The Forgotten Audi: Audi 80 Throwback Review

The Forgotten Audi: Audi 80 Throwback Review
Hello guys, welcome back to Car Obsession and welcome to another Throwback Review. This is the series in which I test cars from yesteryear and today with have something a little bit different. Something that’s almost the same age as me, but probably in better condition. It’s a 1992 Audi 80.
The Audi 80 can trace its roots all the way back to swinging 60s in which it was used as a variant for the stylish F103, although it wasn’t until 1972 that Audi produced it as a standalone model. The 80 was the predecessor to the A4 and was produced in four generations; B1, B2, B3 and B4, and it’s the B4 featured in this video.
Compared to the outgoing B3, the B4 offered a longer wheelbase, redesigned fuel tank, a larger boot, redesigned body, 15” alloys, an higher quality interior and a redesigned rear axle that allowed for folding rear seats. These are important milestones, but arguably the most important is the fact this Audi model was the first to feature an RS variant - the legendary RS2, which of course, featured a five pot under the bonnet.
The car featured in this video is an SE trim level and under the bonnet is a 2.0 litre, which is good for about 115hp and sends its power to the front wheels via a 4-speed automatic. As well as the 2.0 litre petrol, the B4 80 was also available with 1.6, 2.2 five cylinder, 2.6 litre V6 and a 2.8 litre V6, all of which were petrol. Audi also introduced a new 1.9 diesel (not a PD), which features turbocharging and direct injection.
Another first the Audi 80 was able to deliver was it was the first mass-produced car to use a fully galvanised steel body, meaning it was rust resistant. Because of this, Audi were able to offer a 10-year guarantee for the bodywork.
Please give Ben and his Audi 80 a follow on Insta: @baslade93
Chapters:
0:00 Pre-Video Hook
0:06 Channel Intro
0:19 Video Intro
0:43 Glamour B-Roll
1:00 Model History
2:01 First Driving Impressions and Engine Options
4:47 Somewhat Basic
6:35 The Ride/Handling
8:12 Meeting A Hill...
8:39 General Thoughts Of The Car
10:37 Seats/Comfort
11:07 Owner's Insight
12:15 Owner's Insight - What To Look Out For?
13:57 Discussing Other Variants
14:45 Owner's Insight - Why Did He Want An Older Car?
17:30 Owner's Insight - How Much Should You Pay?
19:15 Character
20:25 Final Thoughts
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Music Credit:
Free Music for Videos 👉 Music by DJ Spair - 90s Cipher - thmatc.co/?l=D2E60193

[@CarObsession]

Good evening everyone, and thank you for watching my latest 'Throwback Review', which sees step back in to the 90s to drive an Audi many of you probably forgot about - the Audi 80.

[@dickjames5007]

I have a bad memory but I think I had 94 Audi 80 Quattro four door with duck bill spoiler. I can’t even find a pic online anymore so do I have wrong year it had locking diff skiing package

[@Sladey93]

Owner here. Thanks for filming the car Aaron. It was nice to see someone else's opinion on the car and I really enjoyed helping with the filming process. Just as a bit of additional info the car has done just over 80,000 miles.

[@CarObsession]

No worries Ben, thank you for letting me film it!

[@musoseven8218]

Thanks for sharing 👍 Looks like it had only done 10,000 miles. I agree about your comments re build quality. Even German manufacturers started to outsource parts manufacturing to "Pacific Rim" countries (buying teams would visit a pristine factory, award the contract etc, then parts were made in a back alley). Toyota and Diahatsu (Toyota Small Cars Division) did similar. Myopic idiots - Diahatsu UK's MD at that time was an arse too - don't ask me how I know, he didn't get one over on me though, he tried. As an ex procurement and management consultant bod (I saw the light and I'm now impoverished), the manufacturers who sacrificed build quality for "cost down" shareholder capitalism (and allowing accountants and/marketeers to run their companies) deserved a lot more hassle than they actually got (it's the customer that usually gets conned). But as you imply, Mercs, BMWs, Toyotas, Mazdas of the era were bombproof (okay MR2's rusted because of the way they were designed etc). I hope you've waxoyled that beautiful motor, good too see it out on the road though👍💜😊✌️🤗🤗

[@Sladey93]

​@@musoseven8218Thanks for the insight on procurement, interesting to hear how things have changed regarding manufacturer build quality.

