BMW digest and Audi

[Quentin Allen Bearse <QAB@ix.netcom.com>]

I spotted this on the BMW digest, and thought some of you might like it or
find it interesting.  Be glad that this digest isn't like the BMW digest:
i.e. people asking about how to install a 6-disc cd player into their brand
new M3 automatic or how to stop rocks from hiting their 5-er (stupid
questions)
Enjoy.


Quentin Bearse
rides:
	'86 325
	'77 911s
	'95 Miata
	'96 Yukon



From: "Jason R." <jr_75@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 06 Aug 1997 10:34:42 PDT
Subject: Audi doodie?

Duane wrote:

"Ok...everyone here who wants to trade their BMW in on an Audi raise 
your hand......<on tiptoes, straining to look>......Jason, I don't see a 
lot of hands out there."

No, Audis do not have the same acceptance in status-conscious America as 
BMW's do, hence the terrible yuppiemobile stigma that has been following 
BMW since the mid 80's.  Go to Europe sometime, you'd be amazed at the 
difference.  In Germany they have these highways that are renowned the 
world over, they're called Autobahns.  In these autobahns you see Audis 
and BMW being driven the way they are meant to be driven, not just 
parading around the shopping malls with their chintzy chrome wheels like 
they do here.  In car-crazy Germany an Audi is the equal to a BMW, in 
status-conscious America it is not.  Do you understand that concept?

"OK,OK,OK!! .... Wait!! ... Everyone who THINKS an Audi will last longer 
than a BMW due to higher quality standards and such - raise your hand!! 
"

If an Audi were as fanatically maintained as some BMW's out there  it 
would last just as long, except for one difference: it would not be 
rattling like a KIA after two years of use.  Admit it, 3 series Bimmers 
have lousy quality for the price.  Audis, regardless of model, do not.  
If this weren't true then why do all the reports of the upcoming 3 
series make such an emphasis on improved quality?  You never read about 
improved quality when talking about Audis or Mercedes.   Any car that is 
fanatically maintained and serviced will run forever, how else could you 
explain classic Jaguars?  Disregard maintenance on a BMW, Porsche, or 
Audi and it will fall apart.  It's common sense Duane.

"..... I mean we all know the great re-sale value Audis have.  Oh, and
when's the last time you were passed by an Audi Fox on the road? 
Durability is Job #1 at Audi (a.k.a. as Volkswagen)." 

Ah, yes the resale value.  How much did they want for that immaculate 
1990 $ 80,000 750iL with average miles?  Was it $ 14,000 or $ 13,000?  
That is the kind of resale value we should all envy.  The owner only 
lost $ 67,000 in seven years without counting the cost of his 
maintenance. Heck of an investment if you ask me.  By the way, is it BMW 
that has the highest recorded mileage on a car?  No, I guess not, that 
honor goes to VW, with Mercedes in second place.  Where is BMW on the 
list?  Maybe YOUR M3 will outlast all other cars on the planet, but 
we'll have to wait and see. 

"Quattro?? No way -powerslides are far more fun."

You're right, when you and your family are travelling in unfamiliar 
territory during a snowstorm you definitely want to know that instead of 
all-wheel traction you have the option of powersliding the wife and kids 
around turns, other drivers be damned.  How could I have been so 
ignorant as to overlook the powerslide factor?

"Should we even approach the unintended acceleration debacle? 
Nawwwwwwwwww...."

Oh good, you are a charter subscriber to Consumer Reports.  Do you get 
your Tipper Gore monthly newsletter too?  Studies have shown that it was 
driver error, not the car's fault.  Face it Duane, the M3 is a 
sensational car and everyone knows it, but it is not perfect.  You 
should spend some money on a trip to Europe.  It could broaden your mind 
about cars and clue you in on the fact that there are other cars out 
there besides BMW.

Don't get me wrong, I love BMW's but I am also intelligent enough to 
admit that they are not perfect.  If they were perfect there would not 
be so many columns in Roundel providing technical supports and 
maintenance tips.

JR
'94 325i
Anxiously awaiting the new model...

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