[200q20v] 1st trip to dealer

[Greg Amy]

>>> Sounds to me like the dealer doesn't know that much.

Well, if that dealership happens to be Audi of Fairfield, I can tell you the
guy you spoke to knows A LOT. In fact, he's gotten dirty more than once
helping me work on my car. No need to jump to conclusions.

>>> I agree with Mike, $600 bucks for a bouncing speedo fix? You can fix it
yourself...

AH-HAH! There's the key! Having an old luxury sports sedan is a compromise
of time and money. Want to save one? It'll cost you the other.

What in the heck do you EXPECT a dealer to do? Do you really think the
dealership's going to pull a circuit board and solder it for you, only to
take a chance that it doesn't "stick" and you come back bitching for it to
be done again for free? NO WAY! They're going to take the safe route and
replace the board, charge you for the time, and let Audi's parts and service
warranty cover your come-back.

If you instead go to an independent service location, tell them what YOU
think is the problem, ask them to fix that, and then tell them that you're
willing to take the risk, they'll possibly do it but they'll put the
responsibility right on your shoulders. You'll pay them 2-4 hours for the
time, and you'll be on your way. And, when it breaks again, it's your
problem again.

It's wrong to expect otherwise from either location.

OK, so you don't want to spend the money. Fine, go to Scott's and Chris's
sites (like all of us have done), follow their procedures, fix it yourself,
and invest the difference in the stock market (uh, scratch that; throw a
party for Chris and Scott instead.) You've saved some coin, learned
something, and felt good about it.

But, please, don't start bitching at dealerships because they don't want to
take the chance on your old car's problems to save YOU money...