Re: Audi junkers jmoritz

[Dasisgoot@aol.com]

First off the manditory disclaimer "This is only my personal opinion!" May the
party of the first part not think unkindly of the party of the second part if
this all blows up in your face.....etc.

My personal experience is that there are no "Junker Audis"only those beyond
repair. That being said, I purchased a 97 A4 1.8L quattro in March of last
year from a local recycler in the Detroit area. The car had fair amount of
damage, swayed front end, most of the accessory drive components had been
sheared off the engine, but was black/black extremely low mileage and I was in
need of some "hands on" work to keep my sanity through the the summer. 

I learned quite a bit about the vehicle over the months that followed, sanns
manuals. spent a ton of cash at the dealership on NEW parts (anyone priced out
parts for a 97 A4 lately?) but consider the entire experience a positive one.
I've repaired a number of domestic cars before, but this was my first attempt
at what I considered
a relatively exotic German auto. One suggestion to anyone working on a
unfamiliar vehicle, break out the video camera! If you can buy or borrow one
it is absolutely the best way to document what comes off of the car, what
condition it was in, what fasteners, etc.... I kept a running autopsy while I
dissassembled my Audi and could 
refer to the tape when it came time (months later) to begin reassembling it.
Cuts down on some on the guess work at the parts counter too. 

I finished the car just before winter much to the amazement of the neighbors,
and I must say before purchasing this car I really didn't understand all the
hoopla of Audi ownership. Now I understand. First visit to the dealership for
routine service was an event in itself. I guess owning the usual array of
vehicles I just got accustomed  to 
being treated like crap by the service departments. Even though my "new"
vehicle had experienced a slightly "shaded" past, the shop was extremely
understanding and helpful in taking care of the little odds & ends that I was
ill-equipped to handle myself.

One publication that I think is worthy of  mention is the Locator Magazine
(www.partslocator.com) This is like a directory of parts and salvage yards in
the U.S. You should be able to find ANY part for ANY car in this monthly
publication. There are at least a dozen different yards that specialize in
Audi parts and repairable cars. 

Great sport to anyone else who finds this sort of thing "Good Clean Fun".