Independant "Audi S/RS Specialists" Berks/Surrey?

[MP85]

L+G,

I've recently acquired a b7 RS4 Avant, and I'd like to get it serviced asap. I'm reluctant to take to a main Audi dealership, although it has FASH to it's name.

Wondering whether anyone on here may know of any good places in the area which come recommended?

TIA guys,
Matt

[TheRainMaker]

I don't know if the same guys are still there but Camberley Audi had a really good reputation of looking after all things RS a few years ago.

I know it's not an independent but it's an option.

[FuryExocet]

I've not used them yet, but they normally come recommended in these types of threads
www.thephirm.co.uk/

[jeremyc]

I have my B7 RS4 serviced at:

Audi VW Specialist
Unit C2,
Brook Way,
Leatherhead,
Surrey.
KT22 7NA
01372 383 038
07970 665 417
[e-mail]

I would highly recommend them.

Tell them I sent you.

[tomsugden]

FuryExocet said:

I've not used them yet, but they normally come recommended in these types of threads
www.thephirm.co.uk/

This. Talk to Tim who owns the business. What he doesn't know about Audis isn't worth knowing. He works on my S4 V8 and is honest, reliable, and good at what he does.

[MP85]

Thanks guys, I'l start making some calls.

Matt

[100 IAN]

I was in exactly the same position last year and asked a very similar question on the South Coast Forum.

Interestingly my local main dealer (FiveOaks Audi Nr Horsham) was cheaper than any of the recommended Indies.

Fortunately they have an R8 specialist who did the work (unsure whether every dealer has one) and keeping the main dealer stamp in the service book is no bad thing.

I'd ring around your local main dealers and compare their prices with those quoted by any Indies you're considering.

Great car, I've had mine 18 months and still lovin it!

[tomsugden]

I had a very different experience with Camberley Audi. I bought an approved Audi S4 that had a 1 year warranty. At about 10 months it developed a leak, and water got into the passenger footwell, taking out various expensive control modules. I took it to Camberley Audi, and in order to ascertain if it was covered by the warranty, they wanted me to agree to 8 hours of diagnostic work, at more than £100 / hour. If they deemed that it wasn't covered the repair cost would be additional. I took the car to Tim at The Phirm who knew exactly what to look for - he ran his hand under both doors, and found the passenger door seal was letting in water. He had the car for a week, and charged me about £450 to replace the seal, the comfort unit module, and strip out and dry the interior.

[OPOGTS]

Hi all

Just wondering if there's any recommended updates on this over the past 10 years

I have a B7 RS4 and am thinking of giving The Phirm a go.

Cheers

[a7x88]

I'd still highly recommend The Phirm

[davek_964]

We used The Phirm for a couple of years. They were OK, but didn't really seem to live up to their reputation for us.

They always seemed to have a list of things that should be done - which is good, because it's thorough - but some of them were a bit dubious. We were told that both of our cars had leaking suspension - and yet, neither were mentioned at MOTs over a couple of years and when we had them checked elsewhere there was no sign of a leak.

We stopped using them when we took one of the cars to them because it was making a humming noise that changed with speed, so we believed it needed a wheel bearing. They diagnosed it and told us it was not a wheel bearing - it was a gearbox bearing.
After finding a gearbox specialist - and taking the car to them for them to confirm the diagnosis - it took them about 5 mins to prove it was a wheel bearing.

Not been back to the Phirm since.

I can't recommend an alternative specialist though - we've simply moved to recommended good generic mechanics in the area.

[jeremyc]

OPOGTS said:

Hi all

Just wondering if there's any recommended updates on this over the past 10 years

I have a B7 RS4 and am thinking of giving The Phirm a go.

Cheers

My B7 RS4 is still looked after at AVS in Leatherhead.

You might also consider AMD Technik in Woking who are very familiar with RS4s.

[OPOGTS]

Thanks both

I have a generic local mechanic who I really like, and I'm tempted just to use him but worried I should really use a 'specialist'. At this point it's just a standard annual service, so maybe I'm over-thinking it.

[pewe]

OPOGTS said:

Thanks both

I have a generic local mechanic who I really like, and I'm tempted just to use him but worried I should really use a 'specialist'. At this point it's just a standard annual service, so maybe I'm over-thinking it.

For what it's worth on my BMW I use a local indie.
The advantage over a local generic mechanic is that he's hooked up to BMW's computer plus he knows the wrinkles and potential problems.
You pays your money...