Straw Poll: How Dependable is Your 200q20v?

[Mike Miller]

My first 200q lost the heater valve on the Seattle freeway - but I was able to limp it to the dealer. The only times I have ever been stranded was A) hitting the guard rail at 50+ mph and B) hitting a deer at 70mph. Both totaled the car and both times my wife was in the vicinity to pick me up.

I've had to use an "alternate" car many times while I was doing repairs or when having it worked on. At 160 miles round trip to the shop (times 2) I try to do most stuff myself. But I confess to having a clutch done by the shop - however, I managed to drive the car 80 miles to the shop and not use the clutch.

In my experience, these cars do not often leave one "stranded". I lost a heater control valve in Las Vegas  -  $1 for a 3/4 x 4 inch pipe nipple at Home Depot and I was back on the road. I now carry it as a spare, just in case. Funny, both the heater and the A/C worked with no heater control valve. I had the upper radiator hose split at the clamp a couple months ago in Seattle - _Lots_ of steam pouring out from under the hood. Pulled into a parking lot, cut about an inch off the end of the hose, bought a couple gallons of distilled water and back on the road in 10 minutes. 

Keep in mind that these cars are 20 years old and most are in the 150k+ mileage range. Things will break. 

mike in montana
91 200q
95 S6 with RS2 goodies

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Matt Suffern 
To: 200q20v at audifans.com 
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 1:24 PM
Subject: Straw Poll: How Dependable is Your 200q20v?


Let's get a show of hands here.

1. How many times has your 200q20v left you stranded?
2. How many times have you had to use an alternate car because your
200q20v was laid up for repairs?

It's understood lots of stuff breaks, and parts can be expensive, but
I guess what I'm trying to gauge is DEPENDABILITY, i.e. the degree to
which we can rely on the cars getting us to work in the morning and
home in the evening even if bits are dangling off and fluids are
gushing out.

Thanks,
Matt
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