Re: V8's and other Audi experiences...

[Nivi@aol.com]

Hi everyone!

Just took a test drive of a 1993 V8! It's not in the color I prefer (and a
little too expensive, considering the A8 is around the corner for the US,
which will depress prices severely), but I have some questions with regard to
the 1990 models...

Do the 1990/91/92 models have the adjustable automatic transmission
(E=economy, S=sport, M=manual)? According to my info I got from AofA, it
does, but how well does it work?? Also looks like the exact transmission,
with the same gear ratios...

The CD changer in the 1993 came standard, apparently...did the 1990 models
have them? The '93 model has a Blaupunkt unit - is that compatable with the
sony CD magazine? I have the Sony in my Caprice...

How about the body style - was it original to the V8's or do the 200 series
also have the same body (or unibody)? Does the body vary between the '90
through '94? I see that the '93 has a bit of chrome on the body mouldings,
and a V8 symbol on the grill and trunk...

Do the  1990/91/92 models have the ABS deactivation switch? I consider it
really important, especially in snow! (From experiences with my Coupe
Quattro) Audi of America, are you listening?? None of the current models have
them, I just checked the S6's, A6's and A4's today...the S6 (and of course
the S4) is a beautiful car! 

I noticed the gross vehicle weight sticker inside the front doorwell - it
stated a weight of approx. 5,000 lbs. - is that a loaded car? The NADA and
other listings have it as:
NADA = 3991 lbs.
RedBook = 3912 lbs.    (Quite a large discrepancy...)

PS: I just developed my slides of the black A4 (in the Danish snow and sunset
- temps at -20 degrees C) that I rented for my ride to DK from Frankfurt in
December, and they came out awesome!! I'll try to upload them to a web page
pretty soon - I just have to get a scanner. Took my Coupe to NYC today, and
heads were turning every 2 minutes - totally wild!!

BTW, how long does it really take to change the 20v I-5 block's (in the
coupe) timing belt? The dealer I went to took from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
(and I couldn't make it to work in time - my reputation for reliability has
gone downhill now!!) Explanation for the time (NOT from the mechanic, who I
normally would speak to at my normal dealer, but from the sevice
representative): "Oh, I didn't know that the bumper had to come off.."
 ****DUHHHHH***.  My reply: "I could have told YOU that!! (totally pissed
off, with good reason)

Hope everyone's having a good weekend...

Dorab (Nivi@aol.com)
1990 Coupe Quattro, 66Kmi
1986 Chevy Caprice, 300K+mi