1985 Audi 80 Sport 1.8

Summary:

Plenty of bang for your buck

Faults:

Was not in great condition when I got it, road worthy, but needed a few things doing, exhaust, timing, pads and shoes, general stuff though.

Rust has started to show on the rear of the car, which is very unusual on these as they normally resist it quite well!

General Comments:

Only cost me £250 pounds with MOT, these cars are all really cheap to buy, don't pay more than £400 pound for an absolute minter.

And they fly! Same engine as Golf GTi, but strangely lighter!?! Really do go, loads of low down grunt too since they are 8 valve NOT 16!

Same general problems as you'd expect from a 19 year old car, but no more than usual, some minimal rust around arches, general wear and tear in need of looking after.

Got it off an old tank commander who passed away, he owned it from when it was 6 months old so it has not been ragged and has a full service history, you would be hard pushed to find another with that. Got lucky there!

It has shimmed tappets - like all built before august 85. The clearances were out so I tried to adjust them. Got them in tolerance now, but it rattles like a bag of nails! Apparently you have to set them up on the larger side of the clearance to help quieten them down.

Pleasure to drive, handles brilliantly and goes well.

Parts are far cheaper from somewhere like German Swedish and French or Euro Car parts, Audi dealers are expensive, but they have virtually every part in stock at this time, not bad for a car that went out of production 17 years ago! Also quick delivery.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th January, 2004

1985 Audi 80 Sport 1.8 injection

Summary:

Can we get Audi to make them new again?

Faults:

Over 11 years, and 140,000 miles, a few! But it has never stranded me.

A fuel pump relay, 1 central locking actuator, loads of door handles, valve guide wear, and loads of service items; 4 sets of discs, 8 sets of pads, 5 or 6 exhausts, 2 sets of front shocks, 30-odd oil changes etc etc, but the original clutch!

General Comments:

Totally brilliant car. Still standard. Fast, stiff, with good handling, economical (33-38mpg), comfortable, utterly reliable.

I have towed a lot with this car - race cars, caravans, boats, trailers, rally cars, and just returned from a 2500 mile trip to Spain with a caravan on the back. Needless to say, it didn't miss a beat. Probably because I did not have faith and bought AA insurance..!

Dead cheap to run if you can do it yourself and use places like EuroParts.

Hope it never dies - irreplaceable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th November, 2001

21st Oct 2004, 10:31

Now, that's a good idea - plenty of those 1781cc engines around - don't they appear in 225BHP turbo-charged form in the TT?? Imagine that power in a 20yr old Audi 80! hehehehe, could be amusing.

9th Jan 2006, 18:07

Update, from the original author..

I finally sold my car to a friend in May 2003 for the princely sum of £325, mainly because I was starting to get fed up with brake and fuel pipes fracturing every time you had to touch them as they had become weak with rust..! However, I sold it with 250k on it and drove it just recently (Jan 06) and it still goes like stink, new MOT, handles brilliantly, and has done 280k. Same engine, no rebuilds... Superb.

26th Nov 2006, 16:00

Hello there, I have an opportunity to buy one of these babies for £500. Is that asking too much for it? It's mot'd and taxed, done 95000 miles, has no rust and comes from a reliable source. Any comments would be appriciated. Thanks...

26th Feb 2011, 08:25

For that price, I hope you bought it!

In reply to 21st Oct 2004, 10:31

11th Aug 2014, 22:35

Tried it and the gear box couldn't handle the power. I could take off in third. Well finally I totaled the car, but not even a scratch... Would I try it again - never.

1985 Audi 80 Sport 1.8i

Summary:

A stealth Golf GTi with more room!

Faults:

Exhaust, rear wheel bearing, thermostat, track rod end.

General Comments:

Very quick and economical, averages 40 mpg! Uses no oil. Back end very skittish in the wet, but fun if you're in the mood.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th July, 2000

14th Feb 2001, 18:24

My Dad has had his 1985 Audi 80 Sport for 10 years and says it is really reliable and quick. Hopefully it will be passed down to me.