[@musoseven8218]

@@Sladey93 👍💜✌️😊You're welcome it's in précis but I have it on good authority that's how it's happened in lots of industries that outsourced - that and if they sold to certain countries, their products would be copied (up to a point, some high precision stuff didn't). I also know of a British buyer - being threatened at gun point - tell the communists involved to do their worst (big balls!). Outsourcing is an oft inappropriately used and thus myopic strategy. When I pointed out such things to a certain MD because my mrs' car was faulty he got quite irate. It's the same with tptb that run the country they hate being found out😉😉✌️✌️

[@ZEZLOTGAMING]

I got an Opel Vectra 1989. Im thinking of buying a Audi 80 but love my charm on my Opel vectra 1989. Found one with 8000 (swedish) miles and 2 owners. Got any recommendation what it could be worth around in price? 20-30 000 dollars if its maintained good and rustfree? Hard to find rustfree Audis here in sweden sadly. Thanks for your insight @@Sladey93 ! I also LOVES old cars and love the old "simplicity" and just being alone in the car without all that beep boop all new cars are doin.

[@timurabdulazizov9699]

Got one still running well! Great looking classic car!

[@myretrostuff9317]

my father had Audi 90 and I loved it! I am thinking of getting one 80, 90 or even 100

[@PocketRockets]

The 80 has definitely aged better than you my friend! Love an old Audi, nice review - big up to Ben for letting you borrow the mint motor

[@CarObsession]

Thanks mate!

[@bojack3827]

I like this dude and his reviews. Real cars for real people.

[@CarObsession]

Thank you very much, I really appreciate that! It's nice to review/test cars that are actually obtainable. Thank you for watching.

[@Benjamin-ko1fg]

I have an Audi 80 1.9TDi Avant. Comfortable car thats still going strong at 366000 kilometers (227000 miles), while using only 4.5 liters per 100 km on open roads (62 UK mpg). Would definetely recommend 🙂

[@quattroTorsen]

I daily a 80 quattro v6 and you are correct in these cars not being as popular as BMW, making the Audi much cheaper and in much better condition due to its galvanization. But it should be noted that for a fun car it should have a bit of power and quattro 👍

[@CarObsession]

Hi there, thanks for watching and thanks for the comment 👍🏽.

[@norseman_84]

Audi 80 are the best cars ever built by Audi in my opinion. I have owned a few, 1985 GTE, B3 and B4 sedan, B4 Avant, and now a 1991 Cabriolet 2,3L Manual. Just got the cab out of starage and looking forward to do some more upgrades and enjoy the smooth ride :)

[@CarObsession]

Hi there, thanks for watching, and thanks for the comment!

[@JamesGadbury]

Totally underrated cars. Those that know, know though. Yes, it's not a pure driver's car, but it has so much more to offer and it's still a pleasurable car to drive. Perhaps I'm biased but the one for me is the model I own, which is based on the 80/90 B3 platform. I've had mine since 2001. An Audi 90 20v (fwd, quattro also available). Very very rare, totally forgotten and a lovely, individual, understated package. I just don't know why they don't get more attention. People don't seem to remember or know about them. Produced for 2 years, the 2.3L 20v straight 5 is normally aspirated, 170hp, 7k+ rpm. A 1200kg car so still quite quick yet solidly built with a bulletproof engine. Audi made a real effort with it but failed to shout about it, then it got superseded by the B4 80 and the V6s. One example of the 'under the skin' quality... the earliest 90 20v's got a factory fitted, stainless steel, equal length tubular exhaust manifold fitted from the factory - but it's hidden! Who else was doing that? Anyway, try finding one for sale 😉

[@qc2731]

Beautiful car and a testament to the owner. Great review 👌🏾👌🏾

[@CarObsession]

Thank you!

[@Sladey93]

Thanks, I am glad you liked the video 😁

[@musoseven8218]

A great review mate👍💜😊✌️ Vorsprung durch Technik! I always wanted one of these, so nearly bought one back then, stuck with my MR2 T Bar, then, Williams Clio, and Williams engined Mégane. I'm not complaining, but I still hanker after a sporting Audi🤗🤔🤔 Stunning time warp motor👍💜😊✌️

[@CarObsession]

You had a Clio Williams? That's cool!

