'89 200 Quattro Turbo Advice Needed
 

Hello,

I am considering buying the car above, '89 200 Quattro Turbo with the cold
weather package. While doing some research on this model, I thankfully found
this newsgroup. I hope someone is willing to share some insight, either here
or via e-mail.

The car is in very good condition it seems. It's got 145k miles on it, and
has had the following work done in the past few years:

Timing belt, water pump, steering rack, new tires, master brake cylinder,
slave cylinder, fuel line hoses.

That I can see right now, the front passenger side window doesn't like to go
up all the way, and the odometer is stopped working at 144828 miles. Parts
don't seem that expensive and there's a lot of them on eBay from various
shops around the country.

I like working on cars, and have worked on a Saab 99 and older Volvo's in
the past. However, I actually need this car to be a reliable one, and to
replace a Ford with numerous electrical and transmission problems. What am I
getting myself into buying the Audi. Asking price is $1500.00. Never
wrecked, no rust, and the paint and interior are in pretty good shape. A lot
of the small things could be easily fixed up.

Thank you for your time and help.

Bill Graham
whgraham@nc.rr.com

Re: '89 200 Quattro Turbo Advice Needed
 

Not a bad car, but it's no problem-free ride. It's old.
The "winter package" is moot, as the drivers seat heater pads are
usually dead by now. I now own 4 type 44 quattros, (All
5000/100/200/V8 are type 44 cars.) and I've had to replace the drivers
lower pad on all 4. (At least your passengers butts will be warm.)
At this vintage, age begins to show. Heater core/blower motor
repair is always ominous, $500-ish. (Parts under $200) Steering pump
can go, $400-ish. (Again, part under $250.)
Driveline major is very reliable.
I just bought one, '89 black on black, paid $1,000, but it was a
trade-in at a friends dealer. It needed a steering pump, a radiator,
and a drivers lower seat heater pad. The passenger outer mirror
doean't heat, I have a new glass, but haven't stuck it in yet. It's
got 200K on it. Total parts bill was under $600.
If you;re handly, buying the Bentley is job 1. www.rb.com .
This is a very easy car for shade-tree maintenance.
Also, you'd want to upgrade the ECU to gain 50+HP. They really need a
little more steam. It's a half-hour job, and a whole new car.

Find yourself a decent parts source, and life is good.

There is nothing like a quattro in inclement weather.


On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 04:35:03 GMT, Bill Graham <whgraham@nc.rr.com>
wrote:

>Hello,
>
>I am considering buying the car above, '89 200 Quattro Turbo with the cold
>weather package................

Re: '89 200 Quattro Turbo Advice Needed
 

Thanks very much for your reply. Certainly nothing is problem free. But if
I'm going to have problems, I'd rather it be with something other than a 4
cyl. Ford Contour.

The heater pads all work, very well. But if they didn't, I wouldn't care
that much. The Saab 99 I had possessed the heated seats, and they never
worked. I got that car out of tobacco field in NC, and one new $250.00
starter later, a battery, and general stuff I was able to drive it from NC
to NE and back. I like working on cars that are fun to work on and fun to
drive. This car seems like a good choice for that.

The odometer is annoying, and makes it a harder sell with my wife.

What exactly is the ECU? Parts costs associated with that job?

Thanks again,

Bill Graham

> Not a bad car, but it's no problem-free ride. It's old.
> The "winter package" is moot, as the drivers seat heater pads are
> usually dead by now. I now own 4 type 44 quattros, (All
> 5000/100/200/V8 are type 44 cars.) and I've had to replace the drivers
> lower pad on all 4. (At least your passengers butts will be warm.)
> At this vintage, age begins to show. Heater core/blower motor
> repair is always ominous, $500-ish. (Parts under $200) Steering pump
> can go, $400-ish. (Again, part under $250.)
> Driveline major is very reliable.
> I just bought one, '89 black on black, paid $1,000, but it was a
> trade-in at a friends dealer. It needed a steering pump, a radiator,
> and a drivers lower seat heater pad. The passenger outer mirror
> doean't heat, I have a new glass, but haven't stuck it in yet. It's
> got 200K on it. Total parts bill was under $600.
> If you;re handly, buying the Bentley is job 1. www.rb.com .
> This is a very easy car for shade-tree maintenance.
> Also, you'd want to upgrade the ECU to gain 50+HP. They really need a
> little more steam. It's a half-hour job, and a whole new car.
>
> Find yourself a decent parts source, and life is good.
>
> There is nothing like a quattro in inclement weather.
>
>
> On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 04:35:03 GMT, Bill Graham <whgraham@nc.rr.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Hello,
>>
>> I am considering buying the car above, '89 200 Quattro Turbo with the cold
>> weather package................

