-----Original Message-----
From: David-M <dmc@cyburban.com>
To: KBatzler <KBatzler@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
Date: Thursday, January 14, 1999 6:58 AM
Subject: Re: how much interest IS there in the 5cyl conversion???(5cyl
diesel)

>KBatzler wrote:
>>
>>
>> but why did audi pull the 5cyl TD out of the US market
>> >in '83 if it was such a good car??
>> >
>> >no flames, im just not a diesel fan.
>> >
>> >chris
>>
>>
>> Mainly because the interest in diesel engines in the US had dropped
>> off drastically...this same 5 cyl diesel is still in use today in
>> Germany and is known to be a very durable motor.  The problem is, just
>> like with Vanagons, they need to be properly maintained!!!!  Something
>> people here aren't well know for.  When diesels were becoming popular
>> here, most people bought them because it used less fuel (and gasoline
>> prices were skyrocketing) but were misled into thinking that there was
>> no maintenance needed because someone may have told them that diesels
>> don't need tune-ups.
>>

David M. wrote:
>A vehicle that needs excessive maintenance will never catch on with the
>masses. The trend is for tune-ups every 100,000 miles, spark-plugs that
>never need replacing, maintenance-free batteries etc. With labor (In NY
>at $65 per hour) who needs it?

Your absolutely right, but only do one tune-up on you 100,000 mile gas
engine that might last 150,000.  Diesel engines will go 4-500,000 miles
without a complete rebuild.
Karl Batzler
84 Vanagon
87 Audi 5000 S