Audi Ur-quattro vs Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera
Discussion
Hi,
I will shortly have the requisite funds available to spend to purchase one of these beauties. I have always fancied one of them and cannot have both. :-(
Both are iconic german cars, both are useable classics with a unique and enjoyable driving experience, both are not going to depreciate and both are cars I am happy to work on myself. (previously owned and maintained BMW 635CSi and XJ-S V12)
A little about myself and the use I plan for the cars.
I am in the merchant navy and work one month at sea and then have one month leave. The car will be used daily b ut for fun, not commuting or sitting in traffic jams. The occasional school run or food shop will feature but mostly used all year round as a fun car. The wife has a '08 Volvo S40.
I am not interested in pure performance, rather I would like a car that is historically interesting, good to look at, good to drive and able to be driven hard when the mood takes me.
Opinions please, and if anyone has driven these back to back I'd be interested in your view.
Thanks.


I will shortly have the requisite funds available to spend to purchase one of these beauties. I have always fancied one of them and cannot have both. :-(
Both are iconic german cars, both are useable classics with a unique and enjoyable driving experience, both are not going to depreciate and both are cars I am happy to work on myself. (previously owned and maintained BMW 635CSi and XJ-S V12)
A little about myself and the use I plan for the cars.
I am in the merchant navy and work one month at sea and then have one month leave. The car will be used daily b ut for fun, not commuting or sitting in traffic jams. The occasional school run or food shop will feature but mostly used all year round as a fun car. The wife has a '08 Volvo S40.
I am not interested in pure performance, rather I would like a car that is historically interesting, good to look at, good to drive and able to be driven hard when the mood takes me.
Opinions please, and if anyone has driven these back to back I'd be interested in your view.
Thanks.
Parts availability for the quattro is very poor although Audi tradition are improvng things a bit.
I had a quattro for 6 years until recently and used it every day for most of that time.
It was great but you need patience and deep pockets to run one.
No experience of the Porsche, sorry.
I had a quattro for 6 years until recently and used it every day for most of that time.
It was great but you need patience and deep pockets to run one.
No experience of the Porsche, sorry.
Thanks Stuart, parts availability is a good point, have been quite spoilt as BMW Mobile Tradition and Jaguar are both very good, almost everything is available at a price.
Running costs are a subject I am philosophical about. Offset against depreciation the maintenance is not that bad, and anything over 20mpg is a bonus. :-)
BTW, thanks to the people I ripped these pics off.
Running costs are a subject I am philosophical about. Offset against depreciation the maintenance is not that bad, and anything over 20mpg is a bonus. :-)
BTW, thanks to the people I ripped these pics off.
The quattro is a very special car- it's not that fast compare with todays machinery but every time you get in it, it's a special occasion- even if it is every day!
Mine coped with 2 young kids, shopping etc with no problem- but there's a lot of dross out there so be careful .
quattroforum and classic audi forums are full of good advice and i hear the owners club has improved a lot recently.
I imagine that owning a 911 would be a lot easier than owning a quattro- but i'm guessing really!
Ultimately I guess it depends if curves or boxy arches float your boat
Mine coped with 2 young kids, shopping etc with no problem- but there's a lot of dross out there so be careful .
quattroforum and classic audi forums are full of good advice and i hear the owners club has improved a lot recently.
I imagine that owning a 911 would be a lot easier than owning a quattro- but i'm guessing really!
Ultimately I guess it depends if curves or boxy arches float your boat

BIG advantage to the quattro is that AM cars are just down the road in Illminster.
However the Porsche has got good parts supply via the dealer and Bosch through German & Swedish etc.
The quandry is tying me in knots.
Gonna be a case of finding one good one of each and trying to arrange test drives on the same day I guess!
However the Porsche has got good parts supply via the dealer and Bosch through German & Swedish etc.
The quandry is tying me in knots.
Gonna be a case of finding one good one of each and trying to arrange test drives on the same day I guess!
Oooh! Tough choice, but an enviable one!
I drove a quattro for the first time last year and was amazed how good it was. The turn of pace as the turbo spooled up was addictive, and the handling - the directness of the steering and the sharpness of turn-in, the feeling of how light and agile the car was, the balance - really surprised me. I guess they need to have been very well looked after to feel that tight, but it's worth taking the time to find a good'un.
