Owning an older 5ktq-longish

[Houston Texas]

My 2 cents to the lister with reservations about the 5k reliability.
IMHO, my 14y/o Audi is just as reliable as any same year BMW or Benz.
Why, is more involving to explain.  A BMW or MB comparable auto to mine
has a higher resale value.  Agreed.  

Before the 60 minutes ill-covered news report, all three had similar
resale values, reliability, performance, sale prices, etc..  The best
way for me to say this is,  Audi which has a resale comparable now to,
lets say Chevrolet after the 60min thing present models not included.
BMW and MB are still holding values past and present.  Agreed.  I don't
know any 14 y/o Chevrolet or American cars to date that visit the
dealership or mechanic whenever a window reg. fails, or door handle
refuses to allow its owner entry into the automobile, etc..  

Why, the resale value is much less than spending 50, 60, 70, 80 or more
dollars an hr for a dealer to do  repairs whenever a problem pops up.
Same for Audi.  Not the same for BMW or MB, which you could sell for
almost anything because of resale value.  And both BMW and MB would be
worth even more if it's been dealer maintained.  A 5kq that's been
religiously maintained by the dealer or mechanic with 120k miles
wouldn't sell for 10k, 8k, or even 6k dollars. (private or dealer)  But
a 300e would easy.  

Most BMW and MB owners, my brother included have mechanics or dealers
they go to for the same repairs us fellow listers can do ourselves.
Yeah we (Audi Owners) can do a minor diagnostic check with the ecu and a
fuse, but how many old Audi owners have a diag. check done when the car
is in the shop for say a wheel alignment?  Or how many owners have ever
had a diagnostic check done beyond the fuse in the fuel pump relay or
fiddling with the climate control?   

Unless it's major as in clutch removal or bearing replacement, etc.,
which I consider normal maintenance and most ppl would, my car won't
visit a mechanic for anything I can do myself.  Because the cost for
parts is already expensive, which would be compounded by dealer or
mechanics cost.  Don't even ask about physical repairs that maybe be
needed in the event of an accident.  Insurance companies will really
stick it to us.  But each person has their own views.  

My car hasn't needed much beyond clutch replacement, wheel bearings and
the timing belt.  I haven't had to replace the fuel pump, or BOMB, or
drive shaft bearings, etc..that some of the other owners have. Also, my
PearlWhite has never left me stranded thus far, and I don't anticipate
it happening.  Why, because when something goes wrong I come to the list
for info if I don't know, then figure out why it failed in the first
place.  

Sure, if it was a Benz or BMW I'd have a or my mechanic on it darn near
every time.  They aren't any more reliable than mine.  Just visit any of
usenets BMW or MB groups, or even the honda-acura.net . 
I don't regret my purchase, and would do it again.  

TX