Audi 80 2.0E B3
Discussion
I thought I'd best put a thread up for my 80. Its a 1990 2.0E, white with beige interior!
Currently sitting on 99k with full service history, it runs whisper quiet and very smooth for an older motor. Bodywork is very straight and clean with just the front arches requiring paint in the near future, my last 80 had the same problem.
As it was when I bought it.
It was a little dirty, wheels were in need of a refurb and that was the first job. I wasn't sure about the 14" speedlines at first, its the first time i've seen them and I wanted to change them for the 15's but i'll keep them for now, especially since i've just wrapped them with 4 new tyres.
Bodywork was attacked with the clay and machine polisher, finished with sealant and it looks wonderful for its age.
Cam belt was replaced too, just in time it seems.
And the best bit
Next up is to sort out the front arches and then I'm getting a windscreen fitted as the current one is delaminating quite badly.
I shall keep this updated!
Currently sitting on 99k with full service history, it runs whisper quiet and very smooth for an older motor. Bodywork is very straight and clean with just the front arches requiring paint in the near future, my last 80 had the same problem.
As it was when I bought it.
It was a little dirty, wheels were in need of a refurb and that was the first job. I wasn't sure about the 14" speedlines at first, its the first time i've seen them and I wanted to change them for the 15's but i'll keep them for now, especially since i've just wrapped them with 4 new tyres.
Bodywork was attacked with the clay and machine polisher, finished with sealant and it looks wonderful for its age.
Cam belt was replaced too, just in time it seems.
And the best bit
Next up is to sort out the front arches and then I'm getting a windscreen fitted as the current one is delaminating quite badly.
I shall keep this updated!
Cheers!
First thing I noticed was how well built and noise free it was inside, not a single rattle, bang or squeak anywhere which is remarkable for a car this age.
I still have the Sport rear spoiler from my old 80 that will be painted at the same time as the arches and put on, should be nice little finishing touch. Also forgot to mention in the OP that it has been lowered a touch too, definitely an improvement on the handling side, the ride is still very plush thanks to the 60 profile tyres.
First thing I noticed was how well built and noise free it was inside, not a single rattle, bang or squeak anywhere which is remarkable for a car this age.
I still have the Sport rear spoiler from my old 80 that will be painted at the same time as the arches and put on, should be nice little finishing touch. Also forgot to mention in the OP that it has been lowered a touch too, definitely an improvement on the handling side, the ride is still very plush thanks to the 60 profile tyres.
700 miles in. Car is running perfect, passenger side window has sprung into life, completely dead one day and working great the next, saves me paying £80 for a regulator. New tyres have totally transformed the car too, I went for Nexen nblue HD plus' and they're brilliant, massive improvement over the old nblue HD for anyone thats interested.
Its booked in for wheelarch paint next week, spoiler will be fitted then too.
Found some proper Audi mudflaps and had to have them, being white its a struggle to keep clean so these will help.
I'm REALLY loving this car at the moment!
Its booked in for wheelarch paint next week, spoiler will be fitted then too.
Found some proper Audi mudflaps and had to have them, being white its a struggle to keep clean so these will help.
I'm REALLY loving this car at the moment!
thank you all
Crosswise said:
Very nice car, the Audi 80 seems to be quite under appreciated considering how good they are, you don't see many around anymore. I've got a B4 Quattro that I've owned for 10 years, I'm very slowly collecting parts to build it into an RS2 Saloon, I might get there eventually!
Keep us updated with progress. This is for the B4, but it might help you with the spoiler.
Cheers for that! It will definitely come in handy!Keep us updated with progress. This is for the B4, but it might help you with the spoiler.
Noticed the fuel filter looked old and possibly original so a new one got ordered. Fought with the old one to get it off and that resulted in it splitting and leaking fuel into my armpits, much fun. Completely filled with black sludge.
Runs much nicer now, smoother idle and better pick up.
Runs much nicer now, smoother idle and better pick up.
Fitted some clear indicator lenses this morning, I'm a bit 50/50 on whether or not i like them. It does make the front look a bit like a 90 if you squint which i like, but they also look a bit too modern for it i think!
Got the front mudflaps fitted too now which was harder than it should ever be thanks to poorly designed brackets, ended up throwing the brackets away and using self tappers in the end with a bit silicone to stop any crud and water getting between the flap and wing.
Got the front mudflaps fitted too now which was harder than it should ever be thanks to poorly designed brackets, ended up throwing the brackets away and using self tappers in the end with a bit silicone to stop any crud and water getting between the flap and wing.
Spoiler is on.
Next up is to get the rear bumper painted, both corners have been sprayed with a different shade of white, you can just about see it in that photo. I also need a new rear foglight as my lense is cracked, or change the whole boot panel to a 90 one to get rid of the black numberplate panel.
...Also that exhaust hangs too low and is way too small in the huge exhaust cutout in the bumper, I would like the Quattro style twin tail pipes but i'm not sure if they ever made a twin pipe for the non-Quattro without going aftermarket.
Next up is to get the rear bumper painted, both corners have been sprayed with a different shade of white, you can just about see it in that photo. I also need a new rear foglight as my lense is cracked, or change the whole boot panel to a 90 one to get rid of the black numberplate panel.
...Also that exhaust hangs too low and is way too small in the huge exhaust cutout in the bumper, I would like the Quattro style twin tail pipes but i'm not sure if they ever made a twin pipe for the non-Quattro without going aftermarket.
Update.
Been having a few problems with the car just completely cutting out for a brief moment while driving, then i noticed if i wiggle the key with the engine running it would cut out too. Turns out the ignition switch was broke, common fault. A trip to Audi and £45 lighter for a new one, seems to have fixed it so thats good.
