1992 B4 Audi 80 Goes for a Drive 

When I look at the Audi 80, I think they drew so much of the exterior styling from the Nsu Ro80 of so many years earlier. The fact that the shape still looks so good all these years later shows how forward thinking the design was.

I’m in America. My first car was a 1988 Audi 80, which I purchased in 1990 with only 20k miles on it. While I loved how fun the car was to drive, it wasn’t the most reliable. Even as a 22 yo, I still had it serviced regularly at the local Audi dealer, so it wasn’t neglected. When i was ready to trade it in, the car proceeded to overheat as I pulled in to the dealership lot.

I agree, these were cars for quietly confident, classy people unlike today’s Audis

My family used to own GSF car parts and in the early to late 90’s they had a fleet of rep saloons and avants of these all in red. Still remember them clearly

Yes, I remember my parents looking at these and a Saab 900. Unfortunately rear seat space on both wasn't great. But these Audis are what I call proper Audis. Pioneering, stylish, pure quality with a hewn from stone feel.

My parents had all the generations of the Audi 80: B1 1.5 GL, B2 1.8 GT, B3 2.3E 20V quattro, B4 2.6E quattro. My first car was a B4 2.3E quattro, and still driving Audi after more than 20 years. Only like the old stuff until '03/'04. Got a ur quattro 20V and an A3 1.8T Ambition. These B3 and B4 generations are built to last. Very high quality car. This is the 90 hp model, the 115 hp has a different airbox and inlet manifold and of course different injection system. Enjoyed this video, thanks Matt!

A mate has the convertible, on a W-plate, same colour. Bought it brand new, one of the last to be imported. One of the last proper Audis, if you ask me. Many thanks for taking us all back, Matt, as ever.

The late 80's early 90's for me were the Pinnacle for german cars...

i've just bought a 1993 Audi 80 with the 2.8 v6 petrol engine (code AAH) - it is Audi's first v6 petrol engine. It even has a cool rear spoiler, that actually does look well. It may have some electrical/wiring issues, and possibly the head gasket needs doing. But I don't care. I love the thing, and am going to do it up myself. Body in excellent condition all in all. That galvanised shell really did the trick. It was stored inside for the past 5 years. I really like it. Manual Sunroof. Oh yeah. (Ireland) Edit: (the car was imported from England in 2005) (if it is of interest to anyone)

I owned a 1990 B4 model 80 quattro with the 5 cylinder engine. What a joy to drive and own. It had a manual locking rear differential and it was unstoppable in the winter weather. Tornado red with grey cloth upholstery. Honestly wish I still had it to tinker around.

Audis of this age are pretty much indestructible! It did come from the age where the spec was miserly though for the (relatively) high cost

I have a 94 Audi 80 B4 in the same colour, its in this months Practical Classics mag. Mine is the 90BHP engine and I don't find it lacking power compared to the E. Its rattle free interior and comfort are excellent. This was a car built for people whom appreciate build quality and reliability more than 0 to 60. This one of mine is a keeper. My advice would be buy one while you can, condition is more important than spec, and enjoy one of the most underrated cars around.

A lot of similarities with my own 100 there, especially everything about how comfortable and easy to drive they are! This generation of Audis were really beautifully engineered. Despite being 30+ years old now, they really don't feel it when you're behind the wheel.

Those indicators stalks are still in my 2002 Fabia! The germanic quality indicator tick, and the sound of them clicking off as they cancel is ingrained in my memory! 🤣 The 80 is almost Volvo like. I prefer the B4 A4 just because of nostalgia, and the time I was brought up. I remember the B4 had the first of those fold away keys. That was very premium for the time and pleased my greatly!

