[urq] RE : urq Digest, Vol 32, Issue 40

[Louis-Alain Richard]

Hi Wylie,

This is my own personal point of view of the problem, and since you
asked so nicely... If you can ask the "brass" where to direct our
request, it will be a nice gain of time. And we can easily translate it
in the language of their choice...

For me, the problem lies in two areas: 

- parts that are no longer available, and that we need to keep the cars
running or looking great. Most of them are specific, but not difficult
to reproduce even in small quantities. More, these parts are not
available from the usual aftermarket suppliers, mainly because the
Quattro was made is such small numbers. Many owners, when facing an NLA
part, follow the alternative route which is the conversion to a newer
system. Then, the car is no longer an "original" vehicle, for all that's
worth. We can provide a detailed list of the parts we need.

- parts that are way too expensive (for no economic reason) here in
North America, especially in Canada. One good example are the subframe
bushings: all the 8 of them would cost you 540$CDN if ordered through an
Audi dealer in Canada. That is for 8 simple rubber/metal bushings. When
ordered in Swiss, the cost for the same parts, same part numbers, same
manufacturer (BOGE parts made in 2003) was 105$CDN. How can someone
justify a 5x increase just by crossing the ocean ? I have many other
examples, but you get the point. 

For me, these two points are related to a lack of support from AoA. They
can easily justify this by supply and demand, stocking charges, low
volume, etc., but the feeling I have is one of disinterest from the
manufacturer. It takes some effort to keep history rolling (litteraly,
in our case), an effort where money is not the only parameter. 

Thanks in advance,

Louis-Alain Richard
Montreal PQ,


> -----Message d'origine-----
> 
> Anybody want to type something tasteful up for me quickly?
> I'll see a lot of Audi brass on Thursday evening....including the head
> of AoA.
> 
> Wylie Bean
> TheRingmeister at triad.rr.com
> 90 Cq
> 99.5 A4 Avant 1.8Tq
> 01 allroad q 2.7T
> (no ur-q yet, and starting to feel a little left out)