This is where the Japanese
>and Europeans have it all over the American manufacturers.  Mercedes,
>Saab (pre GM), and Volvo (pre Ford) engines typically go 300,000 miles
>with proper care.  The precision (fit tolerance) and engineering (over
>design, materials) that goes into these engines comes at a cost, and for
>the mid level market VW/Audi does a very respectable job.

If you live in the states and drive a Ford you could point out to your
dealer that my Ford Sierra has now done 245K miles on it's first clutch.
The only failure's so far have been the starter motor (twice but Ford only
replace an item once) and the water pump.   I would also point out to VW
that the total cost of these repairs was (including labour) about �110
Sterling.

Justin

Ps:- They also have a service network that makes VW look like a bunch of
cowboys.

Justin Pentecost Focus Puller
Email:-justin@krass.com  Tel:- +44 (0)20 85-58-10-14
Fax:- +44 (0)20 85-56-70-40      Mobile:- +44 (0)973 317 241