Audi A3 - $6xx to change a headlight bulb

xtreme2k on 01/03/2019 - 16:22
Last edited 01/03/2019 - 19:38

Hi All - Just a quick FYI post.

One of the headlight is not coming on so we took the car into their service centre. We were originally going to be charged over $800 and my wife shown her dissatisfaction and they 'came back' to us with a quote in the range of the low $600s. Car is an A3 hatchback so hardly a luxury car, I know its Xenon and all and done at a dealer, but honestly $6xx in my opinion is a total ripoff.

Note: The cost pays for the only 1 bulb and technician time. NOT the entire headlight assembly.

Automotive

Comments

    • John Kimble on 01/03/2019 - 16:27
      +25

      Or sell it and get a cheaper car to maintain

      • Nugs on 01/03/2019 - 18:59
        +5

        gotta love a good old H4 halogen
        .

        • Euphemistic on 02/03/2019 - 00:22

          Aaaargh don’t touch it!

  • npc on 01/03/2019 - 16:34
    +1

    Are you sure it's just a HID bulb and not the HID block/ballast?

    That's way too expensive for the bulb. And, honestly, sounds like a total waste of you personal time to go to the dealer to replace a bulb, the whole procedure takes:
    1. 15 minutes to understand the type of bulb and purchase it online and
    2. another 10 minutes to replace it.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/03/2019 - 13:15
      +1

      Hids in the aftermarket can be $250+, and dealers $450+ for a genuine oem boxed part. Add the extra time to replace the globe and the strong possibility the headlight needs to be removed from the car I can see it taking the best part of 30min, if not more.

      • DangerNoodle on 02/03/2019 - 20:07

        Agreed, most cars using HIDs assume that they won't fail that often. In the case of my evo 8 and skyline, the only way to change the hid bulbs is to remove the front bumper and headlight assembly. This costs labour.

        If OP is willing to do it themselves, they can get some genuine Philips bulbs for 200-300 and do it themselves.

  • HighAndDry on 01/03/2019 - 16:34
    +1

    That sounds exorbitant, but I honestly don't know enough about Audi headlights to say. Maybe the housing is just terribly designed and it takes a lot of work to change the lightbulb(s)?

    Edit: This from phunkydude's link above might be relevant and explain it:

    Some newer models have bulbs that are harder to reach. In order to replace them, you'll need to tilt the front wheels and remove the fender liner. When you remove that, you'll be able to reach the headlight housing and replace the bulb.

    Ask an independent mechanic (or a few) how much they charge - should give you a good idea of what's actually reasonable.

    • jacross on 02/03/2019 - 08:05

      Meh that sounds about right for when I changed my Liberty's fog light. It's not that hard. It's just fiddly.

  • pjetson on 01/03/2019 - 16:49
    +1

    Some newer models have bulbs that are harder to reach. In order to replace them, you'll need to tilt the front wheels and remove the fender liner. When you remove that, you'll be able to reach the headlight housing and replace the bulb.

    That's exactly the case with my wife's Honda Jazz.

    The first time I had to do it, I followed some instructions that I found on the internet and raised the car up with a jack, but I later worked out that you can also do it just by turning the wheels full lock in the right direction.

    And if your hands are normal sized, it's even more difficult. There's barely enough room for a child's hand, and you can't see what you're doing. And you're not allowed to touch the glass on the bulb, either.

  • xtreme2k on 01/03/2019 - 16:49
    +1

    We got it done and I know I got ripped off and am regretting it. Not going back anymore.

    I am looking at the receipt and we paid for the following:-
    - labour
    - GAS Bulb D3S. removed and replaced. cleared fault and carried out basic settings. Retested

    Unbelievable for $600

    I search on Supercheap auto for D3S and their D3S is $313 but much cheaper on eBay.

    • malich on 01/03/2019 - 16:58

      It's been ages since I worked with luxury car dealers, but from memory their charge out rate for service customers was about $300 per hour. The cost is exorbitant due to the huge costs associated with keeping a dealership active. Especially with most dealers struggling to make a profit from the sale of new cars.

      Best way to save money is to find an independent Audi specialist.

    • HighAndDry on 01/03/2019 - 17:15
      +9

      I search on Supercheap auto for D3S and their D3S is $313

      That actually doesn't sound that bad then. You can't compare to eBay prices because Audi need to warrant their work including parts and labour.

