Both Klaus and Michael left Kraftwerk well before Kraftwerk really found their sound (Autobahn, Man-Machine, Computer World, etc), and became that classic faux

Both Klaus and Michael left Kraftwerk well before Kraftwerk really found their sound (Autobahn, Man-Machine, Computer World, etc), and became that classic faux quartet I'm talking about - the two other members were hired, but weren't full members of the band. Ralf quit/rejoined well before this period as well.