Re: Opinions wanted: 200tq vs. urq vs ???(long)

["Jouko Haapanen" <joukoh@vtoy.fi>]

I've been driving my '88 Urquattro as a daily driver the last year or so.
20 000km, no problems except for a few exhaust alignments and a broken hood
release cable.  In addition my seat heaters have now decided to pack it in.
This is however, after an extensive rebuild/restore project of 9 months and
approx. $20K in assorted parts and labour.  I've got lots of other cars to
choose from, so it's by choice, not necessity that I drive the Urq.

Most time that I've had my car up on the hoist in the shop has probably been
changing tires, as I've got four sets to work with, in order of preference:
1. 8x15 Ronal, 225/50R15 Pirelli P Zero
2. 7x15 Fuchs, 195/65R15 Kleber with big studs
3. 8x17 BBS, 215/45R17 Goodyear F1
4. 8x15 Ronal, 205/60R15 Nokian NRW-H
I've still got one more set of new Fuchs in boxes, looking to buy a set of
"Monte Carlo" spec Michelin studded rally tires.  This is a good tire for
roads that can vary from dry asphalt to snow and ice.

My biggest concern was the MTM modified ECU and how it would fare in the
winter months.  I've had experiences inthe past where modified ECU's don't
like to work well in cold starts (ie. around -10C and below), running too
rich.  So far, so good.

This spring I will replace the G60's with A8 calipers/rotors, which can be
made to work with the 15" wheels, as the G60 caliper doesn't seem to like
track work.

I would do it all over again.

Jouko Haapanen
Pori, Finland


----- Original Message -----
From: <only5kgt@uswest.net>
To: <quattro@audifans.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 1999 4:39 AM
Subject: Opinions wanted: 200tq vs. urq vs ???(long)


  --snippage--

> See where I'm going with this? I am beginning to think that
> actually, a ur-Q is *exactly* what I'm after. Granted, the
> parts cost is nothing to sneeze at- but I can get a fair
> discount through my job, so that's less of an issue than it
> once was. Besides that, though: Can one of these beasts
> really work well as a daily driver in this day and age- I'm
> sure Rocky Mullin or Phil would respond affirmatively here?
> (I know the car's engineering is up to hard, frequent use-
> I'm more concerned about having it out of service due to
> unobtainium at the parts counter)
> You know, given the potential bother involved here, it might
> be a good idea to have a second car and drive *that* to
> work. Perhaps keep the Coupe for that . Or...