320T's Audi Skip edition

[Lacquer Peel]

A very handsome car now it's been cleaned, looks a lot less downtrodden. Nice to see the top down too.

[320touring]

I don't think the top will be down too often now it's October..

[forddeliveryboy]

Aldi80 B3&4s are about as good as Ingoldstadt got at making cars, imo. 'Improvements' on later models are often of the bullshit variety and where real, the company made sure things didn't last as well.

[loserone]

I don't think the top will be down too often now it's October..

I know you're probably 5 degrees cooler up there than south of the border, but strap one on and man the fuck up.

 

Driving topless in the winter is the most amazing thing of ever.

 

Gloves, hat, neck warmer, coat, two pairs of trousers, and sheepskin lined boots will see you right. If it's raining, drive faster.

[Lacquer Peel]

I don't think the top will be down too often now it's October..

The heater will be a lot better with a new thermostat.

[Lacquer Peel]

Aldi80 B3&4s are about as good as Ingoldstadt got at making cars, imo. 'Improvements' on later models are almost all of the bullshit variety and intended to impress the sheep of this world.

Styling wise yes but the B3 80 is the most uncomfortable car I've been in.

[320touring]

I know you're probably 5 degrees cooler up there than south of the border, but strap one on and man the fuck up.

 

Driving topless in the winter is the most amazing thing of ever.

 

Gloves, hat, neck warmer, coat, two pairs of trousers, and sheepskin lined boots will see you right. If it's raining, drive faster.

Fuck that.

 

Driving a pious and trying to work out the range is not for me;)

[forddeliveryboy]

Styling wise yes but the B3 80 is the most uncomfortable car I've been in.

 

That's weird, I find them really comfy, even not allowing for VAG. More suspension travel on the front and more compliant spring rates than modern stuff works well for me, our local roads (including the A-rated ones) really show up over stiff springing and damping for the cheat it is.

 

Perhaps it was shitty damping which spoilt things for you, as was common back in the 80s? Also, going back as far as that, coils were more linear - seem to remember it was the early 90s when more progressive rates came in.

[Lacquer Peel]

The B3 I was in didn't have enough headroom and I had to sit at an angle, the seats were too hard and the ride was too firm. I wonder if the B4 is better, I've been tempted by 80 TDIs.

 

What do you think of the B5 A4 and Passat? They are similar to the 80 in layout. My Passat is noticeably better riding than the Golf MK4 platform cars I've tried, the steering is better too.

[320touring]

This one has no headroom issues with the roof down...

[forddeliveryboy]

The B3 I was in didn't have enough headroom and I had to sit at an angle, the seats were too hard and the ride was too firm. I wonder if the B4 is better, I've been tempted by 80 TDIs.

What do you think of the B5 A4 and Passat? They are similar to the 80 in layout. My Passat is noticeably better riding than the Golf MK4 platform cars I've tried, the steering is better too.

B4s are a little better in every way, but no barely more roomy.

 

I've always seen VAG as simple rather crude cars with decent engines, which perfected the use of cheap components, ideal for mundane everyday wvo-powered work. So the moment those multi link wishbones appeared along with other complexities like dual mass flywheels which detract from a general purpose car, I went elsewhere. But a late 90s Passat is a good car (if you can find one) and without some of the VAG tax which now afflicts Audis.

 

If I bought another VAG thing it would be a Sharan, they're gvfm but the 90/110 ones are vanishing rapidly. Roomy, too.

[Lacquer Peel]

B4s are a little better in every way, but no barely more roomy.

 

I've always seen VAG as simple rather crude cars with decent engines, which perfected the use of cheap components, ideal for mundane everyday wvo-powered work. So the moment those multi link wishbones appeared along with other complexities like dual mass flywheels which detract from a general purpose car, I went elsewhere. But a late 90s Passat is a good car (if you can find one) and without some of the VAG tax which now afflicts Audis.

 

If I bought another VAG thing it would be a Sharan, they're gvfm but the 90/110 ones are vanishing rapidly. Roomy, too.

My 1999 Passat is cursed with multi link front suspension and a DMF but keeps it real with a torsion beam rear axle and a 110 AFN TDI. To be fair I think these early DMFs are made of stronger stuff and maybe saved by dealing with 170-odd lb/ft of torque rather than 200+.

It isn't the best thing to drive, it's a bit sluggish and wallowy but it's fairly comfortable and amazingly fuel efficient for its size.

