Driving the 90 20v.....

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Jan 8, 2001 | 09:42 PM

trav

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Driving the 90 20v.....

I'm in the market for a 90 or 80 quattro. I just drove a 90 20v sedan, and I'm rather taken back by just how low on power it was. Is it just me? I must say that I'm a bit disappointed.

I've driven a couple of 4kq's and they had much better torque, allowing to shift earlier and not rev the **** out of 'em. I didn't expect the 20v to be fast by turbo standards, but I though it might be at least "spirited". I've heard that they come on the cams at above 3000, but it still felt weak at higher rpm. I'm really hoping that the 10v has better low-end torque, or maybe I need to drive more examples of the 20v type?

My line of thinking is that, perhaps a 10v 90q or 80q would be a wiser choice as the parts are supposedly considerably cheaper (is this true?), and they couldn't possibly be too much slower (fingers crossed)! What do think?

Thanks for any advice, experience, or words of wisdom.

Jan 9, 2001 | 12:30 AM

SteveAngry

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Re: Driving the 90 20v.....

Well you really have to rev those cars to get them to come "alive." The one I drove was pretty fast on the highway but not too impressive around town. Still better than driving a Ford just not a supercar...but I still think they are great cars. Maybe the one you test drove has'nt been maintained real well? Who knows? Maybe your expectations were to high? I think any of the 80/90Q's would make an excellent choice...IMHO.

Steve Ankney
88 5000
Michigan

Jan 9, 2001 | 12:59 AM

ChuckH

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Exactly! They are on the sluggish side from a stop, but get...

...them out on the highway and they really move. Around town you have to keep the revs up, which you get use to. They corner well and brake well too, so that helps make up for the lack of grunt. I've found that the cars that haven't been driven very aggressively do not seem to want to be driven that way. It's important to get one that has been driven the way the Germans would do it!

I drove a 20V one time that was just all beat to hell and it had no power at all. Turns out after riding with the guy that he was lugging the engine all the time. he'd be going up hills at 35 MPH and have it in 5th gear. Can you imagine? It was so horrible sitting in the passenger seat and feeling and listening to the torture. So, when he got out and I drove off with the car, I drove it a little more, but it didn't seem too interested.

Jan 9, 2001 | 01:05 AM

ChuckH

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Well, he's got winter tires on it, but maybe I could arrange for...

...you to drive my old car. A friend owns it now, but maybe I could borrow it or arrange something else with him. Then you could get a feel for the 10V. It has a Scorpion exhaust on it, but that only opened up the top end I think took away a little low end torque. Overall though, it would probably give you a good idea. Problem is getting a hold of this guy...he can be a real PITA sometines! He's in Maple Valley, BTW.

Parts are expensive either way, but the 20V's are a bit more and labor is more.

Jan 9, 2001 | 04:57 AM

Longwolf (Christian)

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From: Gainesville, FL

You got to know how to drive the 2.3 20v.....

<center><img src="http://www.20v.org/20vorg.gif"></center><p>That engine is a dud until 3700 rpm, then it comes to life (just like my 16v 944S). Run the car in the upper RPMs and you will feel the power. As for the 2.3 10v, yes...it feels MUCH torquier at lower RPMs, but runs out of breath faster.

If you are worried about parts cost, go for the 10v engine. If you can handle slightly rarer and more expensive parts, go with the 20v. Either way, don't do anything until you join 20v.org.<ul><li><a href="http://www.20v.org">www.20v.org</a></li></ul>