'95 90q Popping Noises on Decell, Sluggish Performance

[Alexander van Gerbig]

    Drove a friends 90q today and noticed some popping noises during decell.
Most likely exhaust, but what would make popping noises on decell?  The
noises are mild, not loud like a glass muffler or anything like that.

    The car also has a hesitation problem.  Stomp on the gas and it takes a
second to think, then the engine revs smoothly.  Anyone?

    The 90q's are quiet as all hell, very hard to hear what the engine is
doing.  Steering is wicked soft, brakes are soft, clutch was
_unresponsively_ soft, but nonetheless it was a nice drive once I got used
to it.  I personally am much happier with a harsher ride, stiffer steering,
harder pedals, but I wish my car was that quiet on the highway.  Quattro
sure is fun in the rain, stomp on the gas and get that rear end out a bit,
take corners to quickly and the rear popped out smoothly, fun stuff.  Though
I must say my 80 grabs the road much better, but that is comparing a stock
90q to my 80 with coilovers, konis, and so on.  100k+ miles on this car, new
headgaskets at 80k, mild oil smoke upon start up, eating oil according to
the owner, but no leaks visible.  Anyone have some diagnoses for this girl?

TIA,

Alexander van Gerbig -- '88 80

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