13th Apr 2006, 10:30
My beloved 1994 80 Avant has just passed 182k miles, and it is astonishing how well it drives. Apart from the expected slack in the gearbox this car has been maintained to the letter. Having Audi history to 96k miles and independent specialist history to 176k miles, I am about to send it to my local specialist for it's next service.
Basically, this car cost me £700 to buy and another £160 to put things back the way they should be. I found some adventurous wiring on the cooling system, and the temp gauge had failed well before I took ownership, although an enterprising fitter has wired the oil temp gauge to read coolant temperature.
This car does not smoke, rattle, or squeak. It uses less than a litre of oil for every 1500 miles. I find it amazing that a 12 year old car can have no rust or blemishes, and have more road presence and good looks than a lot of today's cars lose after 3 or 4 years.
It is no sprinter nor racer, but for this car to be in such good order after such a long life is testament to good servicing and impeccable engineering. I look forward to enjoying it well beyond 200,000 miles.
23rd Apr 2006, 11:36
Hi
Interesting reading your articles.
Just bought a 1994 Audi 80 Avant TDI for £625, it needs a little tlc, but is in OK condition for year.
It has an auto box which has done 200k, it's sticking from 2nd to 3rd gear and is also lazy to go into revearse.
I haven't had a chance to check the car thoroughly and hope it has the wrong gearbox oil, fingers crossed!
I would be very interested if anyone knows of any common faults with these auto boxes, or have any suggestions to sort the problem out.
Many thanks.
7th May 2006, 10:32
Original Author:
I have now sold this car after 20 months of ownership.
It turned out to be a bit of a dog. After the above mentioned belt failure it developed an ABS fault and had to have suspension components replaced for it's MOT. It cost a fortune to run. Total cost of ownership was about £9,000 over 27,000 miles (including insurance, fuel and servicing). So whilst it was economical on diesel it was astronomical on everything else!
They're good cars, just buy carefully or they'll cost you an arm and a leg.
7th Oct 2007, 12:16
I own a 2.0 E SE (petrol) Avant, I agree with most of your comments, these Audis DO need to be owned by someone with a fair amount of mechanical savvy. I needed an Air Flow Meter, £440 off the shelf, £40 second hand from a breaker. I LOVE my car, having advanced the ignition slightly, it now is quick and with a decent set of tyres on it hustles along well. Mine is pretty thirsty, only getting 30-33 mpg, whilst my old saloon would do 35-37 mpg. Take them to a specialist for work, although Audi still have a good parts stock and are extremely helpful. Reading Audi tracked down a part for me, doing a stock check in EVERY UK dealer and the Germany factory, good work! If you can wield a spanner and have slightly deeper pockets than 'Mondeo Man' this car will leave you with a smile.
3rd Mar 2008, 10:49
I've just bought a 93 advant 80 tdi for £1000 139K 2 owners full service history with all receipts and mot's and two cam belts fitted. Will let you know how I get on. Checking the alternator belt pulley bracket is priority.
12th Apr 2008, 14:47
I have owend a audi 80 93since 1995. there is 248k on the clock. I have just converted it to vegetable oil. Also recently had a sticking right rear brake caliper. I heard you can't take these off easily. but other than that its going well.
21st Jan 2009, 05:29
I just bought an Audi 80 1.9TDI (L REG 1993) for £85.00 scrap value.
WOW, what a car. It has 225,000 miles on the clock and doesn't miss a beat. We drove a round trip of 465 miles last week and it was perfect in every way.
This is my 1st Audi, and even if I get the M.O.T out of it (June) and then have to scrap it, I would go out and buy another of these fantastic cars.
As yet I have spent not a penny on it (fingers crossed), the only fault it has that I can find is the ABS kicks in just before you come to a complete stop (sensor I think). Other than that it's a great buy.
5th Oct 2005, 15:31
Update by original author:
The alternator belt pulley bracket has broken, leaving me stranded on the A5 and £470 out of pocket for the repair! Arrgh! It's just a bracket and pulley!
Apparently they fail on this model quite a bit and a competent mechanic can tell you if they're going to as the wear is visible.
Just be advised, repair costs are not cheap unless you have access to a breakers yard and your own tools...