Audi & VW Parts Aftermarket Explained

Whether it’s for your brand new dream car or trustworthy daily commuter, finding the right Audi parts can be a hassle, raising many questions in your mind. Should you go directly to the dealer or order parts online? What is the difference between Genuine OEM, Generic OEM, and Aftermarket? Why are some parts so much more expensive than others and some parts so much cheaper?

Read on to find out the difference between Genuine OEM, Generic OEM, and Aftermarket parts. We will also explore different options in terms of place of purchase.

Front Brake Replacement

To bring you the latest write-up we answered the call of a damsel in distress. Yes, we just did the brakes on the allroad about a month ago and yes, we should have taken pics then, but we were too tired and had too much stuff going on at the time. So, when a female forum member put out an SOS about her A4’s brake wear indicator, we felt obligated to help her out and finally get this write-up done for you folks. The catch — I recently got my hand caught in an attic fan and have two broken, splinted and stitched fingers on my right (yes I’m a righty) hand. Hmmm, this should be interesting…

Audi 2.7T Oil Change

$120 for an oil change? You have to be kidding me, especially if you do it every 5,000 miles with synthetic oil. Now, I know Audi says you can go 10,000 miles, but that idea dates back to the time when Audi had to pay for maintenance, and most agree synthetic oil is on its last legs after 5,000 miles, especially in a twin turbo motor. For about 50% cheaper and just 30 minutes, you can change your oil by yourself, or train your kid to do it for you in exchange for a box of animal crackers.

Audi 01V Tiptronic Transmission Fluid Change

As the C5 platform ages, the Tiptronic transmissions can become troublesome. Audi claims the transmission is filled with “lifetime” fluid and does not recommend service of any type. That being said, the term “lifetime” is subjective and it’s naive to think that the fluid can maintain its lubrication properties indefinitely. If you have 1) over 60,000 miles on your car or 2) are experiencing hard shifts or hesitation, you may want to consider this service. This can be done solo, but there are several steps where an extra set of hands will come in handy.

Audi A4 B7 2.0T Oil Change

An oil change is an important part of your car’s maintenance regimen. Because of the synthetic oil used on many modern Audis, the recommended interval is 5000 miles. The B7 oil change is slightly more involved than the B6, but in many ways it’s more efficient, and most definitely less messy. It may seem daunting, but it’s quite an easy process. Europa Parts took advantage of a beautiful, warm March day to prepare a detailed DIY to help guide you through your first oil change on your 2.0T. Before you know it, you’ll be a pro! Some of the items are interchangeable; what’s listed is what we used.