Let me start by saying I'm new to this forum and I'm not much of a mechanic (ok I'm 0% mechanic). I drive a 2004 A4 Cabriolet. I've googled random questions about it before, and always found myself directed to these forums.

My A4 has 100k miles on it and the last major service I had on it was at about 80k. It was the one where they replaced the timing belt, cooling pumps, battery, etc. I ended up going to the stealer where they charged me 3k for all the work.

This time, I researched a local family owned shop that specializes in audi's and VW with a really good reputation. I took the car in for a rear drivers window that won't go up (turns out it's the regulator) and a general service. The owner of the shop calls me back the next day saying the regulator repair is going to be about $580 after all is said and done, but that after his test drive of the car, that's only the tip of the ice berg. He said my shocks/struts/alignment/steering are all out of whack, that that's probably another $1,200 for new shocks all around and the other associated repairs. He said it's affecting my breaking, and the steering, and that it's incredibly dangerous to drive the car like this. He is currently taking a more detailed look and I'm afraid he is going to find another 'life threatening' repair that I can't afford.

What are your guys opinions on this? I love my car and I care about it's longevity, but money is pretty tight right now. Are these prices fair? Are all these repairs absolutely necessary? I've had the car a little over 2 years and the steering/breaking haven't changed much since I bought it, so it's hard for me to accept that it's so dangerous.

 

well first off did u notice any problems with the car like he is saying. Were u having trouble braking steering and so on. Also did ur car pull while driving to left or right? ohh and 580 for a regulator repair is just insane. I think my tech charged me 100 bucks and it only takes about 1 hour to do the regulator.

 

id say if your money is pretty tight you can do many of theses things yourself for a fraction of the price meaning just parts. it saves you so much money. there are DIY on these things all over the internet. as far as alignment goes that you will have to take in to a shop other then that you can do this all yourself. just takes time. probably more since you mentioned you are 0% mechanic. but dont be scared away from it. if all these things actually need to be done

 

Thanks for the responses guys. I notice the handling and breaking to be a little sluggish. Also, after doing some research I found that shocks and struts usually need replacing around 80k miles, while mine has 100k. So I believe that these repairs need to get done, the question is do I want to spend the money and fix them, try to do it myself, or hold off for a bit and just drive it as is.

 

Ihave a 2004 Audi A8L awith 125500 miles and my tires are cupping, on all four. I was told I need to replace the Strutz at a cost of , are you ready, 8500.00 How often do these go out?

 

A4 owner - I'd get a second opinion. If you check ECS Tuning you can find shock/strut kits for all sorts of prices and you can figure on 6 hours shop labor plus an alignment. It could be close to a grand. One test is to firmly push down on each corner of the car and see if it bounces or rebounds and stays. The former is worn shocks.


A8 owner - that sounds way out of whack unless there is something really special about the A8 suspension. Call an Audi dealer and just ask for a ball park. Get a second opinion.