[V8] Sometimes we get reminded that the effort we put into our Teutonic beasts pays off in the least expected ways.

[cobram at juno.com]

V8Q #2 has been driven for the last two or so years by #1 son (abused is
more like it.)  He's in warmer climes (I couldn't make it this year), so
take the day off and take her down to a friends shop to borrow a lift, 
to change the oil and take care of dozen or so little things that needed
some attention.

Driving it home, half way through an intersection I get slammed on the
right front side by a Toyota that just appeared out of nowhere.  After
the accident the Toyota looked like someone had taken a jumbo can opener
to it, the drivers door was at about a 70 degree angle (in the middle)
and looking at it from behind there looked to be a 2 or three inch
difference between the centerline of the front and rear wheels.  

The V8Q surrendered the fender, part of the bumper and broke and caved in
the headlight (which still works BTW.)  Drove the car home with no
problems, tracked straight etc.  Looking at the V8Q damage you can
actually see how the bending of the hood, fenders and bumper absorbed the
substantial energy of the initial impact, I barely felt a thing inside
the car.  

The Toyota driver didn't get hurt either, partly because of the way the
V8Q absorbed the initial energy and the way his car slid forward as it
slammed into mine.  Plus I'm starting to believe the old saying that God
looks out for fools and imbeciles.

Not as impressive as that footage that circulates on the reality TV shows
with the Mercyless Benz SL that loosing it on the Autobahn at about 150+
miles an hour and the guy crawling out the passenger side and brushing
himself off, but still a reminder we should do a little less cursing when
spending those 12 or so odd hours changing the ignition lock or whatever.
 There have been many stories posted to the Qlists of much worse
accidents than mine, but the bottom line is that the listers were on-line
sharing their experiences and not on a stretcher with IV's hanging out of
their arms and tubes crammed down their throats.

The 200TQ wagon also showed it's merits about a year ago, long story
short, she rolled down a moderate incline backwards for about 100 yards
and slammed into a parked jeep at about 40 MPH, destroyed the bottom half
of the tailgate and some other parts but didn't even break the rear
glass.  A very reasonably priced complete tailgate (BIG, BIG Thanks to
Chris Semple) and about $1200 worth of body work and she looked like new.
 #2 son was in the car, and not even a scratch on him.

So just keep in mind while you're cursing that damn banjo bolt that just
won't catch, that snapped stud or you're buried ear deep and upside down
in wires and relays that should the unforeseeable happen, chances are
good you'll be on the keyboard boring your fellow Audi listers with the
details instead of having unpleasant things being done to you or your
loved ones in the emergency room.

Of course our Audi's aren't indestructible, nor will everyone walk away
from every accident, but IMHE's and observations over the years, the
safety features are definitely one of the Audi Advantages.  Same goes for
many of it's higher end Teutonic cousins

Happy New Year, and for those venturing out on first night, keep an eye
out for the Ahole DWI's.

BCNU,
http://www.geocities.com/cobramsri/