misc. mad audi ramblings

[Majewskier@aol.com]

Excuse me if I cover some items already covered at length in the archives.
 Following are some comments on last few weeks of quattro list and a question
or two.

My previous (primary) quattro was an '89 200 (later, high compression)
modified by IA.  This stage 1? car felt stronger by seat of the pants method
than my current 91 200 20v, and my only regret was that I didn't chip it the
day I bought it (used..)

Nonetheless, I do love my '91, which I bought with the UFO brakes because the
price/color/history was right.  Although I do realize that I am limited in
brake and wheel options with this car, this car does not feel that much
different as regards front end feel, and these brakes feel stronger than on
 my '89.  The car has lapped at PIR and the brakes (with fresh fluid) didn't
fade noticeably and I have never had any shake/shimmy etc., even in a '90 V8
I just purchased.  Luckily, the BBS wheels ( they are forged!) cover the ugly
things pretty well. 

This 200 20v has 65,000 miles and doesn't burn one drop of oil.  The dipstick
level never changes (Red Line oil too).  This car will probably run forever.
It feels much tighter than my '89 did also. Too bad Audi had to make such
huge bus-height seats and non-telescoping steering wheel.  I am pretty tall
and I can never get comfortable, but those d**n S4s just aren't depreciating
fast enough!  I am willing to live with the situation to drive such as great
car. 

The winter wheel and tire debate rages on.  I have used Nokia 10s (same set)
last three winters, and although I do look forward to normal tires every
spring, they are great for their purpose.  I bought 15x7steel wheels at Tire
Rack for $65/pc this year, fit UFO brakes fine.  I expect Nokias will last
this season and possibly next too.

I have my eye on some kind of A4 ever since I saw them in Germany and sat in
one at the Audi Concept showroom in Berlin this summer (along with seeing
racing V8, 200, Michelle Mouton's rally car and Pikes Peak winner).  Note:
this or last months Auto Motor Sport? (German mag) has an article on four
German tuners' versions of A4 turbo, as well as write up of new A6 30 valve
(new BMW 328 barely beats it in comparo test :(  ) The five speed A4 turbo
and eventually the 30v V6 will be worth waiting for.  

I like my wife's '90 V8 (slush 3.6), 33K miles, '92 BBS,  more and more as I
drive it.  She was used to driving a 944 Turbo (sad ending) so she thinks it
is a little sluggish. I haven't talked to Ned about it yet, but does anyone
have experience with chips for this car? Mosty, I think, the chip should
concentrate on the auto trans computer, even in "S". 
 
As regards Euro lights for 5K/200 cars, I had these on my '89 (took 'em off
at trade in) now on my '91.  Ned suggested I drop the front bumper to
install, which I did on my '89, but it's easier not to (went fine with
bumper). I have part numbers (e-mail me) for misc. little pieces I purchased
in Germany (rubber boot, adjusting rods, etc.) I am running stock wattage
bulbs, so I skipped installing relays.  You'll need a handful of those little
white trim piece fasteners which tend to destroy themselves upon removal.  

Finally, one of my two cat converters on my 200 20v has a loose plate? so it
rattles like crazy at idle.  Where can I get newer technology/high flow metal
cats and/or *TEST* pipes so I can "diagnose"? Hopefully it won't fully
disintegtate and travel downstream..

Andy (aka Bob)
'91 200 Q 20v Lago Blue/Grey
'90 V8 Titanium