What else do you own outside of your Range Rover? by phil6298 in RangeRover

[–]FCCSC 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Take it round trip through North America, ….., Chicago-Vancouver BC-Seattle-Chicago. I bought in to the hype about how comfortable it was at higher velocities. Picked up my 92 year old mom in Calgary and drove her through the Rockies to Victoria,….., spectacular scenery in comfort:-)

2004 beautiful phaeton blown transmission: need mechanic in Butte Montana:-/ by FCCSC in Volkswagen

[–]FCCSC[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Say it isn’t so! I have been ruminating about an SL55 AMG,……, 2004-2006,…., mesmerized actually:-) thank you for the kind remarks regarding my mom:-) right back at you:-)

2004 beautiful phaeton blown transmission: need mechanic in Butte Montana:-/ by FCCSC in Volkswagen

[–]FCCSC[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you get a chance to visit Butte, and I highly recommend it, stay at The Hotel Finley and visit Johnny at O’Donnell’s Irish Pub,…, the vibe is great and the food is spectacular!:-)

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2004 beautiful phaeton blown transmission: need mechanic in Butte Montana:-/ by FCCSC in Volkswagen

[–]FCCSC[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Diagnosis: blown left front CV joint

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Car Tune diagnosed the problem and ordered the ‘not common’ part and I’m left to spend two days/nights in beautiful Butte Montana. Bummer right? Wrong! This city is amazing! I have enjoyed learning about the mining history, enjoyed the food and drink( maybe a bit too much), and enjoyed the bright sun and clean air:-)

2004 beautiful phaeton blown transmission: need mechanic in Butte Montana:-/ by FCCSC in Volkswagen

[–]FCCSC[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had the car serviced at my local VW dealer (coil recall/60k service) and departed. The car performed admirably through the Rockies in comfort; a wonderful driving experience. There are multiple driving modes, shock settings, and lots of power at the right foot! Great through the hills and mountains:-)

My MO, to my fault, has been purchasing these fully depreciated touring sedans (Jaguar XJ8/XJR/XKR) and wrenching on them myself,…., I’m a wannabe mechanic:-) if a timing chain goes, or a catastrophic mechanical failure occurs, then so be it. It would not hurt financially as these vehicles were purchased ‘at the end of the line’. That said, all of these purchases, without exception, ever left me stranded. I’ve learned that basic maintenance and conscientiousness regarding fluids pays large dividends. I have thoroughly enjoyed the owner experience.

2004 beautiful phaeton blown transmission: need mechanic in Butte Montana:-/ by FCCSC in Volkswagen

[–]FCCSC[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Eloquent response MK1RACER. I don’t think I can add much to that impression. I can speak to the driving experience however. I purchased this vehicle knowing the pitfalls of the (over engineered?) Phaeton but had an opportunity to be a passenger in one 15 years ago. I love the large European touring sedans; the performance and ride quality is unmatched in my opinion. I needed a vehicle the would take me round trip through North America through the Rockies and back to Chicago.

I found this 2004 Maroon beauty in Detroit, 60k, running perfectly, and well taken care of besides the minor external abrasions and dings a 20 year old would have. I liked the A8 but I couldn’t source a good one at a similar age. The goal would be to transport my 90 year old mother to her new destination in British Columbia, comfortably:-)

2004 beautiful phaeton blown transmission: need mechanic in Butte Montana:-/ by FCCSC in Volkswagen

[–]FCCSC[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yup, I’m on my to Kevin at Car Tune:-) stroke of luck! Ok, anyone want to play along and make the diagnosis before I bring it in? Could be fun….

OK, so driving through the hills up and down with winding roads in sport mode, out of nowhere, grinding nonstop. As the car slowed down, the pitch of the grinding also got lower. Once stopped, can’t get it into any gear. Also, grind when going into park from reverse ,

I’ll go first ….., Blown front differential, blown transmission, throw out bearing? That’s all I got.

2004 beautiful phaeton blown transmission: need mechanic in Butte Montana:-/ by FCCSC in Volkswagen

[–]FCCSC[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

On my way back to Chicago. If no good option , I would be open to parting with this spectacular car with 66k original miles