Re: '89 200 Quattro Turbo Advice Needed
 

One of the best resources is www.sjmautotechnik.com . It is full of
insights and information for this car. Scott Mockry, the site owner,
also does ECU upgrades. There are many choices out there for
upgrades, but none of the other options have not devoted as much time
to help others. Scott deserves your business. He also sell the parts
you'll need. I want to say the upgrade runs $350-ish. But for
50-60HP, that's not bad money.
If the speedo works and the odo does not, it's broken. If nothing
works, it's commonly the speed sensor on the gearbox. A busted odo
can be repaired, Ohio Valley Speedometer comes to mind. At 150K,
however, why bother? I have two V8's, a 5KCSQ, and a 200Q with a
total of 850,000 miles between them.

And no, she's no tempo.

Bill Graham <whgraham@nc.rr.com> wrote:

>Thanks very much for your reply. Certainly nothing is problem free. But if
>I'm going to have problems, I'd rather it be with something other than a 4
>cyl. Ford Contour.
>
>The heater pads all work, very well. But if they didn't, I wouldn't care
>that much. The Saab 99 I had possessed the heated seats, and they never
>worked. I got that car out of tobacco field in NC, and one new $250.00
>starter later, a battery, and general stuff I was able to drive it from NC
>to NE and back. I like working on cars that are fun to work on and fun to
>drive. This car seems like a good choice for that.
>
>The odometer is annoying, and makes it a harder sell with my wife.
>
>What exactly is the ECU? Parts costs associated with that job?
>
>Thanks again,
>
>Bill Graham

Re: '89 200 Quattro Turbo Advice Needed
 

Bill,
There's a section in the Tips section of Blaufergnugen's (Audi parts vendor)
web site providing a checklist for purchasing a used Audi Quattro:
http://www.audiquattroparts.com/tech...0checklist.htm
As for web resources:
www.audifans.com - mostly owners of older Audis (pre-1995) here - searching
the archives will provide you with a ton of repair tips and tricks and
troubleshooting help. Check the archives, if you don't find an answer, then
post a question to the group.
A few of the folks on the Audifans site are developing a "Knowledgebase" to
simplify the search for repair/troubleshooting/upgrading/etc. stuff.
www.audiworld.com - the 100/200/5000/V8 forum (aka the V8 forum) discusses
Type 44 stuff. I find that there's a bit too much "RahRah Audi" and fluff
(the posting is all in the subject line, and the signature line of some is
like a parts bin inventory/ingredient list of what's been put on the
person's car) going on at Audiworld (read CR's posting about the respective
German marque clubs) - As a Type 44 owner there's just some things that I
(and many others) curse Audi for - like fragile doorhandle parts (search for
"Team Doorhandle"), overly complex brake hydraulics (search for "Brake
Bomb"), etc.
All that said, however, I enjoy my car immensely despite its faults. It had
countless owners before I got it, and after working through some super
frustrating problems caused by PO (previous owner) neglect - like a blown
headgasket and cooling system problems - I now have an excellent daily
driver that I mostly do routine maintenance on.
Keep JPF's contact info if you get the car - he's a good guy to know in this
biz.
For new parts - www.audiquattroparts.com , www.zzmotors.com , and others
dealers are on the web. For used parts - check www.car-part.com or with
specialized Audi recyclers like Shokan at www.800allaudi.com
Cheers!
Steve Sears
1987 Audi 5kTQ
1980 Audi 5k
1962 and '64 Auto Union DKW Junior deLuxes
(SPAM Blocker NOTE: Remove SHOES to reply)


