[s-cars] timing belt woes

[Bob Rossato]

Over the last couple of weeks, I too have been wondering what the outcome
was on this car.  I was over at Hoffman's not too long ago to get something
or the other and noticed a red S6 parked out back.  Is that your wife's car
perhaps?  In any case, glad to hear that this long painful ordeal is finally
getting resolved.

Bob

> -----Original Message-----
> From: s-car-list-admin at audifans.com
> [mailto:s-car-list-admin at audifans.com]On Behalf Of Richard Molk
> Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 7:27 PM
> To: S-CAR-List at audifans.com
> Subject: [s-cars] timing belt woes
>
>
> 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
>
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