[urq] Letter to Audi : first try, the parts...

[Ed Kellock]

I wonder but doubt if there's a NHTSA angle here...

On 6/28/06, Michael Hopton <Michael at siliconoptix.com> wrote:
>
> Ed,
> I sort of agree, but the power steering rack for a '92 Golf/jetta
> is no longer available from the dealer. The dealer has to go
> aftermarket for the part. I wonder how many of them were produced?
>
> Yes to Audi cars are disposable - no front rubber brake hoses! IMO
> Audi should send out a letter to early ur-q owners telling them
> to park their cars as they can't be safely maintained.
>
> Cheers, Mike
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: urq-bounces at audifans.com [mailto:urq-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf
> Of Ed Kellock
> Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 12:17 PM
> To: urq at audifans.com
> Subject: Re: [urq] Letter to Audi : first try, the parts...
>
> I think that angle is not to our best interest.  We're talking about cars
> that are 25+ years old.  I have a hard time seeing any current or recent
> model in the same light as we see our urq right now.  The general new-car
> buying public thinks beyond the end of the warranty period.  Those that do
> are few and far between.
>
> Ed
>
>
> On 6/28/06, Brandon Rogers <brogers at terrix.com> wrote:
> >
> > Exactly- it makes me think twice about purchasing a new VAG product
> > when in the back of my head there is a little voice saying I will have
> > parts availability problems in a few years.
> >
> > Brandon
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: urq-bounces at audifans.com [mailto:urq-bounces at audifans.com] On
> > Behalf Of Buchholz, Steven
> > Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2006 4:18 PM
> > To: urq at audifans.com
> > Subject: Re: [urq] Letter to Audi : first try, the parts...
> >
> >
> > To my mind a list of parts isn't necessary and might tend to confuse
> > the issue ...
> >
> > The letter I'm contemplating would explain that I am a long time Audi
> > fan, having owned Audis exclusively for over 25 years and having
> > purchased my urq in 1986.  I would express my reasons for choosing
> > Audis ... quattro specifically, but also some of the products and
> > advanced technologies that Audi has brought to the market ... like
> > Procon-Ten or a luxury car in the US with a manual transmission (1991
> > V8Q).  As time has passed the dealers were less and less able to
> > service my cars, so I learned how to fix them myself.  Now I am
> > finding that Audi does not appear willing to provide a supply of the
> > parts that I would need to maintain my cars in operable fashion.
> > Seeing Audi has not forgotten the history of quattro in current ad
> > campaigns, why wouldn't they want to support those of us who make
> > those same cars visible on the streets today by simply continuing to
> > supply the parts people like me need?  I see other marques which
> > support the repair market for fans who made the decision to buy cars
> > other than Audis.  Audi needs to realize that by not supporting the
> > owners of the older models they are sending a message that they don't
> > expect the cars to last that long to begin with, not a good prospect
> > for someone expecting to get high resale value on their premium car
> > purchase!  I remember ads for million mile Volvos.  I also find it
> > painful to admit that while I am starting to realize that I need a car
> > newer than 15 years old, and that car might perhaps be a brand new car
> > ... that I'm finding it difficult to justify for myself the purchase of
> another Audi.
> >
> > ... any others out there have any follow on thoughts in this vein?  I
> > remember meeting Len Hunt in 1999, he seemed pretty jazzed to see so
> > many "classic" Audis gathered at the Historics.  Perhaps it was all
> > just to appease the crowds ... but perhaps it might make sense for
> > those of us in the USA to contact him ... did a web search ... looks
> > like Len is now heading Kia!!!
> >
> > Perhaps there is no hope for us ...
> >
> > Steve B
> > San José, CA (USA)
> > >
> > > Hmm.  It appears to me that a strategy not unlike warfare may be
> > > necessary. By that I mean one must go for a two-pronged attack.
> > >
> > > 1.  Definitely the letter route, whereby specifics are discussed
> > >
> > > and then
> > >
> > > 2. the Banner "we're Upset" Ads for the events.
> > >
> > > Unfortunately, Audi is not in the same position as BMW, MB or
> > > Porsche in this regard.  All of these manufacturers have produced a
> > > great many
> >
> > > cars which are adored and fussed-over by afficianados and collectors.
> >
> > > Aside from the Urq, that really can not be said of vintage Audi cars.
> > >
> > > Plus the fact that these were more or less hand-built and their
> > > (relatively) limited production are also working against us.
> > >
> > > Don't get me wrong, I'm all for it!!!
> > >
> > > Ingo
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
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> > contributions welcome!
> >
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