Owning an older 5ktq-longish

[The Balakrishnans]

Let me join in as a longstanding Audi owner ..

I had an 85 MB which had large spots of rust when it became about 13 years
old.  A colleague of mine had an 87 MB 300 which too had developed serious
rust before he sold it this year (to buy a Boxster S !!).  I have an 87 5000
csq which looks today like it rolled out of a showroom, not a spot of rust
anywhere.  Keep in mind that I live in Chicago where mayoral elections are
decided on whether enough salt was used to keep snow melted on roads.

I think that this is the biggest difference -- you have to keep up with all
old cars, but the thing that is most expensive to fix (cant really fix, if u
ask me) is rust.  And Porsche may be about the only equal out there for Audi
when it comes to longevity of the body.

Audi 87 5000 csq, 158k and going strong
200 tqw, 125k and strong
88 5000 csq, totaled in a five car pile up at 90k
83 4000 E, Killed at 210 k, dead but not forgotten

----- Original Message -----
From: "Houston Texas" <JCS_TX at webtv.net>
To: <quattro at audifans.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2001 11:51 PM
Subject: Re: Owning an older 5ktq-longish


> 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
>