"Bill Graham" <whgraham@nc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:BBC7D08C.203D7%whgraham@nc.rr.com...
> Thanks very much for your reply. Certainly nothing is problem free. But if
> I'm going to have problems, I'd rather it be with something other than a 4
> cyl. Ford Contour.
>
> The heater pads all work, very well. But if they didn't, I wouldn't care
> that much. The Saab 99 I had possessed the heated seats, and they never
> worked. I got that car out of tobacco field in NC, and one new $250.00
> starter later, a battery, and general stuff I was able to drive it from NC
> to NE and back. I like working on cars that are fun to work on and fun to
> drive. This car seems like a good choice for that.
>
> The odometer is annoying, and makes it a harder sell with my wife.
>
> What exactly is the ECU? Parts costs associated with that job?
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Bill Graham
>
> > Not a bad car, but it's no problem-free ride. It's old.
> > The "winter package" is moot, as the drivers seat heater pads are
> > usually dead by now. I now own 4 type 44 quattros, (All
> > 5000/100/200/V8 are type 44 cars.) and I've had to replace the drivers
> > lower pad on all 4. (At least your passengers butts will be warm.)
> > At this vintage, age begins to show. Heater core/blower motor
> > repair is always ominous, $500-ish. (Parts under $200) Steering pump
> > can go, $400-ish. (Again, part under $250.)
> > Driveline major is very reliable.
> > I just bought one, '89 black on black, paid $1,000, but it was a
> > trade-in at a friends dealer. It needed a steering pump, a radiator,
> > and a drivers lower seat heater pad. The passenger outer mirror
> > doean't heat, I have a new glass, but haven't stuck it in yet. It's
> > got 200K on it. Total parts bill was under $600.
> > If you;re handly, buying the Bentley is job 1. www.rb.com .
> > This is a very easy car for shade-tree maintenance.
> > Also, you'd want to upgrade the ECU to gain 50+HP. They really need a
> > little more steam. It's a half-hour job, and a whole new car.
> >
> > Find yourself a decent parts source, and life is good.
> >
> > There is nothing like a quattro in inclement weather.
> >
> >
> > On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 04:35:03 GMT, Bill Graham <whgraham@nc.rr.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> >> Hello,
> >>
> >> I am considering buying the car above, '89 200 Quattro Turbo with the
cold
> >> weather package................
>

Re: '89 200 Quattro Turbo Advice Needed
 

Thanks one and all for your comments.

I spoke to two local euro car mechanics today.

#1 said: don't get it, you won't be happy. They will take all your money.
Great for him, but not for me. He said get a Saab 900 with a good
transmission or a VW instead.

Problem is, I have a car with a lot of problems that I hate to drive. The
Audi I am looking at has had a great deal of money put into it already, but
currently has no problems. I'm trying to buy more time and enjoy what I
drive. I've been one of those out of work technology execs since last
January. I do not want a car payment, and the money I have can cover this
car and then some. The way the car has presented itself to me at a time in
need feels somewhat like providence and fortuitous.

#2 said: all euro cars have their own special problems with which they take
your money. Audi's have hydraulic problems, electrical problems, and
AC/heating problems. Saab's have transmission problems and so on. A Toyota
Camry doesn't have problems, but they are like driving a boring appliance.
He said that US cars and Euro cars are not that different in parts costs.

When you fix something in one of these, does it STAY fixed? Are there
upgrades (i.e. Hydraulics) that can be made when doing repairs that are
better than standard OEM parts replacements that increase the life of the
repair?

At the end of the day I'd basically be trading a 96 Ford with mounting
problems, for an 89 Audi that currently has no problems, and I'd have a
little cash left over.

Sincerely, Thank you all. If I get it, I'll try to grab the Bentley manual
(a little more pricey than a Chilton's).

