Worn out A6

Have the dealer do *just* the recall. (They are required to do this, and cannot make a recall dependent on other non-warranty/non-recall replairs).

Then take it to an honest, independent shop (that is good, and has a good reputation) and ask them to evaluate the other items.

Then make a decision.

Oh, and find a new dealer.

Yeah, because the new car will cost less than $4000, and have a timing belt that never needs to be replaced...

No wonder so many people are in debt up to their eyeballs - if this is the kind of "thinking" that prevails.

Of course, the Audi dealer did VAG no service by trying to belt this guy for $4000 of repairs, who knows how many of which were really necessary.

The timing belt, yeah. But $1500 is WAY TOO DAMN MUCH to spend on that job.

Still, are there people out there who are really this completely brain- dead?

The mind boggles.

E.P.

I wouldn't call it worn 'out' After all, the car's almost 8 years old.

lower control arms and tie rods are common, timing belt is something you have to have done anyway. You can always decide if you want to buy a new car before every timing belt change or just have it done.

Guess what's cheaper?.

Suction jet pump and prop-shaft seal I don't know about.

Yeah, completely right.

Err, well maintenance for an 8 year old car does include the odd bigger repair.

For the record, I own a 99 A6 as well, 2,5 TDI, Avant.

Had several lower control arms and tie rod ends, had one timing belt done at 75kmiles for ~700 Euros, thats around 900US$ right now, at the dealer. Had two sets of braking discs in the front and one in the rear. Worst that happened was a failed fuel injection pump a few months ago, meaning after more than 7 years and almost 100kmiles. Ouch on a TDI with those high pressure pumps. Cost me ~2.500 US$ at the dealer.

Was still a good deal, bcause 8 weeks later the new pump went again. Obviously the second pump cost me nothing.

In both cases I had a decent loaner free of charge, so I didn't worry.

Sure, somewhen in the future the dampers need a change. That's most likely then a job for the independent. I need to fix a screw in the rear door lining too :-)

I went through the maths that time. By no means it would make sense financially to buy a new car, even with those repairs. The car is mine, no debt.

Dealer would offer ~14kUS$ for it if I trade it in.

But most important:

Every time I get in and drive it, it's a most pleasant feeling.

:-)

Wolfgang

rrrrright...

Hehehe... "free of charge" - and he thinks what he paid was reasonable.

Well, maybe not completely right, yes :-) The price for the belt change is quote high. I was mainly referring to the number of repairs.

Don't get me wrong, I'd also try to find another dealer, because this one's too expensive, but I wanted to express that the car's not waste just because of those things.

Hmm. I think 900bucks including time and material for a V6TDI belt change is VERY reasonable. The independents wouldn't do it for that price.

Not with waterpump and tensioner and all.

W.

Sorry mate, I was in a bad mood last night...

Says who? Take it to an independent to see if they even need to be done!

Timing belt, yes - you're on-mileage for that one. The rest? Who knows?

How do you figure that?

When you don't own a car. Seriously.

E.P.

Took the car for a second opinion at a independent garage and they agreed with dealer but would do the work for about half with parts from the dealer. Larry

or when you buy a honda civic. but who would do that to themselves?

I've also heard the myth that Hondas never need repair or maintenance. Considering the number of Hondas I see in a local shop at any given time, I know for a fact that the myth is completely false.

E.P.

Toyotas have very soft, long-travel suspensions. Test drive the car for at least 10 minutes in slow traffic to make sure the forwards/backwards rocking doesn't make you sick. If it doesn't, the Toyotas are generally great cars.