Gave the front arches a good lick of underseal to keep them fresh and gave everything a clean and a paint just to freshen it up a bit. I know these are galvinised but after 26 years i was expecting to see a bit of rust but was surprised to see absolutely none at all.
before
after
Been having a few problems with the car just completely cutting out for a brief moment while driving, then i noticed if i wiggle the key with the engine running it would cut out too. Turns out the ignition switch was broke, common fault. A trip to Audi and £45 lighter for a new one, seems to have fixed it so thats good.
Gave the front arches a good lick of underseal to keep them fresh and gave everything a clean and a paint just to freshen it up a bit. I know these are galvinised but after 26 years i was expecting to see a bit of rust but was surprised to see absolutely none at all.
before
after
update
Not sure if I commented on the wandery handling before but when sitting on a motorway it liked to randomly pull side to side. MOT was due so if anything was wrong it would be picked up then, and it was. Bottom arm bushes were shot causing quite a lot of fore and aft play in both front wheels, I priced up new bottom arms which are a little expensive for these for some reason and ended up choosing polyurethane bushes, which I think is the better choice. What a difference it has made, front end is taught and direct now and the auto lane change feature has gone
I had one noisy hydraulic lifter which was mega annoying, I can't stand noises that aren't meant to be there and as everything else runs very quiet, it was very obvious. Gave it a service which has quietened it right down for now but I do still get the odd "taptaptap" I think a clean or replacement of the lifters will be done if it gets worse, but for now I can live with it.
Not sure if I commented on the wandery handling before but when sitting on a motorway it liked to randomly pull side to side. MOT was due so if anything was wrong it would be picked up then, and it was. Bottom arm bushes were shot causing quite a lot of fore and aft play in both front wheels, I priced up new bottom arms which are a little expensive for these for some reason and ended up choosing polyurethane bushes, which I think is the better choice. What a difference it has made, front end is taught and direct now and the auto lane change feature has gone
I had one noisy hydraulic lifter which was mega annoying, I can't stand noises that aren't meant to be there and as everything else runs very quiet, it was very obvious. Gave it a service which has quietened it right down for now but I do still get the odd "taptaptap" I think a clean or replacement of the lifters will be done if it gets worse, but for now I can live with it.
New wheel day. I've gone for 15" speedlines to replace the 14"s, they look a tad too small and there is quite a lot of sidewall movement with 60 profile tyres. Unsure of going all white or white centres and polished lips, depends how I feel when I come to refurb them. 4 new Nexens will be ordered too, I've been thoroughly impressed with the current ones.
Thank you chaps!
Paul S4 said:
Great thread.
Just a suggestion about the exhaust system; I have an Alfa 156 JTD 150, and I needed a new cat back system as the original one had done 100,000 miles in 10 years.
My previous Alfa 1.8 TS had a Cybox system on it and I was very impressed, so I arranged to combine a trip to Liverpool with getting the exhaust fitted to the 1.9JTD Alfa at the Cybox factory in the Wirral. They were very helpful and the service was very good.
I have been very pleased with the result; a full stainless system with a choice of tail pipes for around £320 IIRC. In fairness I was a wee bit disappointed in that the stainless system was quieter than the original factory OEM Alfa one !
Its been on the car for 30,000 miles/ 2 years and has been fine. Maybe worth giving them a call.
That's a very good price for a stainless system! I've found a company that still manufactures the original twin exit 80 sport backbox but it works out at around £95, I think thats a bit much for a mild steel aftermarket box, I'd definitely like to get a quote for a stainless system. Just a suggestion about the exhaust system; I have an Alfa 156 JTD 150, and I needed a new cat back system as the original one had done 100,000 miles in 10 years.
My previous Alfa 1.8 TS had a Cybox system on it and I was very impressed, so I arranged to combine a trip to Liverpool with getting the exhaust fitted to the 1.9JTD Alfa at the Cybox factory in the Wirral. They were very helpful and the service was very good.
I have been very pleased with the result; a full stainless system with a choice of tail pipes for around £320 IIRC. In fairness I was a wee bit disappointed in that the stainless system was quieter than the original factory OEM Alfa one !
Its been on the car for 30,000 miles/ 2 years and has been fine. Maybe worth giving them a call.
I've had a bit of an issue with the 80 not wanting to hold its coolant. With no visible leaks I thought the worst and was about to order a replacement head gasket, then I found a puddle of water sitting on the undertray which I traced back to a well knackered radiator!
Untitled by Lel Atkinson, on Flickr
£35 for a replacement radiator and that was fixed..
..until 2 days later when the heater matrix burst.
Anyone that has done a matrix on an 80 will know how much of an arse it is, full dash has to come out and then the heater box behind.
I've also fitted a Harman Kardon JBL speakers all round to replace the dying original Blaupunkt units, sound quality is fantastic now!
Untitled by Lel Atkinson, on Flickr£35 for a replacement radiator and that was fixed..
..until 2 days later when the heater matrix burst.
Anyone that has done a matrix on an 80 will know how much of an arse it is, full dash has to come out and then the heater box behind.
I've also fitted a Harman Kardon JBL speakers all round to replace the dying original Blaupunkt units, sound quality is fantastic now!
I might dig out the amber lenses and try them back in, I only bought the clear ones to make the front end look a little bit like a 90 
I fitted a front silencer from a 1.8 carb model yesterday in place of the original and broken cat, its a straight through silencer so theres no restriction but it also keeps it nice and quiet. Throttle response has greatly improved as has the power higher up in the rev range. Nice little modification for £27.
I fitted a front silencer from a 1.8 carb model yesterday in place of the original and broken cat, its a straight through silencer so theres no restriction but it also keeps it nice and quiet. Throttle response has greatly improved as has the power higher up in the rev range. Nice little modification for £27.
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