Buying an Audi 80

[ywouldi]

Im looking at buying a 1990 1.8 Audi 80S.

What should I look out for except the obvious used car checks? Are there any well know issues with these cars. The example I will be looking at is fairly high mileage, 100,000+ so obviously a good service history will be needed.

My dad went mad when I told him I was considering an Audi, he reckons the costs for parts will be extorionate, but looking at a few sites they seem similar to my VW's i have had, is this true?

Ben

[shadowfax]

Maybe a 5 cyl coupe would be a better bet?

[ywouldi]

Maybe it would for most folk, but as a 20 yr old student I dont have the money for a sporty one, or for the insurance, just want a cheap reliable motor. I have been through two in the last year!

Ben

[Fat Audi 80]

ywouldi said:

Maybe it would for most folk, but as a 20 yr old student I dont have the money for a sporty one, or for the insurance, just want a cheap reliable motor. I have been through two in the last year! Ben

Fantastic cars. My last one was bought at 93,000 and went on to 253,000 before I sold it on. The only engine work required was usual servicing, cambelt changes and some valve stem seals. The parts for them are not that expensive and as they are an old car Audi has reduced a lot of the prices of spare parts to make them comparable if not cheaper than the more mainstream brands ford, renault etc...

I would definitely look for a FSH (does not have to be ALL main dealer). There should be no rust at ALL. If there is walk away. None of my Audi's have ever had rust on the body...

Check all electrics work, and if it seems like a good car sold by an honest chap (or chapess) then go for it. You will never look back from an Audi, they are sheer class.

Cheers,

Steve.

[IOLAIRE]

ywouldi said:

Im looking at buying a 1990 1.8 Audi 80S. What should I look out for except the obvious used car checks? Are there any well know issues with these cars. The example I will be looking at is fairly high mileage, 100,000+ so obviously a good service history will be needed. My dad went mad when I told him I was considering an Audi, he reckons the costs for parts will be extorionate, but looking at a few sites they seem similar to my VW's i have had, is this true? Ben

Hi Ben,
I've been doing Audis for 25 years and what you are talking about buying is arguably the best production era ever for Audi.
Because you are a student running costs are a real issue, but the one you are picking is the cheapest to insure and the most practical from the servicing standpoint.
Because it's an S, it's a carburetted engine, so it's not quite as economical as the E which has KE Jetronic injection, but it is dead simple to service and cheap to repair.
GSF prices are in the region of
oil filter £3-00
air filter £3-50
timing belt £7-00
front pads £15-00
front discs £11-00.
Starting to get the picture?
You couldn't service a Fiesta for that!
Engineering build quality that comes straight from the rally car development programme, and great to drive.
Just make sure you have somone competent to check it out for you before you buy.
Show your dad this and it might put his mind at rest!
Good luck.

[yertis]

If you need any further convincing I worked out the other day that my 100S4 has been the cheapest car to own that I have ever owned. Audis built '88 to '96 - the best ever, as Iolaire has already said.

[IOLAIRE]

yertis said:

If you need any further convincing I worked out the other day that my 100S4 has been the cheapest car to own that I have ever owned. Audis built '88 to '96 - the best ever, as Iolaire has already said.

Hi Yertis,
An idiot managed to write off my daughters 80 Quattro Avant V6 last month and she was devastated, but I've just managed to get her an absolutely beautiful 100/A6 2.8 Avant, picking it up tomorrow.
I don't know why these cars are so cheap and undervalued, they are utterly superb.

[Fat Audi 80]

IOLAIRE said:

yertis said: If you need any further convincing I worked out the other day that my 100S4 has been the cheapest car to own that I have ever owned. Audis built '88 to '96 - the best ever, as Iolaire has already said. Hi Yertis, An idiot managed to write off my daughters 80 Quattro Avant V6 last month and she was devastated, but I've just managed to get her an absolutely beautiful 100/A6 2.8 Avant, picking it up tomorrow. I don't know why these cars are so cheap and undervalued, they are utterly superb.

I loved my Audi 80 sport and have an ever better S2 Coupe now

P.S. Fancy seeing you over here!!

Cheers,

Steve.

>> Edited by Fat Audi 80 on Friday 12th November 18:56

[silverback mike]

Hi Ywouldi,
Can I just say that I have an Audi 80 (k) which is currently at 211,000 miles.
It has unbelievably never needed any work doing to it although it has been serviced at the regular intervals without fail (not all main dealer). I have found out recently it is still on it's original clutch

I cannot fault it, and it is still 100% reliable.

Other than those things mentioned I think the rear suspension bushes are prone to wear, and....um.....that's about it.

