Re: Using 800 numbers abroad ( if U.S.=Home!)

[Nivi@aol.com]

>> Nivi@aol.com
>> 1990 Coupe Quattro (2.5), 58,500mi
>> 1986 Chevy Caprice (4.3), 277,000mi
>> 
>
>Wow, 277K miles on a Chevy Caprice?  I know the Caprice is a >workhorse
>for taxi cabs and police use, but 277K is amazing. Is it on the >original
>engine, trans, etc? Just curious as to how they compare with >the
>durability of the German marques. My experience is with an >82 caprice
>diesel - that was a piece of crap - blew the head gasket at >around 70K
>miles.
>
>Let's see now, 277K miles in about 9 years - that's 30K per >year!
>
>Zafer

Hi Zafer,

Yup, 277K on the original engine and tranny. Pretty amazing, isn't it! All
the other parts have been replaced once. Financially speaking, it is/was a
great deal over this period of time. But just this week I discovered that the
ATF was turning "metallic" or grey instead of remaining red. Then I headed
down to the local Aamco dealer, and he said he could "repair" it for about $
725.00. I decided that I would rather pay $ 1400.00 (installed) for a factory
rebuilt one. I'm still debating whether to do it, as the block may go soon as
well...(Possible signs: valve seal leakage only when starting it up when hot,
yet doesn't burn ANY oil!)

This particular car was equipped like all of NYPD's precinct cars, with the
heavy duty suspension, tranny, etc, except for the engine block being the V-6
to save on gasoline - only their  highway units were given the 5.7 liter
engines. Later, Chevy decided to discontinue the V-6's in Caprices, so they
all switched to the 5.7's. 

As far as the engine goes, this 4.3 liter fuel-injected V-6 block was rated
the most durable (best rated) block by Consumer Reports (not that they are
always right) over a period of time as compared to the V-8's. I have changed
the oil every 3-4K, tune-ups at every 30K, and serviced the tranny every 30K
as well (including the rear-end)

Well, one year I did 45K miles on the Caprice, spent the summer in Europe,
and racked up 7 K mi (11,700 Km) on a Golf A2 while I was there! Drove from
Frankfurt to Zuerich, Zuerich to Aalborg, Denmark, Aalborg to Lemgo, Germany,
back down to Zuerich (actually Winterthur, CH), then out to Vienna...there's
more, but won't bother you with the details...

PS: The guys at Bernardville Audi are pretty nice, aren't they?

Take care!

Nivi@aol.com
1990 Coupe Quattro (2.5), 58,500mi
1986 Chevy Caprice (4.3), 277,000mi (parked for now)