[V8] The return ofThe Black Mariah

[Roger M. Woodbury]

It's back after another stint at the wrench's.  This time my 20-Valve Avant
received a new alternator, a few new hoses, and new upper shock absorber
mounts.  The difference in the handling of the car and the braking is quite
unexpectedly noticeable.  The car feels much tighter and firmer, and the
braking is nearly rock solid from all speeds now, and without any trace of
UFO rotor shake that was a minor irritant off and on with the car.

Even the radio works now, sort of, although there is more radio work to do
that will probably mean a new antenna coax from the roof to the radio, if I
even decide to do that.  I may just drive the car as it is for a while and
see what develops.  Whatever the case, the car is nearly at the point where
the only things left to do are cosmetic, and I have pretty much decided that
I am not going to do a full cosmetic restoration on the car.  It works well
right now, as a spectacularly performing, relatively inexpensive all weather
"beater".  Which is what I had originally thought might be the final purpose
of the car.

In this last visit to the wrench's the hardest part was locating the correct
upper shock absorber mounts.  Two sets were delivered and were wrong,
finally necessitating an order to the authorized dealer for the real things
from Audi!  OUCH!  I don't even want to think about how much they were.
Worth it, I suppose, but the cost of the 20-Valve can get higher and higher
the older the car gets it appears, as some of the things that are hung on
that car are "different".  

The next thing on the list of "must dos" is a muffler.  The center muffler
is deteriorating badly, the exterior skin is torn, and it is starting to
sound like a muffler.  I will probably end up with a used muffler for this
car, if the outer skin is intact, but that remains to be seen.  I have
thought a bit about using a straight pipe in place of it, or perhaps some
sort of mild Flowmaster, but in the end it will probably be a real Audi
muffler from somewhere.

I am depressed because there are so very few V8's for sale almost
anywhere...late year models.  There have been at least three or four for the
past two years or so, but as of right now, there are only two on Auto
Trader, and one of those is so overpriced as to be irrelevant.  

I even entered the Q7 giveaway sweepstakes, although I think that "THING" is
one of the ugliest things that I have ever seen.  Ranks right up there with
the Mercedes R-class.

I would really love to have another V8.  But realistically, it might not
happen.  Finding a really good 4.2 litre V8 with decent miles, in decent
condition is getting to be harder and harder.  Then there is the all too
familiar argument that for a daily driver, a station wagon is a much better
vehicle for me...how about an A6 3.0?  Might that do?  Doubtful.  I think
that if I can't find another V8, it might mean that the time for this is
done, and maybe I'll end up with a true utility vehicle:  an extended cab
GMC pickup might be "a realistic" vehicle.  

In the meantime the 20Valve is ready for the new summer season, and then, in
the fall....well, maybe that '94 V8 that I have been thirsting for for a
while will suddenly pop up.

Roger