[ihc] VW and cherman engineering....

[Dennis Bernth <scoutdude@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Joel-
What you're describing is what I'm doing (temporarily anyhow) at a 'durability
test facility'. Trust me, there is a lot more to the job than just riding
around waiting for stuff to break :-(. Paperwork by the ream, and I'm sure
they also run those vehicles on closed durability courses. Driving on those is
anything but fun, with the equivalent in road miles calculated to be as much
as 1 mile durability = 1000 road miles, depending on what they run them
through. You don't produce that kind of a beating to a vehicle by being kind
to the driver! And, a lot of times, the vehicles used for testing aren't
'complete' models- they're prototypes or test mules. As such, the makers don't
bother with the costy little add on's like AC and radios that can make the
time go faster for the drivers, after all, they're just gonna dismantle them
and see what worked and what didn't when they're done. But, I do have to agree
with you on cherman engineering to a point- I've driven a Mercedes diesel
powered Freightliner Sprinter, and I do wish that engine and the five speed
automatic behind it could be an easy cheap transplant to my GMC conversion
van!
Dennis


> Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2004 10:43:51 -0700
> From: Joel M Brodsky <jmbrodsky@domain.elided>
> Subject: [ihc] Trusting homework
> Jim,
     >Actually, I would be inclined to trust them.  When VW is testing new
> models, usually about a year or two before they came out with the New
> Beetle, the Passat, the TDIs, the new Jetta/Golf and BMW with many of their
> car/motorcycle models, they (Chermans) often bring them out this way
> (during the summer, it's the closest thing to hell), and they often take a
> trip to Death Valley and back just for fun.  Towing?  Well, I can't say
> I've seen them towing, but I do see lots of Manufacturers license plates
> around these parts, and they seem to be just driving around, in traffic,
> and such.  I've wondered if they don't select people to drive their cars
> for a while to see what breaks/overheats/burns-out.  I'd love that job in
> addition to a daily.
     >I'm more inclined to trust them than not, is all.  I've been highly
> impressed with the Cherman Enchineering so far.

> JoelB