    • Hybroid on 01/03/2019 - 20:12
      +3

      Does Audi have something like Mercedes Mobilolife cover? If anyone reads this in future and has a Merc with valid cover, they are a fantastic service.

      I had the Xenon bulb burn out in an ML 4x4 in UK and because called at night and claimed safety issues driving it, they sent an engineer over in 60 mins and replaced it for free. Have also called them out for punctures where they'll replace it with spare for you or tow you to nearest garage absolutely free. They also cover incorrect fuel added, smashed windows, lost keys and locked out etc etc. Either repair it on the spot, tow you to garage, pay for taxi/flight home or put you up in hotel till repaired (if you're touring in Europe for example).

      Their service is totally free for 30 years (provided you service with them).

    • [Deactivated] on 01/03/2019 - 23:50
      -1

      wow $313 for a headlight bulb when a regular bulb costs around $20.

      • DangerNoodle on 02/03/2019 - 20:09
        +3

        It's a HID bulb. You can't run a $20 halogen bulb in a car setup for HIDs, the massive 25000Volts from the ballast upon startup would fry the $20 bulbs.

        HID bulbs are completely different. They don't use a thin wire that heats up to excite the gas to produce light, they produce light with an electron arc between two electrodes that excites the gas.

        • [Deactivated] on 02/03/2019 - 23:44
          +1

          Yeah I realise you cant just chuck any bulb in and have to use the correct bulb, given the cost is over 10 x that of regular bulb are they really worth it (not that the end consumer actually has a choice) but how does the manufacturer justify using such a expensive bulbs. Are they 10 x better? Can you see 10x as much when using one?

          • DangerNoodle on 03/03/2019 - 00:06
            +2

            @[Deactivated]: They are much brighter, whiter and have a bigger range of illumination. Manufacturers use special projectors and auto levellers so they dont hit other drivers in the eye.

            When driving from Adelaide to Mt Gambier late at night, Xenon HIDs are a godsend because you can see quite a bit further up the road than standard halogen projectors and you can also see wider as well, they've saved me from a few potential incidents with the local kangaroo population.

            • [Deactivated] on 03/03/2019 - 14:06

              @DangerNoodle: But think about cars that spend 98%+ of their life in metro areas with full street lighting… over-engineering for the purpose no?

              • DangerNoodle on 03/03/2019 - 16:04

                @[Deactivated]: Not exactly. Under normal use, HIDs should last around 20 years. Compare that with how much you would spend replacing halogens over that period of time and it is a long term saving. Honestly this is the first time I've heard of HID globes failing, they usually last a lot longer

    • Bargain80 on 03/03/2019 - 20:23

      Remember this is Australia. They charge outrages fees for labour.

  • cheapjunkie on 01/03/2019 - 16:52
    +1

    Well thats kinda why they are called stealerships…. Basic stuff like this i would usually go to a independent specialist cuz it would be much cheaper…. I have an S3 myself and had to change wipers, independent wanted 20 bucks… stealership wanted 70…

  • xtreme2k on 01/03/2019 - 16:59

    We are clueless about cars and that is part of the problem. The fact we didn't get quotes from non Audi dealers is another. On top of that we weren't sure if it was an electrical fault, or a light assembly/projector issue or a bulb issue.

    • HighAndDry on 01/03/2019 - 17:17
      +6

      I mean, that's how it (specialisation, not being ripped off) is supposed to work. You focus on what you're good at and get paid for that. You pay others (like Audi) to know these things and do the work. You're not just paying for their time, labour, and parts, you're also paying for the specialised knowledge.

      If you wanted to DIY, you'd save a boatload of money, but it'd be preceded by hours of learning about what you actually need to do. If you're a professional, or just otherwise busy, your time could easily be worth more than it's worth.

      • xtreme2k on 01/03/2019 - 19:47

        Thanks mate I totally get what you are saying. Given I don’t know the root cause of the problem, I wasn’t prepared to start spending money on the bulb and so on. I guess much of the money is spent on diagonsing and identifying the problem. As such I thought it would be hard to shop around. I also felt the urgency of getting this fixed as having a single headlight driving at night is not exactly safe.

        • HighAndDry on 01/03/2019 - 22:08
          +1

          Yeah exactly. I'm pretty sure I overpay sometimes for services too - but a lot of the time I'm happy to do that because in addition to the actual service, I'm also paying for peace of mind and the knowledge that if they did (profanity) up, they'll definitely fix it.

