When you Wish upon a star....

[David Weiss <dzweiss@worldnet.att.net>]

Did a few things to the dear departed single knock sensor '89 200Q:
   IA 1.8 bar (best bang for buck of anything I did)
   K&N (didn't notice improvement, it was time for the filter, anyway)
   Metal Masters pads (less dust, faded big-time on the track)
   Eibach linear springs (improved handling, rear ride was _hard_)

Re suspension, unless you know a whole lot about it (which I don't, but
learn more every day), best bet might be to go with a complete system of
springs and shocks from someone who has personally installed the exact
setup you're buying.  I'm learning by doing, and it's fun but somewhat
of a PITA.  Then again, I'm a masochist, and my wife and 3-yr old son
are completely self-sufficient.

Regarding wheels, the 45 mm offset is a real problem.  The rears _do
not_ have much room to move farther out.  This will become painfullly
apparent once the car is lowered.  Aftermarket wheels that fit the Audi
5-lug are generally in the 33-37 mm range, so that they will fit some
Mercedes (35 mm offset, 5 on 112 bolt pattern, larger center bore). 
These wheels usually fit Audi w/ a hub ring.  A year or two ago, I saw
an A4 w/ factory 16-in wheels and 45 mm offset-- think it was the 5-lug.
If you can find these as take-offs, they'd probably work.  You might get
a couple mm by removing the fender liners.  Narrower tires?  Haven't
seen anyone go narrower than stock.  Of course, you could flare the
fenders.  Saw one guy (BC?) with an '89 200Q who "rolled his own" w/ a
baseball bat, or some such.  One side looked great...

--Dave Weiss
    '86 4000 CS UnQ (sold to a friend who still talks to me)
    '89 200Q (gave its life for mine last year)
    '91 V8 5-spd
    '93 90 CS UnQ (wife's car)