The Wunderbarge is dead

"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg) 06/29/2016 at 20:16 • Filed to: None

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Long live the Wunderbarge!

The first year of ownership was a dream. This car was completely reliable. But then the second year, and the 130,000 mile mark, brought many thousands of dollars in repairs to a couple sensors, the catalytic converter, and a fuel pump. I just got the news back about the latest issue that sent the Audi off on a flatbed. A few more sensors, to the tune of over $1000. I might be able to stomach that, but while it was in the shop, I asked the trusted mechanic about some squeaking and rattling that had begun to emit from the front. Turns out, I was maybe a few thousand miles from total and catastrophic front suspension failure. The entire front suspension needs rebuilding on both sides, and that will run a minimum of $4000. The car only cost $7000. I love it to death, but at a certain point, enough is enough.

Two years ago, I was lucky enough to get a first car that most kids would dream of. Indeed, it was a dream come true for me. And even now, with all of its problems, I still haven’t grown tired of the old girl. Nothing else in my high school parking lot has quite the same levels of performance, safety, comfort, toys, insane snow ability, handsome styling, and overall classiness that this car did. I can honestly say that I never once walked inside a building without turning around to look at this machine, in all her pizza platter-wheeled glory. It did long road trips, shenanigans, rescued friends from the snow, and I looked for any excuse to get out just so I could spend more time behind the wheel. I don’t give a damn that it’s beige, or automatic, or “FWD based”. As my friends put it best, “That car is very you.”

We will most likely perform the repairs, then sell her and buy something more reliable. If not, she’ll go to auction as-is. I am excited to see what my next car will be, but my time with this beautiful 2001 Audi A8L 4.2 Quattro ended too soon. I’d love to see her go to a good home, so if anybody wants a fantastic highway cruiser and is more knowledgable about German car finickiness than me, I’d happily sell it to an Opponaunt once it’s fixed.

Also, I’ve never referred to my car as a “she” until this post. Funny how that works.

Nibby > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 20:20

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Ah, the fun of owning and maintaining a post-90s German land yacht!

At least you enjoyed your time with it for the most part. And that’s what matters the most.

OPPOsaurus WRX > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 20:21

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i’ll pour a quart out for the fallen. actually, I’m pretty sure the Allroad will do that on the way to work tomorrow. I’ll still take your wheels.

Blondude > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 20:22

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:(

TheHondaBro > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 20:22

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Can I have your wheels?

CB > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 20:23

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So, if the car is getting sent off to the great parking lot wherever, what do you think you’ll replace it with? Some other sort of large luxobarge?

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 20:23

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I’m in the same boat right now with the Crossfire. Hoping to replace it with something older or easier to fix without expensive electronic tools.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > CB 06/29/2016 at 20:24

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1. It hopefully isn’t getting scrapped/parted. I just can’t afford to be the one that fixes/keeps it.

2. A few cars from now, yes. For now, something a bit more frugal. How much more frugal I don’t know.

CB > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 20:26

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Clearly, you need the polar opposite of what you have now.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 20:26

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Noooo!

Basically the same boat I was in with Emma. Too much stuff breaking, not enough money/time/patience/value to keep it going.

Any idea what you might want next?

RallyWrench > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 20:28

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Four grand!? That’s double what I’ve seen a complete front end rebuild cost on Audis of the era.

Steve in Manhattan > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 20:31

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Most manufacturers use 4 or 8 ball joints in the front - I believe Audi uses 16, which makes that repair expensive. VW as well.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 20:36

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Lexus LS400

For Sweden > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 20:37

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Does it have the air suspension?

Coilover conversion kits exist, and while they’re not cheap, if you have the tools and can follow instructions, it should be considerably cheaper than $4000.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 20:37

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Godspeed Wuderbarge! I know the feeling of questioning if the upkeep is worth it on a Luxobarge. Good luck with whatever your next car is.

macanamera > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 20:38

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Yes but whose house is that? I like it!

macanamera > macanamera 06/29/2016 at 20:43

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Also fare thee well, Wunderbarge

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 20:48

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Farewell ye Audi D2. Long live 90s German land barges.

Nimbus The Legend - Riding on air like a cloud > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 20:53

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awww. i hate to see this happen to such a beautiful car, but sometimes whats beautiful on the outside, hides something really ugly inside.....

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 06/29/2016 at 21:20

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Yeah, I suppose it’s inevitable with German cars of a certain age.

No idea. But there’s always the chance of a certain Alfa Romeo...

