Re: Audi 90

[Eliot Lim <eliot@u.washington.edu>]

On Mon, 24 Oct 1994 jafiluk@acs.ucalgary.ca wrote:

> All things being equal, which is the better performing Audi:

depends on what you mean by "better performing"..

it's been a while since i've driven one, so my comments may be out
of date..

> An Audi 90 Sport Quattro with the V6, or An Audi 90 20 Valve Quattro,
> this can be The coupe or sedan version.

in terms of straight line acceleration i'd give the nod to the v6 even
though the 90 gained some weight.. that's because of the extra
displacement and torque of the v6.  the atmospheric 20 valve has never
been strong in the low end. 

> would be inclined to say the the Sport Quattro would be a bit better
> on performance due to the 15inch wheels (205/60 I believe) and the 
> sport lowered suspension.

i think that the suspension of the v6 cars is further down the evolution
chain than the 5 bangers but IMO the most unwelcome addition is the
servotronic steering for the v6 cars.  others don't seem to mind it as
much as me, but i absolutely hate it and would not consider the v6 90q nor
recommend it to anybody because of it..  having said that, i recently
discovered that it was trivial to disconnect servotronic which would
bring back some linearity and feel to the steering.

one of my favorite characteristics of the quattros is that initially it
would seem reluctant to change directions and present false impressions of
its cornering capabilities.. however if you start to explore them you
discover almost infinite limits, both the car's and your own confidence. 
eventually of course you do find them but such is its balance that one
could be driving right at its knife edge of adhesion and yet be in
complete control and in complete confidence.  this feeling of confidence
is a zillion times more useful in the real world than meaningless lateral
g numbers.  i drive a 4000 pound, very nose heavy quattro, yet all those
"formula one inspired double wishbone" hondas are such easy meat in 
the curves it is no longer entertaining to have one for lunch..

all my babbling aside, the steering is a very important component in
the joys of quattro motoring.  with an inert and numb job all that
confidence that the chassis provides is lost.. if you do get the v6
consider disconnecting the servotronic or perhaps installing an 
override switch.. i would on my next audi, since these blasted
things are still (?) standard despite the recent price cuts..


eliot