[V8] V8 Timing parts and others

[toml99 at todomundo.com]

Hey George, the kit's from Blau don't contain any Chinese parts as far as I know.  Some of the parts were from Hungary/somewhere around there.  Not sure where Stabilus makes the tensioner, but at least looked identical to the one that had 4 rings on it.  That said, on the last kit, the Italian Saleri waterpump was mismachined which didn't make me real happy on a Saturday in my gravel driveway with the whole front of the car laying on the ground.  James Rosser(from the list) is doing his next weekend and he got his from FCP Euro who states theirs are OEM quality and look pretty much the same.  I've used 2 of the Blau kits, but after the waterpump issue, not sure where I'd go next time.....really nice to get a box full of basically everything, including coolant.  
I've had a hard time purging the air out of steering after doing a total flush(groaned for an hour or so).  I know some cars you need to put them on a hill up or down to get it to purge.  Be thankful that you've got no leaks...Ha.  
I need to do the blower fan on both cars, and feel like I'd be a fool to not do that core so I feel your pain.  Been putting it off forever.
If you haven't dealt with the starter yet, it's most likely the plastic glide stuff/plastic yoke inside that's broken.  I've had a starter guy rebuild/fix 2 of them using new "chinese" solenoid and various plastic parts from the 3-4 dead starters I've got.  If you pull it/open it up, will be totally obvious what's wrong, I may have the part.  I'm too cheap to buy a rebuild.  He charged me something like $50 with the solenoid.
Personally I can't imagine that getting a newer car will be cheaper in any way.  My friend has a 99 A8 and while it's fun to drive, it feels bigger, and the front suspension certainly contains more parts.  His has way more electrical issues than either of my cars.  His son has a black V8(that's soon to be for sale anyone) that I sold him a few yrs ago, and dad admits he prefers driving the V8 over the A8, but with 1/2 the miles, he's keeping his A8.  Good luck with your decision....I'm gonna keep the 5-speed forever....Tom