1983 Audi 80 1.6 petrol (LPG)

Summary:

Reliable, comfortable, cheap to run and maintain

Faults:

Nothing seriously!

I've done regular small services.

Changed HT leads.

Changed control arm on the right side and ball joint (after ending on the wrong side of the hedge)

Replaced handbrake lever.

Rust on the rear end of the sills.

General Comments:

I bought this car from my colleague and he did much of work that needed to be done. It used to be fuel injected model, but someone "smart" at some point swapped it with carburetor, so it lost some power. Keeping in mind petrol prices, my colleague converted it LPG so it was pretty much economical to drive... Also it was equipped with fog lights, sunroof, nice speakers and CD player...

Interior was really roomy and in good nick. Sunroof was a real pleasure during summer. Very comfortable seats; on the highway I had the feeling like I was sitting in my living room.

Engine was bulletproof, very reliable, typical German engineering... Transmission had some whine, but nothing major, it slipped into the gears easily...

Car was very easy do drive, but wasn't quite agile. It had some strange tendency to lock the front wheels while braking in wet weather, which resulted in sliding off the road... Once I ended in ditch, and the second time the Audi was hugging a roadside tree. Damage was severe, so I sold it (no write-offs in Serbia), but it proved to be very safe car!

Today that car is still running, next owner repaired it. I miss my Audi because it was such a reliable, comfortable, graciously designed, cheap to run and maintain car... Unfortunately rust is taking its toll, so there aren't many of them left on the streets.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th October, 2009