Re: Oil Article

["Al Powell" <APOWELL@agcom.tamu.edu>]

> From:          billfree@interlynx.net

> If synthetics are all that superior, why am I able to run my 5ktq for 280,000 
> miles and not yet burn any visible oil. This car has been driven,as see a car of 
> this class was designed to be driven. Red line is not something new to this car 
> even today. It looks great, not just to me but nearly everyone who sees it. I do 
> not tell everyone how far this car has traveled . This car will remain in my 
> collection for a long time. As a side note it is an Avant.

Hey Bill, congrats on a truly fine  service record.  It must reflect 
a person who is careful about taking care of his machinery.  That's 
the reason it doesn't use any oil...and let's all admit, a bit of 
good fortune in having parts which came out of the bins without 
flaws sure helps a lot!

No one here (and not Moi) said that conventional oils are not very 
good.  They are.  They have improved by leaps since just the 60's.  
However, synthetics are superior in a number of ways.  Since your 
car is turbocharged, I think you have had exceptional service from a 
vehicle running petroleum oil.  

Let's face it: engine longevity is a CRAPSHOOT.  You can do superb 
maintenance and have wonderful service like you report, but your 
neighbor could do the same thing to the same car and have parts fail 
from hairline casting cracks or machining errors.  Who knows why the 
bearings in one car have that little bit better fit than the next 
one?  I don't.  I do know that when a guy takes care of his car as 
you must have, he gets maximum mileage from what's there.

You see, the tough part about convincing many people about synthetics 
is that when they work, nothing happens!  The car just runs - like 
yours has.  Unless something spectacular happens like losing an oil 
pan plug or dumping the water in an emergency when you can't stop 
driving...and then finding your engine is intact when common sense 
says it shouldn't be -  there's little opportunity to provide direct 
evidence of its superior protection.

But **I believe**.  And the fact that since I started using synthetics in 
1977, NO vehicle I've used synthetic oil in has had any lubricated 
part fail, has helped to make me a believer.

I hope your car continues to have the wonderful service record for 
years to come!

> BTW
> I am condsidering selling my 1990 200 tq , full leather, pearl white, white 
> wheels, 110,00 miles mint shape. Asking $  11,000. I am ordering new A8.

I'd love to have it!  Unfortunately, I haven't worn out my 1990 200 
yet at 80K miles!  And sine I'm running synthetic, I'm sure we'll get 
tired of it and trade into another Audi long before it wears out!

Al Powell                           Voice:  409/845-2807
107 Reed McDonald Bldg.             Fax:    409/862-1202
College Station, TX 77843           Email:  a-powell1@tamu.edu 
W3 page - http://agcomwww.tamu.edu/agcom/satellit/alpage.htm
"Baseball is 90 percent mental.  The other half is physical"...
...Yogi Berra.