          OzB shouldn't be too unfamiliar with the concept - it's why sometimes it's worth paying more for AU stock from an Australian seller for warranty and ACL protection, over buying the exact same thing from an overseas eBay seller.

    • cheapjunkie on 01/03/2019 - 19:10

      Thats fair enough, but as you are complaining about the price, you're paying for the convenience as opposed to shopping around. They just charged their normal rates. So yes luxury brand + Euro + Dealership… even if it was a basic issue you're gonna be paying a pretty penny. Not having a go at you, just stating as is… I used to do the dealership route for my previous Golf R because it was convenient and thought oh high powered Euro is safer at a dealership to look at, then learnt the huge price gap. So take it as a lesson learnt for the future? Cuz i definitely did!

      Also, yes euro cars are notoriously difficult to change stuff with heaps of clips that break because they are meant to go in once and once they come out they are done. With your headlights I reckon would probably require removing the housing or access from the wheel well etc so yea fair amount of labour…

  • Sterio on 01/03/2019 - 17:02
    +18

    And the moral of the story is?

    Don't buy European cars.

  • plmko on 01/03/2019 - 17:10
    +2

    The old BMW with the headlight fluid gag is alive and well!

    • HighAndDry on 01/03/2019 - 17:17
      +2

      I don't know if mine was just even older, but it needed blinker fluid as well as headlight fluid. I'm so glad they've managed to simplify things these days.

  • Stimps on 01/03/2019 - 17:22
    +1

    Ouch, that’s about how much my Mazda depreciates per year.

  • Brucet on 01/03/2019 - 17:24

    youtube will show you how to DIY .

  • altomic on 01/03/2019 - 17:48

    I'd be going to a Wrecker

  • No on 01/03/2019 - 18:04

    Is the A3 related to the golf?

    With my Mk7 GTI there is so much shit behind the headlight that you need to remove the whole headlight to get to the main bulb.

  • itsdougie on 01/03/2019 - 20:02

    try a HID to LED conversion instead.

  • p1 ama on 01/03/2019 - 20:26

    It's a burnt out lightbulb…change it yourself.

  • Worf on 01/03/2019 - 21:04

    How many ozbargainers does it take to change a lightbulb… I think you can pay super cheap auto to install lightbulbs and the like…

  • Worf on 01/03/2019 - 21:10

    You can also try auto guru…

  • baytrail on 01/03/2019 - 21:23

    get roadside assist and call one of them?

  • elgrande on 01/03/2019 - 21:52
    +2

    This post reminds me of why I should stick to driving a Camry.

  • After Dark on 01/03/2019 - 22:38
    +1

    These guys are great - and if you are prepared to DIY you can change both to an upgrade higher output model - and don't forget the 20% discount code - https://www.powerbulbs.com/au/store/category/xenon-hid-bulbs…

  • xtreme2k on 01/03/2019 - 23:01
    +11

    I just saw the amount of work required to replace the bulb. I don't feel so bad now.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yxZ5A-CfhI

    • Ahbal on 02/03/2019 - 23:01
      +1

      And this is why ill never buy a euro car.

      No thanks, Ill stick to Japanese.

  • pegaxs on 01/03/2019 - 23:14
    +4

    my wife shown her dissatisfaction

    Replete with “I want to speak to the manager” haircut no doubt… :D

    Lol @ all the people in this thread saying “just change it yourself”. Ya’ll need to Youtube things before you just say them. A3 xenon replacement isn’t a 5 min job that some bozo at SCA can do in their car park…

  • andyhui01 on 02/03/2019 - 11:23
    +1

    I bought my D2S bulb online and brought it to my mechanic to fit at the next service. $50 labour (not a simple reach in job, headlight and some bumper clips need to be removed to get to it) + $180 or so for the bulb IIRC. Still expensive for a lightbulb but I was fully aware of maintenance cost of the car before I bought it and how expensive things can be if crap breaks.

  • eggles01 on 02/03/2019 - 18:03

    just goes to show how to be hit by not shopping around to other reputable mechanical shops you were probably paying 2 or 3 times the mechanics hourly rate,shop around next time

  • maybeamacy on 02/03/2019 - 19:00

    Sounds to be the average price for an A3 bulb change: https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/2567860

  • giventofly on 02/03/2019 - 19:11

    Wait till you see the cost of blinker fluid.

