Car maintenance

[cfcjim]

Yah, I am a big Audi fan, also had a Q7 but the earlier 2011 model, I liked it never had any issues. My wife had a Q5, but thought it was a bit bulky for her, never had any problems though.    

The Q7 was a lovely car but just not for me.

 

I've had (no sniggering at the back) Land Rovers since the mid nineties and in 2013 moved from a Discovery 4 to the Q7 but could never get on with it. I think I found it too road focused.

I went back to a D4.

 

Still a magnificent vehicle though.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

The Q7 was a lovely car but just not for me.

 

I've had (no sniggering at the back) Land Rovers since the mid nineties and in 2013 moved from a Discovery 4 to the Q7 but could never get on with it. I think I found it too road focused.

I went back to a D4.

 

Still a magnificent vehicle though.

Yes, I think once a Discovery owner, always a Discovery owner, my mate has a D4 and is on his second engine, but he would sell his soul before giving up his D4.    

[Skylark]

I got my first Honda recently, damn if only I had known how well built and engineered they are, blown away. And you can pick up the more recent 2hnd sedans for relatively cheap, their older late 90's vehicles sell for quite a mint though but worth it. Honda's are build like Toyota's but with even better engineering. The Crv's are an awesome vehicle if you are looking for an Suv, some models even have semi 4WD, useful when you need it.

[Pure Savage]

I got my first Honda recently, damn if only I had known how well built and engineered they are, blown away. And you can pick up the more recent 2hnd sedans for relatively cheap, their older late 90's vehicles sell for quite a mint though but worth it. Honda's are build like Toyota's but with even better engineering. The Crv's are an awesome vehicle if you are looking for an Suv, some models even have semi 4WD, useful when you need it.

Which Honda did you get? 

 

I am on my second Accord and first CRV, the auto CRV is a little thirsty, but its a soccer van and I did more KM on bike last year than car so its not the end of the world. 

 

Get 7l/km in accord and 12 l/km in CRV both with 2.4l iVtec motor.

[Skylark]

Which Honda did you get? 

 

I am on my second Accord and first CRV, the auto CRV is a little thirsty, but its a soccer van and I did more KM on bike last year than car so its not the end of the world. 

 

Get 7l/km in accord and 12 l/km in CRV both with 2.4l iVtec motor.

I got a very clean lower mileage Gen 1 CRV, 2.0L. Incredible how well made they are, some crazy voodoo in Hondas, like the seat fabric that never tears and hardly wears, engines at 300k that can be near as smooth as the day they were bought. The Gen 1 use the B series engines, which were very widely used across Ballades and Civics etc, aftermarket spares are cheap and plentiful and they are also easy to work on.

 

Actually a hubber mentioned how great the Gen 1 CRV's are so I went and did some research and then hunted for a nice one for months, they still sell for pretty high prices considering they are coming on 20yrs old.

[Andymann]

I have a Jazz which I bought new and passed on to my wife - its a brilliant car, but wow spares ain't cheap - no jokes, I had to replace the windscreen wipers - I couldn't find any Bosch or Champion alternatives so had to use the Agents......R1035 for the two front wipers.........

[Grebel]

I have a Jazz which I bought new and passed on to my wife - its a brilliant car, but wow spares ain't cheap - no jokes, I had to replace the windscreen wipers - I couldn't find any Bosch or Champion alternatives so had to use the Agents......R1035 for the two front wipers.........

My wife drives a 2012 1.8i Civic Sedan. Went in for it's 105k service (Mileage is only 68k. We bought it with low mileage from our local Honda Dealer in June) I was told plugs get changed at 105k. I asked how much? R3k..... I said not to worry. Was quoted R1k for NGK Iridiums from Midas. They will get changed when the first one fails.

 

Generally, nice car. Very vanilla though. Doesn't get the blood pumping unfortunately. Services aren't cheap through the agents either. Haven't found a decent indie yet so Honda dealer will do for now.