Good luck with the hunt!
And of course, neither of them is going to depreciate, so you could buy one, run it for a couple of years, sell it for at least what you paid, and then try the other....
I drove a quattro for the first time last year and was amazed how good it was. The turn of pace as the turbo spooled up was addictive, and the handling - the directness of the steering and the sharpness of turn-in, the feeling of how light and agile the car was, the balance - really surprised me. I guess they need to have been very well looked after to feel that tight, but it's worth taking the time to find a good'un.
Good luck with the hunt!
And of course, neither of them is going to depreciate, so you could buy one, run it for a couple of years, sell it for at least what you paid, and then try the other....
Go for the Porsche.
However good the Audi may be IMHO it just looks like a dated car with aftermarket bits stuck on.
The Porsche has a more integrated and timeless look.
Neither will stack up against a current car so buy the one that looks and feels the most special.
P.S. I was in the MN too but had to work four months away !
However good the Audi may be IMHO it just looks like a dated car with aftermarket bits stuck on.
The Porsche has a more integrated and timeless look.
Neither will stack up against a current car so buy the one that looks and feels the most special.
P.S. I was in the MN too but had to work four months away !
I may be biased, as I have owned a quattro for years, but they are great cars and if you buy a good one, very reliable and robust. Mine (a 1983 10 Valve) proves economical too when you need it be (30+ mpg).
I must admit I have always hankered after a 911 but for the classic look it would have to be a pre or very early impact bumper model. I have only driven a 911 once for a very short test drive so it is difficult to judge it against the quattro.
My advice would be to go and see and drive them to see which you prefer the feel of.
My only reservation on the 911 is that on visiting events in the quattro (eg Classic le mans, silverstone etc), mine would be the only one or one of a small few. This is usually amongst a sea of 911s.
If you want a bit of exclusivity, go for the Audi. If you want a classic piece of timeless design, dig deep and get an early 911.
Paul.
I must admit I have always hankered after a 911 but for the classic look it would have to be a pre or very early impact bumper model. I have only driven a 911 once for a very short test drive so it is difficult to judge it against the quattro.
My advice would be to go and see and drive them to see which you prefer the feel of.
My only reservation on the 911 is that on visiting events in the quattro (eg Classic le mans, silverstone etc), mine would be the only one or one of a small few. This is usually amongst a sea of 911s.
If you want a bit of exclusivity, go for the Audi. If you want a classic piece of timeless design, dig deep and get an early 911.
Paul.
Stick Legs said:
I was always a fan of the Ur's, even considered one and that particular car 'looks' the business. As for choosing one or the other that really is a personal choice, nothing more imo. Put it this way, you'd never get berated for buying one over the other, nor will you lose money on either provided you buy good one's and keep them that way. As much as i would live a Pearl White Quatro , it Just Has to be the 911 !
I have owned 3 911s , an 80 SC and then an 86 3.2 I'n Guards Red ( 915 Gbox ) and then one of the last, an 88 I'n Baltic Blue with the G50 Gbox .
They are just fabulous , I don't think that you will find a better Drivers car, every drive felt special . The steering feedback is near perfect , ( they handle bedt with up to a quarter full fuel tank , the balance then is just right .
You can "feel " the car beneath your seat , if that makes sence. The noise at full chat is just awesome, the way that engine builds revs so quickly....they are Very practical ( my ex wife and 2 sons aged 7 and 9 had a fantastic Key Camp holliday in Brittany france in 05 in my first 3.2 crammed full of our luggage .
I could go on and on .
Their are some Very Vital Things to check however , they Do rust, despite being Galvanised , particularly around the B Post/ door shut area, also the edges of the floor where it joins the Outer Sill , the Gearbox mount area, the base of both screans ( All 911s go here ) . Around the headlamps ( they All go here )
At around 100k, they often need a Top End overhaul, as the rings wear and also the valve guides . This is Very expensive ( 4 k aprox ) so look for evidence of bills etc . If she's smokey , don't dismiss the car ,particularly if the colour and body condition is good , but reduce the price .
