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

Wed Jun 28 13:08:38 EDT 2006

Someone should sue Audi to compel them to start placing product disclaimers on new cars regarding future parts availability and/or pricing.  And good luck ever finding another 'pre-owned' Audi that has been maintained to decent standards, particularly since Audi cut factory-covered maintenance....

-----Original Message-----
From: urq-bounces at audifans.com [mailto:urq-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of Ed Kellock
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 12:59 PM
To: Michael Hopton
Cc: urq at audifans.com
Subject: Re: [urq] Letter to Audi : first try, the parts...

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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> > all contributions welcome!
> >
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> > all contributions welcome!
> >
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