Truly a youngtimer you can actually use all year round in salt and dirt as it is so resistant to rust :D

Procon Ten! I’d forgotten all about that Matt - but it all came flooding back as soon as you mentioned it 😉 For me, this era was peak-Audi in terms of design and seeing that wonderful dashboard makes me lament more and more the featureless (and for me, less safe to use) screen festooned interiors of today 😏

The predecessor to this model was the B3 Audi 80/90, 1986-91. It was not boxy. Same wraparound dashboard, switchgear, dials etc., similar Mayes-designed body (which was also galvanised), smaller boot but more elegant imo. Audi dropped the 90 badge and inline 5 engines when the B4 80 was introduced, favouring a new V6. I have a 1990 B3 Audi 90 20v - the fwd version. 170hp 2309cc DOHC, naturally aspirated and still quick (fwd weighs 1200kg, quattro version 1320kg). Very rare cars now. Engine shared tough internals with the turbo variants but was under much less stress and they effortlessly eat up the miles. Can be driven sedately but twin cam multi-valve engine comes alive 4.5-7k and the noise is distinctive, characterful and glorious. My bonnet has a thick, soundproofing material. Surprised the example in this video didn't. Procon-Ten was a cheaper alternative to airbags, which were not trusted to be reliable by Audi at the time. After 30 years, I'd still trust a mechanical cable and pulley system. Great cars! Had mine since 2001 and still use it daily. 213,500 miles and counting... Thanks for the great video and for giving this car and Audi era the credit it deserves.

Back in the days when a Audi still had character.

Had my B4 80 2.0E Sport SE for about ten years now. Absolutely love it. Put a lot of money into it as you'd expect, (especially the front end and cooling system), but it's worth it. Registered in 95, one of the last sold and pretty rare in the Uk now. Not, unfortunately, worth a great deal though.

What an absolute gem! Stunning example of a good car cared for really well and looked after with good ownership. Watching you waft around in this even made me feel relaxed 😂😂

A 1.9 TDi would be a great version of this car to have, before diesels became a liability with limp modes and particulate filters.

I think we got the Audi 80/90 around 1987-1988. I did drive an Audi 4000S around 1986-1987, a five speed manual, and I really liked it. This is a vehicle I wouldn't mind driving a manual. Audi/VW automatics were not good at this time; either it shifted sluggishly, or, in sport mode, revved much too high. US vehicles were better equipped, but you did pay for heated seats, which I could not live with! Excellent review! And thank you for showing us the NEC show!

You've done it now. I'm now looking for an 80 or 90 as my project car. Always loved them.

I’ve got a cricket green B4 Coupe. Still haven’t found a modern car with as much storage space in the door cards. Way ahead of their time.

Thanks for this upload man, it'll help to cross-reference what I have in my one.

What a beauty, friends dad had one as a company car in the very early 90s on an H plate, it seemed like a spaceship and a very well made one at that. Thinking about that it has probably since been a few washing machines and tumble dryers - lifetime ago.

The one car I regret not buying, all because it had the fuel tank behind the seats reducing the boot size. I remember saying to the dealer that it was as good as a BMW 3 series but not many people were as aware of them. I bought a Vauxhall Carlton instead, that was rather large.

This was the immediate successor of my Audi 80, early 90's: Audi in fact made the transition to the Audi A4 moniker with this particular model. They listed it as an "80", in order not to frighten the customer base, but it was further away from my 80 than the successor model A4. My "80" (only 2-3 months earlier in production) was the last of the "terminal understeerers" mentioned here. Audi took that (correct) critique very much to heart, and if you had hustled this "80" through the corners, understeer would no longer have been so strikingly "conspicuous". I have also had Audi TT's in my garage: the biggest difference between the TT-Golf based transverse technology and the A4 is noise. The longitudinal installation of the engine in the A4 (which this car basically is) makes for a significantly quieter ride. I know this from experience. The transverse engine in the TT is by comparison really noisy, a function I fear merely of physics, because the engine in the TT is mounted broadside towards the driver, so it shouts more loudly. Hence the "north-south" construction of the 80. Having owned a version of this 80, I would say that mankind never came closer to a Rolls Royce for the masses than this Audi generation.

