[s-cars] timing belt woes

[Richard Molk]

Hello Gary, and all:

The wife's S6 is still at the dealer. It has only been 4 1/2 months, so
it is probably classified as a rush job. The DMV got involved, sort of,
and agreed with me that the offer to repair the two valves was
insufficient. However, he said the way CT law is for the DMV, as long
as any offer is made to fix the car, the DMV closes the case. He said
he might have to give a verbal reprimand, kind of like what your mother
used to do.

Called the Attorney General's office, and the gentleman there could not
have been more understanding. After numerous phone calls to the
dealer's lawyer (she was a bit slow returning his calls), the dealer
offered to just charge me about $650 for the non timing belt repairs.
You know, a tuneup. They also offered a warranty with deductible. I
told him I still wanted to sue, but my wife wanted to get out of the
mess and out of the car. Figuring my time without the car as worth a
hundred or so a week, they agreed to fix the car at no charge and give
a transferable non deductible warranty on the whole powertrain. I
agreed, depending on what condition the car is in right now. This week,
I will head down to the dealer to look things over and sign the papers
if all is ok.

My favorite part of this is probably the response I got from Audi of
America after I sent a RRR letter to Len Hunt, VP of something or
other. After he fobbed it off on some other lackey, the response I got
was that Audi stands behind its dealers and is sure they will fix the
car properly. My question is" How far behind the dealer??" As far as
possible, to be sure.

Anyway, the boss of the S6 wants it fixed, then she is going to sell
it. It will have the rebuilt head and a one year transferable warranty
on the drivetrain. It is bone stock. When it is finished, I will post
it to the list first, then elsewhere. It should be fairly reasonable,
as she wants out, and I am ordering her a new car to take its place.

That's right, it sure as s... won't ever be another audi.

I'm heading to NYC to join in a Volvo day that's coming up. Sweden is
sending over a bunch of V70R's (300hp five cylinder) with some driving
maniacs (instructors) and if you can get a ticket on the internet, you
get to join them for a driving school in the Shea Stadium parking lot.
As the last time I was at Shea was to see the Mets lose to the Braves
in the first half of the first inning after spending three hours in
traffic to get there and then four hours getting home (had to stay to
the bitter end, 12-1, aw Dad we can't leave early maybe they can still
win!) I was a bit mixed about signing up. But what the He.. I did and
actually got a ticket.

Anyway, my experience has taught me a lot about the dealers...don't
ever trust them until they earn it. After seeing the youngster who
attempted the repair on the better half's S6, I know they just looked
at the age of the car and the mileage (87000) and figured it would be a
great learning experience for the kid. Then they looked at me as I
drove up in my pickup truck and plow and figured they could push me
around any way they wanted after they broke the car. For them, it was
just another sale type encounter, and that is what they specialize in
controlling. I firmly believe you'd better meet the mechanic who is
going to open your car and definitely use word of mouth if you can. I
should have listened to the little voice inside and never gone for the
timing belt repair at the dealer, but it was the easy way, and a time
saver.

How many months so far for that time saver?

Thanks to all who have offered to much help over this adventure,
especially to Ron Tomlinson, a shining euro headlight in the mist of
dealer mistrust.
Rich Molk