Audi "classic" support

[Lee Levitt <wheelman@shore.net>]

Phil writes:

>It is an Audi (UK, USA) problem.  In every other branch of technological
>support (talk to IBM, Amdahl, Hitachi, Fujitsu, et al) it is customary
>to provide an "end of life" support programme.  Amdahl's "Classic"
>programme for their 470 and 580 users is exemplary.
>

Well, maybe, but it's a hell of a lot easier to get someone to upgrade
their minicomputer or mainframe  to new equipment from the same
manufacturer. What do you think the same-vendor conversion rate is for 10
year old cars, 5%?

Why *should* carmakers care? It's not economically beneficial for them...
You drive an old car...you're *not* buying new cars...Sure you may
influence a few purchases...but car makers are looking to sell *new* cars
to new buyers.

>Audi is, to a degree, two-faced.  They're deliriously happy when we turn
>up at motor sport events with ur-quattros looking pristine and _still_
>capable of leaving M3s in the dust (separate thread looming) but they
>will _NOT_ assist us with spares programmes, etc.
>
>They're riding for a fall.  Sooner or later they're going to get
>pilloried for their cavalier treatment of "classic" Audi owners.
>

Audi is *not* alone in this treatment.

I will not argue with you that auto manufacturers *should* treat classic
owners better. Volvo shows Irv Gordon's '66 P1800 with a million and a half
miles on it at a number of shows...yet they have very few parts for the car
still available.

Most automakers, outside of Rolls Royce, MB and Porsche, will abandon
support of cars more than 10 years old. It's not just Audi... For *any*
manufacturer, it's simply not economically feasible. That's bad news for
us. But it's a fact.

If you want loyalty, get a dog :)

Lee