Bill

> Bill,
> There's a section in the Tips section of Blaufergnugen's (Audi parts vendor)
> web site providing a checklist for purchasing a used Audi Quattro:
> http://www.audiquattroparts.com/tech...0checklist.htm
> As for web resources:
> www.audifans.com - mostly owners of older Audis (pre-1995) here - searching
> the archives will provide you with a ton of repair tips and tricks and
> troubleshooting help. Check the archives, if you don't find an answer, then
> post a question to the group.
> A few of the folks on the Audifans site are developing a "Knowledgebase" to
> simplify the search for repair/troubleshooting/upgrading/etc. stuff.
> www.audiworld.com - the 100/200/5000/V8 forum (aka the V8 forum) discusses
> Type 44 stuff. I find that there's a bit too much "RahRah Audi" and fluff
> (the posting is all in the subject line, and the signature line of some is
> like a parts bin inventory/ingredient list of what's been put on the
> person's car) going on at Audiworld (read CR's posting about the respective
> German marque clubs) - As a Type 44 owner there's just some things that I
> (and many others) curse Audi for - like fragile doorhandle parts (search for
> "Team Doorhandle"), overly complex brake hydraulics (search for "Brake
> Bomb"), etc.
> All that said, however, I enjoy my car immensely despite its faults. It had
> countless owners before I got it, and after working through some super
> frustrating problems caused by PO (previous owner) neglect - like a blown
> headgasket and cooling system problems - I now have an excellent daily
> driver that I mostly do routine maintenance on.
> Keep JPF's contact info if you get the car - he's a good guy to know in this
> biz.
> For new parts - www.audiquattroparts.com , www.zzmotors.com , and others
> dealers are on the web. For used parts - check www.car-part.com or with
> specialized Audi recyclers like Shokan at www.800allaudi.com
> Cheers!
> Steve Sears
> 1987 Audi 5kTQ
> 1980 Audi 5k
> 1962 and '64 Auto Union DKW Junior deLuxes
> (SPAM Blocker NOTE: Remove SHOES to reply)
>
>
> "Bill Graham" <whgraham@nc.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:BBC7D08C.203D7%whgraham@nc.rr.com...
>> Thanks very much for your reply. Certainly nothing is problem free. But if
>> I'm going to have problems, I'd rather it be with something other than a 4
>> cyl. Ford Contour.
>>
>> The heater pads all work, very well. But if they didn't, I wouldn't care
>> that much. The Saab 99 I had possessed the heated seats, and they never
>> worked. I got that car out of tobacco field in NC, and one new $250.00
>> starter later, a battery, and general stuff I was able to drive it from NC
>> to NE and back. I like working on cars that are fun to work on and fun to
>> drive. This car seems like a good choice for that.
>>
>> The odometer is annoying, and makes it a harder sell with my wife.
>>
>> What exactly is the ECU? Parts costs associated with that job?
>>
>> Thanks again,
>>
>> Bill Graham
>>
>>> Not a bad car, but it's no problem-free ride. It's old.
>>> The "winter package" is moot, as the drivers seat heater pads are
>>> usually dead by now. I now own 4 type 44 quattros, (All
>>> 5000/100/200/V8 are type 44 cars.) and I've had to replace the drivers
>>> lower pad on all 4. (At least your passengers butts will be warm.)
>>> At this vintage, age begins to show. Heater core/blower motor
>>> repair is always ominous, $500-ish. (Parts under $200) Steering pump
>>> can go, $400-ish. (Again, part under $250.)
>>> Driveline major is very reliable.
>>> I just bought one, '89 black on black, paid $1,000, but it was a
>>> trade-in at a friends dealer. It needed a steering pump, a radiator,
>>> and a drivers lower seat heater pad. The passenger outer mirror
>>> doean't heat, I have a new glass, but haven't stuck it in yet. It's
>>> got 200K on it. Total parts bill was under $600.
>>> If you;re handly, buying the Bentley is job 1. www.rb.com .
>>> This is a very easy car for shade-tree maintenance.
>>> Also, you'd want to upgrade the ECU to gain 50+HP. They really need a
>>> little more steam. It's a half-hour job, and a whole new car.
>>>
>>> Find yourself a decent parts source, and life is good.
>>>
>>> There is nothing like a quattro in inclement weather.
>>>
>>>
>>> On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 04:35:03 GMT, Bill Graham <whgraham@nc.rr.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hello,
>>>>
>>>> I am considering buying the car above, '89 200 Quattro Turbo with the
> cold
>>>> weather package................
>>
>
>

