Audi Quattro MB's Buying advice
Discussion
Hi all
Although I have origionally set out to look for a BMW E30 M3 to fullfill a long time ambition of owning one of the most iconic cars of my time, this has sadly proved more difficult than I expected.
Although I am not in an ideal position to spend the funds at the moment due to family and work commitments, I can't help but feel If i do not get my hands on one now...they will slowly become too rare or expensive to own.
The idea was to find one within a budget of below 6-7k at the most. Not a immaculate example by any means...just one that was straght, true and origional with a generally good body and mechanics. Something I could use as it was for the present time and in the future...restore to it's origional factory glory with the aim of keeping it for life.
Unfortunatly...the one's well under this sort of budget are either too far gone or have been hastily tidyed and tarted up to make them look pretty for a sale.
I have always liked and had a soft spot the Quattro as It was one of the cars along with the M3 and the Lancia Delta I grew up with and always dream'nt of owning.
Although I have a fair amount of knowledge on the M3 spec,body and mechanics from a buying perspective, I do not know enough about the Quattro's apart from the basics.
There's been one parked in the street where i've been working for the past few days, A 91 H year example in pearl white which is stunning. Having been inspired by this, and the more i think of it, they do offer more (4 wheel drive/5 cylinder engine/larger in size for the odd family day out etc)
would appriciate any help with:
different specifications and years of production (10v/20v/ur/wr etc.)
Things to look out for and weak pointson electrics, mechanically and bodywise
how to spot a good example
timing chain or belt intervals
any major service requirments at the 100k or over mark
avaliability on parts
costs of servicing and indi specialists
any club or good forum links
thanks in advance.
Although I have origionally set out to look for a BMW E30 M3 to fullfill a long time ambition of owning one of the most iconic cars of my time, this has sadly proved more difficult than I expected.
Although I am not in an ideal position to spend the funds at the moment due to family and work commitments, I can't help but feel If i do not get my hands on one now...they will slowly become too rare or expensive to own.
The idea was to find one within a budget of below 6-7k at the most. Not a immaculate example by any means...just one that was straght, true and origional with a generally good body and mechanics. Something I could use as it was for the present time and in the future...restore to it's origional factory glory with the aim of keeping it for life.
Unfortunatly...the one's well under this sort of budget are either too far gone or have been hastily tidyed and tarted up to make them look pretty for a sale.
I have always liked and had a soft spot the Quattro as It was one of the cars along with the M3 and the Lancia Delta I grew up with and always dream'nt of owning.
Although I have a fair amount of knowledge on the M3 spec,body and mechanics from a buying perspective, I do not know enough about the Quattro's apart from the basics.
There's been one parked in the street where i've been working for the past few days, A 91 H year example in pearl white which is stunning. Having been inspired by this, and the more i think of it, they do offer more (4 wheel drive/5 cylinder engine/larger in size for the odd family day out etc)
would appriciate any help with:
different specifications and years of production (10v/20v/ur/wr etc.)
Things to look out for and weak pointson electrics, mechanically and bodywise
how to spot a good example
timing chain or belt intervals
any major service requirments at the 100k or over mark
avaliability on parts
costs of servicing and indi specialists
any club or good forum links
thanks in advance.
UR quattro's are split into 4 or 5 catigories if you count the Sport quattro.
Early WR 80 - 83 with analog dash. Aprox Value £6,000 - £9,000 geting rare.
Late WR 84 - 87 Green, Digial 8" ronals.Approx Value £5,000 - £8,000
The most plentiful.
MB 87 - 98 Orange Dash & Torsen diff Approx Value £7,000 - £10,000
RR 89 - 91 20 valve BHP up 20 to 220 Approx Value £14,000 - £20,000 +
the quattroforum is a great place for info, or if it's a club you want there is always the quattro owners club.
As for buying...... beware WR's can be a money pit, been there and got the tee shirt, but after that ten years love afare, I moved on to an RR.....sheer magic.
If I were you I'd go for the best MB you can aford, High miles are not a problem just make sure of a full service history along with regular oil changes. All quattro 4x4 systems,gearbox's and diff's are more or less bomb proof.
Parts! Doors, boot and bonett are the same as standard coupe avalibale S/H, you can still get new wings. Most interior trim and panel are all NA along with some body panels rear and rear quater.
Most quattro's will drive OK even the tarted up dogs, so don't dive in at the first one you see.
once you get into quattro's, that's it your hooked. A great all weather performance car, and tough as old boots, if you look after it.
Happy hunting
Ian.....
Early WR 80 - 83 with analog dash. Aprox Value £6,000 - £9,000 geting rare.