  • Geoff-bargain on 02/03/2019 - 20:09

    I've got an Alfa giulietta and it cost me $30 one time and my mechanic did it for free another.

    • maybeamacy on 02/03/2019 - 20:19

      HID is only standard on the Veloce, they're still using Halogen's on the base models which is surprising.

  • ipiok on 02/03/2019 - 21:10

    "Car is an A3 hatchback so hardly a luxury car"…. actually that's exactly what it is… to quote "Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer that designs, engineers, produces, markets and distributes luxury vehicles"

    • Cluster on 03/03/2019 - 12:33
      +1

      It's a luxury brand, but the A3 is not exactly a luxury car. It's like someone buying a BMW 1 series or Mercedes A-Class. They think they have a luxury car, but in reality on every objective level it's no better than a Mazda 3. And they paid $10k more for it.

      Heck, Audi will sell you an A1, a car for people who want the badge but can't afford it.

  • happirt on 02/03/2019 - 22:29
    +1

    why the heck did you buy a audi for if you're going to complain about repair costs? what did you expect?

  • lltravel on 02/03/2019 - 22:56

    wow how hard is it to change a d3s bulb? Its simple. IF you have small hands, if not get your wife to do it.

    Sometimes they make the area harder to access.

    They are exxy but not 600 dollars

    You would pay around 250-300 for a pair or if you want a cheaper brand around 100 each

    They charge you double

  • spoonman169 on 03/03/2019 - 06:56

    yes all the new good quality cars have these expensive headlights now, i sold my car because of it i had to replace both and was going to be 1200 dollars was the cheapest of all the quotes i got and i got more than a dozen so i sold the car without fixing the lights

  • greatlamp on 03/03/2019 - 10:31

    you should be able to find an unbranded bulb that will fit for much less.

    You aren't getting ripped off personally, this is the expected price for dealership parts

  • JimB on 03/03/2019 - 11:00

    I purchases a set of OEM Osram D1S xenon bulbs for my Volvo.

    I needed one but they tend to die around the same time so replaced both and kept the working one spare.

    Got it from Powerbulbs from the UK (made many purchases over the years.)

    Sorry you got ripped off bad.

    My pair cost me $150 a pair. Took me 10 mins to change both side.. thank you Volvo designer.

    The OEM Osram D3S is AUD $90, after a 20% discount at the moment.

    https://www.powerbulbs.com/au/product/osram-xenarc-d3s-mercu…

    The Osram is very likely to be the original bulb.

  • OzzyOzbourne on 03/03/2019 - 11:56

    In some parts of Europe you are required to carry replacement globes, yet the Renault Scenic (made in France) needs the front end of the car removing to replace them. Appalling design. Sounds like the Audi might have similar issues.

  • morebunnings on 03/03/2019 - 14:31

    My Dad recently went through this with his Jeep (SUV, not sure the exact model).

    Jeep dealer said $500 for one bulb. He ended up ringing around and finding a garage 2 hours drive away (each way) that had the bulb for $60. After the ordeal he ordered 2x spare bulbs off aliexpress for $18 each for the next time it happens.

    I think a lot of it has to do with places here only offering authorized components, and there being a large number of middle men taking their cut along the way for the bulb to get to a retail shop in Australia. Either way its a bloody ripoff.

  • HeWhoKnows on 03/03/2019 - 15:01

    What did you expect for an Audi?
    Doesnt mater which model you have, they are all imported from Germany and come from the same Factory and you go to the same dealer

    Seems OP wants a German car with Holden prices…OMG!

    Next time buy a Japanese (not Subaru) or Korean car if you want cheap parys and service

  • [Deactivated] on 03/03/2019 - 15:38

    Likewise… getting a plumber to come and replace a $10 braided hose costs $250…

    But some plumbers are a lot more reasonable.

    Key lesson: shop around unless you know the market rates.

    • [Deactivated] on 03/03/2019 - 20:34

      Braided hoses are user serviceable.

      Shut off isolation or mains.

      Lefty loosy.

      Replace. (Some people reckon plumbers tape but technically, the gasket should be doing the sealing.)

      Righty tighty.

      Done before you're off the phone with a plumber.

  • eciuj on 04/03/2019 - 16:36

    If you want to test if it's just a bulb failure (rather than ballast or wiring) then remove both headlight bulbs and switch them around. If the bulb still doesn't work then order a replacement from PowerBulbs etc.

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