[V8] Musings & other topics (longish)

[Scott Baumann]

Hi all - well, I have passed the 1-year mark on V8Q ownership, and really
cannot complain about a single thing, save for the still inoperative cruise
(this is a bit of a pain on 3-day 1500 mile sales trips to North Dakota!)
This also speaks to the high level of trust I place on this car - to get me
there and back, regardless of weather conditions.  I have read the postings
frequently over the past 18 months (failed TPS, hot start problems, cold
start problems, failed ICU, and all of the other potential gremlins) and
have been  nervously awaiting a show-stopper while in the hinterlands.
Touch wood and toss salt and so on, this has not come to pass!  I purchased
the car at 95K, with 1K on the new timing belt, & related components.  Today
I have 145K, and have located an Audi mechanic to do my timing belt for the
near future. 50K in 12 months is pretty typical for me.  My theory and
curiosity in this regard is how does this (very good) experience coincide
with other posters and their related (seemingly frequent) problems?  Do
people who tend to let their cars sit experience more frequent failures?
This seems plausible, considering the likelihood of condensation & corrosion
deposits that can and do occur within almost all internal components &
electrical connections, etc. over time and varying weather conditions.

I am now trying to decide whether to keep this same car another 50K, and run
it right to to 200K, or sell it now with a new belt & related and move up to
a 92+ with the 4.2L.  I have also strongly considered the move to an A8, but
this may be too much for my customers to swallow (you certainly appear less
pretentious in a 13-year old car).  My thought is to go with the newer V8Q
for myself, and pick up a good used A8 for my wife, and use it on special
occasions.

In the past year of V8 ownership, I have:
- replaced O2 sensor ($35)
- replaced FPR ($45)
- upgraded the Delta to a Blaupunkt Toronto - most excellent and modern, yet
a perfect match
- changed the oil 10 times - using Mann filters - FAP on Ebay will let you
buy a big box for discount - highly recommended!
- replaced the center muffler with a pair of glass packs ($100 installed)
- replaced the heater/AC fan - DIY - 3-4 hours no problem
- added Competition Limited headlight relays & hi-output bulbs - wow
- installed a new set of Fulda Assuro's - I'm happy with these all-around,
snow & ice included
- burned LOTS of gas - 87, 90, 93 appears to make to difference, nor does an
ethanol blend

I have one issue I would like to resolve (apart from the cruise), which is
that my cold starts and some warm/hot starts are requiring way more cranking
that should be required.  It seems as though fuel is not reaching the
injectors early enough to create an instant fire.  This car used to start
almost instantly, but has become a slow starter over time.  Any ideas on
that? Perhaps it is simply time for a new set of rotors/wires/plugs.

In case anyone is interested in making an offer, here are the details:

FOR SALE
- 1990 V8Q
- 145K miles
- last T-belt done at 94K, including all-new engine top end & standard
T-belt job parts
- new timing belt, pump, rollers - total proper package to be done by sale
time or sooner
- black exterior over tan Conolloy leather interior - my favorite
combination - leather is 8.5 to 9 out of 10 - virtually no wear seen in
later Conolloy equipped cars, and NO cracking!
- stock 15" wheels with as mentioned Fulda tires
- all standard options, including reat shade
- some exterior dings & scratches from 13 years
- new HVAC fan as mentioned - all systems are 100%
- all (4) heated seats work well
- the only glitches with the car are:
    - rear D.S. window does not work
    - left side speakers are weak - have full set of (4) rebuilt speakers
    - cruise control inoperative
    - power steering has occasional leak - goes through a quart of Mobil
DTE13M every
    3-4 months or longer (that's with the mileage I rack up anyway)

- I am the 3rd owner - the original sold it to his grandson (both Milwaukee
doctors) at 90K, who didn't know about timing belts.  It toasted at 94K, and
he only put another 1K on it before selling it to me.  His grandfather took
extremely good care of this car, and it shows.  People who ride with me on
marathon sales trips cannot believe that it is 13 years old, and can be
bought for under $10K...

$4200 obo


WANTED
- 1992 to 1994 V8Q
- mileage not a big issue
- service history a plus - specifically T-belt!
- color not a big issue
- condition must be very good to excellent!

Happy New Year to all!

Audios amigos!

Scott Baumann
Glenwood City, Wisconsin
p)715-265-7544