200q20v Dependability Survey RESULTS

[PeterBergin at aol.com]

I had both an 86 avant (bought at 62k sold at 300k) and a 91 (bought at 70k 
 sold just shy of 240k).  The 200 was half the problems the 5000 was.   The 
10v motor was fine, electrical issues were continuous!  The 200 was a  
great car! 
 
Pete
 
 
In a message dated 10/12/2011 5:06:21 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
six-rs at comcast.net writes:

Perhaps  by 1991 and the availability of the 3B engine in the type 44
platform, a  lot of the general component reliability issues that plagued 
the
10 V  machines had been resolved. Personally, I'm a tad skeptical. In the
case of  the 1988 5000CS (a turbo quattro), if two or three things were not
broken,  at any given time starting from new, then something was wrong.
Electrical  problems left me stranded on the side of the road at least 6
times  (primarily alternator, starter, distributor). The power train,
however, was  always bombproof and it's still the coolest car I own.

In any case, you  must appreciate that parts, other than general service
items, will be hard  to come by. The car was essentially abandoned by Audi
years  ago.

DeWitt Harrison
'88 5ktq
'87 BMW 635csi
'06 Infiniti M45  Sport

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Matt Suffern
To:  200q20v at audifans.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2011 10:52 AM
Subject:  200q20v Dependability Survey RESULTS


Guys,

Thanks so much  for the input.  I should have disclaimed up front that
I'm not  expecting a totally bulletproof car, but I was trying to get a
feel for  peoples' real-world experience with them beyond the lone
"It's a money pit;  it sucks" comment.

The results of my very unscientific survey (should  probably have asked
for length and mileage of ownership, too), are as  follows:

• Average number of times 200q20v has left owner  stranded:  0.54
• Culprits mentioned more than once:  Ignition  (starter) switch,
clutch hydraulics, clutch linkage

Honestly, that's  not bad at all.  Although it could also be a tribute
to the  resourcefulness of folks on the list, what with all the stories
of  improvised coolant hose fixes, etc.  :)  That actually seems  pretty
typical for any 20+ year old car, regardless of make or  mileage.
Also, it's all peripheral stuff—no mention of head gasket or  rod
bearing failures, or crankwalk.  Not even a timing belt  failure.

My strategy, should I get a 200q20v, would probably be to  stockpile
parts in advance like a spare ignition switch, coolant hoses,  clutch
slave and master and fuel pump, and possibly a starter and  alternator
too.

Thanks again for the input,  guys.
Best,
Matt

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