Audi A3 2004 2.0 FSI Sport Clutch Replacement

[Steve.]

Hey all, I have acquired a daily 2004 Audi A3  3 door 2.0 FSI with a slightly slipping clutch. I'm new to Audi A3s and just wondered what ball park figure I'd be looking at for clutch replacement.  I'm located in Fife Scotland. Can I just replace the clutch or do I have to replace more than that.  Thanks in advance.  Steve

[Magnet]

Hello Steve,

Thanks for being in touch. 

Renewing clutches should not be considered only in terms of cost, since the major portion of the bill will be due to labour. Saving money on a new clutch between quotes may be as a result of using the cheapest possible replacement clutch parts, and this can be false economy. 

I think you will find that Audi clutch parts are very expensive, and likely to force you down the aftermarket parts route. If this is the case, the only aftermarket brand I would use would be LUK. 

‘....more than that..’. You are likely to have to factor in changing the dual mass flywheel (expensive part-wise)  and I think you will find that most garages will not replace the normal three part clutch without also replacing the flywheel. 

Total cost? You will need to obtain at least a couple of quotes from garages you know and trust, and ask the relevant questions with regard to the make of parts to be used, then decide what you think is the overall most favourable.

Hope some of this helps.

Kind regards, 

Gareth. 

p.s. Mileage? 

[Steve.]

Thank you for the quick reply, I priced up LUK parts including the flywheel which seem to be around £200.  I was just looking for an approximate ball park figure as if it's costing more than the car is worth.  If that was the case I reckon it would be unwise to proceed with the replacement.  Most garages around here are £35 an hour to £50 an hour labour costs.  The mileage is 126000.  👍

[Magnet]

Hello Steve, 

‘........more than the car is worth..... ?

It’s commercial value -  yes - but I would think that is obvious, and I wonder why you would have ‘acquired’ it with a known slipping clutch without knowledge that renewing the clutch was likely to cost more than its ‘worth’. 

Alternative? Scrap it? But I’m still confused as to why you would bother with acquiring it if that was the case. Your anticipated labour rates are realistic, and without looking into it, I would anticipate that the scheduled time would not be much under 6 hrs. 

Perhaps you were given it, and just wondering whether there was a potential profit in it, having spent out for a new clutch. 

 

[Steve.]

This seems to be going off topic and becoming a moot point.  The relevance to my original question seems to be lost somehow, but if you are interested here goes.  I got it for around scrap value with a mot until August next year, I did realise the clutch biting point was rather high but it was not slipping 2000 miles ago.  In my experience of clutches and 25 years of driving I knew it would have to be addressed, I just rather optimistically hoped I could have got a year out of it.  Long story short, due the the current pandemic I am out of work and my Octavia packed in so I had an extremely tight budget having 4 sons to buy for Christmas and only living off my military war pension.  I will be getting quotes as soon as I am able to, I have not been able to for quite a few reasons, most of which are private and personal.  

 

But I shall edit my original question.  Has anyone had to change their A3 FSI clutch.  If so would you be so kind as to share how much it cost.  Many thanks.

[Magnet]

Hello Steve,

I apologise if you feel the thread has gone off topic. If you quite simply want a price for replacing the clutch (which to be fair was your original question) then the answer lies in your locality via. actual quotations from local garages, and unlikely from the forum, since rates will differ from area to area, in addition to the ‘quality’ of the parts used. 

The decision of whether to spend the money you will be quoted, as an add on to the ‘around scrap value’ purchase price, must rest with you, and I would anticipate that you would take into account the fact that this will at least provide you with transport, and the total price may then become irrelevant in comparison with its market value. Of course, only you know the overall condition and serviceability of the car, and this would be my overriding consideration, rather than it’s current market value. i.e. Is the car worth spending the money on - when you have to spend it? 

Going back to your original post, it seems the clutch is slightly slipping, so would suggest that the car is useable in the short term, so things aren’t that urgent in terms of being forced to repair it now - with respect to your circumstances.

