Newcomer's questions

[zm@mhcnet.att.com]

Hi,
	I joined the Audi Quattro mailing list recently. This note is
to introduce myself and seek your advice in getting started on the care
and maintenance of my Audi. My name is Zafer Mehmood. I bought a 1987 Audi
5000CS Turbo Quattro about 4 weeks ago. It has 47K miles on it and was
maintained well by its previous (original) owner. I enjoy working on cars
and do most of the repairs and maintenance on my other cars (an '83 Cadillac
Sedan Deville with 104K miles, and an '84 Mitsubishi Starion Turbo with
109K miles).
	To get started on my Audi, I bought the Factory Service Manual
(in 2 volumes) published by Bentley. I have a few questions that I like
to seek your help on. I have been following the discussions on this
mailing list the last couple of weeks and have also gone through
the archived articles (thanks to Dave for sending them to me).
So, hopefully, I will not be asking any questions that have recently
been discussed. 

1. Is Bentley the best shop manual for the Audi or should I supplement it
with any other?

2. I plan to change the oil and filter every 3000 miles and use Mobil 1
synthetic oil 15W-50. I live in New Jersey and the viscosity seems right
for the weather here (I consulted the Audi owner's manual). Is it necessary
to use the Audi oil filter? It costs about $8 (the dealer is willing to give
a 10% discount on it and other parts). Someone mentioned in a previous
article that oil filters are cheaper from VW dealers. How much cheaper?
Does anyone have the part number handy? The Audi dealer said that the Audi
filter has an oil by-pass valve in case the filter gets clogged. With 3000
mile oil changes, I think that there is not much chance of clogging the filter
with sludge.  Are VW/Audi oil filters much better than say a good brand name
like AC-Delco ($2 at K-mart on sale) and Fram (about $3 to $4)?

3. In a similar vein, for which replacement components should I stick to
genuine Audi OEM parts versus substituting with good aftermarket ones?
I am interested in getting your opinion on at least the normal wear
items like air filter, PCV valve, brake pads, wiper blades, spark plug
wires, distributor cap, rotor, etc. If you suggest aftermarket parts for
any of these items, can you please include the brand name and where they
are available?

4. Is it necessary to change the oil drain plug gasket each time, as the
owner's manual recommends? 

5. One thing I find unusual about my Audi (compared to other cars) is the
noise level in the car while its being driven. There is a rumbling noise
that comes at all speeds. Is this normal for a Quattro due to the
extra differential and drive train? I had never driven a full-time 4WD
car before. The noise doesn't sound out of the ordinary, i.e, no clicks,
squealing or scraping sounds - its smooth car-like sound, only louder.
I had the car checked out by an Audi dealer after I bought it. The
mechanic who test drove the car said that there is some tire rumble (growl)
and also said that a front wheel bearing needs to be replaced (there's
no localized noise or play in that wheel though). Does this seem like
a reasonable explanation?

6. A hissing noise can be heard coming from under the car when it idles.
The dealer said its from the fuel pump and is normal. Do you agree?

7. What tires do you recommend for the car? The recommended size is
205-60VR15. I'd like quiet, good-performance, all-season tires. We don't
get enough snow in New Jersey to warrant switching to studded snows
every winter, so a M+S rated tire is a good compromise. I am considering Good
Year Eagle VR60s. Any comments, or suggestions?

Those are enough questions for now. Thanks for your patience in going
through this rather long article. Hopefully, once I have spent enough
time working on my Audi, I will be able to contribute to this mailing
list rather than just ask questions.

Thanks again. Looking forward to receiving your replies.

Zafer Mehmood
zm@mhcnet.att.com

AT&T Bell Laboratories
Murray Hill NJ