Lock Carrier

[Bill Shaw]

My 99 A6qa is such a PIA to work on,  you have to move the lock carrier 
to the service position (read: remove the whole d at mn front of the car) 
for just about anything that goes wrong,  change a thermostat, change 
the alternator,  change a fuse (ok.. not a fuse :-) 

When did Audi foster this atrocity on us consumers?  Was the '98 as bad 
to service as this thing? What year did this start?  Is the I5 engine as 
miserable to work on as the newer cars? 

My wife wants a 4wd car,  which is why I bought the a6qa in the first 
place,  but now that I've moved the lock carrier to service position 
once to change the timing belt and again to rebuild the engine I am 
rethinking the decision.  I'm wondering if one of the earlier Quattros 
would be more reasonable to maintain.  Any thoughts?

Bill
99 a6qa exploded view:  http://b.shaw.home.comcast.net/Audi/audi_aha.htm