my A4 status

[Rocky Mullin]

	well, it's been a couple of years since i bought my A4, and
a year since i sold my ur-quattro.  the last nine months we're hard on
the poor car, as a fender got dented, someone kicked a door panel,
etc.  i've saved up all the insurance payouts and am getting the body
work done.  looks like a really clean, reputable place, and i have seen
about 8 places so far.  charles henry company, inc, in SF CA.

	there are a couple of other items to tend to.  i hit a puddle
in the winter and broke up the plastic cover under the engine.  i
understand the replacement to be $100 or so, and $300 for a heavy
duty version.  is the HD that much better?  i'm driving a LOT more
carefully than i used to, but do like the chance to upgrade, especially
if the regular one is way worse than the HD.  any BTDT?

	also, a highway snow-boulder broke the round cover under the
back end of the car, the replacement is like $28.  i'll see what i
can get linda at carlsen to price these items at, for me.

	long ago i lost (doh!!) the rear cargo cover (this is an
avant) and never replaced it.  $300+ dollars!  ANY possible leads
on used replacements would be MOST appreciated.  i suppose i should
ping the local dealers' body shops to buy one out of a totaled car.

	mechanically, it's been pretty good.  little things to fix
under warranty, mostly stuff that i've done, like knocking off a seat
back cover which they replace for free.  i put the original ECU back
into the car, for its 30k service, and haven't put it back in since.
i'm saving gas and i have 2 points on my record, one of them with 8
more months left to go, so why speed?  i'm incredibly glad i opted
for the second ECU when i bought my APR chip.

	still on the stock sport-package tires, at 32k miles, but
tons and tons of those miles are driving to, from, and around in the
lake tahoe area - on nokian snow tires mounted on ur-quattro ronal
wheels.  those too are in great shape, still.

	in other news, we bought a camping trailer and i'm seriously
keeping my eye out for a suitably equipped *stickshift* allroad.  i'll
jump at the right one, but i am kinda married to certain options, like
GPS.  could be a pipe dream, as i need a used one, cannot afford a
new one.  the towing set up on those is beautiful.

	what else?  i picked up a BMW, but it's not what you think.
R1150GS - so many accessories to get for this?  a major obsession,
and in the summer it keeps miles from piling up on the A4.  only 32K
in 2.3 years.  the beemer is at

http://caliban.sf.ca.us/img/BIKES/my-r1150GS/pages/143-4349_IMG.htm

	great for camping trips, dirt roads, hooligan times.


	just today, i pined for an URQ again.  c'mon mike, get yours
fixed!  i'll have another one yet...!


--
  rocky mullin - chaotic good
  http://caliban.sf.ca.us/
  "We are not human beings on a spiritual journey,
   but spiritual beings on a human journey." -Some Guy