Maintenance, spares, and owners

[Huw Powell]

> IMO, they simply aren't built like they used to be.

They never were ;)

> it's also true that the cars are now a lot more complex than they
> ever were, i am sure that the newer electric systems like can bus and
> all the controllers will be a nightmare for the diy owner to fix in
> years to come. One other thing to consider as with the older cars is
> how long will audi provide parts for????

This has been going on for as long as cars have been built.

To own the earliest ones, you had to be, or have on retainer, a mechanic.

In the golden days of hot rods, you could fix just about everything on a 
car at home.  (I *completely* rewired my '57 loader over a few days)

Then they started hiding the screw heads.

Then things got more electronics - imagine the shock of going from 
points and carbs to CIS!

This process still continues - to give the consumer what they want, and 
meet emissions and safety requirements, cars have ever-more complex systems.

However, the new "buss" methods of running all that complexity might 
actually make DIY *easier* - fewer wires to identify, and with the right 
software, you can tap into almost anything, right?

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/