1990 Quattro Coupe Question

Hi All,

I have an opportunity to pick up a 1990 Quattro Coupe. Looks to be in decent
condition considering its age, professionally-maintained, but has 200,000
miles on the original engine. Owner wants $5000, which I believe is a bit
optimistic. I understand that not many of these cars came to the U.S., so
I'm wondering if its relative rarity makes it a worthwhile addition to my
garage. Any obvious trouble spots with these cars? Are parts readily
available at reasonable prices? Or would this car be a maintenance nightmare
and money pit?

Any and all opinions/experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
--
Kent
1987 VW GTI 8V, original owner, 222,000+ miles

Audi coupe don't quote me but ithink most of the major parts on the car are
amath for the audi 90. As for the price kelly blue book for mileage is
$5075. The car has the 2.3 inline 5 20 valve over head cam engine. It is
nice engine honest like the audi 90s parts a a pain to find sometimes well i
am in hte midwest and i have trouble getting parts sometimes. Honest i
might try talk he seller down a bit if you can. It is a nice car and it is
kinda rare where i am at i ahve only seen one.
"Kent" > wrote in message
...
> Hi All,
>
> I have an opportunity to pick up a 1990 Quattro Coupe. Looks to be in
decent
> condition considering its age, professionally-maintained, but has 200,000
> miles on the original engine. Owner wants $5000, which I believe is a bit
> optimistic. I understand that not many of these cars came to the U.S., so
> I'm wondering if its relative rarity makes it a worthwhile addition to my
> garage. Any obvious trouble spots with these cars? Are parts readily
> available at reasonable prices? Or would this car be a maintenance
nightmare
> and money pit?
>
> Any and all opinions/experiences would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> --
> Kent
> 1987 VW GTI 8V, original owner, 222,000+ miles
>
>

$5075? Here in the Northwest, the Kelley Blue Book private party value for a
1990 CQ in excellent condition is $4205. The car I'm looking at is in fair
to good condition, which puts Blue Book at $3160-$3745. A dealer could get
$5000-$6000 for a fully reconditioned example with comparable mileage.

My biggest concern is the cost of an engine rebuild. It already has 200,000
miles after all. I'll have the compression checked before I make a purchase
decision, but a new engine can't be too far in the future for this car.

--
Kent
1987 VW GTI 8V, original owner, 222,000+ miles

"Drew Holm" > wrote in message
. ..
> Audi coupe don't quote me but ithink most of the major parts on the car
are
> amath for the audi 90. As for the price kelly blue book for mileage is
> $5075. The car has the 2.3 inline 5 20 valve over head cam engine. It is
> nice engine honest like the audi 90s parts a a pain to find sometimes well
i
> am in hte midwest and i have trouble getting parts sometimes. Honest i
> might try talk he seller down a bit if you can. It is a nice car and it
is
> kinda rare where i am at i ahve only seen one.
> "Kent" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi All,
> >
> > I have an opportunity to pick up a 1990 Quattro Coupe. Looks to be in
> decent
> > condition considering its age, professionally-maintained, but has
200,000
> > miles on the original engine. Owner wants $5000, which I believe is a
bit
> > optimistic. I understand that not many of these cars came to the U.S.,
so
> > I'm wondering if its relative rarity makes it a worthwhile addition to
my
> > garage. Any obvious trouble spots with these cars? Are parts readily
> > available at reasonable prices? Or would this car be a maintenance
> nightmare
> > and money pit?
> >
> > Any and all opinions/experiences would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > --
> > Kent
> > 1987 VW GTI 8V, original owner, 222,000+ miles
> >
> >
>
>

Kent wrote:
>
> My biggest concern is the cost of an engine rebuild. It already has 200,000
> miles after all. I'll have the compression checked before I make a purchase
> decision, but a new engine can't be too far in the future for this car.

Where do you get this from? I have a '90 80q with 203k, and all the
cylinders are within 5% of each other.

There's no magical mileage cut-off for engine rebuilt - it's based
totally on condition.

An abused motor might not make it to 100k. A well-taken-care-of motor
might go past 300k.

I have no doubt my 200k motor has plenty of life left in it, and that
if I have to open it up in the next five years, it's because I failed
to maintain it properly.

E.P.

> There's no magical mileage cut-off for engine rebuilt - it's based
> totally on condition.

And I'm sure you'll agree that "condition" is strongly correlated with
mileage as well as maintenance, and even the best cared for motors running
the slickest oil will eventually need rebuilding, and often before 300,000
miles. I've owned my 1987 GTI since new, have cared for it well, and I've
run synthetic since break-in. Still, at 220,000+ miles, it's getting a bit
tired and is "breathing heavy" due to wearing rings and valve guides. This
is my main data point for being concerned about a CQ with 200,000 miles, as
I believe a gasoline engine that doesn't need a full or partial rebuild well
beyond 200,000 miles is the exception rather than the rule.

