Brake Fluid Change - Price Difference?

[andyhofer]

Whilst picking up some paperwork for my sons car from KwikFit, I was looking around the price boards in reception. Thought I'd throw the guy behind the desk a question.

"I need to have a brake fluid change on my car at 3 years old, next month, how much would it be?" He said "It'll be £40". I pointed out to him that it would be an Audi R8 and he confirmed that £40 is the price. I pointed out to him that Audi charge £200 and he said that the difference is the labour rate and their method of charging is different, standard £40 for all makes of car.

Now I know that my Audi dealer charges £140 per hour, but surely I must be getting something extra from an Audi dealer other than a large bill.

The KwikFit guy said that the process is the same, drain the system, refill with the appropriate fluid, ensure no air trapped, test, job done.

Is it really that simple, and what are the thoughts of you all re getting work like this done at a tyre, minor repair franchise.

They also do full servicing at a quarter of the Audi price, but to be honest I'd prefer to keep the service history as full Audi to help with resale value if I come to sell.

[M3R8]

You get nothing extra except the warm fuzzy feeling that you got the work done at a good garage.

Take motor oil change, the procedure is a bit more involved than most cars, but still not a huge deal at all for any half decent hobby mechanic. The garage bills you for an hour of hard labour of their youngest mechanic intern on the floor, then rapes you on the per quart price of the oil then rapes you a bit more for the price of the oil filter.

You're presented with the bill, you say thank you and you go home. End of story.

[thebishman]

My local Audi dealer quoted $100 for labour for a brake flush. I told them I would supply the fluid itself.
One thing to keep in mind: does the Kwikfit dealer have the necessary machine to flush the fluid thru' the ABS module as I assume is done if having this performed at the dealership?
Bish

[andyhofer]

One thing to keep in mind: does the Kwikfit dealer have the necessary machine to flush the fluid thru' the ABS module as I assume is done if having this performed at the dealership?
Bish

This is why I love you lot, you always identify stuff I would never have thought of, even though most of the time I haven't got a clue what you're saying.

I wouldn't know if they had the tool but at least now I'm in a position to ask. Do all cars have this requirement or is it unique to the R8?

[KfabR8]

Purchase a pressure bleeder system (basically a pressurized bottle that will hold a gallon of fluid).
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Motive-Products-Bleeder-Adapters-European/dp/B0002KM5L0/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1314745195&sr=8-5"][/ame]

click on pic - and get the magnetic catch bottle that's seen in the bottom of the link from the picture - makes the world much less messy.

It's a great setup and will cost a lot less than any shop will charge.

Pour a couple of bottles of Motul 600 DOT 4 fluid into the bleeder bottle, screw the cap on the res, pressurize the bleeder bottle and then crack the left front inner, then outer bleeder, move to the right, do the front inner, outer, left rear inner, outer, right rear inner outer.

You'll see the fluid change color when the old stuff is displaced. Let a little bit more of the clean, new fluid enter into the catch bottle and then shut the bleeder nipple (and you don't have to crank them tight - snug is good. Tight is bad!)

Start to finish takes about 30 minutes including removal and re-installment of each wheel.

Keep an eye on the pressure (I try to keep it above 20 psi) and the fluid level - two bottles will suffice. This will flush the ABS system w/o any problem.

Oh, wait.... switch the left and right - you're on the opposite side as I. You want to bleed the shortest lines first, working your way to the back.

[harrison]

Hmmm, we 've been bleeding the furthest wheel first. What's the correct sequence ??

[mngolfer]

Did you mention that he needs to have an access hole to get at the brake fluid reservoir? If he does not have an access hole the dealer will need to take off at least 7 parts (I cannot remember the number so mea cupa). This may be the reason why the dealer charges so much for a brake fluid change.

There are a number of posts on this forum that discuss and show how to get access to the brake fluid reservoir. My dealer did mine for free.

[harrison]

Not having an access hole can lead to problems. One guy broke a wiper shaft trying to remove the plastic parts. It's good to know that the ABS portion of system gets flushed as well. Not having the access hole just doesn't make any sense.

[thebishman]

I don't wish to put any kind of damper on the enthusiasm for 'pressure bleeders' like the Movit unit, but I was under the impression that in order to change out the fluid that resides within the ABS module, the Audi service computer needs to open/close certain valves, etc. I didn't know/am not sure that simply flushing under pressure gets new fluid to that specific area. Certainly hope I'm wrong.
BTW, pay VERY close attention to the level of fluid in a power bleeder and that it doesn't tip over from the vertical. Getting entrained air within the system at 20 psi could mean a trip to the dealership to 'correct' one's mistake.
Bish

[SteveR]

According to my Audi service manual:

30psi pressure is required to properly flush the system. I think the higher pressure is required to address the ABS module.

I've always gone far -> near when bleeding, but the R8 sequence is:

-driver front
-passenger front
-driver rear
-passenger rear

There are two nipples on each caliper, always bleed the outer ones first.