New and pre-owned Audi buyers usually want to know one thing “Are Audi parts expensive?” Owning an Audi or any other European sports or luxury vehicle has a preconceived notion of being expensive, especially when it comes to routine maintenance. Most brand new vehicles come with a limited warranty which should protect you from catastrophic failures, but what happens when the car is no longer under warranty?
Regular maintenance will cost roughly the same as any other vehicle. A high-quality Audi oil change kit will cost between $40 and $80. Brake pads and rotors are relatively inexpensive unless you have a factory big brake kit with ceramic rotors. Timing belt or chain jobs are usually under $1,000, unless the motor has to be pulled. V8 motors are usually on the higher end of the spectrum when it comes to maintenance. This is usually because there is not enough room to perform the service without taking lots of parts apart to gain access which, in turn, lengthens the amount of time needed to perform the task.
So are Audi parts expensive?
The short answer is “They don’t have to be.” Sure you can go to the Audi dealer and spend a fortune but the dealer will usually charge retail for parts that can be purchased from an online retailer. Europa Parts carries over 10,000 in stock Audi parts at their Piscataway, New Jersey location. Lightning fast shipping on the highest quality and inexpensive Audi parts will save you a trip to the dealer and save you money.
Are aftermarket parts good for my Audi?
Yes, and no. When it comes to aftermarket parts there are a few that will work fine but more than likely they will fail prematurely or not work as well as OEM or Genuine OEM parts. Audi parts usually fall under one of the three main categories:
- OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. An OEM part does not necessarily have Audi logos on it. For instance, the Audi diverter valve on the 2.0T is made by Pierburg. You can buy the same part at the dealer with Audi logos on it for a much higher price than a trusted online retailer such as Europa Parts who will carry the Pierburg part. Europa Parts will purchase the diverter valve directly from the manufacturer rather than the dealer.
- Genuine OEM Audi parts are typically purchased from the dealer and come with Audi logos. These parts are more expensive than OEM parts. Unfortunately, there are a handful of parts that can only be purchased from the dealer and are not available in an OEM substitution. Fortunately, Europa Parts carries thousands of Genuine OEM Audi parts.
- Aftermarket Audi parts can usually be purchased from big box auto retailers such as AutoZone, O’Reilly, and Advanced Auto Parts. We get a lot of customers who purchase subpar parts such as ignition coils and various sensors which simply do not work.
We recommend purchasing Genuine OEM, OEM, or super-high-quality aftermarket parts for your Audi. Read more about the different Audi part types.
Do I need to bring my Audi to the dealer for service?
The answer is no. Most basic service can be done at home with a bit of mechanic knowledge. A little patience and the right tools will allow you to work on your Audi at home and save high dealer service costs. One of the best tools for any Audi owner is a Ross-Tech VCDS cable. This diagnostic scan tool is the best tool on the market and will help you find the issue without wasting money on diagnostic fees.
With VCDS you can:
- Gain factory level access to all systems in cars from 1990 through the current model year
- Scan for and clear DTCs with 19,000+ fault codes decoded into plain text
- Alter settings through module coding accessible only by factory level tools
- Perform various country-specific modifications to your car (remove seat belt chime, enable gauge test/needle sweep, enable lap timer, operate windows and sunroof with remote, and much more)
- View and log live data
- Reset service reminder
- Perform built in tests and calibrations normally reserved for factory level tools
- Diagnose real failures instead of swapping parts!
Another great source of information are car forums such as Audizine and VWVortex. These online communities are made up of Audi and Volkswagen owners who most likely ran into the same issue that you have. There are thousands of DIY or do it yourself articles with pictures that can help walk you through everything from changing your oil to replacing an axle.
There are times where a job may seem a bit too big or we simply don’t have the space or time to do it ourselves. In cases like this we recommend finding an independent euro tech who has a history of working on European vehicles.
How to pick a good mechanic?
Word of Mouth: Ask your friends where they service their vehicles. If they have had a good experience with a shop then the customer service they received will most likely be the same for you.
Online Reviews: Online reviews can scare some people away, however, any shop with a fair rating will most likely not rip you off. Read what others wrote to make your decision. You can also swing by the shop to take a look for yourself and have a chat with an employee to gauge how they operate.
How reliable will my Audi be?
The question “Are Audi Parts Expensive?” may not even be applicable if you maintain the car properly. In other words, the reliability of your vehicle depends on how well you maintain it. Your Audi is no different than any other vehicle when it comes to reliability. Using high-quality Genuine OEM or OEM parts will save you the trouble of swapping them out again. Periodically check your fluids and basic wear and tear items to see if there are any red flags.
Online auto parts stores such as Europa Parts strive to bring you the highest quality parts and overall service. We are Audi enthusiasts who have a love for German engineering and the overall European car sub culture. We are always here to help you with anything related to your Audi.
How to reset service reminder.Service performed June 2nd, but service reminder says it is due
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