That's absolutely exactly the same car (engine, colour, all the interior, everything) as I used to have, except it's RHD instead of LHD. I absolutely loved it, it was my first and absolutely best car, I never drove anything at least half as good since. Sadly I had to sell it before moving out of my home country. Nevertheless, old love never dies, I'll get one again 😍😍😍

These are very nice and very classy, unlike todays “show off” range.

Beautiful example. My uncle had an 80 and then a 100 They were so elegant and comfortable. Brings back great memories. Great detail and fantastic review as always

Good cars. I've always been an Audi fan owning 3 B4 saloons, a 2.6 B4 avant and I've owned 2 B4 coupes, 16V and 2.6. All were very well built and reliable from that time. I think I remember someone from the motoring press saying they were over engineered. I owned a B2 Audi 80 sport before the B4s and the last Audi I owned was a 2004 Audi A4 1.8t s line. I've currently got a car I've always wanted being a rally fan, a subaru impreza RB5, had that for 10 years but now I'm looking for a good B4 cabriolet or coupe.

I owned one of these cars in 1995 . J951PSD. Silver, with Fondmetal 5 spoke alloy wheels. Bought it for 7 grand and put 26 thousand miles on it. Sold it for 5,200. Mine was a 20e.

These were great cars. The Procon ten system was interesting and effective. The main drawback was it would write the car off if deployed. Still better to do that than injure the occupants. I owned a B3 90 20V - great car. The facelift dropped the 90 name (used for 5-cylinder models, with different lights front and rear) Passats from the late 1990s shared the later Audi A6 platform.

Some years ago I came acrros a well preserved example of an 80 1.9tdi Avant. I loved the dashboard of the car and build quality, it looked brand new. Before I bought it I came across a Passat B4 Variant, with same engine and I preferred it. Both cars share some elements, Passat interior is much more basic.... But it has a far better use of space. There were just 2 things I didn't like about the 80 and both came from the fact the car had a longitudinal engine: I felt like I was seating to close to the door, with no elbow room, and I felt like my feet were a bit offset to the left. Of course In the same era Passat you seat a bit closer to the passenger but due to the transverse engine and I believe because of the doors being a bit narrow, you do have better elbow/shoulder Room. I still keep the Passat to this day as a second car and one of the things I like most is the smooth ride as you said. Also, the gearbox which is pretty much the same, is a bit hard but very nice to use, with a short through.

Back in the 80s and 90s prestige cars were much less common here on the north but I seem to recall that BMW and Mercedes were for more popular than Audi. I remember the 80 very well and thinking how understated and modern they looked. They were very much the thinking man's choice, much like the Saab and Volvo. They were innovative cars that appealed to those who valued engineering prowess. Times really have changed.

Manual windows rear passenger was totally standard all bar exec card back then !! As anyone born 70s knows. At least we had some PAS and Leccy windows in front by time passed test in 94. Did learn in diesel fiesta no power steering. Better times

Still got my saloon diesel 1.9tdi. My Audrey.. forever be by my side!!

i own black one 80 b4 it was 1.6 td i swapped the engine with 1.9 tdi... now i have tank with good reliable engine on this time with fuel and economic crisis for me it's win win... good reliable car also is so smooth to drive i love my audi

I remember being very impressed with these when I drove one when they were new.

"Flashing lights of many things": Citroen owners nod sagely.. Really appreciate the build quality of that Audi, proper engineering.

Funnily enough I saw one of these today in my local retail park in the same colour but a G plate. Wish I look a photo of it.

My friend had an H reg one in the mid 90’s. It actually had factory fitter air conditioning. That was Hens teeth rare.

Back in 92 my Dad was considering one of these but ended up going for a Granada Scorpio. I think it was the right choice at the time but the Audi has probably aged better.

Couple of suggestions, for future videos...can you open the glovebox and operate the sunroof, both tilt and slide, thanks.

