"Jay Somerset" <jay@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1f5vq010urlbic5jnhoq9dk0mfat6bmpqe@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 2 Dec 2004 08:42:44 -0700, "Ian S" <iws51remove@***.net> wrote:
>

> > I don't see why reliability and the other attributes you list have to be
> > mutually exclusive. Especially when in some of the Audi/VW problems,
poor
> > design is clearly the issue.
> >
> Absolutley! It is a total cop-out to to excuse poor reliability by
extoling
> "look & feel." Audis, especially the A4/A6 lines between 1997 and 2001
(and
> maybe still) are very poor from a reliability/robustness standpoint.
>
> There is absolutely no excuse for having front ends practically
disintegrate
> by 60,000 miles (100,000 km), or having valve cover and cam seal/adjuster
> gaskets dribble oil all over the outside of the engine and hot exhaust
> manifolds. These cars also have a much higher than average incidence of
> electrical faults -- dashboard display LED segments failing; cruise
controls
> that become intermittant and then stop working; exterior mirrors whose
> heating elements fail within the first three years, etc.

I had forgotten about the outside mirror heating elements! Mine expired long
ago - since I live in Phoenix, it's not a big loss although I'm always
reminded of it when I go to Flagstaff in the winter.
>
> Yes, Audis do look nice, drive nice, and generally smell nice (excpet when
> oil leaks out onto the exhaust!

It was always embarrassing when passengers would ask "what's that smell?"

But if a car is not relaible, then its
> long-term position in the marketplace will (and has) suffered.
>
> Would I buy another Audi? Probably not. Would I buy another TRoyota
> Avalon? Probably yes.

I'm considering a sports car next and the TT isn't even in the running.

 

"Jay Somerset" <jay@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1f5vq010urlbic5jnhoq9dk0mfat6bmpqe@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 2 Dec 2004 08:42:44 -0700, "Ian S" <iws51remove@***.net> wrote:
>

> > I don't see why reliability and the other attributes you list have to be
> > mutually exclusive. Especially when in some of the Audi/VW problems,
poor
> > design is clearly the issue.
> >
> Absolutley! It is a total cop-out to to excuse poor reliability by
extoling
> "look & feel." Audis, especially the A4/A6 lines between 1997 and 2001
(and
> maybe still) are very poor from a reliability/robustness standpoint.
>
> There is absolutely no excuse for having front ends practically
disintegrate
> by 60,000 miles (100,000 km), or having valve cover and cam seal/adjuster
> gaskets dribble oil all over the outside of the engine and hot exhaust
> manifolds. These cars also have a much higher than average incidence of
> electrical faults -- dashboard display LED segments failing; cruise
controls
> that become intermittant and then stop working; exterior mirrors whose
> heating elements fail within the first three years, etc.

I had forgotten about the outside mirror heating elements! Mine expired long
ago - since I live in Phoenix, it's not a big loss although I'm always
reminded of it when I go to Flagstaff in the winter.
>
> Yes, Audis do look nice, drive nice, and generally smell nice (excpet when
> oil leaks out onto the exhaust!

It was always embarrassing when passengers would ask "what's that smell?"

But if a car is not relaible, then its
> long-term position in the marketplace will (and has) suffered.
>
> Would I buy another Audi? Probably not. Would I buy another TRoyota
> Avalon? Probably yes.

I'm considering a sports car next and the TT isn't even in the running.

 

http://www.ardice.com/Recreation/Aut...s/BMW/7_Series

 

http://www.ardice.com/Recreation/Aut...s/BMW/7_Series

 

http://www.ardice.com/Recreation/Aut...s/BMW/7_Series