Very very expensive routine car service: they saw me coming...... Beware, and some words of advice.

<p>I own a 2010 Audi Q5 3,0TDi. In July 2016 I had to take my car for its 120 000km service, the first I had to pay for after my service plan had expired. What a fool I was to take it to the "dealer". I did know to expressly tell them to do only the regular scheduled service and nothing else, but little was I to know that very expensive and probably unnecessary work is exactly scheduled to be done with the first service you pay for out of your own pocket!! Well, I landed up with a bill for R11252.14 !! and this only for a "normal service". Of particular interest is the fact that I am charged R3090.00 for new gearbox oil. Why???? I don't cook with Rupert and Rothschild, why should I put this in my gearbox??? Also, you charge twice for labour: firstly, you are charged a fee for "Inspection with oil change" at 1,3 units, then and additional labour fee for everything they do, eg Brake fluid service @ 0,7 units, Diesel fuel filter remove and install @ 0,4 units, GFF/guided functions (whatever this is) @ 0,4 units, etc,etc,etc..... Why charge twice for labour???? </p> <p>What is more, Iam charged 0,9 units for 2 wheels remove and install !!! Why????? No explanation given. They did tell me that my engine mountings will need to be replaced as well (at a convenient time). I laughed them off.</p> <p>When phoned by their PR-lady from PE a week after this *******, I told her exactly what my thoughts were about my bill. She promised to go into the matter further and that she "would come back to me". Needless to say, not she and not the Company ever did.</p> <p>Moral of the story: think hard before buying an Audi AND steer clear from Audi Somerset West (possibly all dealers) when your service plan has expired. Go to other reputable car-specific service centres. Phone around and find out. Or through your money in the water if you have too much of it. There is such a reputable service centre (non-dealer) in the area. The stamp in your service book is not the money worth it is printed on. Audis loose their value rapidly anyway.</p> <p>More advice: If you do insist to go to the dealer, first buy the "service kit" with all parts from the dealer itself or pirate parts elsewhere. Then, when taking the car in for the service, tell them the parts are all in the boot!!. You will save a lot.</p> <p>And ALWAYS get a quote first.</p> <p> </p> <p>But i, myself, will stay miles clear of the dealer, especially Audi Centre Somerset West.</p>