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The Future Of The Manual Transmission

9932 messages,  Last post on May 23, 2013 at 10:37 AM

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Messages Page 978 of 994

#9769 of 9932 Re: Need some advice [volkov] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 23, 2013 (12:57 pm)

Replying to: volkov (Jan 23, 2013 12:40 pm)
Exactly. Audi's reliability performance has gone from dismal to merely bad and now is actually acceptable. Probably the biggest complaint is maintenance costs. Audi parts are punishingly expensive.
 
Still, it's a nice driving and nice looking car and I see the appeal. I wouldn't mind having a new one. But not on my life would I ever buy a miled-up used one.
 
As for association with VW, that's not a plus.

#9770 of 9932 Re: Need some advice [volkov] by andres3

Jan 23, 2013 (4:16 pm)

Replying to: volkov (Jan 23, 2013 12:40 pm)
Ahhh yes, I got an A3 with barely any options. It was the options I heard that had the worst reliability (the open sky clips and electrical gadgets as you've mentioned).
 
You get a basic simple version of the model and you'll probably be just as lucky. As you've stated, CR has now confirmed Audi has improved over the years to be top 10 material. It's been more than a few years, I'd say the QC became important to them starting around 2000. It takes awhile to erase old perceptions though.
 
That being said, yes, I've left my rear windshield washer fluid spray nozzle non-functional as it's not important (and probably would cost a lot for someone to find where in the tubing the leak is). I've also been living with a center console that won't lock closed as the latch is broken.
 
It's far from perfect, but when you compare to '95 Dodge that I had:
 
Head gaskets, auto transmission, AC system, parking brake, o2 sensors, gas tank o-ring seal/gaskets, battery terminals, starter wires/cables, fuel pump, and belts that none of which could last more than 60,000 miles; it's a no brainer.
 
Not to mention the Dodge at 65,000 miles had 1,000 literal rattles, while the Audi remains quiet, composed, and bank vault tight at 95K +

#9771 of 9932 Re: Need some advice [andres3] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 23, 2013 (6:43 pm)

Replying to: andres3 (Jan 23, 2013 4:16 pm)
It's the parts that kill you on an A3.
 
Steering gear (rack) $1350
 
Xenon headlamp assembly (if say someone backs into you) $740 each
 
ECM -- $980
 
transaxle -- $6199
 
So you really want a new one, or maybe a car like yours, one-owner, complete service history, low miles, etc.
 
These cars will beat you up and leave you for dead if you go in blind.

#9772 of 9932 Re: Need some advice (andres 3) [Mr_Shiftright] by hpmctorque

Jan 23, 2013 (7:20 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 23, 2013 6:43 pm)
Are there not good non-dealer sources for Audi parts, where one can get original equipment quality parts at lower prices, or OEM parts at a discount?
 
My wife's '07 A4 2.0T Quattro automatic has 65,000 miles on it. It had problems which were dealt with under warranty, but none in the past 15,000 miles.
 
Andres 3, have you changed the timing belt on your A3, and, if not, at what mileage do you plan to do it?

#9773 of 9932 Re: Need some advice (andres 3) [hpmctorque] by andres3

Jan 24, 2013 (12:16 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Jan 23, 2013 7:20 pm)
Yes, many times a knowledgeable shop can go direct to the manufacturer rather than through Audi (say Bosch, Bilstein, or whoever)
 
There's also a lot of good after-market parts of high quality, or better than OEM for performance, and I think a need for a replacement part is an excellent excuse to upgrade.
 
I changed my timing belt at about 85,000 miles. They used to recommend them in the old days at 100K miles, but they were getting some breakages in the 90 to 100K mile range, so they've made the recommendation for a new timing belt a very conservative 75K miles. You can look at the belt and see how it is wearing and adjust accordingly.

#9774 of 9932 Re: Need some advice [Mr_Shiftright] by andres3

Jan 24, 2013 (12:18 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 23, 2013 6:43 pm)
Xenon headlamp assembly (if say someone backs into you) $740 each
 
Sounds like an option to me, not a standard feature (doo-dads and gadgets).
 
How much would my regular halogen light assembly cost to replace?
 
Besides, I've heard I can buy Korean-made Xenon light assemblies for my A3 for around $100/piece.

#9775 of 9932 Re: Need some advice [Mr_Shiftright] by andres3

Jan 24, 2013 (12:20 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 23, 2013 6:43 pm)
It's the parts that kill you on an A3.
  
Steering gear (rack) $1350
  
Xenon headlamp assembly (if say someone backs into you) $740 each
  
ECM -- $980
  
transaxle -- $6199
 
To be fair, how much would these parts cost on say, a Japanese Audi (oops), I mean Subaru, or Honda?

#9776 of 9932 Re: Need some advice [andres3] by hpmctorque

Jan 24, 2013 (2:12 pm)

Replying to: andres3 (Jan 24, 2013 12:20 pm)
I think a closer comparison would be Acura TSX vs. Audi A3, and Acura TL vs. Audi A4. I did a comparison a while back on a couple of parts and components, since we have a TL and an A4, and the Acura was somewhat less expensive than the Audi, but more expensive than the same part and component for an Accord. Wish I could remember the part and component, but it was a while ago.

#9777 of 9932 Re: Need some advice [hpmctorque] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 24, 2013 (7:27 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Jan 24, 2013 2:12 pm)
I would say, on an out of warranty car, that comparing an Acura to an Audi, that the Audi would cost you 2X to 3X as much to maintain and repair.
 
I've grilled a lot of people on maintenance for out of warranty German cars--I mean people who will share ALL the repair and maintenance bills---plus I've had a fair number of such vehicles myself, and it always works out about the same---$125/$150 a month to keep one on the road....IF....you take it to a good indie shop and ....IF....you are thorough in your maintenance...and IF....you don't do any, or little, of the work yourself.
 
Given the pleasure I get out of a German car driven with elan and a manual transmission, it's worth it.

#9778 of 9932 Re: Need some advice [Mr_Shiftright] by hpmctorque

Jan 24, 2013 (9:29 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 24, 2013 7:27 pm)
I fully expect that maintenance and repairs are more for a German car than for an Acura, but I would have guessed ~1 1/2X rather than 2-3X. Parts are more expensive and maintenance and repairs more frequent, but labor should be about the same or slightly more per visit. I accept that your estimates are more accurate than mine, though.
 
I think the German cars are worth the extra expense, but I could quickly change my mind when I'm hit with a big repair bill. I could avoid it by trading the A4 with, say, a new Accord 4-cylinder EX-L or Mazda 3 with manual. The manual would make the Accord kind of a rare duck, but would restore a modicum of elan. I know someone with a 2011 model of the Accord I described, and he loves it.

Messages Page 978 of 994

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