Denver Audi dealerships

[DAWSON-MD]

Peter and Listers,

    Denver isn't any different than any other place and Audi isn't any
different than any other marque. Someone has to pay for those fancy
showrooms and the owner's boat payments. One of the objectives of the list
is to strive to make sure that it is not you. Of course if it's a warrantee
repair then you shouldn't be paying anyhow.

Rant on.
    I am constantly amazed at the number of listers that cry out for a part
number and run straight to the dealer for even the most widely available
parts. With over 240K miles of Audi ownership, I have bought exactly 2 parts
from a dealer and there is one within walking distance of my house. I was
unable to find e-brake cables for my 83 UrQ and a PCV hose for my 84 4Kq
(and that was after driving it for years with an innertube patch on it!)
     When I first bought my 4Kq (used) back in 1987, it had a bad CV joint
at the rear of the transmission. I dealer wanted $800 dollars for the part,
"it is welded on and you have to buy the whole driveshaft, just bring in
your car and checkbook and we will take care of it". This is the "Dealer
Mentality" shared by all marques, don't be a victim. I went down the street
to an independent import parts store, showed them the part (no part #
necessary) and they matched it up to a CV joint listed for a Audi 100 LS,
and for all of $35.
    If you think Audi parts are high at the dealer, try Ferrari! For
example, smog air pumps for my 308 GT4. They are GM parts straight off of
any 70's Camero or Firebird and the pre-cat 308's use two.

Ferrari dealer    $400 ea.
GM dealer          $300 ea.  (so much for "cheap" domestic cars)
PEP BOYS        $100 ea. (new)
PEP BOYS        $ 40 ea. (rebuilt)

Establish a relationship with the local independent parts or service
businesses and you will save a lot of money and aggravation. Find out were
independent shops get the parts that they install, you can bet it's not "the
dealer".  Search the internet for parts sources, there are 100's of them.
Use the dealer only as a last resort, you can laugh when he has to trade
down to a smaller (read: less expensive) boat.

Rant off.

By the way I am still looking for a good source for Ferrari distributor caps
for the 308, cheapest so far is $305 ea. and it takes two.

Mike Dawson
83 UrQ
84 4Kq
87 5Ktq
77 Ferrari 308 GT4