Dealer Hourly, TT Drive, etc.

["Jonathan Brauer" <jonathb@uswest.net>]

Just got back from my local dealer (Carousel in Minneapolis), picked up my
99.5 1.8 after the 5,000 mile service.

Sign in the service area: $74 an hour.

I believe Anderson charges $55, and they were quite conservative on their
billing when I had my rad fan replaced by them last summer (91 90q 20v).
This is where I go for any non-warranty work. Just got a mylar bra installed
by them, if anyone cares (not Stonguard but it is a 3M product).

Since this service is covered by Audi, the areas on the receipt for fluids,
shop supplies, environmental charges etc had zeroes, so I dunno if they
normally charge for that stuff or not.

FWIW, I've been running Mobil1 15W50 since 1,400 miles. Just got the last 5
qts on sale at Kmart for $3.78/per, so my net cost of the 5k service was
about $15 (4qts fills the engine).

Also my car farted a code last week on startup. No biggie, there was a day
last week when the only driving was to back it out of the garage to wash it
and then drive it in again. Code appeared at next startup. Dealer pulled
code and ended up replacing all plugs and new coil packs, "cyl #1 misfires
and multiple cal misfires." Car seemed to run damn fine to me, but I won't
hold them back from the work as long as Audi's picking up the tab.

Recoded the remote for me at no charge. Didn't charge me the $2 "gas fee"
for the loaner. Service guys broke the little tab that pops out of the
grille when popping the hood, no replacement in stock, will repair at next
service. How does one break that thing?!?!

Drove the TT. Impressions: Love the exhaust note. Love the short shift. I
didn't think visibility was too bad. Car needs a sunroof. Engine compartment
very tight, not like the A4. Build quality overall felt excellent, material
quality merely good. The door panels -- and all the vinyl -- felt and looked
cheap, IMO. Seat tracks too visible, makes the car look cheap. Drove very
well, suspension felt very tight, seemed like there was more lag than in my
car. Needs quattro -- definitely not as fun in the tight fast turns as the
A4 w/ sport. Got stares at every stop sign! Overall a sexy car but I can see
why some aren't as enthused after looking up close; I'm not _as_ excited,
but I'd still take one!

Plenty of S4 brochures in stock, as well.

--jb