[V8] V8 or S4?

[Bernard Littau]

Hi Kneale,

I don't know much about the history of the engines, but my apples-to-oranges
detector went off on your post.

You are comparing V8 to 20V I5.  A more fair comparison might be V8 to I5,
or V8 32V to I5 20V, or something like that.

The I5 has been around from at least 1984 through 1995.  It went from 10V to
20V in 1991.  Audi 5000 and 200 models through 1990 were 10V.  In 1991 there
was only the 200, thereafter there were the S4 and S6 models, and these were
all 20V.  And that is only for the turbo models.  Lots of NA I5s, too.

On the V8, I believe it was 1990 through 1993 for the 3.6l V8 32V, and that
went to the 4.2l 40V from 1994 on.  Not sure on the transition.  I believe
the 3.6 is still available today, in some form, in Europe.

I think it might be fair to say the V8 survives, while the I5 is defunct,
but the I5 had a long life.  I have no idea if the early 32V block is the
same as the later 40V block.

I have personally considered three '91 5spd V8's for purchase.  Two had
major engine work well before 200k miles, the third was unknown as to
history.  Several of the V8's on the list that I "know" from the owner's
posts have also had major engine work.  Many V8 seem to need the head redone
at 130k miles due to smoking exhaust -- valve guides.  IMHO, I5's tend to be
more robust in that regard, as I have heard very little on the lists
regarding required head work.  I myself have an '88 I5 with 255k miles (3rd
owner) that, to the best of my knowledge, has had no major engine work, and
there are many like me.

I would still love a V8 5speed, even if it needed or needs some major engine
work.  Having 250 HP and respectable torque on tap without lag would be very
nice.  I have in the neighborhood of 250 HP coming out of my I5, and I can
see first hand what turbo lag is all about.

I'm rambling now, and I am also done with my lunch.  Just my $0.02 worth.

Best,

Bernard Littau
Woodinville, WA
'88 5ktq

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kneale Brownson" <knotnook at traverse.com>
To: "CWurts12 at mindspring.com" <cwurts12 at mindspring.com>; "Kent McLean"
<kentmclean at mindspring.com>; <v8 at audifans.com>;
<s-car-list at yahoogroups.com>; <quattro at audifans.com>
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2002 10:57 AM
Subject: Re: [V8] V8 or S4?


> --
> At 11:02 PM 01/24/2002 -0500, CWurts12 at mindspring.com wrote:
>
> >On the other hand the 5
> >banger is a well known, strong companion for the long haul; the V8 is not
as
> >well known or developed.  That is my opinion at the moment.
>
> The V8's been around longer than the 20-valve I5, hasn't it?  At least as
> production engines?
>
> I agree the driver's wish for involvement makes the most sense for
deciding.
>
> The V8's spiffy enough (for a slushbox), but the 20-valve engine's a real
> kick.  I prefer to drive my 200q20v if it's for ME, but my wife's V8
> perform's acceptably.
> --
>
> _______________________________________________
> Audifans v8 mailing list
> Send posts to: mailto:v8 at audifans.com
> Manage your list options: http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/v8
>