[BaGearA]

I have a Jazz which I bought new and passed on to my wife - its a brilliant car, but wow spares ain't cheap - no jokes, I had to replace the windscreen wipers - I couldn't find any Bosch or Champion alternatives so had to use the Agents......R1035 for the two front wipers.........

FARK 

 

160 for both blades form midas for me   ( 2009 sx4 )

[Kalahari Vegmot]

My aunt had a CR-V. One of the mirrors got damaged. R6000

 

I didn't like the car very much. Much rather have a VW or Audi thank you.

[the nerd]

My aunt had a CR-V. One of the mirrors got damaged. R6000

 

I didn't like the car very much. Much rather have a VW or Audi thank you.

 

Those kinds of parts are similar prices new from any manufacturer... total rip.

[the nerd]

I have a Jazz which I bought new and passed on to my wife - its a brilliant car, but wow spares ain't cheap - no jokes, I had to replace the windscreen wipers - I couldn't find any Bosch or Champion alternatives so had to use the Agents......R1035 for the two front wipers.........

 

 

Next time order from here, took about 2 weeks to get here the last time I got some in...

 

https://www.wiperblades.co.uk/honda-jazz-years-2008-to-2018-wiper-blades/ 

[Long Wheel Base]

My aunt had a CR-V. One of the mirrors got damaged. R6000

 

I didn't like the car very much. Much rather have a VW or Audi thank you.

My wife had a A3 sportback S Line. WOW it was so awesome, panoramic roof, sports this and sports that. Went pretty well, chowed front tyres like you have no idea but it was worth it. BUT BUT BUT while under warranty the mechatron(The brain of the DSG gearbox) died. Left us on the side of the road with a box full of neutrals. AUDI don't keep stock so had to get from Germany. Luckily they gave her a polo for the 3 odd weeks. That would have cost us close to R50k if out of warranty. Then it developed a vibration at low rpm in 2nd gear. I used my long background of messing around with cars to figure out that one of the clutches(the dsg box has 2) was stuffed. AUDI fought with me and said wheel balancing or alignment. After allowing them to check that and the problem was still there I insisted the so called chief mechanic come for a drive with me. Didn't take 2km for him to agree with me that a clutch was stuffed. Again no stock in the country. Luckily car was still drivable so I said order them and let us know when they arrive. A week later they did the change and the car was smooth as silk again. That would have cost us in the region of R40k if out of warranty. The battery went flat and they came to our place, jump started the car, followed my wife to the dealership and changed the battery under warranty so things like that were nice. While under warranty you literally just pay for fuel and tyres. Being a turbo charged engine it used a bit of oil and never made it between services before needing a top up. We just used to stop at the dealer and they topped it up for us. We wanted to keep the car when the warranty was about to expire but they wanted to charge us a lot to extend the warranty. It's a great brand but I personally wouldn't own one out of warranty. 

[Kalahari Vegmot]

My wife had a A3 sportback S Line. WOW it was so awesome, panoramic roof, sports this and sports that. Went pretty well, chowed front tyres like you have no idea but it was worth it. BUT BUT BUT while under warranty the mechatron(The brain of the DSG gearbox) died. Left us on the side of the road with a box full of neutrals. AUDI don't keep stock so had to get from Germany. Luckily they gave her a polo for the 3 odd weeks. That would have cost us close to R50k if out of warranty. Then it developed a vibration at low rpm in 2nd gear. I used my long background of messing around with cars to figure out that one of the clutches(the dsg box has 2) was stuffed. AUDI fought with me and said wheel balancing or alignment. After allowing them to check that and the problem was still there I insisted the so called chief mechanic come for a drive with me. Didn't take 2km for him to agree with me that a clutch was stuffed. Again no stock in the country. Luckily car was still drivable so I said order them and let us know when they arrive. A week later they did the change and the car was smooth as silk again. That would have cost us in the region of R40k if out of warranty. The battery went flat and they came to our place, jump started the car, followed my wife to the dealership and changed the battery under warranty so things like that were nice. While under warranty you literally just pay for fuel and tyres. Being a turbo charged engine it used a bit of oil and never made it between services before needing a top up. We just used to stop at the dealer and they topped it up for us. We wanted to keep the car when the warranty was about to expire but they wanted to charge us a lot to extend the warranty. It's a great brand but I personally wouldn't own one out of warranty.

