Audi 80 2.0E B3
Discussion
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.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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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...
If only I had the space....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-80-v6-retro-old-sch...
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!
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!
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.
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.
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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