[q-list] what would you rather have?

[Tom Leppke-Hennig]

<<Jason asked:

I hope I don't start a religious war here, but I'm torn right now;
there's a 1993 Audi 90 CS Quattro with 128K KM on it for sale for
about 5000 as is.  To safety, it needs the front brakes done and the
handbrake replaced -- say $800 (the brake parts were around $500, I'm
thinking 300 for labour at 55/hr -- could be way off here.  Feel free
to jump in.).  The exhaust is going to be an issue in the next year or
two as well.

There's a 1990 Audi Quattro Coupe for sale at a dealership for $5400
e-cert. and safetied, with work done on just about everything I could
think of: brakes, rotors, timing belt, distributor, clutch, etc. with
210K KM on it.

Spec/review wise, I've heard really good things about the 90 and so-so
things about the CQ: anyone care to jump in?

I'm new to the Audi game but I'm in love... and confused.

For all the Audi vets out there, what would you take?   To qualify, my
tastes are definitely not refined; I've been driving pickup trucks and
a Taurus for the last 10 years, so its more of a matter of reliability
and investment here (I plan on babying either car).  As for my
intentions, I'm not autocrossing or anything, just looking for a
comfortable daily driver.

Thanks>>

Jason:

They are similar platforms, but not the same. The Coupe quattro is a "B3" platform car  and
the 93-95 90q are "B4" platform cars. The biggest change from quattro B3 to B4 was the
design of the rear suspension. The B4 rear suspension is what eventually made it into the B5
family. Its main goal was to create room for a trunk in the sedan versions. The B3 platform
rear suspension is a mirror image of its front, essentially.

In the US, the B4 also ushered in the use of the 12V V6. In the B3, there are 10V and 20V
versions of the I-5, but the Coupe q always has a 20V in the US. From your use of km, it
could be that everything I am saying is of limited use.

Opinions ahead:

I have always found the B3 cars with the 20V I5 to be a much more visceral driving
experience than my 95 90q. A friend had a 1990 90 20v for many years and I always got car
envy when I drove it. For example, while the 12V V6 has a flatter torque curve and more HP
than the 20V I-5, on paper; the 20V was just more "there" for the driver. More responsive to
the foot-feed and lighter in the steering dept. The same has always been said about the 4000
vs the B3 as well.

The Coupe is certainly cooler and more rare.

There are negatives to the 20Vs. They are just plain older with associated problems. The
fuel injectors are becoming difficult to find for the 20V.  I am sure the list goes on.

Its a tough choice. If I had a Coupe q and a 93 90q in front of me for similar money and
similar condition, I'd buy the Coupe, but this is still in the "Opinion" section.

A good link to become familiar with: www.20v.org. Tons of great 20V stuff in there. Much of
the information also crosses engine and family lines as well. For example, its section on
window switch LED replacement, and its great treatment on seat heater switch light bulb
replacement.

Have fun

Tom LH
1995 90q