New addition to the garage (quattro content)

Picked up a 1989 Audi 80 quattro two weeks ago. Locking rear diff, 5-cylinder (10V), 5-speed, most of the electronics work, winter shoes on the factory BBS wheels and summer shoes on 17" ASA AR1s.

No money out of pocket (except for registration and plates). I had amassed a significant number of high end bicycle parts and frames over the years, and a lot of it I'll never ride or use. One of my co-workers is big on bartering, and the Audi had been his DD for 6 years. He picked up a WRX wagon in the summer, and was ready to part ways. We worked out a deal.

The car needs some exhaust work, which I'll get to once the weather breaks. For now, I'm enjoying the uncorked 5-pot, burbles like crazy and sounds like a mini Viper. Other than that, it runs fantastically. Some minor things to take care of, it will need rotors and pads soon and the rear speakers aren't receiving power (not an issue yet, I'm still enjoying the motor's music).

Crappy night time pics, but here she is.

Holy Hell!! This is awesome! Congrats! I know where one is sitting, but the owner refuses to sell it.

yup, those are crappy night time pics alright. Making assumptions about what I can't see, I'll say - Cool, awesome, congratulations!

Very nice

Congrats!

Nice cars - I always wanted one and I almost pulled the trigger on one about 6-7 years ago. They are fun in the winter especially with the locking diff - does it still work?

Be careful they are over 20 years now and I have heard they can be money pits.

Had a 20v for free, needed some work. My sisters family said they needed a car and would put the work into it. Trailered car to them. They let it sit, never did any work to it, then had it hauled to the salvage yard. I was never so upset in my life. In only needed a fuel line and a front caliper. They junked it without telling me. I was quite angry about that. I would have taken it back.

Like the roof-mounted rocket launchers in the first two pics! Nice score. Now go ask the PO if he's kept up with all the fluid changes...

Every time I see one a feel very sad because I had a business partner/friend twenty years ago who had one. Today he is a homeless street person after having a complete mental break down. Mental illness is a very sad thing.

Of course none of this has anything to do with the car. They were really great cars. I know he really loved his back in the day.

I am jealous . . .

FYI - I love the CL quality pics

Very nice!

I have an entire 20V head and fuel delivery (cams and all) if you are interested.

Otherwise just drive it man!!

If he's ..not interested, I might be... got rid of my urq, but I still have my Coupe that could use some extra motor-vation.

and it even came with the proper qty of pedals...nice!

Does this vintage of audi come with the same aura of scary electronic failures as the late 90s vag products?

Yeah, pics are poor, I work full time and and take 12 credits, I'm generally busy when it's light out. Will get some proper photos soon.

Yeah, the locking diff works, and the car is an absolute blast in the snow. Surprise snowstorm in Albany this morning, and everybody was shoveling out their cars. Not me.

Sachilles - I'd be livid after that.

Triumph5 - Up to date on fluids. PO owner is a friend, and gave me his file on the car. Suspension bushings all around, ball joints and tie rods were all done a few years ago, as were fluids. Only immediate needs currently are the exhaust and some seepage from the valve cover gasket.

EricM - Cool, but not going to mod yet. I want to get a feel for how much of a money pit the car will be before I start pumping cash into it. If you have the parts when I get to that point, then awesome, but by all means do something else/sell to somebody else if the opportunity is there.

Nitroracer- As I understand it, the 80 is the least complex Audi of the era, and thus doesn't have nearly as many issues as the luxed up 100 and 200 models. That's not to say that I expect it to be as reliable as my Protege (it's a 22 year old German car with 200K miles, after all), but I'm optimistic.

The beauty of this situation is that I bartered for the car, so I'm not out any real money if the thing pukes in a few months (drivetrain is strong though, the car seems like it's got a lot of life left). But if it does E36 M3 the bed, then I'll part it out and make some cash.

Sweet, man! It's about time you got yourself a toy. You make me miss my V8Q

Supercoupe wrote: If he's ..not interested, I might be... got rid of my urq, but I still have my Coupe that could use some extra motor-vation.

short thread hijack;

I basically have an entire 2nd 20V in my garage, in pieces.

I am planning on selling all of it. My current (1991 Audi 90 Quattro 20V) is in great shape so I don't really need all the parts. I will get them in the for sale section once it is warm enough to go outside again.

Meanwhile back on topic, the electronics can get finicky, but I have the complete shop manual set with troubleshooting guides if you ever need any info.

EricM wrote:

Supercoupe wrote: If he's ..not interested, I might be... got rid of my urq, but I still have my Coupe that could use some extra motor-vation.

short thread hijack; I basically have an entire 2nd 20V in my garage, in pieces. I am planning on selling all of it. My current (1991 Audi 90 Quattro 20V) is in great shape so I don't really need all the parts. I will get them in the for sale section once it is warm enough to go outside again. Meanwhile back on topic, the electronics can get finicky, but I have the complete shop manual set with troubleshooting guides if you ever need any info.

You're up to date on the timing belt? As I understand it, the 20V engines are interference. These are solid cars though. It's a tank on the road, makes my Mazda feel like a bucket of bolts. And the galvanized body is awesome, I'm amazed at how little (almost none) corrosion there is - impressive for 22 years old and in the Northeast.

I do have some electronic stuff to chase down. The sunroof doesn't work and the rear speakers don't work. I can take or leave the sunroof, but I do want success with the speakers. Hopefully it's straightforward.

Cruise control doesn't work either, but I think that's vacuum related. I'll start tinkering once the weather warms up.

RoosterSauce wrote: Sweet, man! It's about time you got yourself a toy. You make me miss my V8Q

Man, this car is so much fun. We got a lot of snow two Fridays ago, and I found a 'rally course' - winding roads and deserted parking lots in an office complex nearby.

The_Pirate wrote:

RoosterSauce wrote: Sweet, man! It's about time you got yourself a toy. You make me miss my V8Q

Man, this car is so much fun. We got a lot of snow two Fridays ago, and I found a 'rally course' - winding roads and deserted parking lots in an office complex nearby.

Sweet. Deserted industrial complexes are always good, and so are new housing developments where nobody lives yet. Quattro is so awesome.... as long as you're not understeering. :D

The_Pirate wrote: You're up to date on the timing belt? ... And the galvanized body is awesome, I'm amazed at how little (almost none) corrosion there is - impressive for 22 years old and in the Northeast. . The sunroof doesn't work and the rear speakers don't work. Cruise control doesn't work either, but I think that's vacuum related. I'll start tinkering once the weather warms up.

timing belt, waterpump, gasket, etc done 347 miles ago :-) Alternator belt done 100 miles ago.

Mine has aftermarket rear speakers, straight forward. I also have an aftermarket stereo. Still have the original in the garage.

my cruise not working either, I will fix that when it is warm though.

Nice, sounds like you're in good shape there. Did you do the timing belt yourself?

Oh yeah, I need to do the alternator belt as well. Haven't heard it in a week, but she squeals from time to time. Saw your post on that in the other thread, it looks pretty easy.

Aftermarket headunit with upgraded speakers in front on my car too. Rears are stock, and possibly going to be replaced, pending what I discover.

My timing belt was done by a (former East) German Mercedes Benz, 4 year Apprenticeship trained, mechanic. but I watched, I could totally have done it. At the same time we fixed up some exhaust stuff and fixed a lower control arm, replaced a coolant temp sensor, spark plugs, wires and cap.

He had access to a lift in a real shop that was heated.

the key to the belt is the tension, but if you are careful you can do it.

Did you put a turbo on it, yet?