 

Ouch....

[Pure Savage]

My wife had a A3 sportback S Line. WOW it was so awesome, panoramic roof, sports this and sports that. Went pretty well, chowed front tyres like you have no idea but it was worth it. BUT BUT BUT while under warranty the mechatron(The brain of the DSG gearbox) died. Left us on the side of the road with a box full of neutrals. AUDI don't keep stock so had to get from Germany. Luckily they gave her a polo for the 3 odd weeks. That would have cost us close to R50k if out of warranty. Then it developed a vibration at low rpm in 2nd gear. I used my long background of messing around with cars to figure out that one of the clutches(the dsg box has 2) was stuffed. AUDI fought with me and said wheel balancing or alignment. After allowing them to check that and the problem was still there I insisted the so called chief mechanic come for a drive with me. Didn't take 2km for him to agree with me that a clutch was stuffed. Again no stock in the country. Luckily car was still drivable so I said order them and let us know when they arrive. A week later they did the change and the car was smooth as silk again. That would have cost us in the region of R40k if out of warranty. The battery went flat and they came to our place, jump started the car, followed my wife to the dealership and changed the battery under warranty so things like that were nice. While under warranty you literally just pay for fuel and tyres. Being a turbo charged engine it used a bit of oil and never made it between services before needing a top up. We just used to stop at the dealer and they topped it up for us. We wanted to keep the car when the warranty was about to expire but they wanted to charge us a lot to extend the warranty. It's a great brand but I personally wouldn't own one out of warranty.

That is some crazy bucks on stuff that should not really be failing within 5 years.

 

There is a good YouTube channel called Doug dumoro, he documented his Range Rover warranty issues, same stuff over and over again. Came to more than he paid for car! Silly stuff like horn not working, 6k. Air suspension failing 5 times, 90k

[GrumpyOldGuy]

My wife had a A3 sportback S Line. WOW it was so awesome, panoramic roof, sports this and sports that. Went pretty well, chowed front tyres like you have no idea but it was worth it. BUT BUT BUT while under warranty the mechatron(The brain of the DSG gearbox) died. Left us on the side of the road with a box full of neutrals. AUDI don't keep stock so had to get from Germany. Luckily they gave her a polo for the 3 odd weeks. That would have cost us close to R50k if out of warranty. Then it developed a vibration at low rpm in 2nd gear. I used my long background of messing around with cars to figure out that one of the clutches(the dsg box has 2) was stuffed. AUDI fought with me and said wheel balancing or alignment. After allowing them to check that and the problem was still there I insisted the so called chief mechanic come for a drive with me. Didn't take 2km for him to agree with me that a clutch was stuffed. Again no stock in the country. Luckily car was still drivable so I said order them and let us know when they arrive. A week later they did the change and the car was smooth as silk again. That would have cost us in the region of R40k if out of warranty. The battery went flat and they came to our place, jump started the car, followed my wife to the dealership and changed the battery under warranty so things like that were nice. While under warranty you literally just pay for fuel and tyres. Being a turbo charged engine it used a bit of oil and never made it between services before needing a top up. We just used to stop at the dealer and they topped it up for us. We wanted to keep the car when the warranty was about to expire but they wanted to charge us a lot to extend the warranty. It's a great brand but I personally wouldn't own one out of warranty. 

Interesting, Audi's motorplan is flawless, they cover everything, even batteries and if you ask, a wheel alignment and full wheel balancing is included once a year.

 

As I said I am a big Audi fan so I am (probably  ) biased, but the agents are also excellent, remember under motorplan the dealer is obligated to return the vehicle to full factory specs and thats exactly what they do. I once had a small accident on my Audi, I drove over a tyre in the road and it did some damage to the run flats so I took the car to Audi for repairs, Audi inspected the car and told me the Stainless steel exhaust was dented, I looked and to be very, very, very, very, honest it was so small it was inconsequential, I said leave it alone its fine. 

