RE: Audi of America, are you listening?

[Dave Michael <dave.michael@quantum.com>]

I think I will throw my hat into the frey.

Recently, my wife has taken to permanently adding an adjective in front of the 
word "Audi". It begins with "F", ends with "G" and it ain't "flying". Why? 
Because of the amount of time I spend working on it because of just plain 
stupid engineering. Things like alternators that have covers on them that 
require three different extensions lengths and three jointed fingers to remove, 
just so you can get to the voltage regulator (5 minute jobe becomes 30 
minutes). Or an air flow meter position sensor that requires one to half remove 
the fuel injection system (while still leaving it hooked up) so it can be 
adjusted. Or an air cleaner that ..... And I STILL don't get the 5 valve 
engines: The V6 doesn't produce torque at any lower rpm that the same 
displacment 3 or 4 valve engine from BMW or MBZ.

I drive an Audi because it has a certain set of other, useful qualities, that 
(bareley) make up for the deficiencies. I am a mechanical design engineer, and 
I honestly think that many of the engineers who work in ingolstadt need to get 
a clue or two. It is amusing to walk into a VW dealer and compare the engine 
compartments of a car designed in wolfsburg vs one designed in ingolstadt. It 
is clear to me that a very different set of people did the designs.

I also own a MBZ 190E2.3-16, and it is much better designed, even though It is 
four years older that the Audi. Hell, some parts of my Alfa Milano are way 
better (the engine, for instance. 200 hp from 3 liters with 2 valves per 
cylinder).

If anyone comes out with a largish, high performance, 5 speed, awd wagon, I 
certainly have no particular brand
loyalty  that will hold me to Audi (not that Audi actually makes one anymore 
either).

I guess the point of this rant is that there seems to be a design philosophy at 
Audi that does not consider the long term implication of a design decision. 
Never mind that when they do make a mistake,  they are reluctant to own up to 
it.

Dave
90 200 qw 147,000
87 alfa milano 149,000 (emergancy back up car for when the audi breaks)
86 mbz 190 2.3-16 119,000 (wife's car)