Digit(s) Parameter Code(s) Meaning
1,2 Country WA Germany
3 Manufacturer U Audi
4-6 Blanks ML4 Only used on USA VINs.
7,8 Vehicle Type 4E Unknown
9 Check/Blank 7 -
10 Model Year 4 2004 !
11 Factory N Built in Neckarsulm, Germany
12-17 Chassis Number 010469 Serial Number 010469

...could tell "problem cars" based on the VIN sequencing.

with problems, those vin#s under a few thousand. I suspect many of those "problem cars" were repaired by Audi and are running well today. Some jumped off "their burning ships" because they saw no way out and had little history with Audi to confirm or deny that the problems would be rectified.

Hi Defector:

Nice to know you guys still remember poor old buybeach.

I am very bored with no A8L to keep me mentally engaged.

Just had a very interesting letter from an A8L owner with a real horror story on his 15,000 mile-old car. Been in service for 3 weeks this time around. I told him you guys were the best to give info and advice.

I still think of you when I see A8s on the road.

Hope all is well. How is the Lexus treating you? I know, I know, you don't really think about such things because those damn cars just simply work the way they are supposed to.

Happy New Year.

<center><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/Paldi/phaetons.jpg"></center><p>
Can we interest you in a W12 PHAETON?
No MMI problems, great styling and lux features.
Service will probably be a challenge...

Hi Greenie!

All is well down here in sunny Florida. Saw a nice A8L underway this PM in South Beach...so there's at least one on the road here now.

NIce try...very happy with my rice burner.

I love my Lexus...great car!

Of course, I don't drive where 4wd would be of any real importance...I never plan to see snow or ice again if I can help it.

NO tsunamis here...yet. If they had one here I guess I'd disappear, the island I'm on is about 6' elevation above sea level and the ocean is a few short blocks away. Oh well...let's hope that's it for this year.