I bought a 1989 (G??? FKR) 80 Sport, with the split rim Speedline alloys and well bolstered sport seats, for £600, as it was overheating. I simply took off the rad cap and ran the car until hot, expelling the air in the system. Never overheated again. My wife learnt to drive in it, and I thrashed it around for a few months before selling it for £1000. Was really good condition and did not show the 200,000 miles it had done. Great cars, when Audi were very good quality and not the "cheap PCP, over complicated cars" they seem to make now. Has an S3 and A4 at work, felt very flimsy in comparison to the 80

I was driven in one last week, it had the high spec velour trim. They are still a good daily car.

I still drive a B4 today and just absolutely love the car combined with the 5-cylinder 2.3! Still decent power for today and the sound is just music. Had the 90 HP version before for a while and that was quite underwhelming in power. Too little for that car.

Such a shame these cars are now so popular with people desperate to speed, tailgate jump lights etc. It puts me off the brand big time.

See 80's of this gen come up on eBay now and again. One thing I notice- interior shots will show hand-crank windows all round yet the sunroof will be powered. Seemed odd that Audi would be miserly on leccy windows when most of there competitors offered them as standard yet through in a power sunroof...

I had a 1985 Audi coupe back in the day. Rock solid until reverse gear gave up which made for some interesting parking planning!!! Loved the car though.

I had an b3 80 quattro and dropped a 5 cylinder 20vt into it from a s4. It was a nice sleeper with over 300 bhp . Should have kept it

The best era for Audi. As you say, solid and elegant. The 100 was a fabulous thing. Shame that Audi went the way of other makers and started building cars to a cost rather than to a quality.

Except for the huge front logo, the front looks very Japanese (Mazda) especially the lights, as does the rear. The hubcaps could be a huge scratch fest, but these ones are mint. Quality car. Lovely review as always!

Always liked the Audi 80, I remember when I was 18 wanting to buy a Green one if seen locally but the insurance was nearly 2 grand so I went for a mk2 Golf Driver instead

Love your reviews always so lively and true . I did purchase a car from Wayne sometime ago and at present looking for another

Want one audis and alfas there my favourite

In 1992 I was lucky enough to have a tour of the Audi 80 factory.

Agree with Lee Allen, great era and what a beautiful car.Everthing I love,er I mean loved about german cars.Just stunning.Wouldn't touch a modern german with a barge pole...👈

Strange fact: It doesn't have the black badges on the center of the wheels cover

Also that burgundy is so Ronin S8

it looks like a Rover. a massive step backward in the 90's by Audi.

11:53 honk!

A car designed by Helmut Marko and James May must be good :p

Weren't powerfull? The Audi 90 was the 80s sportier version with the option of the 170bhp 2.3 litre. Also the quattros and the Audi 200 all had high power engines?

Good job on the editing of this re-upload. Swift response! 😃👍👍

My dad had two of these. Both diesel one was 1.6 & the other was 1.9 H684JCS M663UUM

Great car for its time. A guy from work has it, although a diesel, and in a non-mint condition. :p He scheduled an MOT for it in a few days, and he recently got a blown head gasket (or the head itself), so it makes a lot of smoke. Not sure it will pass the MOT. xD

A great Q car with the 2.8 V6 and quattro. No laser headlights or farting DSG changes. Rather reminds me of my Mk3 Golf.

The car which was the base of the RS2

Still driving mine everyday, its a 2.3E 5cyl.

What’s happening with the W123?

Still a good looking car.

Nice car! Please test drive a Smart Forfour Brabus! 😀

Nice. I remember these cars well, indeed a popular company car in the day when I used to drive a company car. Never drove an 80, went for the 3 series in stead. A much more dynamic car. And to an old guy like me, Audi is, well Audi... Mercs will always have more status, Beemers will aways be more sporting. I know this may no longer be true, but old convictions die hard. I have owned a few Audi's, never really liked them. And I do not know why...

