mechanic's inspection

[AudiJeep@aol.com]

When I bought my '92 100S about a year ago, I insisted upon a mechanic
checking out the car before I bought it. I took it to a local shop that
specialized in foreign car repair. They charged me $45 for the check. They
said they inspected the tires, brakes, rotors, suspension parts, all gaskets
and seals and the AC. I specifically mentioned they check these things. Their
verdict: the car is in excellent condition, no problems they could see,
nothing needed replaced, even the brakes and rotors looked new. Well, in the
last year I've needed brakes and rotors on front and back, a new tie rod (old
one was cracked), 4 new tires, new head gaskets, 3 transmission seals and AC
service. When I contacted the place about the first major problem (tie rod
and leaking head gasket), they told me I must have hit a pot hole or
something to crack the tie rod, and that they were not responsible for the
head gaskets. The head gaskets I could see, since they were not leaking when
I bought the car, but the tie rod, brakes, rotors, tires they should have
picked up. All these things were replaced about 7k after I purchased the car.
So my $0.02 on mechanic inspections: Don't waste your $$. 

Craig
'92 100S (66