Re: '89 200 Quattro Turbo Advice Needed
 

Bill,
There are different things that can be done to modify troublesome systems in
the Type 44:
Hydraulics - the pressure accumulator, which is charged with nitrogen, loses
its charge over time and causes problems - you can get a rebuilt one that
makes it rechargeable (there is a guy in Southern Ontario doing some - the
procedure was outlined in Audifans) or you can buy a new one - way more
expensive but will probably last longer than you have the car. I have also
heard of people refitting a vacuum assist system from an earlier (?) Type 44
to eliminate the "bomb" altogether. Doing that also eliminates the use of
the big, leak prone power steering pump that charges the brake accumulator
as well as the rack.
Headlights - the current passing through the turn signal stalk assembly is
way too much when using things like flash to pass - installing relays to
switch power from the headlights is not too difficult, and will reduce the
future need for electric troubleshooting here.
As soon as the snow starts _really_ falling, you'll appreciate the quattro
system on the car. In the largest winter storm last year, with about 12" of
snow on the road (more in drifts) I was the only car moving on some roads -
even my boss in his big Dorf F250 diesel 4x4 went home early - I had to make
some deliveries in-town and was blasting past minivans, cars and SUV's stuck
and ditched all over the place - you would have loved the looks I got. I'm
going to get a window sticker that says "I only dragrace in 1 foot of snow"
Cheers!
Steve Sears
1987 Audi 5kTQ
1980 Audi 5k
1962 and '64 Auto Union DKW Junior deLuxes
(SPAM Blocker NOTE: Remove SHOES to reply)
"Bill Graham" <whgraham@nc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:BBC8847F.2041B%whgraham@nc.rr.com...
> Thanks one and all for your comments.
>
> I spoke to two local euro car mechanics today.
>
> #1 said: don't get it, you won't be happy. They will take all your money.
> Great for him, but not for me. He said get a Saab 900 with a good
> transmission or a VW instead.
>
> Problem is, I have a car with a lot of problems that I hate to drive. The
> Audi I am looking at has had a great deal of money put into it already,
but
> currently has no problems. I'm trying to buy more time and enjoy what I
> drive. I've been one of those out of work technology execs since last
> January. I do not want a car payment, and the money I have can cover this
> car and then some. The way the car has presented itself to me at a time in
> need feels somewhat like providence and fortuitous.
>
> #2 said: all euro cars have their own special problems with which they
take
> your money. Audi's have hydraulic problems, electrical problems, and
> AC/heating problems. Saab's have transmission problems and so on. A Toyota
> Camry doesn't have problems, but they are like driving a boring appliance.
> He said that US cars and Euro cars are not that different in parts costs.
>
> When you fix something in one of these, does it STAY fixed? Are there
> upgrades (i.e. Hydraulics) that can be made when doing repairs that are
> better than standard OEM parts replacements that increase the life of the
> repair?
>
> At the end of the day I'd basically be trading a 96 Ford with mounting
> problems, for an 89 Audi that currently has no problems, and I'd have a
> little cash left over.
>
> Sincerely, Thank you all. If I get it, I'll try to grab the Bentley manual
> (a little more pricey than a Chilton's).
>
> Bill
>
> > Bill,
> > There's a section in the Tips section of Blaufergnugen's (Audi parts
vendor)
> > web site providing a checklist for purchasing a used Audi Quattro:
> >
http://www.audiquattroparts.com/tech...0checklist.htm
> > As for web resources:
> > www.audifans.com - mostly owners of older Audis (pre-1995) here -
searching
> > the archives will provide you with a ton of repair tips and tricks and
> > troubleshooting help. Check the archives, if you don't find an answer,
then
> > post a question to the group.
> > A few of the folks on the Audifans site are developing a "Knowledgebase"
to
