I go to Georgia Tech and just got an 98 A4 30v. I've been around quite a while as my previous car was a 92 100.

Got a few questions for those of you in Atlanta... what's the most reliable/honest indy shop to get things done on the car? Heard Autobahn Performance up Buford Hwy is pretty good.

I am thinking of taking the car to Nalley to get the control arm recall done, but for other little things, I'd rather not go to the stealership.

Thanks!

A pic of the car...
<img src="http://www.wickedjack.com/awot/A4sunset.jpg">

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/82688/blue_a4.jpg"></center><p>I use Nalley Audi for maintenance related work. As a matter of fact, I just got by Lower Control Arms replaced there on 12/23/04 (recall work). For my performance work, I use Eurotech in Marietta (not too far away from Southern Tech).

I use Nalley right now as mine is still under warranty. I will go back to my old mechanic at Auto Shop in Roswell when the warranty expires.

Good to see another GT person here. I went there for a while. Be careful keeping your car there. The narrow streets make for lots of potential dings, and theives love to snatch things off car seats around there.

--Mike

Try <a href="http://forums.audiworld.com/southeast/msgs/5946.phtml">this guy.</a> He's competent, too!

Those damn Techies! 8^)

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/66776/le-30install_front.jpg">

So it shouldn't attract thiefs. I might need to invest in a club though.

=P

I really don't know if Ronal still makes those. Asking the wrong person. Sorry!

Anyone can cut through your steering wheel with a knife and slide it out.

alarm + tinted windows + wheel locks + hiding everything (like you said) = best protection.
But if someone <i>really</i> wants your car, they're going to take it.

The car's parked in a parking deck about 2 minutes walk time from my on-campus apartment... well-lighted plenty of traffic/foot traffic. I can actually see it right now.

There are a few other A4s around (B5 &amp; B6) plus one or two 5-series in the same deck, so it shouldn't be too bad. *Crosses fingers*

You bring up another strategy - parking next to BMWs and Mercs. Thieves will go for (what they think) is the nicer car.

I was on the 5-year plan. =) Anyhoo, lots of friends had stereo's snatched, etc. During the time I was there, I drove a 240SX, a Wrangler, a 325, a Volvo 240, a Honda Dio 50cc scooter, a CQ20V, an 80, and an A4. The only problem I ever had was people scraping my bumpers when getting in/out of parallel parking spaces. I can honestly say I _never_ hit anyone while parking my car. Anyway, the 240SX and the A4 had their bumpers repainted a few times each, no big deal.

The Wrangler was the best car for on-campus at Tech, IMO, not counting the scooter of course.

Congrats on the car, man. Good choice.

Autobahn on Buford Hwy is good. Took our 80 and 90S there a couple of times and they are really good.

I might stop by Autobahn this Friday to have them fix a few little things. Thanks!

I'll only have it here for a semester, so it shouldn't be too big of a problem. Thanks for the heads up though.

I think that everybody's on the 5-year plan, except for people on the M-train. :)

I remember that the Peter's deck was the best place for break-ins for a long while.

--Mike

I bring home a decent amount of bacon now, 6 years into the corporate world. =)

Also during college, I worked ~30 hrs/wk, so only took enough credit hours each qtr. to be considered a full-time student.

Oh and yes, Peters is where all the shadiness went down. I never parked there unless I absolutely had to.

By the way, GT tip, at least it was this way when I went there: NEVER register your car. When you get a parking ticket for "unregistered vehicle" just tear it up. They don't know who you are. Also, change cars often enough so you don't get towed!!! =) I must have had $50,000 in parking tix by the time I received my diploma. =)

Several of my friends opted for that degree, and have landed good engineering gigs. The M-Train is ususally a 4 year ride compared to the 5-plus year plans that most other get.

I never registered my car, either. The fine print on the back of the ticket said you could wriet "Visitor" on it, send it in, and not get fined. I think I did that at least twenty times in one quarter. :)

--Mike

Yeah it's funny, I was in a group at MCI working with a guy with a EE degree from GT, a few years older than me. I told him I felt bad about hopping on the M-train instead of finishing up as a EE. He made a good point: "Why? We both have the same job now, anyway." Funny how things end up.

despite having the same title, which I attributed to his having a few more years work experience and the EE degree. This was 1.5 years ago and I've since almost caught up with him salary-wise, but I had to change companies to do so.

going back for an MBA. Seems like a good idea, especially if the company will sponsor you.

Going back for his MBA from Emory, and yes, MCI is paying 100% of his expenses. So pretty soon he'll be making more than me again. =)

I recommend working a few years 1st... believe me, my perspective on things changed dramatically during those first few years! It's only a matter of time before I go back, probably to Tech though.

had a roof rack on up until last night too.

but the bonus is great! =)

they'll go for the easy marks first, b/c most of the guys stealing radios and cash are kids. i think they had 12 get stolen in one day from a single deck that had a cop in it at the time. my car was there that day too. but most ppl have ****ty cars and have tons of **** like cd's, cash, comp parts, and whatnot laying in the backseat.

i used to live on bellemead off of northside w/ 7 other people. out of the 8 cars in my parking area, all were broken into except for my audi. the tohers were civics, integras, old mazdas, etc.

yea, i have my old plates registered. but they also run plates for their top offenders and check the registration addy against the bursars office database and put holds on registration and deplomas.
my ex got booted/towed while in pay parking b/c they just went around checking plates too.

crazy fcukers want their ticket money!

The most commonly stolen cars are Accords/Civics/Integras/Camrys.
Not hard to find one with a sound system worth more than the car!

I worry about my xenons being ripped out, though . . . .

or that I never updated my address with the Bursar's office! =)