Servicing the A8 - 183,000 miles

[mannyo]

My A8 is due its second service in my ownership. I have asked a local indie for a quote, thing is what should I be getting done apart from an engine oil and filter change.

I have asked the workshop for a oil / filter change,
Change of spark plugs,
Diagnose issue with creaking suspension, suspect upper OSF arms,
They will also do a full inspection of the car including brakes, gaters etc.
They are hopefully going to remove the front bumper and sort out the lower section which is hanging down in the middle and always getting caught on kerbs. I am not fussed how this is sorted so am leaving that up to them, I think they are going to cut away a section which hopefully will not be to obvious.

Anything else, brake fluid was done just before I got it, along with the pollen filters (8K miles ago).

[ainarssems]

Anything else, brake fluid was done just before I got it, along with the pollen filters (8K miles ago).

Brake fluid and antifreeze is 2 years regardless of mileage.

[Architex_mA8tey]

I'd get the fuel filter done as well Manny on a major as its not an expensive item but often doesn't get done at all

[mannyo]

Well, she is booked in for Friday,

Oil, Oil Filter, Air Filter, Fuel Filter, Spark plugs etc.

Hopefully won't find anything major, especially because the MOT is due in April and then its off to the Costa Del Sol again for the Audi's second trip to spain in June.

[notorious]

I think I never changed antifreeze for 3+ years...

It it DIY job?

[Dezzy]

You could have done all that on my drive Manno, plugs could be the only show stopper if they're tight.

[mannyo]

The 8 was dropped back at work this evening by the garage. The service was completed along with the full inspection which has highlighted a number of issues most of which will be sorted next week. The car now has new oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter and spark plugs.

Following the inspection, the following have been noted.

The following are being replaced next week.
OSF track rod end has movement (advise replacement)
NSF track rod end has slight movement
NSF outer cv boot split

The following will need attention before the MOT but I have no idea what they are referring to.

Centre exhaust sleeves are rotten.

ALSO noted:

Front pads 20% worn, Rear pads 10% worn.
Rear discs slightly pitted
Front tyres 5mm, rear tyres 6mm.
Rear road springs and rollbar showing signs of corrosion.

Looks like the old girl is slowly rotting away. I suspect she will be sold once the 12 month MOT is put on next month and the annual holiday to spain has passed.

[PsYcHe]

The exhaust sleeves are basically joints between two bits.. not expensive at all.

The track rod ends and CV joint aren't expensive and nothing else looks like it will need attention for a good while...

[ainarssems]

Looks like the old girl is slowly rotting away. I suspect she will be sold once the 12 month MOT is put on next month and the annual holiday to spain has passed

Can't see anything wrong, this is all normal stuff considering age of car and nothing to worry about. Looks like they just put stuff on report to justify money charged and show they have done something. Brake pads 20% and 10% worn- so they are almost like new, discs slighty pitted so yuo will replace them next time the pads need replacing, tyres 5-6mm that's 53% and 68% left. Corrosion on springs and antirollbar quite normal. Exhaust sleeves might need replacement depending on condition but probably will still hold for a long time.

Being 3.7 and 180k miles it will be hard to sell and will take time unless you are prepared to let it go cheaply.

[Architex_mA8tey]

I agree with Ainars Manny, it all sounds like pretty normal advisory stuff in the main and things like the suspension arms etc are pretty normal to need changing eventually. Keep the old girl and continue to just do the small bits that do go wrong - shes got you to a lot of places so far!