Classic 2.1 Quattro as an everyday car?
Discussion
Hi,
Been looking round for a practical, reliable, fun everyday car and wondered if one of the classic Audi Quattros would be suitable.
They seem to be more plentiful and better priced than I expected. Any idea what insurance would be like for a 25 year old with limited NCB in a reasonable area of the south east? Are they fairly reliable? Do the rear seats fold?
Lastly and most importantly - what are they actually like to drive compared to the modern crop? I'm trying to avoid the usual FWD suspects and so far my list comprises of BMW 328 coupe or M3, Porsche 944, Impreza turbo, Scimitar GTE and a few more left field choices like a 1980s Alfa GTV6.
Been looking round for a practical, reliable, fun everyday car and wondered if one of the classic Audi Quattros would be suitable.
They seem to be more plentiful and better priced than I expected. Any idea what insurance would be like for a 25 year old with limited NCB in a reasonable area of the south east? Are they fairly reliable? Do the rear seats fold?
Lastly and most importantly - what are they actually like to drive compared to the modern crop? I'm trying to avoid the usual FWD suspects and so far my list comprises of BMW 328 coupe or M3, Porsche 944, Impreza turbo, Scimitar GTE and a few more left field choices like a 1980s Alfa GTV6.
Speak to Roger Galvin on 0145 5208037. Roger is the proprieter of "The quattro workshop" near Lutterworth and the technical guru for all things quattro for the quattro owners club. Even Audi UK ask his advice sometimes!
Roger has serviced my quattro for nearly 10 years. He usually has several for sale - more choice than anyone else, probably. The cars are usually reliable but even the newest ones will be about 12 years old. There are some about with very high mileages, however, as long as they are serviced correctly and regularly they should be OK as a daily driver. Be warned, though, that some parts are now in very short supply or have been deleted by Audi eg Front wings, so don't crash one! the qoc are working on this but its a long process! There are also well known issues with exhaust manifolds cracking (and therefore requiring replacement)at about 115k miles and one or two other things. Budget accordingly and IMHO avoid using (or buying a car with) a non Audi original exhaust manifiold.
The cars do benefit from being run regularly - mine has had more minor issues since it has been used as a 3rd car than it ever did when I ran it as my only car!
The back seat does not fold down.
Hope that all helps. Go on, you know you want to. The other cars in your list are good cars, I'm sure (& I also own a 944) but there is only one quattro - you'll be buying an iconic car which still has presence and good performance today. Without it, the Integrale, Misubishi Evo & Imprezzas would not have existed and rallying would never have been the same. Buying a BMW just marks you out as a sheep; buying a quattro marks you out as a man with an independent opinion and class!
I can't emphasise enough that Roger should be your first point of contact & if you join the qoc he'll be even more helpful.
Roger has serviced my quattro for nearly 10 years. He usually has several for sale - more choice than anyone else, probably. The cars are usually reliable but even the newest ones will be about 12 years old. There are some about with very high mileages, however, as long as they are serviced correctly and regularly they should be OK as a daily driver. Be warned, though, that some parts are now in very short supply or have been deleted by Audi eg Front wings, so don't crash one! the qoc are working on this but its a long process! There are also well known issues with exhaust manifolds cracking (and therefore requiring replacement)at about 115k miles and one or two other things. Budget accordingly and IMHO avoid using (or buying a car with) a non Audi original exhaust manifiold.
The cars do benefit from being run regularly - mine has had more minor issues since it has been used as a 3rd car than it ever did when I ran it as my only car!
The back seat does not fold down.
Hope that all helps. Go on, you know you want to. The other cars in your list are good cars, I'm sure (& I also own a 944) but there is only one quattro - you'll be buying an iconic car which still has presence and good performance today. Without it, the Integrale, Misubishi Evo & Imprezzas would not have existed and rallying would never have been the same. Buying a BMW just marks you out as a sheep; buying a quattro marks you out as a man with an independent opinion and class!
I can't emphasise enough that Roger should be your first point of contact & if you join the qoc he'll be even more helpful.
Edited by andy97 on Thursday 24th May 17:06
Take it from me - don't. The 2.1s (WR engine code) are just not everyday car material, IMO. This isn't so much because they are not strong mechanically, more because they require very specialist knowledge to put right and also because many of the smaller and electrical components are now extremely difficult to source. These cars are all 20 years old now and lots of the crucial little parts are just very old and prone to pack up. The situation is not quite so bad with the later cars (MB and RR engine codes) but even so they're a bit of an exotic beast just to bat around in.
Yertis said:
Take it from me - don't. The 2.1s (WR engine code) are just not everyday car material, IMO. This isn't so much because they are not strong mechanically, more because they require very specialist knowledge to put right and also because many of the smaller and electrical components are now extremely difficult to source. These cars are all 20 years old now and lots of the crucial little parts are just very old and prone to pack up. The situation is not quite so bad with the later cars (MB and RR engine codes) but even so they're a bit of an exotic beast just to bat around in.
Don't agree, I had an 83 wr that I used as every day transport for the last 5 years, only sold it last year. dead reliable, never had any real problems with it apart from the odd minor electrical problem with things like window switches, but never anything major.Spartacus said:
Yertis said:
Take it from me - don't. The 2.1s (WR engine code) are just not everyday car material, IMO. This isn't so much because they are not strong mechanically, more because they require very specialist knowledge to put right and also because many of the smaller and electrical components are now extremely difficult to source. These cars are all 20 years old now and lots of the crucial little parts are just very old and prone to pack up. The situation is not quite so bad with the later cars (MB and RR engine codes) but even so they're a bit of an exotic beast just to bat around in.
