[urq] The revolt is on!

[QSHIPQ at aol.com]

I'll simply respond that you can find whatever part you need for an  urq.  
Does it take more than calling up the dealer and ordering it?   You bet.  Is it 
a challenge to do so?  You bet.  I don't  support blanket statements that true 
desire for any original urq  part is impossible to find.
 
If you don't want to look at a world market and market value pricing,  and 
knowing all these spare oem parts had to go somewhere, to  someone, fine.  Then 
it requires you compromise and accept a part that  may be better than what 
Audi delivered from the factory.  In the world of  high end restorations, there 
are a lot of accepted 'oe' replacement part  specs and manufacturers who's 
parts don't detract from the value of the  car.  I'd bet Audi would fully support 
that type of convention.  I  argue, the current owner base of these cars won't 
pay the price  required...  Yet.  
 
I believe there are better ways to put positive energy into a urq  dedicated 
owners list, than appeal to Audi, which has already made the business  
decision on the SQ, at exponential value of our urq's.  This is nothing  new, and not 
at all new for Audi, which has ditched support of all I5  iterations a few 
years ago.  Taking it to urq25, sharing enthusiasm  for the urq, has more appeal 
that turning this list to a tangential war on Audi  over concern for clear 
website trademark violations.
 
I think I understand what it takes to own and maintain, restore and service  
urq's.  I guess I never thought Audi support was stellar back when many of  
these parts were available.  I look at an urq passion as a commitment  to 
resourcefulness by definition.  I don't believe Audi has to share my  passion, they 
already did when they built the car!
 
I say call Audi abandon of the urq parts support as given, and move on to  
what can urq owners do for replacement part support.  
 
Scott J  
 
In a message dated 5/16/2008 11:41:32 A.M. Central Daylight Time,  
martin at quattro.ca writes:

Scott,

If you can find an original OEM shift knob for an '83  I'll kiss your feet.
There are parts that you will never be able to buy  new.
Looks like ball joints and rear tie rods for early cars are those  parts.
So are the OEM flex lines for front brakes (a major safety  item).
Not everyone is as resourceful as you.

I agree with you that  most of the Ur-q owners are on shoe-sting budgets
and even if the parts  were available they could not afford to buy them
anyway.

However,  there are people who would love to keep their low mile all
original cars  that way.

Eric is looking for the correct lug nuts for his stud  conversion... the
P/N 859 601 169 SQ lug nuts are NLA!!!  If a  mechanic accidentally cross
threads this puppy, guess what?  The car  will no longer be allowed on the
road.  Can you replace it with a  Porsche lug nut?  Perhaps.. but for
someone like Eric that is not good  enough.. and I appriciate that.
Even the front windshield (which is the  same as a 4k) is NLA!!!

So I say Audi has dropped a ball on this one...  it's a shame for all of
the people who have spent bunch of money getting  their nice all original
ur-q or SQ just to find out there is 0 replacement  parts to keep them on
the road.  For the rest of the ur-q owners.. it  doesn't matter, they will
keep their cars on the road by drilling out  struts to 19mm.. or using
Suzuki Sidekick tie rods in tha back.. or....  or...

Regards
martin







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