Klaus - thanks for your response. I agree with not over maintaining - the thing was my car was - besides oil changes and fluid top ops, and newer tires, brakes, etc - not really paid that great of attention when it hit its second owner for about 30k miles or so. The PCV was near clogged, the radiator was starting to crack, the thermostat was beginning to leak, and the OTE turbo charge hose ends were squishy. My tech replaced a worn engine mount, and I'll be having him replace all the rest. It turns out he already replaced the rear diff fluid and we did the Haldex filter (haldex filter was dirty, fluid was clean). Control arms and end links and strut towers were toast. Radiator hoses were slightly squishy so replaced. PCV system was replaced in its entirety with an IPD kit. Timing belt and water pump were nearing the end, so we replaced them for good measure.
The car actually gets slightly better MPG and doesn't smell as much after turning it off. The engine bay is definitely cooler than when I first got the car and drove the first couple thousand miles. It also feels like it shifts smoother (we replaced pretty dirty but not spent trans fluid).
I appreciate your help - and usually every time I drive it's 10+ miles, and I hit the highways around DC where I live.
Thanks for the advice!
-Webb
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