It is without doubt the most reliable workhorse I have ever had. I give it maximum abuse and it never fails to impress me.

Can you gather I am a bit of a fan!

PS IOLAIRE/Yertis - hello chaps...

>> Edited by silverback mike on Saturday 13th November 13:48

[olly]

I'm currently driving my Dad's Audi 80 while I get my Golf fixed.

It's a 1988 1.8S, and it's currently at 211,000 miles ! There is no rust on it (although the red paint is slightly sun bleached), but it's a great car to hack to/from work in. It's averaging 37-42mpg depending on how I drive it.

Find a car that has a lost of history, but the engine (1.8 VW lump) is bullit proof !

[targarama]

I think there is a buyers guide in the current issue of Audi Driver.

[olly]

I forgot to say, the best place I've found for parts (apart from a dealer) is German, French & Swedish : www.gsfcarparts.com/

If they don't have it in stock, they can get it in a few days !

[mervynp]

Hi,

Got to agree with all of the comments here, my S2 Avant apart from a split hose and regular scheduled servicing has been faultless. The build quality and general strength of the car is impressive and it still looks good today.

For parts GSF are good for most things, but you should always try www.vagparts.com especially for bits that are 'dealer only'.

[Fallon]

Hi there - been reading this thread with interest as I'm considering an Audi 80 as a commuter car.

More specifically, I've been looking at the tdi estates - I assume these are just as robust as the petrol saloons being talked about here?

Anything in particular I should look out for?

Any comments/advice gratefully received!

[zax]

I had one at around 160,000 miles - 1991 model year. Had to replace the water pump and rear wheel bearings. One day it started to smell strongly of petrol inside - turned out that there was a small hole in the fuel tank (under the rear seat). It had apparently rusted through - but quickly patched and fixed.

For a ten year old car it was remarkably new looking, especially the interior...

[IOLAIRE]

Fallon said:

Hi there - been reading this thread with interest as I'm considering an Audi 80 as a commuter car. More specifically, I've been looking at the tdi estates - I assume these are just as robust as the petrol saloons being talked about here? Anything in particular I should look out for? Any comments/advice gratefully received!

Hi Fallon,
I think this business about diesel cars is grossly optomistic y'know, particularly when it comes to older vehicles.
Yes, the 1.9 TDi is a great engine, but it's also now an old fashioned engine in terms of diesel technology, and it's noisy too, even a really good one.
What you have to consider is the fact that this vehicle is going to be at the latest a '95 so it's starting to get on a bit.
If the injection pump goes it'll cost you the guts of £800, much more if you go to an Audi dealer.
If the engine requires work of any kind, it will be anything from 50% higher than for the corresponding petrol version.
If you drive the car loaded or hard the fuel consumption will not differ greatly than from an equivalent petrol car, and I don't care what anyone says, there is no comparison in driving terms between the petrol and diesel cars.
The five cylinder or V6 versions of the Audi 80 and 90 were the best cars Audi ever made; they are beautiful to drive and are virtually silent on the motorway.
In this country of course diesel is now more expensive than unleaded, so you have to ask yourself, all things considered, why would you buy an older diesel car?

[Fallon]

Thanks for the comments Iolaire. I guess I just always assumed diesels were more economical for trawling up and down the motorway in.

I've made appointments to see two petrol saloon 80's tomorrow which look quite promising.

I need something quickly - commuting in an Elise is not fun!

[Fallon]

Well, I picked up an Audi 80 for £700 (M-reg, 146,000 miles, full Audi service history, v. clean and tidy).

It's a lot like driving my old Saab 900 (same 2.0, fuel injected engine).

Nice to drive - won't set the world on fire, but it feels like a good, solid motor, very quiet and is surprisingly quick off the mark when it needs to be!

I quite like it!

[Ahonen]

Another fan of old Audis here. My '88 2.2 Coupe has done a 'mere' 170k, but is utterly bomb-proof despite taking quite a hammering. Still on its original clutch and dampers, too.

I've had it over six years and I still can't bring myself to sell it and get something else.

Whatever I get next will have to be an Audi - the previous shape S4 twin turbo is favourite at the mo, but deep down I still want an ur-Quattro...

[yertis]

Ahonen said:

Another fan of old Audis here. My '88 2.2 Coupe has done a 'mere' 170k, but is utterly bomb-proof despite taking quite a hammering. Still on its original clutch and dampers, too. I've had it over six years and I still can't bring myself to sell it and get something else. Whatever I get next will have to be an Audi - the previous shape S4 twin turbo is favourite at the mo, but deep down I still want an ur-Quattro...

I've got one and I want another one . Get yourself a 20valve ur-Quattro and you'll never want another car... IMO.