RE: The ULTIMATE cure for those Quattro blues

[Ed Kellock <EKELLOCK@ECS-INC.com>]

Not an option for anyone in the US...

But thanks for playing.

Still-a-SmartAss .......... Greenville, SC  USA
91 200q Avant
87 Coupe GT

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Andrew Jackson (CCC-REO) [SMTP:Andrew.Jackson@digital.com]
> Sent:	Thursday, July 23, 1998 6:36 AM
> To:	'audi-20v@emailsol.com'; 'quattro@coimbra.ans.net'
> Subject:	The ULTIMATE cure for those Quattro blues
> 
> Well, sorry folks, but after moaning how disappointing my 1990 90q20v was
> after my Ford Sierra/Merkur 2.9v6 4x4, I've chucked in the towel and
> bought
> another Ford to replace the 90.
> 
> Now, I'm the first to admit that a 90q20v is one of the lower powered
> Quattros, but my budget simply wouldn't stretch to a turbo or 2.8 beast.
> 
> I've got to say, given that we're talking similar specs and age, to my
> mind
> an XR4x4 beats the pants of a 90q20v.  Here's why:
> 
> *	The Ford has a big old 2.9v6.  Its not highly tuned, but its got
> PLENTY of low-end torque.  Peak bhp is less (150, compared to 178?) but
> its
> the USABILITY of the grunt which is the main benefit.  The power is
> between
> 2000 and 4000rpm as opposed to over 4500rpm on the Audi.
> 
> *	The 4x4 system is pretty basic - just a fixed 40front/60rear split.
> But this makes for GREAT handling, which gives the ability to induce
> easily
> controllable oversteer at the drop of a hat.  To me the Quattro always
> felt
> WAY to neutral in its handling - no FUN at all.
> 
> *	In practicality terms, a 5 door hatch is ALWAYS going to score over
> a 4 door saloon - ESPECIALLY when half of the Quattro's boot was taken up
> by
> the fuel tank.
> 
> *	An XR4x4 costs just over half the price of the 90q20v of the same
> vintage but, even if the prices were reversed, I'd go for the Sierra every
> time.
> 
> *	There are HEAPS of tweeks available for Sierras - all at reasonable
> prices.
> 
> The ONLY place the Audi scores over the Sierra is in terms of "class" -
> but
> I couldn't give a hoot about that.  I want entertaining grunt and
> handling,
> at a reasonable price.
> 
> PLEASE, before you discount this as the ramblings of an idiot, bear in
> mind
> that I went into the whole Audi experience in a very positive frame of
> mind.
> I'd just had the engine on my Ford go when it sucked water in through the
> air intake after driving through a flood.  I was keen to buy a suitable
> replacement, namely a sporty 4x4.  Given that things like Subaru's were
> out
> my price range, and that I felt like upgrading from a "boring" Sierra, an
> Audi seemed the ideal choice.  I'd enjoyed the Quattro dominance in BTCC,
> and read up about Torsen diffs - and set my heart on a 90q20v.
> 
> At first the novelty value kept me on a high but, as the honeymoon period
> wore off, I became increasingly aware that the Audi had a number of fairly
> major failings:
> 
> *	The 2.3 20v engine was unimpressive.  It had a narrow torque band
> high in the rev range.  To ensure that acceleration was always "eager" I
> had
> to drive with the revs over 4000rmp all the time. 
> 
> *	Torsen diff produced vague and unpredictable handling.  (The Ford
> could be made to turn more crisply by the application of controlled
> oversteer).
> 
> *	The driving position was uncomfortable.  I'm not abnormal in size
> (5'8"?), but I had to put the seat at its lowest position to avoid my head
> touching the roof.  The pedals were too high, and slightly to one side.
> The
> wheel was not height or tilt adjustable.
> 
> *	The boot was WAY too small - because it contained the fuel tank.
> 
> In an attempt to improve the situation, I made a could of small
> modifications. I had the cat removed - this improved the engines
> willingness
> at rev freely, but did not affect low-end torque.  I re-shod the car  with
> Yokohama A520s - this improved the grip, but not the torsen-dominated
> handling.
> 
> I gave the Audi 6 months to win me over, but I'm afraid it failed to do so
> -
> so I've now replaced it with a Ford Sierra XR4x4 - and pocketed the
> 3000ukp
> I saved.
> 
> To be completely honest - I feel very disappointed.  It is my belief that
> the 90q20v, for all its sporty looks, is NOT a sporty 4x4 car.  It is a
> modest family saloon with Quattro fitted to help folks when it snows.
> Whereas the Sierra *IS* a sporty car, and the 4x4 is there for PERFORMANCE
> reasons. 
> 
> My advice to all potential 90q20v owners? 
> Get an XR4x4 - its more fun, more rewarding to drive, and is half the
> price!
> 
> <stands well back to avoid being flame-grilled>   ;-)
> 
> Regards,
> Andrew Jackson (Berkshire, UK)
>