Why did I take my car to the dealer?

["Craig D. Niederst" <niederst@telerama.com>]

Went to pick my '92 100S up from the dealer this evening (Day Audi in
Pittsburgh). I took the car in for state inspection / emissions, an
alignment (since my regular shop said the adjusters were frozen and they
couldn't do it) and to diagnose three lingering problems that I had: (1)
Severe shake from front end at highway speeds, (2) Coolant coming out from
coolant cap even though the car does not overheat and (3) Tranny leak. Car
passed inspection / emissions. But their answers to my other problems were a
joke. They claimed they could not find a shake from the front end at highway
speeds. But they did say I had a torn CV boot, and possibly a bad CV. They
quoted me $208 to fix it, but as I found out when I picked it up the $208
was to replace the ripped boot (they claim the CV was OK)! They pressure
tested my coolant system, checked the fans, etc and found nothing wrong. I
posted the conclusion about the tranny leak before, which they said was a
leak through the casting. They claim it is nothing to worry about. I
disagree, because enough fluid is leaking for it to drip onto my passenger
side cat and cause a smell every time I drive the car for more than a short
run. So on my ride home on the PA turnpike, within 5 minutes of leaving the
dealer I have my severe high speed shake. Get off at my exit and when I stop
to pay the toll, there's the burning tranny fluid smell. And to boot, when I
go top get change from the ashtray to pay the toll, all of my change is gone
(there was at least $10 in quarters in there when I dropped the car off last
week). I hate to go into the garage right now fearing there will be coolant
all over the floor. I figured I'd give another dealer a chance with my car
(already had a bad experience with another dealer before). Big mistake. So I
paid $358 for a state inspection, emissions, alignment and a CV boot
(actually $368 if you count my stolen change). Can you say monkey lads with
a capital M? Of course I'll call to complain tomorrow when the service
manager and monkey lad mechanic are there, but I doubt I'll get any
satisfaction. Rant mode off.

Craig
'92 100S (86k)