Audi 80 B3 Coupe
Discussion
Always had a hankering for one of these since my friend's MILF of a mother bad one in the early 90's.
A solid one has come up for sale locally and I'm tempted to have a punt in order to scratch the itch. Will just be used as a weekend hooner.
Anything particular to look out for? Its not an S2 but is the 2.3 10 valver. body looks very solid and its had 3 owners from new.
A solid one has come up for sale locally and I'm tempted to have a punt in order to scratch the itch. Will just be used as a weekend hooner.
Anything particular to look out for? Its not an S2 but is the 2.3 10 valver. body looks very solid and its had 3 owners from new.
Do it, fantastic car.
If you want a drivers car ironically it's not the best of the family, that goes to the Audi 90 20v FWD in standard or sport. Much more rigid shell and much lighter, the FWD handles much nicer (no understeer no matter what people say) than the quattro but the quattro is better in extremes of weather. The 90 isn't as practical as the coupe though as the coupe has a fantastic boot with fold down seats and a large hatchback.
Coupe is also gorgeous looking, they are all very well made, they are the pinnacle of Audi build quality, the B2 models felt tinny in comparison and the A4 was much cheaper also. B3 and B4 are mostly the same, some small suspension differences (more pronounced on the saloons) and the front end changed. Some minor trim changes but essentially the cars are the same.
The 2.2 10v revs very well, the 2.3 10v is more torquey, nothing in it power wise, both lovely to drive and they sound glorious, the 10v has "the" sound. The 20v is a better engine in every way, same torque band as the 10v (those who reckon they don't haven't driven a good one) but a dollop more power and revs. But the 20v doesn't sound a patch on a 10v.
Very very very reliable. But many have been abused so expect to spend some money at the start. Rear calipers are a little weak but can be rebuilt with little effort, better option than repro new calipers. On a 20v the dizzy drive gear can shear at around 20yrs old as it's nylon, replace with a metal one and it is as reliable as a 10v.
If you change the cambelt (they are nowhere near as cambelt heavy as the VW based 4 pots) when you get it including a new metal bladed water pump, then you will have a bullet proof car.
Do expect to change the front ARB drop links every MOT but they are a 10 min per side job to change and cost less than a tenner each, just go to the motor accessory shop and find some about the same size in stock, Fiat Marea are half the price and fit perfectly. The only other point is there is a pair of fuel lines running full length under the drivers floor pan, where they come up from the floor pan at the rear up to the tank that 90 degree bend tends to rot out and the pipes develop a leak. Cut the section of pipe out and replace with good quality rubber fuel hose and double Jubilee clip it both sides and it will be fine, again simple job with no access issues but a nasty shock if it catches you out, although it's always the return line that goes so it doesn't strand you.
I love them and would have another in a shot. If you do get one and want variable intermittent wipers I have a kit for one sat here.
If you want a drivers car ironically it's not the best of the family, that goes to the Audi 90 20v FWD in standard or sport. Much more rigid shell and much lighter, the FWD handles much nicer (no understeer no matter what people say) than the quattro but the quattro is better in extremes of weather. The 90 isn't as practical as the coupe though as the coupe has a fantastic boot with fold down seats and a large hatchback.
Coupe is also gorgeous looking, they are all very well made, they are the pinnacle of Audi build quality, the B2 models felt tinny in comparison and the A4 was much cheaper also. B3 and B4 are mostly the same, some small suspension differences (more pronounced on the saloons) and the front end changed. Some minor trim changes but essentially the cars are the same.
The 2.2 10v revs very well, the 2.3 10v is more torquey, nothing in it power wise, both lovely to drive and they sound glorious, the 10v has "the" sound. The 20v is a better engine in every way, same torque band as the 10v (those who reckon they don't haven't driven a good one) but a dollop more power and revs. But the 20v doesn't sound a patch on a 10v.
Very very very reliable. But many have been abused so expect to spend some money at the start. Rear calipers are a little weak but can be rebuilt with little effort, better option than repro new calipers. On a 20v the dizzy drive gear can shear at around 20yrs old as it's nylon, replace with a metal one and it is as reliable as a 10v.
If you change the cambelt (they are nowhere near as cambelt heavy as the VW based 4 pots) when you get it including a new metal bladed water pump, then you will have a bullet proof car.
Do expect to change the front ARB drop links every MOT but they are a 10 min per side job to change and cost less than a tenner each, just go to the motor accessory shop and find some about the same size in stock, Fiat Marea are half the price and fit perfectly. The only other point is there is a pair of fuel lines running full length under the drivers floor pan, where they come up from the floor pan at the rear up to the tank that 90 degree bend tends to rot out and the pipes develop a leak. Cut the section of pipe out and replace with good quality rubber fuel hose and double Jubilee clip it both sides and it will be fine, again simple job with no access issues but a nasty shock if it catches you out, although it's always the return line that goes so it doesn't strand you.
I love them and would have another in a shot. If you do get one and want variable intermittent wipers I have a kit for one sat here.
Wife's 20V Coupe now on 201,000 miles and still going strong. Solid old cars, good quality components properly screwed together. Things that always go wrong - rear wipers pack up, rear light seals fail and fill the boot with water, tailgate squeaks and rattles, and that's about it. Bodyshell is a bit more flexible than a modern car, and the handling isn't super sharp - big heavy engine sitting well forward of the front axle line - but a lovely comfy high speed cruiser for long journeys.
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