[@musoseven8218]

@@CarObsession Nice track day motor, not great for a three hour commute - plus bits fell off of it. Hence a swap to the Mégane 2.0 16v 'Sport', with the 2.0 Williams engine. At the time I also considered the Fiat Coupé (Turbo) or a Fiat Barchetta. The Mégane was a great hack for that role - I used to have fun racing a Volvo 850 T5 and/or, iirc, Rover Sterling V8 Sterling Coupe. We had some fun, racing over the top of the Cotswolds, my car held its head up, handled and gripped well, smaller, nibble. I sold it for almost what I paid for it - to a main dealer - 18months later as they were in demand (factory was shut and production moved), I, nearer to home, then had a AH MK1 Frogeye almost same BHP as a Sebring car (110bhp at the back wheels). Used to drive it with just a tonneau cover (hard top leaked) and brolly, tweed jacket and all😉😊👍💜✌️✌️

[@user-fd9jf9er6o]

Хорошо, что у вас тоже, ценят старые авто! В них есть душа!🖐

[@steveburland624]

That looks like a very nice unmolested car from an era when cars were built to last. 👍

[@CarObsession]

Yup, a proper example of a solid, no-nonsense car. Thanks for watching Steve.

[@Sladey93]

The good old days of proper German build quality indeed! 🙂

[@BlenderBends]

That 80 didn't have airbags. But Audi at the time had "procon ten" on those models. Which basically has a system where the Dash and steering wheel is attached to the motor via a series of steel cables and in a head on impact the dash and steering wheel is crushed into the fire wall via the force of the motor moving towards same firewall pulling on the cables. This removed the steering wheel away from the driver's body on impact. Once Airbags was standard and crumble zone design enforced, this system was retired. But at the time Audi was ahead of the curve. Also, the 80 was first German car to be fully galvanized prob why your example is in such good condition. Audi had to innovate to be taken seriously with Merc. it wanted to be a premium brand. And then of course this all changed with "Quattro" Making it the better winter car. Loved your review. looking forward to more content like this. The Audi 80 ,90 100, are always overlooked.

[@Sladey93]

Thanks for the info on the Procon Ten system. I have been wondering what that was ever since I first saw the sticker in the rear window. Fascinating how they designed a safety system before airbags were widely employed.

[@CarObsession]

Great insight, thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching 👍🏽.

[@TheJojoslp]

There appears to be a misunderstanding regarding the features of the Audi 80 B3, which was not equipped with airbags as standard. In fact, this is an Audi 80 B4, which came with airbags as standard equipment from 1993 onwards. Additionally, airbags were available as an optional feature starting in 1992

[@tammushican4823]

Hey, would u say this would be a good cheap first car in 2024? Great video btw

[@CarObsession]

Hi there, thanks for watching, and thanks for the question. It's a bit of a broad question as it depends on what you're looking for in a car. Given the age of the car, some parts may be difficult to find, and whilst it's a simplistic car, it's still an Audi, so parts could be a bit more money.

[@Harry-gf6dx]

Lols haf one of these bk in 90s drove lovely alot like a 3 series of same year

[@CarObsession]

Hiya Harry, thanks for watching and thanks the comment.

[@balticivanov3078]

This has to be my favorite audi. Yes its rather slow. Yes it doesnt have much in it, its stupidly simple. in latvia its nickname is the "bubble" (burbulis) And it has a reputation for being a car you can fix in the middle of the forrest with 2 zipties and a bottle of elmers glue

[@ukwan]

Who needs ABS? 😂

[@CarObsession]

I can't work out if that's a serious question or a joke?

[@NVKumanov]

What do you mean forgotten?!? I’m from Bulgaria and people still drive those here like if the are selling them now.

[@CarObsession]

That's not the case in the UK, thanks for watching 👍🏽

[@Sladey93]

It's interesting to hear these are quite common in Bulgaria. Over in the UK it is quite rare to see any Audi from the 90s as most people want the latest car they can possibly get so cars like these get left by the wayside.

[@ukwan]

With regards to quality in German cars it was only Mercedes who started penny pinching. 1996 to 2008, Mercedes were absolute shitboxes. Audi and BMW totally left them for dead, but Mercedes started trying again recently but they certainly arent Audi or BMW quality yet.

[@mitchhedberg4415]

Junk, off the road not long after they were sold.

[@CarObsession]

As much as you're welcome to your opinion, the owner of this car will be reading the comments and he likes this car very much. I'm sure you wouldn't like your cherished car being referred to as 'junk'.

[@user-fd9jf9er6o]

🧠🩼👈🤕🤚

[@Sladey93]

They can definitely go the distance if maintained. It is quite tricky to find a good one with less than 100,000 miles. They are also pretty cheap and easy to repair and maintain as lots of parts were shared with the Golf of the time so they are not all bad 🙂

[@ThePopa97]

@@Sladey93Got mine audi 80 b4 1.9tdi last year as a project car, few weeks ago i realised it has over 600,000 miles (1,117,000km) but 117000km on dash, It is in bad shape but little to no rust and starts and drives like brand new petrol :D