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 21:26

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I have a feeling that would be even worse than the Audi.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > For Sweden 06/29/2016 at 21:28

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It’s not air suspension.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > macanamera 06/29/2016 at 21:32

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It was for sale about two years ago when I took these pictures. If it comes on the market again, I think it would look very appropriate with a red F-Type parked out front.

macanamera > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 21:33

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I really like the ivy covered facade! Remember the list price? And where (what city)?

wafflesnfalafel > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 21:34

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“’Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all...”

Under_Score > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 21:40

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New Toyota Camry XSE????

Sm70 specialty plate tradition: LTG0PLC (Let’s Go Places)

But sorry about the Audi. That was cool that you had a decent working one as your first car, but cars get old, and then they have problems.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Nimbus The Legend - Riding on air like a cloud 06/29/2016 at 21:55

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Sounds like a Taylor Swift song.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > macanamera 06/29/2016 at 21:58

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I want to say it was under 2 million dollars, and in Omaha.

Jack Does Cars > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 22:09

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For the right price, I know of a certain rust free TrailBlazer that’s for sale...

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > CB 06/29/2016 at 23:29

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I shudder to think what that might be...

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Nibby 06/29/2016 at 23:30

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True. It served its purpose for the last would years. 10/10 would buy another with fewer problems. If such a thing existed.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Under_Score 06/29/2016 at 23:30

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That they do.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > TheHondaBro 06/29/2016 at 23:31

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Only if you buy the rest of the car with it.

Your boy, BJR > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/29/2016 at 23:35

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How much will you be asking?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Your boy, BJR 06/29/2016 at 23:41

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It depends largely on how much of the work we do or don’t do. We’ll probably just get it to where it can be safely driven and doesn’t cut out then ask $4000 but that’s a total guess as of right now.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/30/2016 at 01:05

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$4000 for the front suspension sounds very steep. Labour is probably included but it still sounds kinda too much.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 06/30/2016 at 01:32

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All I know is that the gentleman we bring our cars to has been a personal friend of the family for a long time, and really knows his stuff. If he says it’s a $4000 fix, I believe him.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/30/2016 at 04:29

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Well, I’d say sell your D2 then and get a D3.

RoboRed "The road to hell is paved with overturned Vanduras" > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/30/2016 at 07:43

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Fare thee well, Ayaytel... :(

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 06/30/2016 at 11:28

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The sad thing is, I actually would.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/30/2016 at 11:33

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That’s not sad at all. The D3 is the best looking A8 imo

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/30/2016 at 15:22

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RIP

Time for an Allroad though!

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/30/2016 at 15:24

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Time to get a Lexus, bruh.

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 06/30/2016 at 15:34

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This is why I wrench on my car myself. That $4k repair bill is probably $1-2k if you can do it yourself. Lets me have much nicer cars than I’d otherwise be able to afford.

mazda616 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/30/2016 at 15:37

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Aw, man. That sucks. Sorry to hear it! :-/

Jcarr > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/30/2016 at 15:49

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https://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/5627274009…

https://desmoines.craigslist.org/cto/5653570681…

https://desmoines.craigslist.org/ctd/5655966372…

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > e36Jeff now drives a ZHP 06/30/2016 at 15:58

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I looked up prices for suspension bits for an A8 and you could get away with less than €2000 with good, name brand shocks, springs and other suspension related stuff. If I had the space (and car for that matter hahaha) I’d definitely work on my cars as much as I could.

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 06/30/2016 at 16:01

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I have zero space, but the wife is in the USCG, so I get access to a naval base that has a garage where I can rent a lift for $5/hr, $25/day and free tool rentals. If I didnt have that, I’d have to drive 3 hours to my parents to use their garage.

dogisbadob > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/30/2016 at 17:00

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Hi

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > dogisbadob 06/30/2016 at 17:09

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I get the impression you’ve been waiting a while to post that

dogisbadob > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/30/2016 at 17:29

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I like to post that whenever someone is having major problems with their big non-Japanese luxury cars :)

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > dogisbadob 06/30/2016 at 18:50

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How thoughtful.

If I did go for an LS, I’d get the previous gen. Better looking and less of a blob.

dogisbadob > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 06/30/2016 at 20:06

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Yeah the earlier cars are certainly good too! But I chose the LS430 for this thread because it’s the same time frame as your car.

Something from the 90s would get an LS400. And something newer would get an LS460 as a reply.

JR1 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 07/02/2016 at 23:20

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Sorry to here the time of German luxury came to an unfortunate end. There is always next time!