Where to Service Your Audi R8: Dealership vs. Independent Specialists | GVE London – Blog

The R8, when it entered the scene, truly changed the game. Before it, not many supercars were so subtle, yet aggressive at the same time. Now, whether you have the earlier models with the V8 or the V10, you need to maintain them both to keep them running smooth. Regular Audi R8 servicing is super important to preserve its value and performance. However, where should you get the service done from? Should you go to the Audi dealership or perhaps an independent supercar specialist? Let’s find out.

The Dealership Route: Peace of Mind… at a Price

Let’s start with the obvious. Audi dealerships are more than familiar with Audis because, well, they made it. Their technicians are trained in factories that manufacture Audi, they only use genuine parts and all the proprietary tools needed.

The dealership experience comes with the whole flashy waiting lounges and even a courtesy car sometimes to sweeten the impact of the bill that follows. Also, there is no denying that dealership service record history book is great for your car’s resale value.

But, and it’s a big but, dealerships charge top pound. A major service can easily set you back £400 to £600 or more, depending on what’s needed. And let’s be honest, a lot of that cost is going towards overheads and branding, not always better service.

The Independent Specialist: More Personal, Less Pricey

Now, here’s where things start to get interesting. There used to be a time when independent garages really weren’t up to the mark and were merely a place to take your supercar when one couldn’t afford the dealerships. However, things have changed and they have done so drastically. Independent supercar service centre like GVE London have come a long way, not just in terms of offering courtesy cars and offering a luxurious lounge experience, but in terms of the actual maintenance.

Places like GVE London have enthusiastic technicians that are often ex-dealership or factory employees that know the ins and outs of the vehicle along with having access to all the necessary tools and parts.

However, the good thing is that they aren’t motivated with sales targets, overhead costs or a policy against using aftermarket parts. The technicians here can recommend you aftermarket parts if you prefer that or have you sticking to OEMs if that’s more appropriate, all at a much more reasonable cost.

And guess what? As long as they follow the manufacturer’s schedule and use approved parts, your warranty stays intact. That’s thanks to the UK’s Block Exemption rules.

Read Also: Audi R8 Servicing Guide: How to Keep Your Supercar in Top Shape

So… What’s the Verdict?

The answer is unfortunately not super straightforward, it is a bit on the grayer side of things. On one side, if you’re obsessed with a full dealership history, the official dealership route is the safer but albeit the more pricier option. It is usually great for resale value when selling your car in the general market.

However, if you want a more personalised experience with your Audi R8 maintenance, some real advice about if you and which aftermarket part you should use along with a much more wallet-friendly option without compromising in terms of level of the quality, a trusted independent specialist like GVE London is the way to go. Not only are we capable of customising, repairing, detailing and servicing your Audi but we’ll ensure your warranty remains intact in the process.