theicon14

I have a 2005 Audi A8L and I need to get the battery replaced. Problem is every place I ask (mostly Audi dealerships) quote 450-500 dollars. Their explanation is that the battery needs to be recoded and they say it's about an hour-2 hours worth of work.

Do you guys have any suggestions on how I can do this cheaper?

MP4.2+6.0

How do I change the battery - AudiWorld Forums

I actually bought my last one at the local dealer parts counter (with a coupon), and just took the old one out and bolted in the new one in their parking lot. No core charge or down time that way. Takes basically a 10mm box end wrench (for the little wire), a 13mm socket with an extension and something to open that side access trunk panel. Brought those and VAG COM/VCDS + 10 year old XP laptop with me. Once there, took about 45 minutes; w/ about half of that time going to and from the parts counter and cashier.

mishar

I think I went the cheapest way. Replaced battery with the just basic Canadian Tire 5 year warranty one, ~$120. Didn't recode it. All is good.

tashakes

Pep boys sells a Bosch battery with a 5 year warranty for $200 less a $50 coupon in their website, so $150, not bad. I just replaced mine.

Mister Bally

Install a bettery yourself and don't recode the battery manager. I assume you do not have the diagnostic interface. Otherwise the recode costs nothing. The car should always start. Some features such as interior light delay etc may not work without a recode but the car should run.

Brozee

Advance Auto parts with a discount code/promo code applied online easily made it the cheapest option for me. Best of all it was an OEM battery!

05SilverA8

I have even seen the correct battery size for the A8 at Wallmart. It was around $120.

Brozee

Yeap, sounds about right. When I got mine from Advance I bought online and when I picked up in store it was the OEM battery with the VW/Audi logos engraved on the top in the black plastic.

Here is the battery:
$154 + $18 core charge which you get back when you return your battery = $172.99
- 35% (coupon code WD32)
-$18 core deposit
= $105!

AutoCraft Gold Battery, Group Size 49, 900 CCA 49H8: Advance Auto Parts

theicon14

Did you have to recode?

For those that didnt' recode what exactly will be the consequences of not having it done?

Brozee

No you don't have to recode. Re-coding it just tells the car that it has a new battery and to reset any systems and refresh to the new battery. Nothing will happen if you don't recode it, especially nothing bad. The only thing that you may see is a battery alert, or low battery reporting in the MMI battery gauge. Once you have enough start ups and drive the car for a bit the car should recognize and learn the new battery.

You use VCDS to "program" or just alert the system of the new battery.