I do see a good number of high-mileage examples like yours, so this bodes
well for this car. But since I don't have a complete maintenance history on
this particular car, I certainly can't bet good money that it will run to
300,000 miles before it needs a significant infusion of cash for a full or
top-end rebuild. Like I said, a compression check will give me a good
indication of the current condition of the motor, but I still have to assume
that its best years are behind it, and my offering price needs to take that
into account.

--
Kent
1987 VW GTI 8V, original owner, 222,000+ miles


> wrote in message
oups.com...
>
>
> Kent wrote:
> >
> > My biggest concern is the cost of an engine rebuild. It already has
200,000
> > miles after all. I'll have the compression checked before I make a
purchase
> > decision, but a new engine can't be too far in the future for this car.
>
> Where do you get this from? I have a '90 80q with 203k, and all the
> cylinders are within 5% of each other.
>
> There's no magical mileage cut-off for engine rebuilt - it's based
> totally on condition.
>
> An abused motor might not make it to 100k. A well-taken-care-of motor
> might go past 300k.
>
> I have no doubt my 200k motor has plenty of life left in it, and that
> if I have to open it up in the next five years, it's because I failed
> to maintain it properly.
>
> E.P.
>

Kent wrote:
> > There's no magical mileage cut-off for engine rebuilt - it's based
> > totally on condition.
>
> And I'm sure you'll agree that "condition" is strongly correlated with
> mileage as well as maintenance, and even the best cared for motors running
> the slickest oil will eventually need rebuilding, and often before 300,000
> miles.

Valve guides are one thing. Total rebuild is another.

Your post said that "a rebuild can't be that far off," without knowing
the first thing about the motor. Of course, when you buy a used car,
you should do a pre-purchase inspection that includes a compression and
leakdown test. But saying that 200k miles indicates a "not far off"
rebuild is just a WAG without any further information.

In the case of my car, you'd be dead wrong. In the case of this Cq, it
may need one right now. Or it might be like mine. Only a competent
mechanic (shadetree or pro) would be able to tell that after doing the
proper testing.

E.P.

E.P. - You're obviously quite proud of your engine's condition. Good for
you.

Now, if at all possible, I'd appreciate to hear from someone (preferably a
CQ owner) who can perhaps answer my original questions without all the chest
pounding:

1) Does this car typically command a significant premium because of it
relative rarity in the U.S.?
2) Any obvious trouble spots with these cars?
3) Are parts readily available at reasonable prices, or will I find myself
paying dealer markup for common parts?

Again, any (useful) input would be greatly appreciated.
--
Kent
1987 VW GTI 8V, original owner, 222,000+ miles

> wrote in message
ps.com...
>
>
> Kent wrote:
> > > There's no magical mileage cut-off for engine rebuilt - it's based
> > > totally on condition.
> >
> > And I'm sure you'll agree that "condition" is strongly correlated with
> > mileage as well as maintenance, and even the best cared for motors
running
> > the slickest oil will eventually need rebuilding, and often before
300,000
> > miles.
>
> Valve guides are one thing. Total rebuild is another.
>
> Your post said that "a rebuild can't be that far off," without knowing
> the first thing about the motor. Of course, when you buy a used car,
> you should do a pre-purchase inspection that includes a compression and
> leakdown test. But saying that 200k miles indicates a "not far off"
> rebuild is just a WAG without any further information.
>
> In the case of my car, you'd be dead wrong. In the case of this Cq, it
> may need one right now. Or it might be like mine. Only a competent
> mechanic (shadetree or pro) would be able to tell that after doing the
> proper testing.
>
> E.P.
>

Kent wrote:
> E.P. - You're obviously quite proud of your engine's condition.

No, I have no feelings about it one way or another. I'm responding to
your B.S. about rebuilds.

> Now, if at all possible, I'd appreciate to hear from someone (preferably a
> CQ owner) who can perhaps answer my original questions without all the chest
> pounding:

Oh, brother. Try and admit that you haven't a clue about what the
motor's status in and be done with it.

> 1) Does this car typically command a significant premium because of it
> relative rarity in the U.S.?

www.kbb.com

> 2) Any obvious trouble spots with these cars?

Pretty much anything having to do with the model 90 and/or the 20V
motor will give you a clue. Use Google.

> 3) Are parts readily available at reasonable prices, or will I find myself
> paying dealer markup for common parts?

Don't buy through the dealer. Blaufergnugen, etc. all will sell you
factory parts without the stealership mark-up.

> Again, any (useful) input would be greatly appreciated.

Oh, Kent - let's be honest. I caught you exaggerating, and now you're
embarrassed.

All the info you seek can be answered by searching a bit. Even the
bits about engine rebuild frequency.

BTW, I haven't seen a Cq owner post in this ng for years.

E.P.