Audi 80 B3 as a daily driver

Jimbo 123 · 03-01-18, 01:21 PM

Hey guys, new to the forum and have joined as I'm interested in buying an Audi 80 B3 with the catch being that if I purchase it, it will used as a daily driver racking up a minimum of 10000 miles a year. I have been drawn to the Audi 80s mainly because I love the look of them but also because I'm led to believe that they are reliable and rust isn't as much of an issue due the bodywork being galvanised.

Can an Audi 80 be used as a daily driver and is the parts availability any good i.e. readily available as I won't be able to wait weeks for parts to arrive? (According to Practical Classics it has a 5/5 for spare parts availability??)

I've looked at an '88 Audi 1.8S near me and love it but before I take the plunge, I would like the opinions and advice of some guys/gals that are in the know.

Many thanks in advance!!

mikes2 · 03-01-18, 01:33 PM

Welcome.

It could be used as a daily. Only problem you'll have is that when repairs are needed, parts may take longer to source. Most parts are available, just not off the shelf.

I do about 9k a year in my 90q 20v. Don't use it every day but it gets used regularly. I have another car so I can lay the 90 up for a few days if needed.

msh · 03-01-18, 03:03 PM

B3 FWD have pleasant parts prices - after A90q my mk2 golf seemed to be very low budget car, but then I had to remember that, no, A90q was expensive, due to quattro and 5 pot engine, and golf is in the same category as ordinary A80.

Since it seems that you're going to drive on road, better choice would be 2.0 8v, as it's in B3 sweet spot of performance and economy.

slacky · 03-01-18, 03:04 PM

I use the 90q as a daily but I don't cover anywhere near the mileage your considering , that said I wouldn't have a problem with it doing that sort of mileage , as Mike said there could be an issue sourcing parts asap, if this is your only mode of transport...

B3's/B4's are hardy cars..

Philip · 03-01-18, 05:56 PM

I think it is possible to use an B3 audi 80 as a daily driver. I drive 1996 C4 Audi A6 diesel and do about 20k pa. Parts have not been a problem to date, albeit not much needed and not from Audi. But I do have a URs6 which is a back up just in case.

John. · 03-01-18, 07:23 PM

I'd say go for it, easier though if you'll be doing the spannering yourself?

Jimbo 123 · 04-01-18, 01:51 PM

Many thanks for all the answers guys! Much appreciated. I'm no stranger to working on older cars and have worked on my friends MK2 Scirocco which I believe is basically the same engine?

Quote:

Welcome.

It could be used as a daily. Only problem you'll have is that when repairs are needed, parts may take longer to source. Most parts are available, just not off the shelf.

I do about 9k a year in my 90q 20v. Don't use it every day but it gets used regularly. I have another car so I can lay the 90 up for a few days if needed.

When you say that most parts available but not off the shelf, does this mean that the parts are mostly going to be pre-owned/second hand?

I've had a look online for some parts and I've been able to find most of the exterior light casings and amazingly the black side trim and bumpers new, but I can't seem to track quite vital bits like throttle cables, and clutch cables etc are these only available second hand now?

mikes2 · 10-01-18, 09:04 AM

must apologise - bit of brain fade. It's Febi Bilstein and Bilstein which are different

Jimbo 123 · 10-01-18, 01:33 PM

Thanks for all the help above. I've been reading up about Darren Leslie's Audi 80 (don't know if you guys have come across him) and I've become a bit concerned following a read of this article:

http://petrolblog.com/2011/11/darren...-8s-an-update/

Is it true you can't get hold of a distributor for the carb'd 1.8 anymore? I was under the impression that the parts were interchangeable for a number of models across the VW range and considering that would have thought getting one would have been relatively easy?

It is going to be an issue if I cannot get a new distributor.

Duffy3074 · 10-01-18, 01:49 PM

He found one without it being a big issue and there are plenty of companies that rebuild distributors.

Mechanically and service wise there's very little that's genuinely unobtainable for these cars.

Trim is much trickier to find new but outwith that. don't be too concerned about any one particular bit.

03-01-18, 01:33 PM	#2
mikes2 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Polmont Posts: 2,617	Welcome. It could be used as a daily. Only problem you'll have is that when repairs are needed, parts may take longer to source. Most parts are available, just not off the shelf. I do about 9k a year in my 90q 20v. Don't use it every day but it gets used regularly. I have another car so I can lay the 90 up for a few days if needed. __________________ 1991 90 quattro 20v sport 1991 90 quattro

03-01-18, 03:04 PM	#4
slacky 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: wirral Posts: 4,452	I use the 90q as a daily but I don't cover anywhere near the mileage your considering , that said I wouldn't have a problem with it doing that sort of mileage , as Mike said there could be an issue sourcing parts asap, if this is your only mode of transport... B3's/B4's are hardy cars.. __________________ *90q-Cab.2.3E-Ur-S6-b2-80 Sport* Member 111

10-01-18, 09:04 AM	#8
mikes2 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Polmont Posts: 2,617	must apologise - bit of brain fade. It's Febi Bilstein and Bilstein which are different __________________ 1991 90 quattro 20v sport 1991 90 quattro

10-01-18, 01:49 PM	#10
Duffy3074 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Dalgety Bay, Fife Posts: 2,078	He found one without it being a big issue and there are plenty of companies that rebuild distributors. Mechanically and service wise there's very little that's genuinely unobtainable for these cars. Trim is much trickier to find new but outwith that. don't be too concerned about any one particular bit. Last edited by Duffy3074; 10-01-18 at 02:43 PM.

03-01-18, 03:03 PM	#3
msh 4 ring whore! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rucava, Latvija Posts: 3,816	B3 FWD have pleasant parts prices - after A90q my mk2 golf seemed to be very low budget car, but then I had to remember that, no, A90q was expensive, due to quattro and 5 pot engine, and golf is in the same category as ordinary A80. Since it seems that you're going to drive on road, better choice would be 2.0 8v, as it's in B3 sweet spot of performance and economy.

03-01-18, 05:56 PM	#5
Philip Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 90	I think it is possible to use an B3 audi 80 as a daily driver. I drive 1996 C4 Audi A6 diesel and do about 20k pa. Parts have not been a problem to date, albeit not much needed and not from Audi. But I do have a URs6 which is a back up just in case.

03-01-18, 07:23 PM	#6
John. 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Scottish Borders. Posts: 7,520	I'd say go for it, easier though if you'll be doing the spannering yourself?

10-01-18, 01:33 PM	#9
Jimbo 123 Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 9	Thanks for all the help above. I've been reading up about Darren Leslie's Audi 80 (don't know if you guys have come across him) and I've become a bit concerned following a read of this article: http://petrolblog.com/2011/11/darren...-8s-an-update/ Is it true you can't get hold of a distributor for the carb'd 1.8 anymore? I was under the impression that the parts were interchangeable for a number of models across the VW range and considering that would have thought getting one would have been relatively easy? It is going to be an issue if I cannot get a new distributor.