Answers to CQ/sedan and 20v/V6 questions

["David B. Kase Jr." <desmo888@mindspring.com>]

Here are some answers I received on my 90 CQ/sedan questions:
 
Q: First, does the coupe offer a larger trunk area than the sedan when the
 rear seats are upright?  and does the rear seat down position offer a lot
 of room?  Dumb questions but I've never had the cahnce to check out the
 hatch area of a Coupe

A: Many tall drivers complain of a low roof in the coupe, may not fit
yourself    into it let alone cargo.

   It's bigger than a bread box, or maybe not...
   
  '93 90 has a very large trunk--without folding down the seats I can fit
more in   the trunk of my 90 than in the back of a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
It's also bigger   than the A4's trunk.

   Note that the trunk in the 90Q became significantly larger
   from 1993 models onwards,  but still not as spacious as the CQ.

  1993-1995 Audi 90 V6
	interior room:85.9 c.f. (82.4 for the Quattro)
	trunk:14 c.f.
	Split fold rear seats will allow for more room, but not listed
  1988-1992 Audi 90 5 cylinder
	interior room: 86.1c.f.
	trunk:10.2 c.f. (8.1 for the Quattro)
  1990-1991 Coupe Q
	not listed


Q:Next, sedan question: is the V6 of 1993 better/worse than the 20v  (power,
   reliabilty, durability)?

A: One of my main problems with the 20V is that it is damn near impossible to
   work on it. The engine bay is so cramped that you need special
   tools to get to anything, and everything takes twice as long.
   and the V6 gives a much broader powerband than the 20V.

  The 20valve 5-cylinder is a really sweet engine,  as long as you enjoy
using the
  gears.  Not much down low,  power comes on with a kick at about 4000rpm
  and it sings all the way to the 7200rpm redline.  The V6 is probably
stronger
  down low but would run out of breath sooner at the top end.

  The only big problem I've seen so far with the engine itself is that it
leaked   oil,and that's been fixed.  It might not turn out amazing amounts
of power
  in its stock form, but it's good enough and it's a *very* smooth
  engine. 

  The V6 is, IMO, an inferior engine to the 20v 5cyl.  I've seen far more
problems    with the 6, and there is not much difference in power.

   The '93-'95 90V6 was reliable also, and the V6 only has 1 reoccurring
problem;
   valve cover gaskets leak earlier than most cars.  Not a complicated fix in
   that car though, real easy to replace with an updated gasket design that
will
   solve the problem.  There was also a recall that I remember hearing about
   involving the automatic V6 90s and the cat going out early.  Overall,
the V6
   is a good engine and a good car over all.  I do recommend to stay away from
   automatics because they suck in general, not just in Audis.

   The early V6 engines had a tendency to leak oil from almost every single
   seal--you should make sure that seals were replaced under warranty. 
   Also there's a hose for the power steering that should be replaced.  If
   the car has a manual transmission then bang on the left-side (driver's
   side) catalytic converter and make sure it's in good shape...the
   catalyst in some of the left converters may break loose and that's
   around $1500.  If it's an automatic transmission then don't worry,
   there's a recall notice so it's free.  Also make sure that the A/C
   doesn't make any loud grating noises.
   
   I think the 90's in general are pretty reliable.  I've got a '93 90 (V6)
   which has had a few niggling little problems but nothing very bad. 
   There are a few things you want to watch out for if you get the V6 90.

So there are some of the highlights from all the responses I received.
Thanks to all who responded.  

Dave Kase
Harrisburg, PA
Quattroless for now