> > simplify the search for repair/troubleshooting/upgrading/etc. stuff.
> > www.audiworld.com - the 100/200/5000/V8 forum (aka the V8 forum)
discusses
> > Type 44 stuff. I find that there's a bit too much "RahRah Audi" and
fluff
> > (the posting is all in the subject line, and the signature line of some
is
> > like a parts bin inventory/ingredient list of what's been put on the
> > person's car) going on at Audiworld (read CR's posting about the
respective
> > German marque clubs) - As a Type 44 owner there's just some things that
I
> > (and many others) curse Audi for - like fragile doorhandle parts (search
for
> > "Team Doorhandle"), overly complex brake hydraulics (search for "Brake
> > Bomb"), etc.
> > All that said, however, I enjoy my car immensely despite its faults. It
had
> > countless owners before I got it, and after working through some super
> > frustrating problems caused by PO (previous owner) neglect - like a
blown
> > headgasket and cooling system problems - I now have an excellent daily
> > driver that I mostly do routine maintenance on.
> > Keep JPF's contact info if you get the car - he's a good guy to know in
this
> > biz.
> > For new parts - www.audiquattroparts.com , www.zzmotors.com , and others
> > dealers are on the web. For used parts - check www.car-part.com or with
> > specialized Audi recyclers like Shokan at www.800allaudi.com
> > Cheers!
> > Steve Sears
> > 1987 Audi 5kTQ
> > 1980 Audi 5k
> > 1962 and '64 Auto Union DKW Junior deLuxes
> > (SPAM Blocker NOTE: Remove SHOES to reply)
> >
> >
> > "Bill Graham" <whgraham@nc.rr.com> wrote in message
> > news:BBC7D08C.203D7%whgraham@nc.rr.com...
> >> Thanks very much for your reply. Certainly nothing is problem free. But
if
> >> I'm going to have problems, I'd rather it be with something other than
a 4
> >> cyl. Ford Contour.
> >>
> >> The heater pads all work, very well. But if they didn't, I wouldn't
care
> >> that much. The Saab 99 I had possessed the heated seats, and they never
> >> worked. I got that car out of tobacco field in NC, and one new $250.00
> >> starter later, a battery, and general stuff I was able to drive it from
NC
> >> to NE and back. I like working on cars that are fun to work on and fun
to
> >> drive. This car seems like a good choice for that.
> >>
> >> The odometer is annoying, and makes it a harder sell with my wife.
> >>
> >> What exactly is the ECU? Parts costs associated with that job?
> >>
> >> Thanks again,
> >>
> >> Bill Graham
> >>
> >>> Not a bad car, but it's no problem-free ride. It's old.
> >>> The "winter package" is moot, as the drivers seat heater pads are
> >>> usually dead by now. I now own 4 type 44 quattros, (All
> >>> 5000/100/200/V8 are type 44 cars.) and I've had to replace the drivers
> >>> lower pad on all 4. (At least your passengers butts will be warm.)
> >>> At this vintage, age begins to show. Heater core/blower motor
> >>> repair is always ominous, $500-ish. (Parts under $200) Steering pump
> >>> can go, $400-ish. (Again, part under $250.)
> >>> Driveline major is very reliable.
> >>> I just bought one, '89 black on black, paid $1,000, but it was a
> >>> trade-in at a friends dealer. It needed a steering pump, a radiator,
> >>> and a drivers lower seat heater pad. The passenger outer mirror
> >>> doean't heat, I have a new glass, but haven't stuck it in yet. It's
> >>> got 200K on it. Total parts bill was under $600.
> >>> If you;re handly, buying the Bentley is job 1. www.rb.com .
> >>> This is a very easy car for shade-tree maintenance.
> >>> Also, you'd want to upgrade the ECU to gain 50+HP. They really need a
> >>> little more steam. It's a half-hour job, and a whole new car.
> >>>
> >>> Find yourself a decent parts source, and life is good.
> >>>
> >>> There is nothing like a quattro in inclement weather.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 04:35:03 GMT, Bill Graham <whgraham@nc.rr.com>
> >>> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Hello,
> >>>>
> >>>> I am considering buying the car above, '89 200 Quattro Turbo with the
> > cold
> >>>> weather package................
> >>
> >
> >
>

