Home | Register | FAQ | Members List | Calendar | Today's Posts | Search |
Social Groups |
Registered
Members: 13,586 | Total Threads: 40,056 | Total Posts: 470,824 Currently Active Users: 1107 (21 members and 1086 guests) Welcome to our newest member, oatuzipaho |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
03-01-18, 01:21 PM | #1 | |
Newbie!
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 9
|
Audi 80 B3 as a daily driver
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!! |
|
03-01-18, 01:33 PM | #2 |
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, 03:03 PM | #3 |
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, 03:04 PM | #4 |
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 |
03-01-18, 05:56 PM | #5 |
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 |
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?
|
04-01-18, 01:51 PM | #7 | |
Newbie!
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 9
|
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:
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? |
|
10-01-18, 09:04 AM | #8 |
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, 01:33 PM | #9 |
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. |
10-01-18, 01:49 PM | #10 |
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. |
Bookmarks |
|
|