I bought the car back in October last year. It had languished in someone's back garden for about 12 months and was looking rather tatty. I have finally (!!) got the car back from my busy mechanic with a new MOT. It needed a couple of steering bushes, a brake pipe, repair to blowing exhaust, new rear discs and brake pads all-round (the seller said it was once his pride and joy...... I don't think so looking at the non-existent brake pad material..... - why on earth do people not look after things properly......???)

OK - so I filled the car up to the brim with petrol on getting it back and immediately went to KwikFit as the back (mis-matched) tyres were very worn. It was decided to put the pretty-decent Bridgstone's from the front - onto the rear of the car and put 2 new matching Bridgestones on the front. The car now has 4 matching tyres and the wheels were balanced. The fitter said the tracking is quite a way out but they could not undo the track-rod ends as they were seized-up. (The car is mainly orange underneath from sitting idle for so long....) Anyway, I have driven it approx 200 miles so far (speedo needle is playing up and trip meters are not working so I am guessing the miles I have covered....)

Onto the problems:

The steering is quite wobbly between 50 and 70mph and the steering feels a bit vague - almost like driving on ice. Not sure if the wobble can be caused by tracking alone ???? (All wheels have been correctly balanced)
The vague feeling is a disappointment, as I expected a Quattro to be spot-on....

The suspension feels very bumpy, almost like there is no damping in one or more units. Is this normal...??

There is a clunk sometimes when accelerating or taking foot of the accelerator suddenly. It feels like it is from the rear axle. Prop-shaft or some kind of universal joint worn out...???

Any advice or comments on the above would be really appreciated.

I cannot complain about the smoothness or power of the 5-cylinder 10v engine. It is delightful - can't help keep planting the right foot.... The car is showing less than 79000 miles which seems to be verified by past MOT's - and is the main reason I got involved. There cannot be many left that haven't at least gone around the clock.

What can I do to really improve the suspension and steering. PS - the car has the original 14 inch steel wheels, which I am keeping now as I got the tyres sorted.

Thanks again anyone who can suggest ways to improve the handling/suspension without spending a fortune on it.......

PPS - no cambelt history with car and looking at the "brakes" that were renewed I am concerned..... WHAT MILEAGE IS THE CAMBELT SUPPOSED TO CHANGE ????? Haynes manual dos not stipulate it.....

Many thanks !!