D3 4.2TDI DPF Pressure Sensor

[paulrstaylor]

Well guys, having been under the car and re-acquainted myself with ELSA I am now wondering who in their right mind in Germany decided the est place to mount the sensor was on the TOP of the gearbox!?

£60 for a part, I suspect it will be a lot more in labour as lowering the subframe isn't something I want to try on the drive with a trolley jack and stands

Will call around tomorrow and hope that the actual labour involved isn't as bad as it sounds! Thanks for the help thus far

[paulrstaylor]

I am glad I was sat down when I called my local dealer for a quote, 7.5-8 hours @£145 per hour +VAT, so over £1,300 in labour, oh and £47.86 for the actual part

Actually it was worse than that, their tech suggested it was actually the lambda sensor as "your car doesn't have a DPF sir"! When I explained that it clearly did have TWO of them and maybe he should check they spoke to the master tech who advised that apparently they need to "remove the gearbox", which is weird because that's not what ELSA says but what do I know!? In any case, not very confidence inspiring!

Now awaiting a call back from a couple of indi's who hopefully will know their arse from their elbow!

[47p2]

Typical of todays 'fitters'

[snapdragon]

All the more reason to have the blasted thing deleted.
We are Euro 5 emission-regime R&D guinea pigs on the road and at our expense.

[David's8]

Originally Posted by paulrstaylor

I am glad I was sat down when I called my local dealer for a quote, 7.5-8 hours @£145 per hour +VAT, so over £1,300 in labour, oh and £47.86 for the actual part

Actually it was worse than that, their tech suggested it was actually the lambda sensor as "your car doesn't have a DPF sir"! When I explained that it clearly did have TWO of them and maybe he should check they spoke to the master tech who advised that apparently they need to "remove the gearbox", which is weird because that's not what ELSA says but what do I know!? In any case, not very confidence inspiring!

Now awaiting a call back from a couple of indi's who hopefully will know their arse from their elbow!

It is quite unbelievable that you are being asked for £145/hr for a technician who doesnt appear able find his ar$e with both hands! I mean, £1160 day is getting towards the cost of a lawyer or accountant from PWC (not that they would be any good for this - or much else - but you know what I mean!)

[sloss]

It is quite unbelievable that you are being asked for £145/hr for a technician who doesnt appear able find his ar$e with both hands! I mean, £1160 day is getting towards the cost of a lawyer or accountant from PWC (not that they would be any good for this - or much else - but you know what I mean!)

Don't knock a decent dayrate

The Tech is getting about 20% of that if he's lucky, the rst goes to the posh showroom and all the managers etc.

[paulrstaylor]

Well I have a second quote from another local dealer, 4.8 hours at £105+VAT and they seemed to talk some sense recommending changing BOTH sensors as the main cost is labour - £700. Better but still seems a lot!

I have called a couple of local indi's but they don't seem keen to take it on, I am awaiting calls back but I guess I won't hold my breath, will chase tomorrow and if I get nowhere will book it in with the dealer for an easy life.

I want to keep the DPFs, having owned many diesels I actually like the lack of black crud at the smelly end of the car, much more civilised especially when you boot it! I know it costs me a bit of extra fuel but I personally think it is worth it to keep the original spec. To remove the DPFs I guess I'd need a remap which is likely to have insurance implications would (in my mind at least) give me some concerns about reliability..... perhaps it's just me!?!?

[paulrstaylor]

So I now have prices from three dealers, in turn they quoted for 7.5-8, 4.8 and 2.5 hours to do the same job of replacing both sensors!?!? All main dealers, all quoting for exactly the same work and a price range of £410 to over £1400. I have no idea how they plucked those figures from out of the air!?!?

I spoke with a local VAG indy who are going to replace both for ~£200, booked in for a week on Monday as that was as soon as they have a free ramp

Amazingly the dealers could all fit it in "tomorrow", I wonder how busy they aren't or if they ever wonder why!?!?

[Architex_mA8tey]

lol thats outrageous - almost worth a letter the Audi H/Office at Milton Keynes to highlight the crazy variations and the un-comptetitiveness of their workshops on this occasion, you never know what they might say or offer if you are "disappointed enough"!