Many are sitting Very low at the rear, this is due to the Torsion bars settling and worn shocks. Fit Bilsteins Sports ( the Yellow units , they are Superb, and transform the car , the STD Boge units are Apalling ) And get the Caster / camber set up , again this transforms them.
Turbo Steering Arms ( front ) are a Must , far better than the originals and cheap as well. A K and N Air Filter is a good cheap mod, really notice the difference.
From Late 85, the dash and heating were Revised and Improved and this is the version I would go for. I would Also go for a 915 G box car, as opposed to a G50, you can really feel the weight difference, as the G50 unit is heavier and the change is only slightly better. Both boxes wear, ( 2 nd Syncro etc etc ) but again don't dismiss an otherwise good car , just get because the box is worn, just get the price reduced .
Pm me if you would like more info
I have owned 3 911s , an 80 SC and then an 86 3.2 I'n Guards Red ( 915 Gbox ) and then one of the last, an 88 I'n Baltic Blue with the G50 Gbox .
They are just fabulous , I don't think that you will find a better Drivers car, every drive felt special . The steering feedback is near perfect , ( they handle bedt with up to a quarter full fuel tank , the balance then is just right .
You can "feel " the car beneath your seat , if that makes sence. The noise at full chat is just awesome, the way that engine builds revs so quickly....they are Very practical ( my ex wife and 2 sons aged 7 and 9 had a fantastic Key Camp holliday in Brittany france in 05 in my first 3.2 crammed full of our luggage .
I could go on and on .
Their are some Very Vital Things to check however , they Do rust, despite being Galvanised , particularly around the B Post/ door shut area, also the edges of the floor where it joins the Outer Sill , the Gearbox mount area, the base of both screans ( All 911s go here ) . Around the headlamps ( they All go here )
At around 100k, they often need a Top End overhaul, as the rings wear and also the valve guides . This is Very expensive ( 4 k aprox ) so look for evidence of bills etc . If she's smokey , don't dismiss the car ,particularly if the colour and body condition is good , but reduce the price .
Many are sitting Very low at the rear, this is due to the Torsion bars settling and worn shocks. Fit Bilsteins Sports ( the Yellow units , they are Superb, and transform the car , the STD Boge units are Apalling ) And get the Caster / camber set up , again this transforms them.
Turbo Steering Arms ( front ) are a Must , far better than the originals and cheap as well. A K and N Air Filter is a good cheap mod, really notice the difference.
From Late 85, the dash and heating were Revised and Improved and this is the version I would go for. I would Also go for a 915 G box car, as opposed to a G50, you can really feel the weight difference, as the G50 unit is heavier and the change is only slightly better. Both boxes wear, ( 2 nd Syncro etc etc ) but again don't dismiss an otherwise good car , just get because the box is worn, just get the price reduced .
Pm me if you would like more info
neutral 3 said:
As much as i would live a Pearl White Quatro , it Just Has to be the 911 !
I have owned 3 911s , an 80 SC and then an 86 3.2 I'n Guards Red ( 915 Gbox ) and then one of the last, an 88 I'n Baltic Blue with the G50 Gbox .
They are just fabulous , I don't think that you will find a better Drivers car, every drive felt special . The steering feedback is near perfect , ( they handle bedt with up to a quarter full fuel tank , the balance then is just right .
You can "feel " the car beneath your seat , if that makes sence. The noise at full chat is just awesome, the way that engine builds revs so quickly....they are Very practical ( my ex wife and 2 sons aged 7 and 9 had a fantastic Key Camp holliday in Brittany france in 05 in my first 3.2 crammed full of our luggage .
I could go on and on .
Their are some Very Vital Things to check however , they Do rust, despite being Galvanised , particularly around the B Post/ door shut area, also the edges of the floor where it joins the Outer Sill , the Gearbox mount area, the base of both screans ( All 911s go here ) . Around the headlamps ( they All go here )
At around 100k, they often need a Top End overhaul, as the rings wear and also the valve guides . This is Very expensive ( 4 k aprox ) so look for evidence of bills etc . If she's smokey , don't dismiss the car ,particularly if the colour and body condition is good , but reduce the price .
Many are sitting Very low at the rear, this is due to the Torsion bars settling and worn shocks. Fit Bilsteins Sports ( the Yellow units , they are Superb, and transform the car , the STD Boge units are Apalling ) And get the Caster / camber set up , again this transforms them.
