You shouldn't have to pay $1030.00 to do the cam seals if they are doing the timing belt since much of the labor will overlap. Well not a lot but enough to considerably lower their quoted price. Replace your own cv boots, and o2 sensor. I agree with others that you are about to enter a very expensive time in your car's life. Not knowing the mileage or year car, I would guess you are going to need shocks, ball joints, control arms, and alternator, starter....blah blah. Cars around 80-120k need a lot of work. They made it 80-120k with very little attention. Maybe Audi's are not for you.

As for trading it in, my thoughts are this. You can trade it in and lose 4500.00 dollars and owe ~12k for another car with unknown maintenance history. Unless you buy yourself a low mileage American car or a economy Japanese car, you will still have maintenance bills in the near future. Cars are money pits, plain and simple. Some brands more than others but they all suck your money dry. 12k doesn't buy many nice cars with low miles. But 12k does buy a lot of 2006 Ford Taurus's with 30k miles, or Foci (plural Focus), Altimas, Corolas, Civics and Malibus.

I guess what I am getting at is you can spend 4k (less if you shop around, a lot less) and you will have a car you know its history. Or you can lose 4500k and get yourself into another car with unknown history and possibly start all over again..or not. Spend 20k and things change.

 

Another alternative is to retail out the car at $9500 (ask $9995 and let yourself be bargained down). Then you are only $2000 in the hole.

Bob

 

The timing belt job is way high. I had everything done - parts and labor for $975.00. The CV boot job is through the friggin roof. I had both of mine replaced for just under $300.00. Shop around and find another mechanic.

OOOO

 

Like Kevin said its time to let it go and take the lumps. If you keep it you will def have more problems with it.

 

The timing belt price sounds good but the secondary water pump is only about 100.00 new. If they are doing the timing belt already, you should just be paying for the part.

 

1-Timing belt kit is about $350-400 + 6 hours labor. I've seen dealers at $125/hr and my indie is $68/hr. Do the math. You're also talking 6 spark plugs at $10-15 each. LOF at dealer prices is probably another $100 due to 7 quarts Mobil1.
2-no experience
3-Part is under $100 but it takes 4-6 hours to access. They did mine when they replaced my clutch/flywheel. I would find out if it is less hours when they have the front off the car doing the TB.
4-no experience
5-no experience

I bought my A6 used with 37k and it now has 114k. Other than TB at 90k, I had the alternator fail at 70k when I hit a bad pothole and I replaced the clutch/flywheel at 90k. I attribute that to the prior owner hauling a trailer and then me chipping it at 79k andrunning it to 150 mph. Otherwise suspension and electrical is sound - no problems.

 

Thanks for the feedback. It seems the dealer is taking advantage of me since they can do the cam seals while they are doing the TB. Over a grand to do the seals when the front end of the car is already off? I cant seem to find any 3rd party shops that will touch my car (and many said they didnt have the right tools)

 

What city/state are you in? Maybe someone local to you can provide some auto shop suggestions. A local Audi guy here in Minneapolis charges the following: Does A6's as well for the same price.

Clutch S4 $700 A4 $650
Cat Back Exhaust A4 S4 $50
Stabilizer Bar A4, S4 $60
Downpipes (S4) S4 $250
Downpipe-catback(1.8/2.0) A4 $150
O2 sensor replacement(P) S4 $50
O2 sensor replacement(D) S4 $75
EGT replacement(P) S4 $50
EGT replacement(D) S4 $75
Fuel Filter A4, S4 $45 ($65 total with part)
CV Replace A4, S4 $100/shaft Swaybars A4, S4 $60/set Shocks/springs* A4, S4, TT, R32 $350 *(Seized upper control arm bolts add $50 per seized bolt) Bearing (rear) A4, S4 $120 Bearing (front) A4, S4 $150 Brakes (pad/rotor replace) A4, S4 $75/pair
Timing Belt $650 parts included
Gaskets/seals on head $400 parts included ie cam/tensioner/valve cover seals
rear diff seals $300 parts included

 

You are already $4,500 "upside down" in the car (negative equity). Why are you even thinking of making the negative equity even greater?

 

Timing belt is ok with $1650 but it should be included waterpump and cam seal.
CV boot from Audi dealer part is $58 I bought last month. and labour for both side should be around $300. Check an other dealer. Good thing is I did all my self.