Re: what Q should I get?

[eliot <eliot@coke.cybertex.com>]

someone asked:

> >I'm trying to figure out which quattro sedan I should get.  4000Q's are
> >pretty reasonable.  80Q's are almost twice the price of a 4KQ.  Is this
> >justified? 

not for twice the price, IMO.

> I like the idea of galvanized bodies, since I live on the coast.
> >I also like the more modern appearance of the 80/90.

i'm pretty sure that the 86 and 87 4KQs are galvanised.

> >Moving on up to a 90Q starts getting into the range of the early V8Qs.  I
> >am fairly mechanically inclined and can probably fix most things on any
> >quattro.

probably not on a v8.  not even dealerships can fix a tranny (though
that will be changing end of this month where VW/Audi techs will be
formally trained to repair the new slushboxes for the first time.)

a lot of the v8 "repair" procedures involve merely replacing the part.
e.g. buggy trip computer eprom requires the entire dash to be replaced.
tranny control unit signals fault and it's a $900 part.  there's a custom
made computer that's used to read the fault memory.  don't think it's
available for sale to owners, neither are repair manuals though
some of us have managed to get a set... :)

i've been looking at porsche 911 parts and the v8 parts prices makes
the 911 look like a nissan sentra.  e.g. v8 oil filter $20; 911 oil
filter: $5.

don't let the low v8 purchase price fool you.  if you get a bad one it
will really burn a hole in your pocket.  OTOH if you can find a good
one (like mine :) ) gas and oil changes are all that it needs.  cars
from the east coast tend to be more troublesome than the west coast
cars, because of the salt.

the 4000/80/90/a4 cars are generally more reliable and tend to be
cheaper to own, but more expensive to buy (i.e. poorer "value for
money").  the dealer tells me that they also tend to have far
fewer little electrical problems.  pick your poison!

>> Since the car will mainly be used for commuting, I will be
> >putting about 20K miles a year.  I'm concerned about gas mileage on
> >the V8's.  I also figure the simpler 4KQ's and 80Q's should be more
> >durable.

i get about 19-20 mpg on super unleaded.  the EPA numbers are a crock
of s***.  it is not something to brag about but it's a lot better than
SUVs.


> >V8Q	quientessential tourer	poor MPG, problem brakes
> >	total luxury, 		expensive to repair
> >	reasonably fast, good
> >	deal

a good one (with converted brakes) has negligible repair costs.  a bad
one will burn you bad, more so if your dealer is out to make a
killing.  the v8 engine appears to be very very tough and reliable,
though.

> >I haven't even mentioned the turbo models.  I know these are great cars
> >too but they seem to have more problems.  Still probably worth considering.

if i were you i'd probably get a 200TQ and ned it up with go-faster
goodies.  cheap, bang for the buck and *very* fast.  i don't like the
smaller cars because they tend to be pretty gutless compared to a
souped up turbocharged one.  i don't think the 200Qs will be as
expensive to own as a v8 (assuming the average condition one).  the
200Qs will probably need hydraulics work and such but the 5 banger
will last forever and so will the drivetrain, gearbox, brakes and
such.  there are many 200Q owners that can give lots more details.

as for the v8, just be prepared for big expenses and be pleasantly
surprised if it turns out to be a good one.  it cost audi a lot of
money to build and sell each one and they lost a lot of money on the
v8.  but there's a money no object attitude all over the car.  own it
long enough and you'll notice the additional extravagance that audi
made over all the other audis.

i'd be happy to discuss v8s with anyone, but i'm not on the list so
drop me some email if you want to talk...


eliot

burgundy/tan '90 v8Q 94K 
1 owner
new tranny (warranty)
new tranny firmware (warranty)
converted brakes (warranty)
new dash w/ debugged trip computer (warranty)
new headlights and 80/100W lighting upgrades
new boges
17 X 8 BBS RX's
slightly creaky but damned reliable