Audi 80 2.0E B3

Author
Discussion

Speed addicted

5,561 posts

226 months

Friday 14th October 2016
quotequote all
lel said:
I very much want to replace the 80 with a 90 but running costs are putting me off slightly, I have a feeling it will be worth it for the noise alone though.

Even at 26 years old it has no rattles or squeaks, they really are built to last and Audi did a superb job of doing so.
As far as I can remember me me was getting low 20s mpg in normal use. I did have a tendency to drive it like I was on fire though.
At one point on a very early run up the M1 I hit an indicated 140mph. There was no drama at all, it just climbed up to the red line in 5th, then stopped accelerating. Utterly stable and not that noisy.

It also saved me from going seriously cross country when a 6 car overtake in Ireland went badly wrong, the car 2nd from the front pulled out so I had to swerve to avoid it then immediately take a hard left turn while on the opposite hard shoulder.
Again, no fuss. It just turned at 90mph like it was a normal thing to do!

They're still bloody good cars, built properly to last a long time.


DevonR22

6 posts

89 months

Friday 14th October 2016
quotequote all


Nice motor, is that up at Hill End past Stanhope?

Shakermaker

11,317 posts

99 months

Friday 14th October 2016
quotequote all
My mate bought one of these, a J reg, when we were about 19/20, as a replacement. Was the best car that any of us in the group of mates owned for some while.

He regretted the "upgrade" to a newer A4 on an N reg for several months before chucking it in, maintaining the 80 was the superior car on all levels.

Nice to see one still going so well.

dandam

225 posts

151 months

Friday 14th October 2016
quotequote all
Lovely car, and I prefer the clear indicators unlike most poeple. I could be tempted by a 90, or a B2 80 Sport - would make a nice garage partner to my mk1 GTi.

Not sure how I smuggle it in past Mrs dandam though tongue out

lel

Original Poster:

395 posts

122 months

Friday 14th October 2016
quotequote all
DevonR22 said:


Nice motor, is that up at Hill End past Stanhope?
thanks! It is yes, some lovely roads up there.

lel

Original Poster:

395 posts

122 months

Sunday 11th December 2016
quotequote all
I eventually got the 15" speedlines powdercoated and ordered myself a set of 205/50 Khumo KU31's which I had fitted today, I have to say an inch makes a massive difference!






Edited by lel on Sunday 11th December 01:19

MDMA .

8,849 posts

100 months

Sunday 11th December 2016
quotequote all
Looking good. But please, put the orange lenses back on the front smile would look so much better.

Fr0d

13 posts

153 months

Sunday 11th December 2016
quotequote all
What a beautifully maintained 80. The wheels and paintwork look great. But having owned a 90, I could never have an 80, if not for the noise alone.

J4CKO

41,279 posts

199 months

Sunday 11th December 2016
quotequote all
Love it, so 90s it hurts !

Shows what a combination of a proper, quality car and good maintenance can do, it could go on indefinitely, I had a 1990 100 and that had the same amazing build quality.

Paul S4

1,181 posts

209 months

Sunday 11th December 2016
quotequote all
Great thread.

My Dad had 2 brand new Audi 80s, first was a 1.6 X reg, second was a 1.8. D reg. Build quality was very good especially when you compare them with the other cars around then.

The 1.8 had a gearbox issue but we can put that down to chance !

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.

chrismc1977

854 posts

111 months

Sunday 11th December 2016
quotequote all
My uncle had a 2 Litre 80

Instant throttle response from the good old k-jetronic injection & 8v torque meant it pulled well from any revs.

Made for a proper GTi chaser

0a

23,879 posts

193 months

Sunday 11th December 2016
quotequote all
I used to get a lift to school in one of these when it was raining. The build quality was shockingly good - I can still hear the clunk of the doors. Audis are powerful and thrusting nowadays, but lack the deep quality of the old machines.

lel

Original Poster:

395 posts

122 months

Sunday 11th December 2016
quotequote all
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.

lel

Original Poster:

395 posts

122 months

Monday 13th February 2017
quotequote all
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!


skylarking808

778 posts

85 months

Wednesday 15th February 2017
quotequote all
This looks rather good. Deserves going to somebody who knows how good a car it is
If only I had the space....


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-80-v6-retro-old-sch...

Spinakerr

1,164 posts

144 months

Wednesday 15th February 2017
quotequote all
This looks sharper every time I see it!

Great work on the rad and heater matrix - I don't think those pictures do justice to hours a job like that takes. Good stuff.

White wheels also look fantastic - where did you get them done? I have an Alfa 164 in black which is almost the photo negative of this and I have been offered black Zenders with fresh tyres. Highly tempted!

kev b

2,708 posts

165 months

Wednesday 15th February 2017
quotequote all
I had one, L reg. same colour and engine, a really lovely car, well built, comfy, quiet, not too thirsty and handled like a front wheel drive chassis should.

If it started to understeer then a bit more throttle would tighten the line, none of that dumbed down geometry.

I replaced it with the facelifted later model which was still a decent car but the handling was nowhere near as good as the earlier examples.

Incidentally my next car was one of the first A4 2.0 saloons, a very disappointing experience, gutless, harder riding and nowhere near the build quality or reliability of the A80. Needed (v.expensive) wishbones at very low mileage and the alarm system left my wife stranded.

Up until recently you could often see well preserved A80s on the road, usually driven by retired folk who probably had the car from new, seemed to outlast the original A4.

dbdb

4,311 posts

172 months

Wednesday 15th February 2017
quotequote all
It's a lovely looking car - in such good, original condition. I much prefer it with the orange indicators though. Still, such things are very much personal taste.

lel

Original Poster:

395 posts

122 months

Thursday 16th February 2017
quotequote all
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 laugh

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.

lel

Original Poster:

395 posts

122 months

Sunday 23rd April 2017
quotequote all
Update, I changed something!

My exhaust was starting to look a bit ropey and I've never liked the weedy little tailpipe poking out of the bumper so I treat myself and ordered a Jetex cat back system.

Not loud but a nice fruity burble which is nice.