So here’s another rant. I recently had to replace a window regulator from an Audi and also from a Miata.

The Miata required to take off the door panel, loosen 8 bolts, take the window out, and remove the regulator.

The Audi?
Needed to take the door panel off.
Then I needed to unbolt the entire window frame and take it out of the door. Then I could remove the window…
Then I needed to drill out 4 rivets holding the window regulator to the window frame.

Because unlike most other easy to service cars that uses normal bolts to secure a window regulator, Audi decided to brilliantly attach them using one time use rivets, and of course the rivets can only be accessed from behind the window frame, which requires you to remove the entire window frame and assembly, and then when you put it back in, muck around with realigning the window frame with the seals so that it seals properly when closed.

And since it used rivets, it meant I had to go buy a rivet gun and find rivets that fit, or pay $2 per rivet from Audi for the Audi rivets.

Here’s the damn thing

So while the Miata took less than 1/2 hour to replace. The Audi took like 4-5 hours to replace something that costs 30 bucks.

Thankfully, my labor is cheap. If this was a $125/hr mechanic…..My tool collection also keeps growing and growing.
I swear. They must do this on purpose.