Re: Seems like a lotta 86-89 5000 - 100/200 problems?

[VINCELYONS@aol.com]

In a message dated 97-03-20 22:49:57 EST, you write:

<< << 
  Now that I've been on the list for about a month, I've noticed an
  inordinate amount of problems cropping up for the 86-89 5000/100/200
  sedans. This is such a general question, but is this due to the age and
  mileage of the vehicles, or was it just that body style that represented
  less than optimal build quality and reliability?
  
  Sean Ford
  sean@nwh.org >> >>

Sean,

Here's a resend of a response to someone who sent a similar message a few
weeks ago asking about frequency of repair and repair cost compared to 
other more common and plentiful cars...

"My current vehicle is an 1986 5000 Turbo Quattro sedan. 
It has 153,000 miles on it. Someday when the weather warms I'm
going to do something about the damn wires in the drivers door jam.  I might
even lube the sunroof cables and tracks this summer before the blasted thing 
jumps into the tilt & bind mode. I'm going to take the Rothenberg radio out
and have it shot. The stinking shift boot won't stay on the console and under
no
circumstances will I go through another winter with the heated seats inop, 
my ass must be comfy. I curse "Art" (of enginering) every time I wash the 
car and wish he could have put up with a little less stop, and a lot less 
noise and brake dust. 

Notice something...

Here I have an eleven year old car that is driven daily. No mention of "I
hope it's
not a rod knock" kinda stuff.  When I cruise at highway speeds, there are no 
squeaks, no rattles, no wind noise, no water leaks. It starts every day and 
it is awfully hard to keep in the garage when it snows. Down deep, I hate
snow. 
My Quattro makes me want to play in the snow. Every night I go to sleep and 
say a little prayer that when I wake the Weather Channel will have white
splotches 
all over my state.  

It's not fair for me to talk to intensly about repair costs,  I'm an Audi
Parts Manager.
If the shop foreman wants the right parts for his car he's going to make sure
mine 
runs just fine. I have a vested interest in everyone out there keeping their
Audi's 
running.  I would lack all credibility if I were to sugest that it's cheaper
to make 
a part for an eleven year old car than it is for a new car, it isn't.  And
when even in
the best of years Audi sold far less than 80,000 cars here in the US, well,
you 
understand that economy of scale stuff don't you. " 

Vince Lyons