V8 Instrument Cluster

[Lawrence C Katzenstein <Lawrence.C.Katzenstein-1@tc.umn.edu>]

Hi,
  Since none of you guys indicated any interest in my car I figured nobody
in the general public would either. So, especially since the car runs well 
I figure I might as well keep it. Besides, it was a hoot to drive in the
six inches of snow we got here in the last couple of days. The highways
were packed, so I took some poorly plowed side roads and had absolutely no
problems. In fact, some folks in Blazers and the like that didn't know
about Quattros were looking down at me weirdly while probably wondering
what I was doing on the same roads they were on.
   Since I'm keeping this thing ( I now know I would've preferred a 4kq or
S4) I'm gradually fixing up the little things. For instance, the domelight
and clock problem which is rooted in the instrument cluster. 
   The dealer wants $1050 for a rebuilt and 2 1/2 hours labor at $65/hr.
He offers a 12/12 warranty on the work. My excellent mechanic located a
used one for $400.00 which the boneyard guarantees will work and he wants
2-3 hours at $50/hr. This would be an easy choice except that 1) the
mechanic will get paid for labor even if the part is a dud. 2) some
Qlisters have told me that they have extra ones because these clusters die
every 50,000 miles. The one on my car was first replaced at 56K and now
needs it again at 103K, so the Qlisters seem correct. Wouldn't a better
strategy then be to get a flashlight and stick-on clock and wait for the
rest of it to die and then get a new one? BTW The dealer says that the 50K
history is incorrect as does the mechanic. Too, I've already paid $140 for
the diagnostics, and I also feel responsible to the mechanic because he's
ordered the part.
    What do you think I should do?
Best,
Larry