I used to have a client that literally served during WWII. He was meticulous about his vehicles, a great story teller, and a good friend. I miss my visits with him. He was from a different time and I always used to chuckle when he couldn’t remember Audi by name: “You know, that auto union company” (accompanied by him making little circles with his fingers and joining them to help me visualize the Auto Union and Audi’s logo)…. Of course he was talking about Audi but it was always funny that, to him, it was still an emerging company.
The Audi I know comes from a later time and the glory days of Quattro! Quattro is Audi’s all-wheel-drive system that dominated in the 1980s. It changed perceptions of what was a sports car and left a permanent mark on the industry. Today every auto manufacturer is into the all-wheel-drive game, but Audi with its Quattro system is still a leader.
Quattro, incidentally, has its roots in military engineering coming from the VW Iltis – a small military jeep introduced in the 1970s. From there it grew and really came into its own in the famous UR Quattro, the Audi 4000, and the not-so-famous VW Quantum Syncro. Using three differentials (two with vacuum controlled locks) this Quattro system dominated rally sports and was a bullet-proof drivetrain.
If that wasn’t good enough, during the 1980s and 90s, Audi built spectacular 5-cylinder engines. These engines could be easily hot-rodded into silly levels of power, and, when coupled with the Quattro drivetrain, created very, very fast cars.
Today’s Audi holds true to the idea of leveraging technology to provide the Audi owner with ‘more for less’. Turbo charging, although certainly not unique to Audi, has always been a strong point. It fit into Audi’s formula: getting more from less – or “Truth in Engineering” as their brilliant marketing slogan puts it.
Audi haven’t always been successful with this approach. They have had some stumbles, especially the “unintended acceleration” of the Audi 5000 (a scandal we’ll have to discuss in person), but on the whole today’s Audi is successful because it has held true to this vision.
Should your Audi need help, we are well versed in their technologies, tooled up with dealer level diagnostic equipment, and here to provide you with service superior to your dealership experience.
My friend John has since passed on and I will forever miss him, but I chuckle inside everytime I service an Audi as I can still see him trying to describe that little ‘auto union’ company. That’s not today’s Audi but it’s pretty cool to look back to their beginnings and to have known an auto enthusiast who remembers their start.
Oh – and ask me about VW Quantum Syncros sometime…
Tacoma WA too
We have clients from the Tacoma, WA area that have us provide audi service and repair too.
If you have any Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes or Classic Car send them our way to our shop in Gig Harbor! We appreciate the referral business!
Thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing Gertie’s Garage for Audi repair in Gig Harbor gives you access to dealership-grade tooling and factory-trained expertise without the high franchise pricing or restrictive service menus. We use Audi-spec fluids and OEM parts, and we use the same factory-level diagnostics used at the dealer, allowing us to act as your advocate and recommend the European car engine repair in Canterwood that is truly best for your vehicle’s longevity.
Yes, we provide comprehensive service for all generations of the Audi Quattro system, including differential fluid changes, transfer case repairs, and CV joint maintenance. Our technicians understand the evolution of Quattro from early vintage models to modern torque-vectoring systems, ensuring your drivetrain remains reliable in Washington’s wet weather.
Absolutely, we perform Audi brake service in Fox Island and advanced Audi electrical repair near Tacoma at our Gig Harbor shop using the $50,000 Autologic diagnostic platform. Our electrical expertise covers everything from battery registrations and module coding to complex wiring faults that general shops often cannot resolve. We also serve as a luxury auto shop near me for residents in Wollochet and Artondale seeking premium European pads and rotors.
We recommend an Audi oil change in Wollochet every 5,000 to 7,500 miles using full-synthetic, manufacturer-approved oil to prevent premature engine wear. While the factory manual may suggest intervals as long as 10,000 miles, our experience with high-performance Audi repair in Gig Harbor shows that more frequent changes protect sensitive turbochargers and timing components. You can book your next European car maintenance service to ensure your oil is matched to your specific engine code.