Late WR 84 - 87 Green, Digial 8" ronals.Approx Value £5,000 - £8,000
The most plentiful.
MB 87 - 98 Orange Dash & Torsen diff Approx Value £7,000 - £10,000
RR 89 - 91 20 valve BHP up 20 to 220 Approx Value £14,000 - £20,000 +
the quattroforum is a great place for info, or if it's a club you want there is always the quattro owners club.
As for buying...... beware WR's can be a money pit, been there and got the tee shirt, but after that ten years love afare, I moved on to an RR.....sheer magic.
If I were you I'd go for the best MB you can aford, High miles are not a problem just make sure of a full service history along with regular oil changes. All quattro 4x4 systems,gearbox's and diff's are more or less bomb proof.
Parts! Doors, boot and bonett are the same as standard coupe avalibale S/H, you can still get new wings. Most interior trim and panel are all NA along with some body panels rear and rear quater.
Most quattro's will drive OK even the tarted up dogs, so don't dive in at the first one you see.
once you get into quattro's, that's it your hooked. A great all weather performance car, and tough as old boots, if you look after it.
Happy hunting
Ian.....
I must agree with ian on all accounts, i owned an MB quattro from ~96 to ~05 and loved every minute of it, superb car as long as you take care of it, i gave it a full respray in my ownership and fixed everything that needed to be fixed, had it serviced regularly and it was on tip top form when i sold it, got good money for it too. But i tell you what i miss it like hell, the only reason i sold it was, in between the last 2 MOT`s i had done 38 miles only, and thought this is crazy, having a car thats really not getting driven and used (i work abroad) so sold it. Worst decision i have ever made, but i will never get another one as it will never be as good as mine, plus i always believe in moving onwards and upwards.
Do your homework, look at as many as you can, dont dive in for the first one, know what you are looking at and the bits that really matter. Then jump in, you wont regret it, i and many others didnt/havent.
Enjoy
Phumy
Do your homework, look at as many as you can, dont dive in for the first one, know what you are looking at and the bits that really matter. Then jump in, you wont regret it, i and many others didnt/havent.
Enjoy
Phumy
Took all the advice guy's and ended up see'ing quite a few and finding out all the common problems (cracked manifold etc.)
Happy to say I think I've finally ended up with an absolute beauty.
It's a late MB 1989 in Alpine White with only 2 owners from new.
Every single previous MOT
102k miles and a totally documented service history with all the major maintainance work done.
More importantly, It has been owned and cared for by a genuine enthusiast and this shows in the cars condition.
Picked it up on Monday but hav'nt had a chance to drive it yet due to a busy week at work...Hope fully get it out on Sunday.
Can't help feeling I own something really special!
Happy to say I think I've finally ended up with an absolute beauty.
It's a late MB 1989 in Alpine White with only 2 owners from new.
Every single previous MOT
102k miles and a totally documented service history with all the major maintainance work done.
More importantly, It has been owned and cared for by a genuine enthusiast and this shows in the cars condition.
Picked it up on Monday but hav'nt had a chance to drive it yet due to a busy week at work...Hope fully get it out on Sunday.
Can't help feeling I own something really special!
Enjoy your quattro, mine still puts a smile on my face every time i drive it.
Click on the link for some pics of mine.
http://community.webshots.com/user/to
Click on the link for some pics of mine.
http://community.webshots.com/user/to
I fully recommmend joing the quattro owners club and using the quattro workshop for servicing and repair (near Lutterworth (01455 208037)). There is nothing that Roger does not know about quattros. I have owned my MB for 8 years/ 80 000 miles and apart from the first service I had done and a change of clutch master cylinder, Roger has done all the work on it.
If you want to find out anything about quattros use www.quattroforum.com if it isnt on there its not worth knowing.
Thanks for all the kind replies guy's...
sorry...been mega busy with work as I'm self employed...it never stops!
Will get some picture's up asap..
will definatly take it to the quattro workshop as It's history shows it's been there before for work along with Alan Marsden who is another indi specialist.
Have only had it on the road twice so far but the feeling behind the wheel is undescribable, you realise just how special and rare a car these really are and feel proud to actually own one.
Definatly a modern day classic.
Nice to see they still have a good following aswell!
Will be joining the owners club soon.
sorry...been mega busy with work as I'm self employed...it never stops!
Will get some picture's up asap..
will definatly take it to the quattro workshop as It's history shows it's been there before for work along with Alan Marsden who is another indi specialist.
Have only had it on the road twice so far but the feeling behind the wheel is undescribable, you realise just how special and rare a car these really are and feel proud to actually own one.
Definatly a modern day classic.
Nice to see they still have a good following aswell!
Will be joining the owners club soon.
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