Service - But with a Difference.....

[nkotecha]

Before I go into depth of my recent experience of my Tranny service at ZF in Dortmund, I think we should take a 30 second silence for the 'feeling' of the S8......She was pushed hard and she loved every minute of it.......

Now its 6.30am on Monday Morning, I have my DFDS ferry booked from Dover to Dunkirk at 12.00.....however living in Leicester, thought I would make a reasonable start......

I fire her up, she sounded a little tired (more about this later) but she pleased.....

The journey was a little boring, the wife packed mw some breakfast bars and a can of Pepsi Max, so I was duly hydrated. The A1, M25 and M20 flew pas and I arrived at Dover with 45 mins to spare before boarding - Thanks to a certain coffee chain, I had my caffeine intake!

As I mentioned earlier she sounded a little tired, WELL as we arrived in Dunkirk, I returned to my Car only to find the battery was DEAD - Well thanks to the staff of DFDS Ferries, they jumped me and I was on my way.

Dunkirk welcomed the roar of the V10 and I as drove initially with caution (all this wrong side of the road etc...), I soon found myself enjoying.

I put in the address of my Exquisite hotel in the Nav, and it tells me 240 Miles away......

As I entered The Netherlands, I decided that a well deserved 'empty the bladder' break was on the cards - returning back to the car, put the key in and Battery DEAD!

A friendly fellow UK driver again helped me to Jump - But now this was becoming an issue. I looked for Special Destinations on the NAV and dialled in Audi Dealerships and there was one approx 13 miles away - so I rang them game them what we call our VIN, but they call it Vehicle ID......They had one in stock. Next destination RAES Audi.

320 Euros later - YES! - thats approx £280 I had a new Audi battery and the S8 was once again happy! albeit my mood was a little hampered......

4 hours later (20.10) I arrive in Dortmund, and I pull up outside the IBIS Budget (I did say exquisite), and go to bed dreaming how I could have got that battery almost 50% cheaper in the UK!!!!!

8.00am I drive into ZF, it was only 2 miles away from the hotel and I was greeted by Bert, whom I have had many email exchanges over the past few weeks.

Anyway he tells me what the service included (even though we had covered this many times before) i think he was chuffed to have someone from so far away visit his outfit!

9.10 they take the S8 in and up she goes. Unfortunately I was not allowed to take pictures, even though I mentioned that I had seen some on another forum, it must be a new rule! anyway. 40 Minutes later 11 litres of Tranny fluid was drained - they took it out of the Torque converter as well!

Off with the sump, this was a mission as the S8 has the exhausts in the way, but they did it - Off with the filter and then the Valve control unit (Mechatronic).

All cleaned and new seals, rings and all went back smoothly.

In with ZF lifeguard fluid and then started her up - had to wait till Tranny was 40 degrees - rechecked and then taken for a test drive!.

ALL OK! and I had a big grin. The works to a total of 4 Hours.

So back in the car, entered Dunkirk and back on the road again, The Ferry back to the UK was a 18.00

Another experience I had when I entered the UK, was Customs (1 guy, Bald, Indian, Audi S8, 24hours in and out) I got pulled and they checked all my documents and the S8 was up on the Ramp again (maybe looking for some Narcotics or little chinese people).

But in General a great trip, loved the S8 as she eat all the miles and aper from the small obstacles she drives like new!

Total cost

Ferry - £30.00
Hotel - £23.00
Battery - £280.00
Tranny Service - £410.00
Fuel - £200.00

Not cheap, but an experience, and those boys know their stuff!