Turbo Steering Arms ( front ) are a Must , far better than the originals and cheap as well. A K and N Air Filter is a good cheap mod, really notice the difference.
From Late 85, the dash and heating were Revised and Improved and this is the version I would go for. I would Also go for a 915 G box car, as opposed to a G50, you can really feel the weight difference, as the G50 unit is heavier and the change is only slightly better. Both boxes wear, ( 2 nd Syncro etc etc ) but again don't dismiss an otherwise good car , just get because the box is worn, just get the price reduced .
Pm me if you would like more info
This is exactly the kind of post that I need to avoid.I have owned 3 911s , an 80 SC and then an 86 3.2 I'n Guards Red ( 915 Gbox ) and then one of the last, an 88 I'n Baltic Blue with the G50 Gbox .
They are just fabulous , I don't think that you will find a better Drivers car, every drive felt special . The steering feedback is near perfect , ( they handle bedt with up to a quarter full fuel tank , the balance then is just right .
You can "feel " the car beneath your seat , if that makes sence. The noise at full chat is just awesome, the way that engine builds revs so quickly....they are Very practical ( my ex wife and 2 sons aged 7 and 9 had a fantastic Key Camp holliday in Brittany france in 05 in my first 3.2 crammed full of our luggage .
I could go on and on .
Their are some Very Vital Things to check however , they Do rust, despite being Galvanised , particularly around the B Post/ door shut area, also the edges of the floor where it joins the Outer Sill , the Gearbox mount area, the base of both screans ( All 911s go here ) . Around the headlamps ( they All go here )
At around 100k, they often need a Top End overhaul, as the rings wear and also the valve guides . This is Very expensive ( 4 k aprox ) so look for evidence of bills etc . If she's smokey , don't dismiss the car ,particularly if the colour and body condition is good , but reduce the price .
Many are sitting Very low at the rear, this is due to the Torsion bars settling and worn shocks. Fit Bilsteins Sports ( the Yellow units , they are Superb, and transform the car , the STD Boge units are Apalling ) And get the Caster / camber set up , again this transforms them.
Turbo Steering Arms ( front ) are a Must , far better than the originals and cheap as well. A K and N Air Filter is a good cheap mod, really notice the difference.
From Late 85, the dash and heating were Revised and Improved and this is the version I would go for. I would Also go for a 915 G box car, as opposed to a G50, you can really feel the weight difference, as the G50 unit is heavier and the change is only slightly better. Both boxes wear, ( 2 nd Syncro etc etc ) but again don't dismiss an otherwise good car , just get because the box is worn, just get the price reduced .
Pm me if you would like more info
When I read about someone deriving so much pleasure from a specific old motor I immediately start perusing the classifieds and inevitably end up buying one

Lol, I forgot to add that regular Oil and Filter changes are vital, as the oil is worked very hard and Never Rev or Drive one hard from cold , allwsys let it warm up first .
Summer eve blasts with the superb factory sunroof open, were just heaven.
Performance wise , my last one ( which was smoking badly and was down on power ), would hold off a Toyota S2000 ( 03 ) plate.
However, My first 3.2 was a far quicker ( lower mileage ) car. They are also very good on fuel , far better than the early Cooper S my wife had and at a steady 70 are very economical .
I will definately have another one day...Black with a Tan Interior.....
Summer eve blasts with the superb factory sunroof open, were just heaven.
Performance wise , my last one ( which was smoking badly and was down on power ), would hold off a Toyota S2000 ( 03 ) plate.
However, My first 3.2 was a far quicker ( lower mileage ) car. They are also very good on fuel , far better than the early Cooper S my wife had and at a steady 70 are very economical .
I will definately have another one day...Black with a Tan Interior.....
What a wonderful dilema. I too am working on a similar one though I already have the quattro http://www.motorgeek.com/viewtopic.php?uid=7458&am...
I realised lately that a 911 was in my future one day but I thought it would replace the quattro. Now I realise it can replace my race car so I can have BOTH! That's my recommendation to you too, buy both.


I realised lately that a 911 was in my future one day but I thought it would replace the quattro. Now I realise it can replace my race car so I can have BOTH! That's my recommendation to you too, buy both.
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