Re: Re[2]: Coupe Conversion

["Don N. Muirhead" <dmr@kwic.com>]

Mike - for the benefit of the crowd:

The A4 has been hell on wheels, the 2.8L had lifters, cam and timing
replaced at 65K.  Car is a "b" to start on cold/damp days.  During a
January storm the car plugged with snow and died on the #401 just east of
London, Ont, I watched the K-cars zoom by - took a dealer in London 2 days
to dry it out.  BTW the wife came to rescue me with the old Coupe.  The A4
is quite "loose" on the highway around 110kph and I feel it starting to
float when I cruise by trucks at 120kph.  Dealer has done
everthing/replaced everything possible to correct these problems - still no
change. Car is being traded in the fall before the warranty expires.  Wife
now wants an A6 - comments appreciated (thats the car not the wife).

I got the Audi contacts from VW Canada - they felt sorry for me for the
problems I've had with the A4 - who says whinning doesn't pay.  They put me
in touch with a contact in the US and 2 folks from engineering in Germany. 
US guy (Uno ????) I never spoke to, but when I get what I need from the
guys accross the pond I'll post their names and e-mail address.  As far as
prices are concerned...will that be gold card or mortgage.

As far as service on the Coupe goes, yes I want to keep it a stock as
possible and yes I've never pushed it above 4K and yes I'm a whimp...and I
did tell Frank...he thinks the engine isn't broken in yet even with 632K. 
I also get very nervous about working with no-name garages in TO, been
there..done that..got stung.  I don't mind paying extra if the quality and
workmanship is there from people who have extensive experience with a
particular product.  I'll start by checking out 4 Star and Mantis and let
you fine folks know how I make out.  The only reason why I have to find a
new shop is that the guy who worked on mine for the past 9 years since
moving to Booneyville recently died.  Anbody know a good mechanic who wants
to relocate to the beach?
 
Don
Simcoe (Booneyville) Ont.
----------
> From: Mike Hopton <mike@genesis-microchip.on.ca>
> To: Don N. Muirhead <dmr@kwic.com>
> Subject: Re[2]: Coupe Conversion
> Date: February 25, 1998 8:58 AM
> 
> 
>      Don,
>      Tell Frank you've never rev'd the car over 4K, I think he'll really 

>      enjoy that one :)
>      
>      Seriously though, if your having the head done with a higher 
>      performance cam this will give you more horsepower but it will also 
>      move the torque up the range, not something you want. So I'm
assuming 
>      you're going with a stock cam? If you're keeping everything stock I 
>      would strongly suggest you don't go with 4 Star or Mantis there are 
>      much cheaper places to have either a reconditioned or a new stock
head 
>      fitted. I can give you the name of an excellent garage on Lakeshore
in 
>      Etobicoke that will be definitely cheaper than 4 Star. Don't get me 
>      worng I take my cars to 4 Star for some things (in fact I drop it
off 
>      at their house in Mississauga) but not for day-day stuff. Frank and 
>      family are great but they are a wee bit pricey and they tend to be 
>      very busy - i.e. rally cars come first. If they say it'll take a 
>      couple of days give them a week.
>      
>      That said I strongly recommend going up there on Saturday the 
>      Sprongl's must be two of the nicest guys in motorsport.
>      
>      Judging from what you're looking for I wouldn't consider the turbo 
>      motor. It will give you great performance 3K and up but the Coupe
has 
>      a hard time putting that much horsepower down on the road.
>      
>      The A4 sounds like a night mare, you should post your experience to 
>      the list.... I had thought about buying one in two or three years
but 
>      I've heard a couple of negative comments. What model of A4 do you 
>      have?
>      
>      Let me know if you need any more info. BTW, I live in Clarkson
village 
>      and work in Markham.
>      
>      Regards, Mike
>      
>      '83 ur-q under restoration
>      '85 ur-q
>      '88 5ktq
>      
>      p.s. You are the first person I have ever heard that Audi AG has 
>      contacted direcly. I guess big brother really is out there, wish
they 
>      would do something about there ridiculous parts pricing!
> 
> 
> _