'88 80 Quattro Oil Leak & dead A/C -- 3rd post

[Cory Brayton <cbrayton@bcm.tmc.edu>]

so  <2weeks after having condenser + broken hose replaced for $1400, there
was no a/c again -- I took it to a/c 'specialist' who said leak was around
compressor (replaced < 1yr ago for $1100.) -- he also noted that the new
condenser, which was sold to me as genuine Audi & itemized @ $665., has a
bunch of copper parts & is a cheap knock-off & should be <$200. -- the
genuine condenser (part #893260L is all Aluminum & $727. retail per local
Audi parts distributor -- or around $600. to shops) -- do I have any
recourse with person who sold/installed condenser?  I really don't have a
problem using a non-Audi part as long as its a good piece of equipment &
I'm charged appropriately for it.

Incidentally -- the condenser installer is the same place (that specializes
in foreign & German cars) that 'checked & topped off all fluids' so it
overheated < 1mile away with almost no coolant in reservoir,  and
'balanced' my tires -- 3 of 4 little weights were gone by 3 weeks & the car
now pulls right.

BTW I'm letting the oil leak.

I like the car -- I've had it for 11y & cost only regular maintenance for
1st 10 yrs in NE -- I think/hope its a good machine & can't really afford
to buy anything comparable at the moment -- but I don't know if I can
afford to maintain it here either -- + its hot in Houston --  when I call
up a service station (whose ad says it services foreign cars) this is how
the conversation goes:

me:  "do you service foreign cars?"

Him:  " Yes, Ma'am." (enthusiastic)

me:  "do you hate Audi's?"

Him:  " Yes, Ma'am." (enthusiastic)

me:  "can you recommend anyone who works on Audi's?"  

Him:  " No, Ma'am."  or 
	"have you tried the dealers?" 
(Yes -- with pathetic-disastrous results)

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions

Cory B

PS -- I've already heard "Get a Honda."