Bangernomics: Audi 80

[Mr Will]

I have a friend who is looking for a temporary shed at the moment and he is going to look at a Audi 80 tonight. IIRC it is a 1989 car with about 80k on the clock

Does anyone here know much about them? Things to look out for, common problems, what are they like to drive, etc?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Strawman]

They are ok, depends a bit on which engine it has, avoid a car with a carburettor (if they still used the carb engine at that point)

[Mr Will]

What is so bad about the carb version?

easier to tinker with surely? But how much does it hit the fuel economy/reliability?

[bimsb6]

i had 1 a few years back as a banger ,nice car in which the heater was chucking out hot air within a 1\4 of a mile ! great for those winter mornings .had no issues with it .

[Strawman]

Depends on luck I suppose, but I know someone who had bad experiences in the past, intermittent engine stalling that a very competent mechanic couldn't solve, and if it is a pierberg carb they don't make them or any spares anymore, I suppose you could switch to a Webber setup. Or the car might run like a dream and never cause any problems.

[Parrot of Doom]

What I like is that they're still a good looking car, provided they haven't been barried.

[darkyoung1000]

I found mine to be capable but deathly dull. Then again it was the 75bhp Diesel which I'd recommend avoiding at all costs as you might fall asleep while waiting for some acceleration.
Apart from the engine however, it was competent, comfortable, nice looking, well built etc. I just had to sell mine as it was dull!
HTH,
Tom

[istoo]

magic cars, i had a B4 80 quattro. bought on bangernomic terms as i had just thrown all my money into starting my business. Bought it for £900 with 160k on the clock. Liked it so much kept it for 2 years sold with just shy of 200k on the clock and i STILL see it running must be at intergalactic mileage now. Also sold it for £850 lost £50 in two years!

89 is probably going to be a B3 shape, fuel lines were made of mild steel and corrode. Headlights are like candles, accelerator pedal rubber footing falls off, galv bodies age well but not entirely immune to rust. The tdi's could get costly fuel pump issues, but some shopping can see a bosch specialist do it cheaper. But agreed my brother has a tdi 80 avant which has done 20k in 9 months effortlessly. cost him a wing mirror, and a sticky rear caliper. The fuel injected models are good. Quite a heavy car as such so none really blindly quick. but drive and ride really well. great bangernomics car...

[shoestring7]

I'm looking at a '92 coupe this weekend. I was hoping for a 2l, but it seems to have a 2.3l 5 pot> Lowish miles (80k), elderly owner.

Anything I need to watch out for - other than the usual old car stuff?


SS7

[Dr G]

Hot idle oil pressure on the 5 bangers