In an ideal world I'd want a VE TDI fitted to a French chassis.

[320touring]

At a posh Waddin in the sticks.

 

Less than a week's wages to look like a royal in the carpark..

 

Winning.

 

 

It's also pretty good at just hammering along the m74 at Junkman spec speedz.

[cort16]

You learn something new everyday . I didn’t know they put the 20v engine in these I thought they all mostly had that wheezy old 2.0 8v.

They are a classy looking car though I know someone who’s totally minted and has had one of these from years they’ve just never wanted to change it.

[320touring]

Unfortunately it's only the na 1.8 20v. No boost..

[320touring]

Had a look at the thermostat replacement job on this today.

 

Thermostat remains in the glovebox as it looks like an alternator off job, as it's under the inlet.

 

Not tackling that until the Clio is back and functional:)

[Tetleysmooth]

 

Gloves, hat, neck warmer, coat, two pairs of trousers, and sheepskin lined boots will see you right. 

 

Sounds more like the Red Baron than an Audi convertible driver.

[skattrd]

If changing the 'stat looks like a pain of a job make sure you fit a decent one or you'll be wasting your time.

I went through 2 generic stats on the boring before fitting one that lasted more than a month,

[SiC]

I know you're probably 5 degrees cooler up there than south of the border, but strap one on and man the fuck up.

 

Driving topless in the winter is the most amazing thing of ever.

 

Gloves, hat, neck warmer, coat, two pairs of trousers, and sheepskin lined boots will see you right. If it's raining, drive faster.

This! The most enjoyable experience I've ever had driving is having the top down in a MK1 MX5 in sub-zero temperatures. Nothing nicer than a crisp winters morning with light frost on the ground and buzzing around the Cotswolds.

 

Had a look at the thermostat replacement job on this today.

 

Thermostat remains in the glovebox as it looks like an alternator off job, as it's under the inlet.

 

Not tackling that until the Clio is back and functional:)

Haha. That's a design feature VAG copied for the 2.0 TFSi that is in the TT/A3/Golf/Passat/others. My garage says it's 3 hours of immense pain to change the thermostat on them. Alternator off, pipe work removal and buried in the front of the engine.

[Fraz]

Whatever you do.. don’t let dome drive it

[320touring]

Whatever you do.. don’t let dome drive it

Thought it was only coupes he mullered?

[dome]

That was one time!

[Tickman]

That was one time!

 

I am unaware of such events that are being dragged up!

 

But am obviously intrigued

[320touring]

Got a call off the good lady today.

 

"The wipers on the Audi were going even though it was parked up, not running and locked"

 

I returned home after a few hours, took the key and went out to take the battery off and put it on charge..

 

On instinct, I tried it. Started off the key.

 

All this time, the Hazard light switch was illuminated - regardless of ignition on/off and lights on/off ..

 

Any ideas?

 

[320touring]

This turned 100k tonight

 

 

Currently at 44p per mile Inc purchase

[omegod]

What was the solution to the leccy prob ? 

[BavarianRetro]

That was one time!

FFS. You shag *one* sheep.

[iainrcz]

Hey come on now, be truthful.

FFS. You shag *one* sheep.

Sent from my VFD 710 using Tapatalk

[320touring]

What was the solution to the leccy prob ?

Not leaving the wipers on..

 

It doesn't seem to drain the battery even with the Hazard light illuminated, so it's on the 'dont try to fix' list at the moment.

[320touring]

This tub is due to do big miles in the next week or so, so I took the opportunity to have a scout round it today.

 

It's done circa 1300 miles since coming on fleet. The noises that were there at purchase remain, it does about 420miles to a tank and just works..

 

Nothing of any alarm was found - all levels were checked, and the windows cleaned (inside of the windscreen is a doddle when you can put the roof down to improve access!)

 

The one thing that really needs sorting is the thermostat being open constantly.

 

It has never heated up at all when on a run, but will have the gauge start to move when standing after use.

 

I have a new thermostat, but the thing appears to be buried behind the alternator, and under the inlet manifold

 

 

In the interests of its continued functioning as a car, whilst minimising the opportchancity of sheared bolts, I elected to install an alternative..

 

 

A movable radiator cover formed of cardboard.. old skool taxi driver styleee.

 

After some adjustments, we had what can be considered a success of sorts!

 

 

That'll do pig, that'll do..