Re: Audi of America, are you listening?

[ti@amb.org (Ti Kan)]

Osman Parvez writes:
> You misunderstood me. Of course newer model audis are improvements on
> older model Audis. With the parts comment, I was referring to older
> model Audis with the original design flaw not being corrected from a
> parts standpoint. 

But they do make improved parts for existing models... I cited that
too in my posting.  Lots of replacement parts are upgraded over their
original versions.  Perhaps just not always the parts that you desire...

> Several
> Plastic/rubber items underhood come to mind. For example, why not
> replace the flimsy plastic injector cooling shroud with a more durable
> version?

Actually, to use that example: a newer version of the injector cooling
fan shroud was made.  The early one was closed, the newer one has a hole
on top to allow cooling air to also cool the engine compartment in general.
I am not sure the new version is more "durable" than the old one, though.

Another example is the parking brake cable on my 4000.  The old one-piece
design was superceded by a twin-cable setup that is less likely to snap
in the middle...

I am not sure if Audi can make improvements to *every* part that had some
kind of weakness over the long service life of their cars... that would
probably not be economically unfeasible.  I actually think that Audi and VW
are quite good at making parts available to older models and continuing to
improve them, compared to some other marques.  I can still get parts easily
for my 1980 4K (that's almost a 20 year old car now) at my local dealer.

> In some instances, they have provided repair/modification kits. For
> example, the center-vent flap spring on the type 44's. I think I've read
> on the  list that a repair kit is available with substanitally beefed up
> parts. 

Yep, they do that too.

-Ti
96 A4 2.8 quattro
84 5000S 2.1 turbo
80 4000 2.0
-- 
    ///  Ti Kan                Vorsprung durch Technik
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