AudiCare Experiences for 8Y RS3

[clerkpalmer]

I usually have purchased AudiCare on my new Audis. I purchased - but did not lease my RS3. AudiCare on 2023 was not yet in the computer when I took delivery so I was unable to roll the cost into my loan. I probably would have done it on the spot if it was available. The price is $1399. I'm told people have negotiated deals on AudiCare in the past. Any idea what a fair price would be in 2023? Any dealers that you can refer me to who might be willing to give me a deal on it? I plan to keep the car for at least 3 years and will likely be around 40k miles in that time frame.

[Sikilla]

I usually have purchased AudiCare on my new Audis. I purchased - but did not lease my RS3. AudiCare on 2023 was not yet in the computer when I took delivery so I was unable to roll the cost into my loan. I probably would have done it on the spot if it was available. The price is $1399. I'm told people have negotiated deals on AudiCare in the past. Any idea what a fair price would be in 2023? Any dealers that you can refer me to who might be willing to give me a deal on it? I plan to keep the car for at least 3 years and will likely be around 40k miles in that time frame.

I paid $1799 for mine and it was a requirement to buy my RS3, because they didn’t mark it up, I had to but Audicare. At least it was worth it

[nimri09]

Usually not worth unless you're the type that strictly uses the dealership for service. Its even worse to include it in your loan since that amount would accumulate interest and end up costing you way more over the term of your loan. My suggestion is to find an Audi certified shop in your area and let them service it for you. That way you pay as you go and its typically much cheaper overall.

[clerkpalmer]

I paid $1799 for mine and it was a requirement to buy my RS3, because they didn’t mark it up, I had to but Audicare. At least it was worth it

Interesting. Sounds like they marked up the price of Audi Care since I was quoted 1399 and I'm certain there's no discount.

- - - Updated - - -

Usually not worth unless you're the type that strictly uses the dealership for service. Its even worse to include it in your loan since that amount would accumulate interest and end up costing you way more over the term of your loan. My suggestion is to find an Audi certified shop in your area and let them service it for you. That way you pay as you go and its typically much cheaper overall.

Yeah, I don't need to use Audi for service although it's certainly more convenient with loaners etc.

[sleepy_rs3]

Audicare was $899 when I bought my 8v. A reasonable price for oil change is around $180...so at $900 it evens out over 5 oil changes. (side note: i change my oil every 5k miles). The time where I really saw there was value in having AudiCare was when I hit my DSG service interval at 40k miles...that and the AWD clutch (haldex) service are what made it worth the $900. I live in the city so don't really have a garage to DIY, otherwise I probably wouldn't have gotten AudiCare and just serviced it myself.

In your case, at $1399 you will probably only hit the 'break even' point if you keep the car for the full 50k miles. Since you say you will possibly sell at 40k miles, if that's before you do DSG service it may not be worth it for you. You definitely need to factor in the value (for you personally) of the convenience of loaner vehicles, etc.

[clerkpalmer]

Audicare was $899 when I bought my 8v. A reasonable price for oil change is around $180...so at $900 it evens out over 5 oil changes. (side note: i change my oil every 5k miles). The time where I really saw there was value in having AudiCare was when I hit my DSG service interval at 40k miles...that and the AWD clutch (haldex) service are what made it worth the $900. I live in the city so don't really have a garage to DIY, otherwise I probably wouldn't have gotten AudiCare and just serviced it myself.

In your case, at $1399 you will probably only hit the 'break even' point if you keep the car for the full 50k miles. Since you say you will possibly sell at 40k miles, if that's before you do DSG service it may not be worth it for you. You definitely need to factor in the value (for you personally) of the convenience of loaner vehicles, etc.

Yeah, the DSG service is the big one. Seems like at $1399 Audi is making this a tougher decision. What's a DSG change run at an independent shop? I know it might have some value to a buyer but most of us just trade in cars so I doubt it ads value. My S3 was a lease - makes more sense with the residual bump.

[grandpab]

I was quoted at $1400 for it too. I don't see the value in it for myself, but I've currently been doing 5k miles about every 14 months. It might get me a couple oil changes, but I won't be doing enough miles to get the DSG and haldex serviced.

[HODL_B58]

What does Audicare cover? I plan to heavily mod the car probably within a year so wont get warranty on engine and driveline, but for electronics and such could be worth it. $1300 doesnt sound too bad to me

[clerkpalmer]

What does Audicare cover? I plan to heavily mod the car probably within a year so wont get warranty on engine and driveline, but for electronics and such could be worth it. $1300 doesnt sound too bad to me

Basically factory scheduled maintenance for 5 years. Which is 5 oil changes and DSG service. Others can chime in if I missed something. Nothing electronic. If you get flagged td1 I would think you’d still get the service.

[rodacollier]

I just had my 26k check in and oil change, spark plugs and wipers were included.

It depends on the year of car for what’s included according to this.

https://www.audiusa.com/us/web/en/myaudi/audi-care.html

[noseyp]

You can shop dealers to sell audicare to you. Certain out of state dealers may be more likely to give you a discount because it's the only way they'll get a sale.

