Re: Fuel filter intervals...

[John Greenstreet <jgreenst@motown.ge.com>]

> From quattro-owner@swiss.ans.net Wed Jan  4 15:05:16 1995
> From: adams@churchill.columbiasc.ncr.com
> Subject: Re: Fuel filter intervals...
> To: quattro@swiss.ans.net
> Date: Wed, 4 Jan 95 13:58:34 EST
> Reply-To: quattro@swiss.ans.net
> 
> I am thinking in terms of my V-6 90CS.  To get the timing belt changed
> looks real expensive.  

Replacement on these is required for preventative reasons only, because
the engine is "free-wheeling" when and if it breaks.  Still, most cars
made today do use this type of belt, and replacing it on the Audi will
be easier--and therefore less expensive--than on almost any other FWD car.

> The parts, $12 oil filter for example, are expensive
> and labor is expensive.  

In the Phila. area, labor costs at all dealerships are within $5/hour
(10%) of each other.  The highest is at our local Mazda dealer.  The
oil filter is available at many stores and is priced similarly to other
car's filters; the last one I bought cost $4.99.  Furthermore, the last
time I tried it, it was a lot more work (and mess) to change the BMW's
cartridge type filter.  One also needs to buy a special tool to reset
the maintenance indicator.

> Again "huge" is relative to what I have seen 
> with my 1.5 year old Audi compared to what my 6 year old BMW has cost me.

Remember that all but the latest BMWs require expensive valve adjustments
every 15K miles, and it is very unwise to defer such service.
 

> I would add that by 60K coolant and brake fluid should be replaced, add
> oxygen sensor and can be expensive.

BMWs recommend brake fluid be replaced every year, Audi every 2 years.
BMW also recommends coolant replacement, Audi states it is not required
on the V6s.

Most German cars have the same oxygen sensors and the replacement
intervals vary with type.  In any case, they are available aftermarket
at a much lower cost than through the dealer.

Finally, one should not complain about changing the oil on new Audis
more frequently than recommended; the recommended interval in
Europe--where Audi doesn't pay for maintenance and people place great
importance on a car's longevity--is even longer than here!  Consider
that an Audi 2.8 liter V-6 has a greater oil capacity than 7-liter
American V-8s of the sixties, plus it has an oil cooler!  Combine that
with cleaner burning and improved oils and it's a mystery to me why
people stick with a 3000 mile change interval.  And as we've all seen
on this list, problems that could be attributed to infrequent oil
changes are virtually nonexistant nowadays.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
John Greenstreet, Senior Engineer           (jgreenst@motown.ge.com)
Martin Marietta Government Electronic Systems    Moorestown NJ 08057
WPI Class of '75, Temple Class of '94

My new car history:
  1975    1978    1982       1986        1989      1992      1995
   VW ->  Audi -> Audi  -> Mercedes -> Mercedes -> Audi -> Mercedes
Scirocco Fox GTI  4000S    190E 2.3    190E 2.6    100CS     S320

POSSLQ's* new car history:
         1978       1981       1985      1988        1990     1993
       Triumph ->  Toyota ->  Toyota  ->  VW    ->   Audi  -> Audi
       Spitfire    Tercel     Corolla   Jetta GL      80      90S

*POSSLQ = Person of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters
Note: All Audis and Mercedes above were sold to friends or family.
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