Re: '89 200 Quattro Turbo Advice Needed
 

Bill Graham <whgraham@nc.rr.com> wrote in message news:<BBC8847F.2041B%whgraham@nc.rr.com>...
> Thanks one and all for your comments.
>
> I spoke to two local euro car mechanics today.
>
> #1 said: don't get it, you won't be happy. They will take all your money.
> Great for him, but not for me. He said get a Saab 900 with a good
> transmission or a VW instead.

Sounds like he doesn't like working on them - or isn't that familiar
with doing so. He's simply telling you to pick up a *different* set
of problems that he *is* familiar with.

> #2 said: all euro cars have their own special problems with which they take
> your money. Audi's have hydraulic problems, electrical problems, and
> AC/heating problems.
> He said that US cars and Euro cars are not that different in parts costs.

He's correct and he sounds more pragmatic.

> When you fix something in one of these, does it STAY fixed?

Generally, yes.

> Are there upgrades that can be made when doing repairs that are
> better than standard OEM parts replacements that increase the life of the
> repair?

Discussed by another poster.

> If I get it, I'll try to grab the Bentley manual
> (a little more pricey than a Chilton's).

A *little*? These suckers are *three* *big* volumes (the '89-'91 car;
*not* the previous '5000' - only *two* *big* volumes) and sell for
about a 'C' note. That said, they're well worth it.

> > Bill,
> > There's a section in the Tips section of Blaufergnugen's (Audi parts vendor)
> > web site providing a checklist for purchasing a used Audi Quattro:

There is? Of course, being only 5 miles away, I usually just go over
and see Jim in the office. ;^)

> > Type 44 stuff. I find that there's a bit too much "RahRah Audi" and fluff
> > (the posting is all in the subject line, and the signature line of some is
> > like a parts bin inventory/ingredient list of what's been put on the
> > person's car) going on at Audiworld (read CR's posting about the respective
> > German marque clubs) -

LOL! Danke sehr!

> > As a Type 44 owner there's just some things that I
> > (and many others) curse Audi for - like fragile doorhandle parts (search for
> > "Team Doorhandle"),

This is the one correction I wanted to make in your post. You're
dating yourself, Sears. The *early* Type 44 (and all early- and
mid-'80s VWs & Audis)door handles sucked and broke by design. The
later ones (this is an '89 he's looking at) have the *New!*
*Improved!* door handles. It is, IME, no longer an issue.

> > Keep JPF's contact info if you get the car - he's a good guy to know in this
> > biz.

Second that! Bear in mind he can be a tad more irascible than I am
sometimes - and he's a lot more valuable resource to you than *I* ever
will be.

> > For new parts - www.audiquattroparts.com , www.zzmotors.com , and others
> > dealers are on the web. For used parts - check www.car-part.com or with
> > specialized Audi recyclers like Shokan at www.800allaudi.com

More good stuff. Good job, SS.
--
C.R. Krieger
Sig broke.

Re: '89 200 Quattro Turbo Advice Needed
 

"C.R. Krieger" <warp2_shadow@yahoo.com> wrote in message
<snip>
> This is the one correction I wanted to make in your post. You're
> dating yourself, Sears. The *early* Type 44 (and all early- and
> mid-'80s VWs & Audis)door handles sucked and broke by design. The
> later ones (this is an '89 he's looking at) have the *New!*
> *Improved!* door handles. It is, IME, no longer an issue.
Hahaha...good thing I didn't start talking about DKW's, huh? Actually, what
breaks in the later Type 44 flush handles is the lock - weak cast part on
the back of the cylinder is to blame there - stamped replacements are
available.
<snip>
> More good stuff. Good job, SS.
Thanks!
Steve Sears
1987 Audi 5kTQ - Type 44
1980 Audi 5k - Type 43
1962 and '64 Auto Union DKW Junior deLuxes - Type F800
(SPAM Blocker NOTE: Remove SHOES to reply)

Re: '89 200 Quattro Turbo Advice Needed
 

On Tue, 4 Nov 2003 08:44:28 -0500, "Steve Sears"
<steve.sears@SHOESsoil-mat.on.ca> wrote:
>>Snip<<

> Actually, what
>breaks in the later Type 44 flush handles is the lock - weak cast part on
>the back of the cylinder is to blame there - stamped replacements are
>available.
><snip>

Sure, but then the cheap plastic teeth fall off the stamped piece, and
the alarm doesn't work!
Gimme' the old handles any day. They bust once a year, but you don't
have to pull the door panel to fix it!


>Thanks!
>Steve Sears
>1987 Audi 5kTQ - Type 44
>1980 Audi 5k - Type 43
>1962 and '64 Auto Union DKW Junior deLuxes - Type F800
>(SPAM Blocker NOTE: Remove SHOES to reply)
>