The base package gets you 2 yr 20k, 3 yr 30k, 4yr 40k service per the maintenance schedule (10k 1 yr free with car). On a 19 RS3, thats 3 oil changes, 2 brake fluid services, haldex service, spark plugs, and transmission service. I took an unmodified s3 to 70k miles always using audicare because it was always much cheaper for the next two services package than the dealer rate for the major service (every other). I leased then bought off lease CPO.

I have colder spark plugs for e85 so that was a waste but at $900 I think still worth it. We'll see if there is drama at the 3yr service when I ask them not to change the spark plugs.

[S3DUDE]

I never buy the dealer maintenance packages, I think they are ridiculous. They are overpriced.

[mtwallace85]

I think Audi Care was worth it for me at the cost of $900. Just the 4 oil changes are going to cost $600-$800 depending on where you bring it and the oil change kits alone cost $130 after tax. When you factor in the other service maintenance items and the free loaner it’s a no brainer to me.

[Mooseman]

For my TTRS they said the last service included a brake job as well, rotors+pads. That alone would cover the cost.

[clerkpalmer]

For my TTRS they said the last service included a brake job as well, rotors+pads. That alone would cover the cost.

Guessing that is not happening on my RS3 with the $5500 ceramic brake package. I hope I never have to find out what a brake job will cost.

[mtwallace85]

For my TTRS they said the last service included a brake job as well, rotors+pads. That alone would cover the cost.

That’s not Audi Care, that’s Audi Pure Protection which costs more and unless you opted for the brake rotor replacement, making it even more expensive, you’re not getting your them replaced. My dealership verbally lied to me about that one and I didn’t read the fine print. Went in to get rotors replaced and they told me to check the contract. I paid over $2,000 for Pure Protection but had it cancelled and reimbursed.

[RMode]

AudiCare covers all scheduled maintenance

oil changes, cabin filter, spark plugs, brake fluid flush, dsg flush, haldex, etc

I'm certainly capable, and have the facilities at the house to do all my own maintenance, and I work for Audi. I also am friendly with multiple independents in the area. It's a math + convenience equation for me.

I chose to get AudiCare for my RS3 and my S4. The cost came out to within $50 for my employee cost on the parts + employee labor rate, and I now can get a loaner if needed. I also don't have to deal with getting picked up from the indy I drop it to, nor am I wasting my time sitting there while work is being done. I also can spend my own time that I want to work on a car on my elderly S4's ('00 + '08). Plus, being good at any dealership in the country is a plus for me, since we have 2 homes.

I can't fathom why a dealership at this point would discount it - there is only a $75 margin from dealer cost to retail to begin with, and if you pay with a credit card, that basically disappears by more than half. In years past, the margins from Audi to the dealer were more, but that got cut several years ago (along with the % markup from dealer invoice to msrp).

AudiCare for an 8Y is $1399 + tax. A dealer cannot sell it for more fyi (in case they tell you some random price, which means it's not AudiCare)

https://www.audiusa.com/us/web/en/my...20-models.html

[clerkpalmer]

AudiCare covers all scheduled maintenance

oil changes, cabin filter, spark plugs, brake fluid flush, dsg flush, haldex, etc

I'm certainly capable, and have the facilities at the house to do all my own maintenance, and I work for Audi. I also am friendly with multiple independents in the area. It's a math + convenience equation for me.

I chose to get AudiCare for my RS3 and my S4. The cost came out to within $50 for my employee cost on the parts + employee labor rate, and I now can get a loaner if needed. I also don't have to deal with getting picked up from the indy I drop it to, nor am I wasting my time sitting there while work is being done. I also can spend my own time that I want to work on a car on my elderly S4's ('00 + '08). Plus, being good at any dealership in the country is a plus for me, since we have 2 homes.

I can't fathom why a dealership at this point would discount it - there is only a $75 margin from dealer cost to retail to begin with, and if you pay with a credit card, that basically disappears by more than half. In years past, the margins from Audi to the dealer were more, but that got cut several years ago (along with the % markup from dealer invoice to msrp).

AudiCare for an 8Y is $1399 + tax. A dealer cannot sell it for more fyi (in case they tell you some random price, which means it's not AudiCare)

https://www.audiusa.com/us/web/en/my...20-models.html

Thanks for the information - interesting. We do have someone here reporting a dealer mark up.

[xeonoex]

I skipped it because I'm tracking my car, so I probably wont be changing oil on some set schedule. They also told me it was only oil changes, so it didn't seem like it would save any money.

[k33psp00lin]

AudiCare covers all scheduled maintenance

oil changes, cabin filter, spark plugs, brake fluid flush, dsg flush, haldex, etc

I'm certainly capable, and have the facilities at the house to do all my own maintenance, and I work for Audi. I also am friendly with multiple independents in the area. It's a math + convenience equation for me.

I chose to get AudiCare for my RS3 and my S4. The cost came out to within $50 for my employee cost on the parts + employee labor rate, and I now can get a loaner if needed. I also don't have to deal with getting picked up from the indy I drop it to, nor am I wasting my time sitting there while work is being done. I also can spend my own time that I want to work on a car on my elderly S4's ('00 + '08). Plus, being good at any dealership in the country is a plus for me, since we have 2 homes.

