[s-cars] DIY Neophyte - Needs Encouragement

[Fred Munro]

Hi Tom;

The UrS cars are not really that difficult to maintain - they look more
complicated than they really are. The basic car is reliable - solid engine
and drivetrain, durable McPherson strut suspension, solid bodywork. The car
still has direct wiring, there is no Canbus to add another layer of
complexity like in the newer cars. The problems tend to crop up in the
"luxury" extras electrics and in the rubber bits as they age. Once you fix
the stuff properly it generally stays fixed for another 200 k or 20 years,
whichever comes first. The trick with the UrS is to keep on top of the
issues and not let the repair list get so big that it seems easier to get
rid of the car than it is to fix it.
If you can rebuild a Mustang and a TR3A, you have more than enough skill to
maintain a UrS. Access is a bit more difficult and sometimes you have to
take something else off to get at the part you want to fix. Once you work on
them a bit you get to know how the German engineers think and the repair
process becomes second nature. They are put together a bit differently than
the British or American stuff and some of the wiring conventions seem a bit
odd at first. Compared to the Lucas electrics on the TR3A, you should find
the Audi electrics a paragon of reliability :).
It sounds like you already have a lot of the common age-related failures
fixed. Get a paper copy of the Bentley and ask questions here. There are
lots of "how-to" write-ups available on the internet for the more common
repairs.
They are a great car - a true "from the factory" sleeper. If you still enjoy
driving it and it meets your needs, I'd say keep it. Where else can you get
a car that's good for 150 mph and delivers 24 mpg in daily driving? Plus
it's AWD to boot?

Fred Munro
'97 S6

-----Original Message-----
From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
[mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of Thomas Rodriguez
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2012 4:05 PM
To: s-car-list
Subject: [s-cars] DIY Neophyte - Needs Encouragement

We all have our story, right?  Mine features a '95 S6, though you'll need to
read a bit to get to that part.

In my teens I restored a 1965 Ford Mustang GT.  With encouragement and help
from some friends I rebuilt the engine, exhaust, transmission, brakes,
suspension, steering and interior.  It was sweet.  In 1978 my brother
totalled it while drag racing a Toyota Corona(!) on a public road, drunk, on
his birthday.

In my late 20s I began restoring a 1960 Triumph TR3A. I rebuilt the engine
and carbs, and started on the bodywork. In 1992 my first son was born and
the Triumph went to the back of the garage. Last year my son started college
and I've resumed the restoration, overhauling the brake system and exhaust,
and starting on the front suspension.  Body work will be next.  This car is
just like me, 52 with some dents and rusty joints, but with a few hours of
attention each week it can be back in shape before I know it and out there
runnin' with the best of them.

At age 39 I bought a used 1995 Audi S6 with 70K miles.  My first "grown up"
car, and a bitchin' fast hot rod.  Turbo, Quattro, 5-speed manual, black
with black leather, Bose stereo, heated seats, sunroof.
Ten CDs in the trunk-mounted CD changer could take me to the Jersey Shore
and back faster than Captain Kirk could say "Beam me up".  With a set of
snow tires, winter became a big white playground; I looked for reasons to go
out driving in the snow: "Oh we're out of milk, no problem!  I'll just drive
over to the Wawa."  Who cares that the streets haven't been plowed since the
blizzard?  All the better, right?  And who doesn't enjoy having warm dry
skis when you arrive at the slopes?

Professionally serviced since new, my 17-year old S6 has 232 thousand miles
on it and driving it still thrills me like the day I bought it.
My wife is jealous, though she doesn't need to be.

Of course you know where I'm going with this. After all it's why were all
here on the s-car-list, right?  I love my S6 and I want to grow old with it,
but the cost of ongoing professional service and repairs is getting
unmanageable.  First it was the AC, then the Bose, then the electical
gremlins took up residence and many of the luxury features of the car now
work only intermittently.  Over the past 18 months I've had to repair
leaking brake fluid, leaking coolant, and now leaking hydraulic fluid.  It's
like living with an aging athlete that's become incontinent.  I can feel and
hear that it needs new front struts and probably suspension bushings and
ball joints.  Wheel bearings may be next.  At 232K miles I have to wonder...
have I gotten the full lifespan out of this car?  Is it time to give it up?

Or.... If I can rebuilt a Mustang and a TR3, should I try to service and
maintain my S6 in my own garage?  I must admit, I look under the hood of the
S6 and my head spins.  The Mustang and TR3 are so simple by comparison,
they're like models.  But I'm willing to give it a try if it means I can
keep the car without breaking the bank.  I'm willing to invest in a
paperback copy of the Bently repair manual, and I've become familiar with
several of the parts websites through my involvement in the s-car-list.

Well, if you've read this far you get what I'm saying.  You may even have an
opinion as to how I should proceed, and I'd love to hear it.
I know that if I'm going to do this I could benefit from some encouragement,
preferable face-to-face, over a beer or two. Anyone out there live in the
Philadelphia area?  I'm in Wayne, PA in the western suburbs, close to Valley
Forge Park and King of Prussia.  Thanks for listening.

Tom
'95 S6 (232K)
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