Don't agree, I had an 83 wr that I used as every day transport for the last 5 years, only sold it last year. dead reliable, never had any real problems with it apart from the odd minor electrical problem with things like window switches, but never anything major.I have to admit my 20valve has been faultlessly reliable (and I am rebuilding it to use as a daily driver
)I use my RR as a daily driver these days and it gives no more issues than a normal car.
Not sure I'd trust a WR every day though - they're not only older, but feature some rather unusual components and techniques that'd fill me with dread. RRs are quite normal in comparison (apart from the dash) and are more like S2s mechanically.
As an aside, I didn't realise less than 300 RRs were imported. Might go and wash mine to celebrate.
Not sure I'd trust a WR every day though - they're not only older, but feature some rather unusual components and techniques that'd fill me with dread. RRs are quite normal in comparison (apart from the dash) and are more like S2s mechanically.
As an aside, I didn't realise less than 300 RRs were imported. Might go and wash mine to celebrate.
Yertis said:
Spartacus said:
Yertis said:
Take it from me - don't. The 2.1s (WR engine code) are just not everyday car material, IMO. This isn't so much because they are not strong mechanically, more because they require very specialist knowledge to put right and also because many of the smaller and electrical components are now extremely difficult to source. These cars are all 20 years old now and lots of the crucial little parts are just very old and prone to pack up. The situation is not quite so bad with the later cars (MB and RR engine codes) but even so they're a bit of an exotic beast just to bat around in.
Don't agree, I had an 83 wr that I used as every day transport for the last 5 years, only sold it last year. dead reliable, never had any real problems with it apart from the odd minor electrical problem with things like window switches, but never anything major.I have to admit my 20valve has been faultlessly reliable (and I am rebuilding it to use as a daily driver
)Erich Stahler said:
Yertis said:
Spartacus said:
Yertis said:
Take it from me - don't. The 2.1s (WR engine code) are just not everyday car material, IMO. This isn't so much because they are not strong mechanically, more because they require very specialist knowledge to put right and also because many of the smaller and electrical components are now extremely difficult to source. These cars are all 20 years old now and lots of the crucial little parts are just very old and prone to pack up. The situation is not quite so bad with the later cars (MB and RR engine codes) but even so they're a bit of an exotic beast just to bat around in.
Don't agree, I had an 83 wr that I used as every day transport for the last 5 years, only sold it last year. dead reliable, never had any real problems with it apart from the odd minor electrical problem with things like window switches, but never anything major.I have to admit my 20valve has been faultlessly reliable (and I am rebuilding it to use as a daily driver
)Don't get me wrong - I love them, I'm restoring one, and as of yesterday I'm plotting to get another.
My 89 MB was my only car and was used daily for 4 1/2 years up to 140,000 miles. The car was only 13 years old then and an early car will now be getting on a bit. I think the right car is up to the job and they are suprisingly capable for day to day stuff.
However as has been pointed out, this will need some commitment and maybe more than a few pennies to keep on the road. I had the idea of getting another Ur or an S2 for a bit of fun but the couple of quattros at sensible money I looked at needed a lot of work. I changed my mind.
However as has been pointed out, this will need some commitment and maybe more than a few pennies to keep on the road. I had the idea of getting another Ur or an S2 for a bit of fun but the couple of quattros at sensible money I looked at needed a lot of work. I changed my mind.
Chris71 said:
Hmmm, they do sound like a possibility, but on second look I fear a good one would be rather out of my budget (about £5k)
On a related topic - that should get me a decent S2 with change. Is this worth considering?
YesOn a related topic - that should get me a decent S2 with change. Is this worth considering?
www.s2forum.com
As a family we've had five of these things - they are superb cars & are reliable if driven regularly & serviced without compromise. But would I want to drive mine daily (a 43,000 mile RR) given its rarity, some parts supply issues, availability of specialists etc - NO!
My brother & I restored an '81 left hooker we imported from Luxembourg - it's now with him enjoying a well earned retirement on New Zealand's salt-free roads.
Good examples are cars to keep & care for. If you have the tolerance for old car hassles then an inter-galactic miler could be run daily - but to cut corners on maintenance will reduce reliability, longivity & resale.
Bottomline - if you want a classic which can be run in a shoestring look elsewhere - these things need to be serviced without compromise.
My brother & I restored an '81 left hooker we imported from Luxembourg - it's now with him enjoying a well earned retirement on New Zealand's salt-free roads.
Good examples are cars to keep & care for. If you have the tolerance for old car hassles then an inter-galactic miler could be run daily - but to cut corners on maintenance will reduce reliability, longivity & resale.
Bottomline - if you want a classic which can be run in a shoestring look elsewhere - these things need to be serviced without compromise.
I have a few of these very enjoyable cars.
Not sure I would use one as a daily driver though. As suggested above Audi have discontinued many of the parts needed to keep the cars on the road. Clutch parts, rear taillights, headlights etc to name a few are no longer available.
Audi need to support/respect their heritage to keep the cars on the road.
Not sure I would use one as a daily driver though. As suggested above Audi have discontinued many of the parts needed to keep the cars on the road. Clutch parts, rear taillights, headlights etc to name a few are no longer available.
Audi need to support/respect their heritage to keep the cars on the road.
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