Really love these cars 👍

My uncle dailies one of these

You are giving your age away matt you must be around 47 lol

Is this a strong car

Same ol' Audi, total boredom for driving. Good for not rusting, as aluminium body iirc.[Procon ten was clever.

Same age as me I know what's faired and looks better 🤣 big clue it ain't me 🤣

Sales managers maybe but not reps - the Audi was too expensive - reps in 92 got a run out Sierra model or one of them they ther new Mondeos - poverty spec of course

Yay !!! First !!!

🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

You upload a video with errors and receive likes and comments from your followers, looking to assist you with correcting the errors. You then delete that original video, correct, some of, the errors and re-upload loosing all those original comments and fail to even mention the support and assistance of your subscribers. UNSUBSCRIBED!

I believe there were two versions with the 2.0 petrol engine, the base model with single point fuel injection which developed around 90 bhp and the 2.0E with multi point injection which developed around 115 bhp. The car your looking at is the base model given the round air filter housing.

When Audi built Em proper and they weren't generally driven by Numptys, l owned a 98 A4 TDi 110 bhp it still had many elements of that 80 in it, they seem to have lost it nowadays

Back when Audi was an aspirational car, driven by respectable people and enthusiasts. All the chavs and plebs have them now (on pcp finance). Cars of choice of the criminal fraternity these days.

Really would like to find an Audi 80 B4 Coupe. Nearly snagged a 2.6 V6 One is a lovely green colour but the fella sold it before I could even leave a deposit. Ended up with a Volvo C70 T5 Anyways though so not the worst thing to have happen...But absolutely still love the Audi 80 Styling. 👍

I love Audis of the pre Yob era they were so beautiful and relaxing to drive. I remember when my friends dad got one of theses as a company car in the late 80s and we who had just passed our tests driving Fords and Vauxhalls marvelled at it. I think it must’ve been quite a high spec model because it had the headphone jacks on the parcel shelf. Great cars,

Other manufacturers tried fully galvanised bodies but had trouble getting the paint to stick, Audi managed to crack it with the right formula for the primer. They were the bain of independent body repair shops. If only BL had sold Rover to VW/Audi.

My Dad had one of these growing up. His was silver. He loved it because it was smart, understated, a bit different and a cut above the usual Cavalier or Sierra. But without showing off. The nostalgia.

The first galvanised production car was the Matra Murena in 1980 but that applied to the structure only (body was made out of GRP), however, the *previous* Audi 80 (B3 or Typ 89) was one of the first cars with a galvanised steel body.

Those 80-90 era Audis were wonderful cars! Very understated, and the better for it. Top review.

My Father in Law had an amazing 1991 Citroën BX. Amazing steering, amazing brakes and sublime ride comfort. He moved up to an Audi 80 in 1994 which amazingly was more comfortable and better riding than the BX. He could have had a BMW 3 Series but the Audi looked more exclusive, had loads more rear head and legroom and a much larger boot. So good was the Audi 80 that he swapped it for a 1996 Audi A4. Subsequently he bought a 2002 Audi A4 that he still runs to this day. Vorsprung Durch Technik.

Audi back then made solid dependable and exquisitely engineered cars I remember my neighbour having the previous generation and then this one Audi seem to have changed and their cars appeal to a totally different market then back then the prices were not much more than for a Volkswagen and seemed to attract a different buyer to now That is a excellent example and a real time warp! Ps good old Audi engineering with longitudinal engine and offset radiator dates back to the auto union days

I had a 90 Quattro 20V back in 2001, what a sound it made & I loved the quattro script written into the heated rear window element. Was a nice thing to see in the rear view mirror on a cold morning.

These days, Audi certainly attracts a different ....ahem ... class of customer

Give me this over engineered 80 over any over complicated A4 any day .

Can't say I've ever been a huge fan of German cars generally but that's a lovely car. The thought of wafting down the road in that is rather appealing!