RE: OPINION WANTED : Audi as a "consumer" vehicle

[Luis Marques <marques@rtis.ray.com>]

In the last four years and ~45k mi. that I have had my '87 4kq, I
haven't spent a dime in quattro related expenses.  I haven't had any
quattro-related failures either.  Of course, I did change the fluid in
the rear diff. with synthetic once... so the total cost of quattro
ownership over a FWD model has been about $2/yr :)  Even though the rear
end is essentially a front suspension turned around, it doesn't do any
steering work and only does half the propulsion work, so the components
last a loooong time compared to the fronts.  and the front driveshafts
also last a long time since they are only putting dowm half the power.

About alignments, I simply bought the "lifetime alignment" for $90 and
just take it into the shop for a complimentary 4-wheel alignment every
year or whenever I feel like it.  The lifetime alignment costs the same
for 4-wheel and two-wheel and has paid for itself two-fold.  Again,
premium paid for having quattro = $0.00 :) 

Luis Marques
'87 4kcsq