[piscator]

MadCorgi, I share your enthusiasm for the Audi 5000. “Not renowned for reliability” is aptly put. Fortunately, the cars I drove had no problems. I like the 5 cylinder engine. Parts for the turbo version would concern me.

Jim R, WOW! That ‘Quattro Warrior’ hits all the marks! I really like that car, but sadly, my dollars don’t come in cubes! :-(

Fanaudical, your comments are especially helpful and you ask a good question!

I just finished a 1400 hour refurbish of my 911 SC, which was entirely mechanical. I like doing suspension work, engine diagnostics, brakes, wiring, trouble-shooting systems.

I don’t enjoy auto-body work, but I repair fiberglass boats and have some skill in that area. I can pull dents and paint, but I don’t weld, so a car needing extensive body repair wouldn’t be good for me.

I don’t want to start with a basket case, but I wouldn’t shy away from major work. I’d be happy to pull an engine/transmission for service or just cleaning. I’m mainly interested in returning an older car to factory condition. Upgrading the quality of certain components and adding proven mods makes sense to me, but I don’t have the talent to improve on the manufacturer’s engineering.

Yours (and others) focus on where the technology line might be drawn to favor the home mechanic, is very much appreciated! This advice to avoid a later model Audi is well taken:

“For practical purposes, motor mods are limited to chip upgrades, bigger turbos, and exhaust mods.”

The local shop that did my corner balance specializes in Audi upgrades and that’s exactly what they do! The customers come in and talk about “chips, chips, chips, chips” and which exhaust or wheels go best with those chips! I don’t do chips, unless they come from potatoes! :-)

I don’t know the URS4 or the S6 Avant, so I’ll try to study up on those. I have to agree with you though, the more you guys mention it, dropping an LS engine in a BMW does sound like fun!

Matt, your comments are also very helpful!

“Anything newer puts you into modern manufacturing, which equals cheaply made... The last BMW I would consider is an E34... An E28 535is would be awesome. I had an E34 540i 6-speed which was basically an M5 minus the engine, that was also a great and rare car.”

The 535i that I owned was “awesome!” – sure-footed, balanced, nimble – probably the best car I ever owned. But it didn’t travel in snow very well..., except for sideways!

Maybe I shouldn’t make 4wd an issue. It’s not really needed here in Connecticut. But I spend much of the winter in Vermont and plan to move to Maine in the next few years. 4Wd is a big plus in those northern states.

Jim, I think your opinion is worth an awful lot “in the grand scheme of things.” From what I’ve seen, you’re right that the e28 535’s are available and at reasonable ‘enthusiast’ prices. As you say, the BMW is probably more ‘bang for the buck’ – I just wish I wasn’t hung up on the quattro thing.

Slow & Rusty, I love your ‘ole skool’ tag-line – me too!

So, “BMW all the way?” – hmmmmmm…

That’s a handsome, de-badged, Audi, but I’m afraid I don’t know which model it is!

Edgemar, Is that an Alpha? The last one I drove was 1977 sedan! What is it?

With all the enthusiasm for BMW, I’m surprised a later 4wd model wasn’t suggested. Is that because they’re too new, too computerized? I’ve never driven a 4wd drive BMW and have no idea what the handling is like.

Also, interesting that Mercedes didn’t come up. That’s probably because the only manual transmissions came in the 190 and 240 diesel models. That’s what I recall, but there may have been others. And Mercedes was late in the game with 4wd, so maybe those are too new, too computerized as well. I’ve never driven one.

Gentlemen, you’ve made some great comments that I’m going to review and think upon.