2000 A4 Avant

[Ed Kellock]

A friend of mine just picked up a 2000 A4 Avant that has inop AC.  They took
it to a shop for an estimate to get the AC working which came back in at
$4400.  Is there something so unique and/or difficult with the AC system in
that car that would make this so high?  I've read over the estimate and they
basically want to replace/rebuild the entire system, compressor, orifice
tube/expansion valve, evaporator, condensor, and hoses.  They mention
something about a front-end collision and metal in the system.  Shocking.
Surely this can be done for far less.
 
Ed