I’ve never worked on these, but our local PullAPart is crack full of late model Audis. No rust, no body damage, decent interiors, even convertibles. All of them have longitudinal engines and about 1/2” clearance around said engines. I’m guessing neglect due to maintenance cost killed them. Patrick
I've heard the same thing, especially the brakes, they're pretty pricey, and brakes are usually the most often replaced wear item, and why a lot of young kids are driving used Audi's, they're cheap.
While the Hondas my wife favors aren't too bad, almost every other transverse mounted engine I've touched has been a royal pain. I hate changing the back spark plugs on a transverse V6 motor so much I don't do it unless they are hemi-style with plugs on the top/valve covers. I have NOT bought cars based on the location of some accessories and filters. All of my cars are longitudinal-engined GS cars. Sure, one of them is a Lexus but still a GS.
A friend of mine almost cried when he looked under the hood of my 2004 GTO. He could see all 8 spark plugs! He drove a 2000 Z28/SS Camaro and said changing the plugs took all day!
My oldest Son works as a mechanic in a busy transmission shop, they also do general repairs. He was told to replace the starter in a Northstar Cadillac as soon as a hoist was available. The Northstars had only been out a few years. My Son was puzzled when he couldn't find the starter and the boss thought he was pulling his leg when he told him he couldn't find the starter. They all had a good laugh over the whole thing! Bob H.
Anything under the hood of a pt cruiser. A friend had one. I put a Transmission in , a turbo x2, timing assembly and water pump. I was very happy when he was not hurt in an accident but the PT was totaled.....
All depends on the car and packaging. Honestly If I was an engineer, I wouldnt care if it was easy to access for service, everything cant be out in the open My GS's right side plugs are a pain, A/C hanging over the side in the way, back two plugs A/C box in the way. HVAC service, have fun, fortunately all is good there. Transmission bellhousing bolts The front and left side of the engine are not very service friendly either, the 455 GS's are probably worse. My 87 GN isnt bad once you remove the turbo plumbing. Heater core in that and an '87 Pontiac Safari wagon I had was a breeze, remove the cowl screen, slide the old one out, and slide the new one in
Changed the plugs on the 66 cat yesterday thinking about this thread as I was getting a 3/8 ratchet,6" ext and a socket from the tool box. No fuss no muss, all out in the open. Didnt take 10 mins to pull, clean and reinstall 8 plugs. All 8 staring me right in the face pointing straight out. Why cant they all be like that.
I am quickly finding out while restoring my father's 1994 Jaguar XJ-S V12 that it needs to be added to the list. No room to work on anything, and really starting to hate the forward opening hood when everything I need to reach is on the front side of the engine....
