I'm in love

[Rave Racer]

    Congrats on your new purchase, and what a coincidence that you're here
in Guelph.  My mechanic is Peter Hettinga at Guelph import service, he's had
two 4000 Quattros and has a whole wack of parts Audis behind his shop, so I
feel secure in his knowledge with my car at least.  You've probably seen me
tooling around town with my Ultra loud 4K, doing about mach 5 or so trying
to out run the noise.  New exhaust is on its way from a lister that works at
Vibrant in TO that offers a deal to the list.
    I didn't go to the Mid Ohio event, but I went to the Mosport event and
have boat loads of pics of the parade lap and everything.  Maybe we can get
together and compare notes.  I heard alot about the Mid Ohio event and was
glad I went to the Mosport one.
    As for tires and rims, I don't want to detract from the profits that Dan
gets if you use the Tire Rack link on the main site, but I do have a couple
of connections and might be able to swing you a deal with one of the local
guys.  He's the head from the Minitrucking group the Fallen Fantasies.
There's also a place where I was thinking about getting a set of rims for
mine near TO that has a deal with another freind of mine here, so I'm torn
between him and Dan.
    If you need obscure parts none of the local wreckers will care if they
have parts for an Audi or not.  If you check with Riverside Auto Wreckers in
Kitchener, or maybe they call themselves P.I.  Either way, they have some
pretty obscure stuff and will have it waiting for you ahead of time.  DON'T
go to Johnson VW.  The closest Audi dealer is in KW and they know jack as
well.  Becker Automotive is hidden away, but they are very knowledgable and
reasonable.  Klaus is a gruff man, and treats his monkeys like dirt, but he
trains them well and gets the job done right.... on time is an issue you'll
have to discuss with him.
    Welcome to the club and congratulations on your new toy.  All I can say
is that I hate snow and Quattro keeps me sane.
    Oh yes, if you recognize the Jetta from the link below, I appoliogize in
advance.  I was young and restless and didn't mean to do whatever it was
that I might have done.  I like to cover my bases.

       Rave Racer
'89 Jetta 1.8L 16V GTX
 http://www.vwot.org/members/Pete.html
'87 Audi 4000 Quattro Sedan
 http://www.audifans.com/registry/view.php?action=viewCar&carid=110
'72 Triumph GT6
 http://motorcities.com/contents/01I3H011116682.html
'83 Toyota Tercel (yoda)     Possible future Sandrail donor...  Maybe


> 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
>
>


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