Upper and lower suspension arms replacement A5

[Dvy]

Hi, I have recently just bought an A5 convertible 2015 plate, I have had it checked over and the garage has told me that the upper and lower front suspension arms, control arms, etc, need replaced with all the bushes etc, can anyone advise me as to a ballpark figure for this work as I am not sure about the quote I have been given. It may be ok as I think the garage is trustworthy . Thank You

[Magnet]

Welcome David, and sorry to hear of the issues with the car. 

Is it just the one garage who has inspected the car, declared these parts need renewing (both sides?) and quoted you for their replacement? We take it the quote you have received is for supply-and-fit, and if so, would you like to share that quote with us? 
If this were mine, there would be a couple of things I would want to do first:- 

(1) Get the car assessed by another ( perhaps independent Audi specialist) to confirm the work is required to be carried out now - and obtain their quotation.

(2) I would question - at both garages - what brand of parts are going to be used. Vital information, since with some brands from a certain volume motor factor chain, you could well find your self repeating the work next year! 
(3) Is Denny in NI? If so, when did the car go through its ‘Government run’ MOT, and were these faults found then? 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 
p.s. Mileage David? 

[Dvy]

Hi Gareth,

Thanks for your reply, it is Denny in Scotland.Well that's the curious thing the car  was mot'd 8 weeks ago and none of this was picked up, the faults are genuine as they sent me a video and you can see the bushes are split and the gator is split, the quote was for £1452.00 fully supplied and fitted with everything realigned. This is for all suspension arms on the front, the car has done 49600 miles

[mobotho]

Hi Dvy,

Congrats on a lovely car, sorry you have some potential issues!

The old man bought an A5 convertible a few years ago, similar issue, most control arms shot. They are heavy cars.  That was on 100K miles. However at <50,000 miles seems unlikely they're all bad, probably lower track control arms but I would've thought the tops are OK unless it been rallied...

I've got a few cars through MOT's with control arms/bushes that I could hear knocking over rough terrain but were not picked up. I had one I couldn't locate for 2 years until I discovered it was actually the bottom ball joint on an A7 control arm causing the knock-passed 2 MOT's.

Never got a split CV gator through though if that's one of the issues as it's so obvious, not familiar with Scottish MOT's but these issues might've been "overlooked", don't want to cast any dispersions...

You can get a full control arm kit on eBay for as little as £200 for both sides...but I would expect a decent set to be more like £500-700.  Factor in 5 hours labour (@ £75 p/h) per side which is not wild given how difficult the tops can be to do with the ceased bolts and you're not far off.

So I would echo Magnets comments on quality of parts, cheap ones with potholes in UK do maybe 2-3 years max. Something like Moog would be close to if not surpass Genuine/OEM quality. 

Is the tyre wear even?  Does it feel difficult to drive/control at speed, i.e. does it wander around/difficult to maintain a straight line on a motorway?

Do you not have any warranty on the vehicle that would cover this?

[Magnet]

Thanks David, and apologies for my geography? 
Ways forward:-

‘Recently just bought’ :- did the car come with very recent MOT at the time of purchase? 
Was that MOT arranged by the seller? 
If yes to either or both, then you have 2 options:- 

Submit the car for another MOT at a station of your choice, but not one recommended by the garage who you used to assess it. 

Inform the seller of the issues found and ( if a trader sale) request they correct these defects at their cost - if the second MOT declares the components to warrant a failure. 
Perhaps you could keep us updated David. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Dvy]

Hi,I will probably just go with the quote as I am pretty sure the work needs done. Thanks for  the help and replies, I will  enquire about the parts quality, I just wasn't sure about the total cost as I have never had an Audi, it is a second car for my wife 

[Magnet]

Your call of course David, but as said, I would certainly get another quote before committing if it were mine - that’s one heck of a lot of money. 

[mobotho]

@Dvy I agree with Magnet.  I would definitely seek a second opinion and a another quote, I find it highly unlikely a) all of the arms need changing and b) all will be changed. Personally I would double check exactly which parts they are changing and then I'd ask for all the old ones back. FYI below is the kit if all arms were changed both sides. (It also includes tie rod ends and anti roll bar links).

Good luck with it and I hope your other half enjoys the car!