Ack! Questions about pro maintenance... -Reply

[Derek Daily <ddaily@SMTPGW.MITSUICOMTEK.COM>]

>>> Benjamin Weste Pearre <ben@marimba.com> - 12/29/97 2:20 PM >>>

Ok, so I bought a '90 200tqw at great trouble and expense.  
>>>>As the kids on South Park say...scchhwweeeet!

I don't see  any timing belt replacement in the service records
(after 126500  miles) but I could have missed something.  I sure hope
so!
>>>>Uh...you better do more than hope...get it done!

So, my question is this: should I try to find a better mechanic?  
>>>>I've come to this feeling...  How many people get second opinions
before surgery?  Why not take it somewhere else if the new place has
(at least a mediocre) reputation?

More and more I get the impression that if you want something done 
right you really have to do it yourself. 
>>>>Everyone here will attest to that, BUT there are those of us who
will take some time to learn to more than minor fixes DIY.  It pays
to learn, but it doesn't pay to take the time to learn.  Catch 22. 
In the end, this list will MORE than make up for the lost time...

 Does anyone know if I really  have to spend  $169.95 for the Bentley
manuals?  Can I get them for  less?  I don't suppose that there's much
of a secondhand market for  them...
>>>>NO. YES. Occassionally you'll find used ones here.  But in the
meantime call Linda at Carlsen.  Tell her you're on the Quattro List.
 Place the order and take a few minutes off work to drive over and
pick it up.  Heck you'll get to look at the newer stuff while you're
there anyway.

In celebration I finally bought 8 large potted  plants for my
apartment, which never could have fit in my wretched  Integra.  
>>>>Yeah but judging by Blue Book you could have prolly gone out and
bought a new A6 for the resale on your arucA ;-)

I have had pretty good feelings about M&M Audi House on Winchester in
Campbell, CA.  They are definitely Audi guys and seem to be pretty
honest (i.e. could have taken me to the bank on at least 2 occassions
but instead came up with quicker, cheaper fixes).  On the sour
note...they now claim to do ALL CARS and this may signal and end to
100% VW/Audi service.  My CQ was inspected there with the generic
"Buyer's inspection" and failed to turn up anything more than I
knew...and I'm still not even close to being an informed wrench. 
Merely an informed enthusiast.

Good Luck, 
Derek Daily
Saratoga CA by day
San Mateo by night
90 CQ
86 VW qsw