 

Audi however told me they HAVE to replace the exhaust under the conditions of the motorplan, if they dont I would be in breach of contract and Audi could cancel the plan. They airfreighted a full Stainless Steel exhaust front to back (only one box was so very slightly dented) from Germany in a week, all boxes and pipes were replaced under motorplan, heavens knows how much it cost, but that's the level of service. 

 

What I am saying is an AUDI in the second hand market just out of motorplan will be exceptionally well maintained, it should require little maintenance.

 

Also, in the aftermarket Audi is also open to negotiation on repairs, or of course you can go to aftermarket repairers, many are Audi specialists, but under motorplan they will go the factory specified route.   

[Skylark]

 

 

My wife had a A3 sportback S Line. WOW it was so awesome, panoramic roof, sports this and sports that. Went pretty well, chowed front tyres like you have no idea but it was worth it. BUT BUT BUT while under warranty the mechatron(The brain of the DSG gearbox) died. Left us on the side of the road with a box full of neutrals. AUDI don't keep stock so had to get from Germany. Luckily they gave her a polo for the 3 odd weeks. That would have cost us close to R50k if out of warranty. Then it developed a vibration at low rpm in 2nd gear. I used my long background of messing around with cars to figure out that one of the clutches(the dsg box has 2) was stuffed. AUDI fought with me and said wheel balancing or alignment. After allowing them to check that and the problem was still there I insisted the so called chief mechanic come for a drive with me. Didn't take 2km for him to agree with me that a clutch was stuffed. Again no stock in the country. Luckily car was still drivable so I said order them and let us know when they arrive. A week later they did the change and the car was smooth as silk again. That would have cost us in the region of R40k if out of warranty. The battery went flat and they came to our place, jump started the car, followed my wife to the dealership and changed the battery under warranty so things like that were nice. While under warranty you literally just pay for fuel and tyres. Being a turbo charged engine it used a bit of oil and never made it between services before needing a top up. We just used to stop at the dealer and they topped it up for us. We wanted to keep the car when the warranty was about to expire but they wanted to charge us a lot to extend the warranty. It's a great brand but I personally wouldn't own one out of warranty.

Fine to own one out of warranty but you must budget for the potential costs, worst thing would be buying an Audi and assuming it has German engineering so must be bulletproof.

 

Interesting, Audi's motorplan is flawless, they cover everything, even batteries and if you ask, a wheel alignment and full wheel balancing is included once a year.

 

As I said I am a big Audi fan so I am (probably ) biased, but the agents are also excellent, remember under motorplan the dealer is obligated to return the vehicle to full factory specs and thats exactly what they do. I once had a small accident on my Audi, I drove over a tyre in the road and it did some damage to the run flats so I took the car to Audi for repairs, Audi inspected the car and told me the Stainless steel exhaust was dented, I looked and to be very, very, very, very, honest it was so small it was inconsequential, I said leave it alone its fine.

 

Audi however told me they HAVE to replace the exhaust under the conditions of the motorplan, if they dont I would be in breach of contract and Audi could cancel the plan. They airfreighted a full Stainless Steel exhaust front to back (only one box was so very slightly dented) from Germany in a week, all boxes and pipes were replaced under motorplan, heavens knows how much it cost, but that's the level of service.

 

What I am saying is an AUDI in the second hand market just out of motorplan will be exceptionally well maintained, it should require little maintenance.

 

Also, in the aftermarket Audi is also open to negotiation on repairs, or of course you can go to aftermarket repairers, many are Audi specialists, but under motorplan they will go the factory specified route.

Not at all, a 2hnd Audi just out of warranty can be a ticking time bomb, not all Audi dealers are the same and I've heard of numerous just out warranty Audi's detonating the owners wallet.

 

The dealer probably replaced that exhaust because they legally could and then obviously claim the expense back from Audi, ie easy revenue, most dealers are independent agencies so warranty work is one way they make money.

 

Audi ownership out of warranty is not for the faint hearted or skint. Granted I'm sure most may give many flawless miles but when it goes wrong it costs a mint.