I can't fathom why a dealership at this point would discount it - there is only a $75 margin from dealer cost to retail to begin with, and if you pay with a credit card, that basically disappears by more than half. In years past, the margins from Audi to the dealer were more, but that got cut several years ago (along with the % markup from dealer invoice to msrp).

AudiCare for an 8Y is $1399 + tax. A dealer cannot sell it for more fyi (in case they tell you some random price, which means it's not AudiCare)

https://www.audiusa.com/us/web/en/my...20-models.html

^ Correct, Audi care is $1399 for the RS3, $1799 would be for the other RS models. It will cover your 10, 20, 30 & 40k service intervals. IMO worth it as I would rather drop it off at the dealer, grab a loaner, etc.

[clerkpalmer]

^ Correct, Audi care is $1399 for the RS3, $1799 would be for the other RS models. It will cover your 10, 20, 30 & 40k service intervals. IMO worth it as I would rather drop it off at the dealer, grab a loaner, etc.

So $350 per service. A couple are “just” oil changes right? And my dealer said the first one is on them.

[k33psp00lin]

So $350 per service. A couple are “just” oil changes right? And my dealer said the first one is on them.

I’d imagine the 10k is primarily an oil change, the owners manual will break down service intervals. Of course the high the interval, the more involved, typically. I’m not worried about paying $1399 to have everything sorted, if you opt to have an Indy shop do it, or DIY, more power to you.

[RMode]

So $350 per service. A couple are “just” oil changes right? And my dealer said the first one is on them.

All 4 services are oil changes, and then other items at their specified intervals

The dealer does not take care of any of them anymore. Audi used to comp the first service (at 1 year or 10k), and audicare used to cover the 20k-50k. This hasn’t been the case in ~2 years now

[TheContrarian]

I never buy the dealer maintenance packages, I think they are ridiculous. They are overpriced.

This is the correct take. Oil change, haldex service, brake fluid flush is all easy and inexpensive work. The rest of it is just kicking tires and measuring tread depth - that stuff is for normies, not car enthusiasts.

[RMode]

This is the correct take. Oil change, haldex service, brake fluid flush is all easy and inexpensive work. The rest of it is just kicking tires and measuring tread depth - that stuff is for normies, not car enthusiasts.

The correct take is the one that satisfies ones individuals needs and wants. Much like the car itself..

[mtwallace85]

This is the correct take. Oil change, haldex service, brake fluid flush is all easy and inexpensive work. The rest of it is just kicking tires and measuring tread depth - that stuff is for normies, not car enthusiasts.

And how much money are your saving/time are you spending doing this stuff? That’s a lot of work to save barely any money.

For reference, here’s what’s included:
4 oil changes
1 haldex fluid change
2 brake fluid changes
1 spark plug replacement
1 transmission fluid change
4 loaner cars

The correct take is the one that satisfies ones individuals needs and wants. Much like the car itself..

Exactly. It just comes down to your preference: saving a little money or saving time. I’m at a point in my life where spending $100, even a few hundred, to avoid spending hours putting my car on jack stands, draining nasty fluids, filling containers with said used fluids, and driving them somewhere to be recycled or disposed of properly is a no brainer.

And yes, I work on my own car, I always have.

[Rod Paine]

Good example indeed. Now at 82 years old I don't do any of all the stuff I used to do to my automobiles.
Sometimes I miss 'wrenching' but not much anymore. Still spending 3 days a week running back roads
10am - 2pm in our 2019 Audi RS 3, which I've been doing for many years. That won't stop until I simply
can't drive anymore.

[Alex D]

For $1399 I think it’s a great deal for what you get. I tend to still get a oil change in between intervals as I feel 10k between changes is a bit much for my taste but I’m sure it’s fine for most. The hassle of proper disposal of the fluids is enough for me to sway towards getting it.

[RMode]

For $1399 I think it’s a great deal for what you get. I tend to still get a oil change in between intervals as I feel 10k between changes is a bit much for my taste but I’m sure it’s fine for most. The hassle of proper disposal of the fluids is enough for me to sway towards getting it.

I didn't even write that above but a terrific point.

I too have the oil done on the RS at 5k intervals, only because it doesn't often get fully up to temp in normal use, since it's local stuff, and occasional longer trips. So I pay my employee cost on every other one. Fine by me, cheap insurance.

[CW98]

For $1399 I think it’s a great deal for what you get. I tend to still get a oil change in between intervals as I feel 10k between changes is a bit much for my taste but I’m sure it’s fine for most. The hassle of proper disposal of the fluids is enough for me to sway towards getting it.

Even at $1399 it's still a deal if you do all the services. I purchased audicare a few years back for my 2018 for around a $1000 - and the 30K service alone would have been quoted $930 separate - probably even more expensive today.

[Dr Chill]

Bottom line is that if you have a good indy shop near you that you trust and is fairly reasonable on cost, that will save you money and may be more convenient, but without loaner cars. If you prefer dealer service, Audicare will save you money compared to paying for each service at the dealership, unless you drive less than 8000 miles a year. Then it probably isn't cost effective.