A closing note .... and some tips.

[dsims@axtek.com (Donna Sims)]

Just wanted to tell you all that my A5KCST sold today and to thank
everybody on the list for their helpful answers and feedback. Most
notably Dan Simoes, Igor Kessel, Huw powell, Aleksander Mierzwa, Phil
Payne, Frank Bauer and a whole host of other folks who have helped me
defray the costs of owning an Audi by avoiding the dealer.

Also, of course, to Linda @ Carlsen. If more Audi dealers had people
like her (and prices to boot) there would be more Audi owners ... real
simple.

Anyway, I'd like to say owning an Audi was, at first, an extreme
love/hate relationship. Loved to drive it, hated to fix it. But like
anything worth having, it made demands of me that I wasn't ready to
meet. As it MADE me own up to the mechanical and intuitive side of me I
knew existed, I came to really appreciate it for what a great automobile
it is.

Whenever anything went wrong I would always start thinking complicated
and expensive and that attitude would almost defeat me. It was only
after I remembered to always look for the simple fix first, that I began
to make real progress with the car.

Maybe I was lucky, but in every instance where I thought I would have to
mortgage the house and kids for repairs, the fix turned out to be quite
simple and (ready for this?) inexpensive.

Some examples: My ac compressor/clutch wasn't out, the snap ring that
holds the clutch assembly together came loose (wrong size). The next
time the 2 connectors fell off the ac switch terminals located on the
passenger side under the plastic cowling (under hood).

The heater core wasn't leaking but had small seepage where someone had
tightened the clamp on the heater hose to the point of breaking. When
the hose got old it leaked at the heater core connection and ran inside
soaking the driver's carpet.

The biggest improvement was by replacing the IC hose. Didn't want to
spend the $71 but again, Linda at Carlsen eased my pain.

Outside of adjustments, tweaking, a little TLC and such, the three most
expensive things I HAD to buy for the car was the aforementioned IC
hose, an oxy sensor and a multi-temp switch. The difference was
dramatic.

And no, my 105,000 mile steering rack never did leak any green gold. In
fact, the Audi was one of the cleanest cars in my driveway, never
leaving a drop of anything other than condenser water from the ac unit.

Sorry this is so long, but I feel a lot of Audi newbies may make the
same mistake I did in wanting the best and looking for the worst. Many
probably give up and never get to enjoy the art of owning and
maintaining this fine marque. 

I've heard all the Audi horror stories and bad rap on the street but I
have to tell you that I REALLY enjoyed driving this car! 

And to the newbies: Don't automatically think the worst when something
goes wrong with your Audi. Don't run to the dealer, either. Look for the
simplest, easiest and most direct way to fix whatever's wrong. The list
is an invaluable resource, but don't let others experiences do your
investigative work for you. Use common sense and don't let the war
stories scare you. You'll come to develop a relationship with your car
that few others ever experience.

In this day of instant gratification, it takes a special individual who
will take the time in getting to know his automobile intimately rather
than throwing in the towel and giving up or throwing money (plastic) at
it by putting it in the shop. If you invest the time wisely, your money
investment will be minimized considerably.

BTW, most of the feedback I got from the list was very well intentioned
and experienced, but few folks ever hit on the simplest causes/effects
as a place to start. I readily admit that could have been from my
panicked explanation of symptoms when asking the list for help. All
input, however, was greatly appreciated.

Again, thanks to all. I feel like I've lost a good friend whose
companionship I was just starting to understand and appreciate. My
A5kCST will be missed. Maybe a Quattro next???

Best wishes to all.

Don S.