RE: 90 V8Q.....another new Audi owner w/questions

["Mark Hogan" <mdhogan@msn.com>]

Andy,
First, congratulations on your purchase!  I've have my V8 
for a while, and despite some of the quirks, absolutely
love it (this is my 28th car in 20 years of driving, so I
have a pretty good sampling).  You didn't say how much
you paid for it, so I won't comment if its a good deal or not,
but some of the things you've listed are, for better or worse,
part of the car's "personality".  I'll address the items I am
familiar with, and I am sure you will receive other responses...
the list has always been great in responding to my V8 questions.


The used car dealer had the front brake rotors and pads, the O2 sensors, a 
Hall-effect sensor, and the spark plugs replaced to prep the car for 
re-sale.  (Work was actually performed by local Audi dealer.)  I got copies 
of the receipts and was mortified to find that the front rotors cost $350 
each.  Post-purchase research indicates there's something rather unique 
about that model year's braking system.  What's the real story here?

the good news is all of the above were replaced on their nickle...the brakes
are indeed a unique design, refered to as UFO brakes.  In theory, they are
modeled after racing brakes and were supposed to provide greater swept
area.  They no doubt did, but they are expensive to replace.  For a while, 
Audi offered exchanging them to "normal" brakes for free.  Obviously, not
all of the owners took them up on the offer.  FWIW, I've had no problem 
with mine.

That same dealer's "used-car buyer's inspection" suggests that over the next 
couple of years I will need shocks all 'round, belts, hood struts, and 
possibly a power steering pump.  They also thought the rear crank seal might 
be leaking a little.  The repair estimates they quoted for these items were 
sobering... especially the pump and the seal....  but I bought the car 
anyway.  Presumably there are non-dealer sources for some of these items. 

I have found no outside suppliers for parts.  I have found some mechanics
that do good work and are less expensive than the dealer (sometimes...).
All of the things you mentioned sound like areas that you will have to deal
with.  I didn't lose my PS pump, but I did have to replace the PS rack ($1500)
My timing belt was replaced(and all should be) at 60K.

  Any suggestions for reputable parts suppliers and/or mechanics in the 
Seattle area?
Eliot Lim is one of the most knowledgable V8 owners on the list and he
(lucky for you) lives in your area.  I'm sure you'll be hearing from him and
he can tell you.

The dealer wouldn't sell me a service manual.  Well, they really said that 
one wasn't available for the V8 for sale to owners, only to authorized 
service locations, and therefore they could not order one.  I may not do 
much work on the car, and am not much of a mechanic (yet), but I insist on 
learning how it works and having an at-home "second-opinion" when service is 
needed.   Who will sell me maintenance/service manual(s) and what should I 
expect to pay?

I have not been able to find one

The car has no service records.  Apparently Audi dealers can look up whether 
a particular vehicle has had recall work done via Audi of America's 
database.  Does the dealer also have access to any repair history data via 
that same computer system?  
yes
I'd even pay a little to get that information.

I'm tiring of exposing my ignorance for today.  Thanks in advance for any 
guidance you might share!

Andy Tiura,  90 V8Q,  Seattle
atiura@intermec.com days: 206.356.1807