Re: What car is the best buy?

["Fred Munro" <munrof@isys.ca>]

Jeff;

    All type 44's have double galvanized (both sides of the panel) bodies.
They are quite durable in our Canadian winters, but do not ignore rust spots
just because the bodies are galvanized - repair them right away. Based on my
experience with my '86 5ktq and my '91 200q, these bodies should have an
unlimited lifetime if properly maintained ( at least until metal fatigue
carries them away). The anti-corrosion engineering is way beyond anything I
have ever seen in any other car. I think Audi outdid themselves trying to
make up for the biodegrable pre-type 44 models.
    I read your post on the problems your father had with his Audi.
Unfortunately, this was typical of the early type 44's, and this situation
has been frequently blessed by many qlisters because it has provided them
with excellent cars at dirt cheap prices. Most of the problems (door
handles, sunroof, power windows, etc.) are annoyances rather than serious
mechanical or safety flaws, although the failure prone steering racks and
brake bombs are something to watch out for.
    If it makes your father feel any better, the type 44 re-design in '89
resolved most of the problems and the newer type 44's are really an
excellent car. I have over 250k trouble-free kms on my '91 200q and have
just now put some money into it to replace a bunch of wear items.
    I hope you have many years on enjoyment from your Audi. Welcome to the
list!

Fred Munro
'91 200q  257k km (still in the healing bay)

-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Mruss <rmruss@pangea.ca>
To: 'quattro@coimbra.ans.net' <quattro@coimbra.ans.net>
Date: Friday, September 11, 1998 9:59 PM
Subject: re: What car is the best buy?


I thought all type 44's had galvanized bodies.  My '84 certainly seems to.
What little rust there is is only where bodywork has been done, and cars
rust pretty quickly here in Winnipeg with all the salt they put on the roads
in winter.  Or have I just been really lucky?

Jeff Mruss