me 4 years of included Audi maintenance service.
I decided to buy my S4 back in Feb. 2022. Audi Care and the base warranty will be covering my 40K/4yr maintenance service needs.
My S4 recently turned 30K miles. But, I'm on my 4th year. I've had 3 previous Audi Care and warranty services completed.
Is the cost worth it?
That is up to you of course.
Look into what maintenance services are already included in the basic warranty.
If the first year is covered, then you'll be paying Audi Care to do the subsequent years/mileage maintenance.
Most German manufacturers do a brake fluid flush every two years.
In my case, two are covered by Audi Care and the basic warranty service.
Many Audi models require spark plug replacement at the 4yr mark.
For me, Audi Care pays for that.
If I wanted to do the plug replacement myself, and did not have Audi Care, I can do that with no problems and no negative effect on my warranty.
Overall, for me, the Audi Care was worth it.
In 2018, IIRC, I paid either $900 or $1000 for it.
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