Incase it helps, my guess at the labour cost would be around £250/£300 probably plus VAT, but meanwhile, why not use the car respectfully and don’t worry about it for the time being? 

Hopefully someone on here will have recently had to have their clutch replaced and can give you an idea of what it cost them in their area. 

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Steve.]

I am being very tentative and what I call "granny shifting" and only driving when essential.  I think the car does have a lot of potential as there is not a single spot of rust and the body work is flawless with the exception of a 1 inch scuff on the osr bumper.  It has 12 service stamps, timing belt changed a few thousand miles ago and interior wise it is spotless.  The only minor issues I have is the rear reversing sensors, the one above the exhaust is faulty so I have a OEM sensor to replace it with  The MPG is a bit of a shock going from a 60+mpg diesel Skoda to a petrol A3 and the suspension is rather hard, which I'm guessing is due to it being the sport model.  Also the connects2 aftermarket audio setup only plays through the left speakers but that's an easy inexpensive fix that will be tackled if the clutch is within my budget.

 

Now I'm going off topic!  £250 to £300 labour sounds quite reasonable, I'm in a new area due to a house move so my trusted mechanics are too far away to use.  So hopefully I can find out who the trusted mechanics are around here.  Anyway stay safe and thanks for the advice and insight. 👍

[Magnet]

Hello Steve,

Well all of this boils down to the car being worth spending on - when funds are available, and when the job becomes essential. 

Again apologies for appearing to pry, but it’s the detail which you now give us allows forum members to come up with constructive advice - based on your (in caps) circumstances. 

Good luck for the future.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[cliffcoggin]

Steve.

The price of a new clutch is easily found from dealers and garages so it seems pointless to ask on a forum. Whether it is worth fitting a new dual mass flywheel is debatable if you don't have any symptoms of spring breakage. Some would say change it while the clutch is off to save the labour cost in the long term; others would say leave it until it fails and worry about the overall extra cost when the time comes. It is a choice only you can make.

As an aside I am concerned that the car was bought for scrap value when the only faults are a one inch scratch in the paint and a faulty reversing sensor. There has surely got to be something else significantly wrong with the car to be so cheap. Motor traders are not known for their philanthropy, even at this time of year.

[Steve.]

It's a 16 year old car, worth 600 to 800 quid with a working clutch.  It was a private sale from my friend, he knew the clutch was on its way out as did i so this was reflected in the price.  No need to be concerned.  I wished however that I could have gotten a year out of it and then scrapped it/sold it when I was in a better financial situation.

[Magnet]

So let’s look at the positive economics here Steve:- 

You bought the car at near to scrap value despite it having a potential value of £600/£800. It currently works, so you have a bargain, for as long as it continues to work. If it packs up in the near future then the depreciation you have suffered will be minimal (it seems scrap prices are on the up) - not a bad place to be, since you could obviously have paid a lot more for it than you did.

Everything is positive at the moment as far as the car is concerned. 

A local quotation for replacing the clutch will be at the other end of a phone call, so again you will be armed with all the information you will need to make a decision -but only when you have to. 

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Steve.]

Agreed, I am not going to be out of pocket. I'm not great at making decisions, but I genuinely think it is going to be worth fixing the clutch.  Fingers crossed it lasts until February so I can sort it then and hopefully will be in a more stable financial situation.

[cliffcoggin]

Steve.

We have all accepted that the clutch needs to be replaced, but is that true? Has there been any investigation of the problem, which I assume is slippage? If it is cable operated has it been adjusted? If hydraulic, have the seals been changed and the air bled out? Maybe you have looked into all those options, I only mention them as a way of getting the best out of the clutch at a minimal cost.

[Steve.]

That is a very valid point.  It is showing classic signs of clutch wear and tear but definitely worth getting it diagnosed first.

[Moira]

Paid a total of £822, inc. labour and vat last year for flywheel and clutch conversion kit. I took it to my local garage.