Hi my name is joshua..I recently bought my first audi..a 1998 1.8 L A4 quattro with tiptronic auto.. How many repairs can only be done by dealership? I have always done my own repairs..I am 38 yrs old..the idea of having to pay dealership prices on a car I paid 3k for is scarry..I wanted to change the tranny fluid and found out that only the dealer can do it..any help with what I can't fix b4 it breaks would be greatly appriceated (sp?) Thank you in advance.

 

The dealer is not the only place to have your vehicle serviced. Any Independent Euro repair shop should have the proper tools for doing the transmission service.
Just need a scanner that can read transmission temperatures & a special filler to fill the fluid.

 

You can buy a transmission fluid and filter kit from blauparts.com and it comes with the transfer pump, filter, fluids and instructions on how to do the job for just under $70. I found the instructions on here and just got a filter off eBay,a pump from harbor freight for $8 ($3 with coupon) and tranny fluid from work. There are ways around everything. Between searches on line and help requests/searches on this forum you should be able to do almost any job.

 

I appreceate the help..thank you..I don't have a problem with the tranny..it was the tranny mount..but that was the reason I was going to change the fluids..that's when I found out about the dealership only thing..I love the car and I don't want to part with it..I just don't want to be bent over my work bench and violated by it! I am going to change the timing belt soon..is there any bs involved with that?

 

Lots of tomfoolery involved there, but many home mechanics on here done it. You have to move the whole front bumper including radiator forward into service position. Also it is highly recommended that you also change the water pump, thermostat, coolant, belt idolers and hydraulic tensioner. All of this, accept the coolant, are only accessible when the t belt is off. That is how it is with the 2.8. Might be different with the 1.8t.
If you go in www.tradebit.com you will be able to get a workshop manual in PDF for pennies compared to the full price. Usually $10 to $20. Just make sure to read the description to make sure it's the right one.