Do I Really Want One?

[Matt Suffern]

Robby, Kent,

My budget isn't crazy.  I'd like to pay a max of around $4K for a
clean, stock one with "reliability mods" done and receipts/records.
The power stuff isn't obligatory.  It's nice, but given the choice of
a chip and a big turbo or regular maintenance, I'll take regular
maintenance.  :)

Thanks for the tip about cam / crank seals and timing belt & WP
replacement.  I did all that on my 4kq, so if the 3B is similar, it's
charted territory for me.  I'd love to find one with the rack
replaced.  What makes it such a difficult job?  Access to that area of
the engine bay?

Good to know about heater core and blower motor too.  I assume
replacement involves ripping out the whole dash?

I figure it's probably a foregone conclusion I'm going to have to pay
for a headliner replacement.  I know a couple of good upholstery
places in the area that could maybe tackle it.

Still not totally sold though.  I'm wary, y'know?  Hmm.

Cheers,
Matt



On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 8:15 PM, robert weinberg <centaurus3200 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> well than Matt - i see a 200 20V in your future ;-)
> what's your budget? i'd push it as high as you can go - and get a well
> maintained one with full records. decent chip and suspension, euros, nice
> rims/tires, V8 tails, etc.
>
> if you can push it more - get one already done the way you'd like it. big
> turbo, maybe even an AAN ECU conversion (or stand-alone) to DIS ignition.
> there was one i still think about with a GT-3701 turbo a few years back.
> here, this should get you all pumped ;-)
> http://www.youtube.com/user/amdisthebest#p/u/11/tYAbGyNijkc
> here's the same car running a 12.5 quarter mile!
> http://www.youtube.com/user/amdisthebest#p/u/3/TxEm9TFcWls
> i think it's only running 23 lbs on stock internals. no doubt this is an 11
> second car with some bigger connecting rods. and perhaps lower compression
> pistons. SICK!
> dang - now i'm all worked up ;-)
>
> see ya,
> Robby
>
> ________________________________
> From: Matt Suffern <msuffern at gmail.com>
> To: "200q20v at audifans.com" <200q20v at audifans.com>
> Sent: Thursday, October 6, 2011 3:39 PM
> Subject: Re: Do I Really Want One?
>
> There's very little I'd rather do than work on a car.  Have a two-car
> heated basement garage, loads of tools (including engine hoist) and
> have performed at least half a dozen engine swaps (between
> like-engined cars, that is).  About the only things I outsource are
> tire mounting and balancing and A/C work.
>
>
>
> On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 6:23 PM, robert weinberg <centaurus3200 at yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>> matt - can you wrench on cars (or have friends who are able and willing)
>> or
>> will the audi be at a mechanic for everything that arises?
>> Robby
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Matt Suffern <msuffern at gmail.com>
>> To: 200q20v at audifans.com
>> Sent: Thursday, October 6, 2011 3:19 PM
>> Subject: Re: Do I Really Want One?
>>
>> Thanks for the reply, Kent.
>>
>> I'm beginning to think this might be an unanswerable question by
>> anybody but me.  See, it's not the speed or the power (though those
>> are definite draws); it's the "Audi-ness" of the car that appeals.
>> That's why the additional grunt of a 535 or 540 doesn't really do
>> anything for me, since at the end of the day it's still a boring (to
>> me) BMW E34.
>>
>> Maybe I just want to make sure the "Audi-ness" of the 200q20v can
>> overcome some of the dynamic disadvantages?
>>
>> Hmm.
>>
>> Matt
>>
>> On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 5:05 PM, Kent McLean <kentmclean at comcast.net>
>> wrote:
>>> Matt Suffern wrote:
>>>>
>>>> The
>>>> 525i is a wonderful car to drive, and I want to make sure, as fast as
>>>> the 200q20v is, will it compare to the BMW in terms of the overall
>>>> polish of the driving experience.
>>>
>>> NC?  One big attraction of the 200 is its quattro all-wheel drive.
>>> Unless you live in the mountains, you won't see much snow, so it
>>> may not meet your "needs". The other attraction is the turbo. The
>>> Audi I-5 is a solid motor that can take a lot of boost, and the
>>> quattro lets you put all the HP to the pavement. So that may be a
>>> win.
>>>
>>>> "especially given the fact that although the 525 doesn't excite me,
>>>> it is still a very, very good car."
>>>
>>> Ugh. With expectations like that, I fear the 200 may not live up to
>>> your dreams. What *will* make you happy?  Maybe you should have gotten
>>> a 535 or a 540 instead.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Kent McLean
>>> 1999 A4 Avant, V6 Tiptronic
>>> 1990 200 Avant mit V8 conversion
>>> gone: too many to count, including my first, "Bad Puppy"
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> 200q20v mailing list     http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/200q20v
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>>
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