[urq] [s-cars] VWoA Announces Relocation of Headquarters toNorthern Virginia, ...

Sat Sep 8 12:21:27 PDT 2007

Couldn't agree more. In fact it has wound me up so much I wrote and had this published in the monthly newsletter of the quattro Owners Club (UK) knowing full well that Audi (UK) and Audi AG get copies and that it might embarrass them a little.  Although the latter would appear to be in vain because to embarrass someone they have to have a heart.
Anyway this is what I wrote (It's an epic so crack open a beer):

Over the years I have been a little critical of the woeful support from Audi gmbh for the quattro in terms of replacement parts supply. Once again with the advent of a new coupe model, the A5, references have been made to it being a spiritual successor to the original quattro. Unfortunately this has a somewhat hollow ring for ur-quattro owners when one realises that however much Audi praises the original quattro as being a defining and iconic design it continually fails to support the owners of such models in the most tangible way possible, supply of replacement parts. One could perhaps understand this attitude for what some may regard as more mundane or less ground-breaking models, but for the model upon which the current prosperity of the firm was founded, it is staggering.

I therefore decided to find out what other European prestige motor manufacturers with sporting heritage provided for their past customers and what importance they place on the physical maintainence of their heritage. Originally I was going to write to each company and ask their views but when I sought out their addresses on the internet I found that they were actually quite keen to publicise their positions. I have simply lifted the following text from their respective web pages. I'm sure they won't mind.

BMW

"Only a fully operational and visually flawless classic can be an impressive witness of its time. By securing ample stocks of spare parts along with the continued production and remanufacturing of components, we ensure that BMW classics can be perfectly preserved and restored.

All the components are listed in parts catalogues, while user-friendly repair guidelines assist with their assembly. This ensures that the worldwide stock of almost 200,000 classic cars and 70,000 motorcycles continues to be safeguarded. The systematic integration into BMW's international logistics network, moreover, guarantees fast availability of parts worldwide.

The more than 200,000 cars and 70,000 motorcycles that make up the worldwide inventory of BMW classics forms the basis of the service and parts supply offered by BMW Mobile Tradition. As a rule, BMW Mobile Tradition pledges to provide parts for BMW models 15 years after the end of production. This enables owners of historic BMW models to maintain their vehicles to a high standard. All parts, along with the relevant repair instructions, are listed on a user-friendly CD-ROM as well as in printed catalogues.
The regularly updated parts catalogue for historic vehicles on CD-ROM can be obtained through your dealer by quoting order number 72 00 0 301 255.

You can also consult the historic parts catalogue online by downloading it here.

The Historical Archive processes information on the history of the company, its brands and its products, including the entire range of models, their technical specifications, design sketches and repair manuals. This information is made available to the public. Since its establishment, the Historical Archive has evolved into a modern service centre.

The Archive is jointly responsible for the Historical Collection, which contains

- 400 cars, 

- 170 motorcycles, 

- a wide range of aircraft, motorcycle and car exhibits, 

- the latest Formula One engines and 

- various historical documents such as sales literature, advertising brochures, posters, press reports    etc."

Mercedes  Benz

"Qualified experts for classics and classics-to-be 

The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center looks after all vehicles from the Daimler, Benz, Mercedes and Mercedes-Benz brands, production of which was discontinued more than 20 years ago. Among others, these include automotive milestones like the famous Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing from the 198 series and the legendary supercharged cars from the pre-war era, but also classics-to-be. The latter are Mercedes-Benz cars which are about to become genuine classics. 

  Workshop

High quality standards in all repairs and restoration projects  

There are many good reasons for deciding in favor of genuine Mercedes-Benz spare parts. Essentially the following facts are the decisive factor for owners of Mercedes-Benz classic cars to go for genuine Mercedes-Benz spare parts:  

Genuine Mercedes-Benz spare parts are manufactured according to precisely defined standards. In this way, a classic Mercedes car remains authentic even after a restoration. 

Originality and value retention 

The high-precision workmanship and the perfect dimensional accuracy of genuine spare parts are the guarantors of the longevity and reliability of every Mercedes-Benz classic car. 

Manufacturing quality 

The use of genuine Mercedes-Benz spare parts ensures the safety of your Mercedes-Benz classic car. 

150 suppliers producing original quality 

When spare parts are reproduced, precisely defined processes are applied to check which manufacturers fulfill the required guidelines. The strict selection criteria - fulfilled by some 150 suppliers today - ensure reproduction in original quality and the originality of the spare part right from the start.

Even the manufacturers of the production parts in the past are put to the acid test if production was discontinued quite some time ago. They, too, have to fulfill the exacting demands made on the production of genuine Mercedes-Benz spare parts. Production of genuine parts for a Mercedes-Benz classic car does not begin before the supplier's certification, the passing of all in-house inspections and function tests by the first sample parts without a hitch and the successful completion of the first assembly tests. 

Technical literature 