I'm in love

[agaidos at got.net]

Couldn't help but notice your affiliation with 'The HitchHiker's Guide to the 
Galaxy'. Enjoy the Audi

Quoting Zaphod Beeblebrox <zaphod at cansafe.com>:

> After 14 years running my 1985 Volvo 240 wagon, I bought my first Audi.
> It
> is a 1995 90 Quattro, 5-speed, V6 with 105,000 km (65,000 miles) on the
> odometer. I am in love. This car is like nothing I've ever driven (with
> the
> possible exception of my buddy's Alfa and the S4 I test drove, but
> couldn't
> afford.). My first trip was to Mid-Ohio (from Ontario, Canada) for the
> ALMS
> weekend in August. What a treat!!!
> 
> The car is by no means perfect. (90Q bashers, that's your cue). There
> are
> numerous paint chips to be dealt with, the valve cover gaskets leak, the
> last brake job was done on the cheap, the factory stereo is well below
> what
> I'm accustomed to, the factory wheels are corroded and she needs new
> winter
> tires. To my mind all these imperfections just give the car character
> and
> make it affordable and anyway, it's only money.
> 
> The purpose of this message ???  I want to introduce myself and my baby
> to
> the group. I will be looking for advice and guidance from you all and
> from
> what I've see so far, there is plenty of that given freely here.
> 
> My plans for this car ???
> 
> This weekend my Alfa buddy and I will thoroughly clean and polish the
> finish
> and put her up on blocks. I'm taking off the wheels to get them
> sand-blasted
> and I will de-grease, re-paint and clearcoat next weekend. Any
> suggestions /
> warnings here? Once that is done I'll get the new All-Seasons installed.
> 
> Before too long I'd like to add a rear spoiler. I have seen the spoiler
> from
> the "sport" edition and I like it. I'm afraid to ask my local dealer
> what he
> wants for 1. This is where a good source of used parts could be helpful.
> 
> Next Spring I'll be shopping for Summer wheels (larger) & tires so I'll
> have
> lots of questions then. If the budget can handle it, I'd like to upgrade
> the
> brakes then also. I have seen the BIRA web site and I'm beginning to get
> a
> handle on what I'd like to do, but suggestions are welcome.
> 
> I don't have any service records for this car so I'll be doing the
> timing
> belt soon, as a precaution, along with the associated parts (V-belts,
> tensioners, water pump, thermostat, etc.) One dealer quoted me $1100
> Canadian for that job (0ver $700 US). Ouch. I think I'll try sourcing
> the
> parts myself. Does 7 hours labour sound reasonable for that job?
> 
> I want to get the leaking gaskets dealt with. That's not too big a deal
> I
> assume.
> 
> I would like to switch the car over to synthetic oil. (I just won't be
> happy
> until I spend every available dollar to baby her.) Is that worthwhile?
> What
> are the concerns, beside the extra cost?
> 
> The headlights are really lame. I'm used to the 4 lamp halogen system on
> the
> Volvo that lights up the road beautifully. From what I've seen in this
> forum
> and on the Web, upgrading the headlights is not as simple as just
> changing
> the bulb. Why not? Are the lenses etc. poorly designed? The lens is a
> $400
> part, so I hope that isn't the case.
> 
> That's enough for now. All comments & suggestions are welcome. I'd
> really
> like to hear of good Canadian parts sources.
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> Mr. Greville H. Bowles
> Guelph, Ontario
> Canada
> zaphod at cansafe.com
>