[V8] the final crossroads

[Roger M. Woodbury]

I came up against the same decision making point myself a year ago.  The 
little stumble when the transmission shifted to second under load was 
diagnosed as terminal transmission disease.  Since I figured that my car 
was so nice, had accumulated so few miles since my purchase in 2008 and 
ran so well, I'd get the transmission overhauled and go on.  I really 
liked my V8, the third that I had owned.

But nope.  No rebuild of the transmission was going to happen.

After a long search I found two rebuild shops on the west coast that 
would rebuild the ZF automatic in the V8.  It didn't seem awfully 
expensive at less than three grand shipping INcluded. But then the rest 
of the bad news, and it got really bad.  Nobody rebuilds this particular 
transmission as the "A" variant that yielded Quattro was only used by 
Audi, so  you can figure what the demand is now. Not even ZF rebuilds 
them at all.

My mechanic who has done all my work for nearly twenty years looked 
under the car very carefully with me and made certain pointed 
observations which included:

     1. Transmission and engine oil coolers VERY corroded. These parts 
are nla from Audi.

     2. Transmission and engine oil cooler lines ALL VERY badly corroded 
and probably not removable without breaking all sorts of end bits and 
pieces. Assorted lines are nla from Audi.  The whole project would thus 
involve a lot of custom work, which although might not be awfully 
difficult would not be exactly cheap under any setting.

     3. I would need rear brakes very soon as corrosion has seriously 
deterroriated the calipers and fittings. The pads were only about 1/3 
worn however, but the rotors were close to toast. Maine winters are 
tough things if you are a car.

     4. The front rotors weren't bad at all...the good news.  And front 
and rear brake lines had all be done by the wrench....but the inbetweens 
were getting suspect.

     5.  The car was really less than 20,000 miles to timing belt and 
the dreaded steering rack boot was starting to seep, so it was only a 
matter of time....

     6.  I had planned to have a new a/c compressor installed this 
summer, but put all plans in that direction on hold.

     7.  John said probably 18 hours to get the transmission out, and 
that was assuming not too much stuff broke off due to corrosion.  A 
bunch of money to put the reman back, too.

     8. Then John said point blank that he did NOT WANT to do the job at 
all.  While I know if I teased and pleaded he probably would have done 
it, but our relationship is such and of such long duration that if he 
says he'd "rather not"....I take it as very patiently and sincerely 
meant advise from someone who is now a trusted friend, given all my odd 
vehicular adventures in the years we've known each other.


In the end, it appeared that to make the car serviceable for another 
timing belt's term of use would blow a hole in twelve thousand dollars 
AT LEAST.


So now m y V8 is long gone.  I made all the calls to the specialists who 
"like" Audis only to find that my V8 was worth pretty much zero. It sold 
very quickly to a younger enthusiast in Southern Maine who has the time, 
means and enthusiasm to fix the car right and I hope enjoys it as much 
as I did.

I have also retired the 1994 Audi 100 AVant which has been so loyal and 
faithful a servant since we bought the car in 2001 with 39,000 original 
miles.  That car needs rear brakeds RIGHT NOW, front wheel bearings and 
an a/c compressor, but I've decided to retire it completely and it sits 
patiently in the barn while I try to figure out if I really just want it 
and the Audi adventure gone.  213,000+ miles now and for a grand it 
could continue in service.

Meanwhile after an exhaustive hunt across the eastern half of the 
country, I found a 2002 GMC extended cap truck (4X4).  The truck was set 
up to tow and pulled a travel trailer to Florida most of the first 
winters of it's life.  No New England winters and no rust.  I have 
bought the next 100,000 miles and the price was very right.  It's not at 
all like the Audis but I am surprised at how much I like it.  It's 
perfect for us where we live and how we drive now.

And I miss the V8 not at all now as I know I delayed the inevitable for 
as long as possible, but when the end arrived, I finally came to grasp 
the corroded truth which for me meant time to move forward.

I know how you feel with your but I think that you will see that times 
do change and with those times corrosion can conquer most good 
intentions. Best of luck.

Roger