re: Audi A4 TDI

["Peter Grul" <pgrul.warm@veda.com>]

	Well, this is a long shot, but since you're desperate... I owned a 
'85 VW Jetta turbodiesel for about 2.5 years. I believe that the new VW/Audi 
1.9 TDI is a development of the 1.6 TD that was in my Jetta, rather than a 
completely new design. This belief is based only my humble visual inspection 
of a 1993 VW Golf TDI motor in Canada. So, take my following observations 
with many grains of salt.
	Basically, I loved the motor. It had the low-end punch that diesel-
heads love and the turbo opened up the mid-high range very nicely. The 
additional power from the turbo came on just at the right time, when the atmo 
motor would start dying. I bought the car with 103k miles and sold it with 
161k miles. It was my first (and only, so far) turbocharged motor, and it 
cured me of my fear of high mileage turbochargers. The only work/maintenance 
done to the engine when I owned it was a cam cover gasket and faithful oil 
changes. I believe that I bought the car for too low of a price for it to 
have had a rebuilt turbocharger. I was the second owner, and I received some 
repair/maintenance records (were all the records there? I don't know). The 
only inconvenience (and it was very mild) was the need to add anti-gel 
additives to the fuel in the winter (but only <10 deg. F). Diesel fuel is 
advertised to be "winterized" in the SE PA/NJ area, but it still gels.
	In general, less engine maintenance is required for a diesel than a 
gas engine (no spark plugs, distributor, etc.). Some parts may be more 
expensive however - fuel injectors for example, because they must withstand 
much higher pressures than typical gas engine FIs. 
	The Jetta's transmission was a 5-speed manual and almost definitely 
has no relation to the automatic in the A4. Although it's only my personal 
preference, I would suggest getting a manual transmission, if available. I 
believe that diesel motors really need a manual (much more than a gas motor), 
if they are to be enjoyed.
	Well, that's my probably completely irrelevant $0.02. I have two 
questions for you, now. Do you have a choice between the 4-cyl 1.9l and the 5-
cyl 2.2l TDI? Is quattro an option on any A4 TDI model, manual or auto?
	Good luck with the car, whatever you get.

Peter
'93 90csq