Modest Example
The Audi 80 Avant may not evoke the same desire as a BMW 3-series Touring E30 generation, but there are similarities. Both arrived late in the life cycle of the last Audi 80 and the second BMW 3-series respectively. After the facelifts of their aging sedan siblings, the lifestyle estates (a new phenomenon at the time) were allowed to showcase their station wagon tricks. The Audi 80 Avant thus came to market in 1991. The example that gets to shine in our Enthusiast Wanted section dates from autumn 1994. The first A4 was already warming up, though the 80 Avant was allowed to remain until 1995. A year later, the A4 Avant eventually appeared as well.
An early Audi A4 Avant is obviously a much more modern car, with a more modern interior. But the appearance of the 80 Avant might be more stylish, it’s already approaching classic status, while you still quite often see a first-generation A4 Avant as a battle-weary workhorse, sometimes with a white license plate from more eastern countries. A cherished 80 Avant can still just be around. Because it came to market with the Audi 80 facelift, the moment Audi also discontinued the 90 and merged it to continue with the upgraded base Audi of that time, the Avant always had the grille draped over the nose and the white turn signals. This model is also the basis for the Audi RS2, for which Porsche took the 80 S2 Avant as the starting point.
Four-cylinder with 116 hp
But we won’t go further into those very fast versions now. We’ve had our share of those recently. Despite that recent firsthand experienced awesomeness, we can even enjoy online from a distance a modest 2.0 E like the one we’re dealing with here. It has a four-cylinder with 116 hp, the two-liter that was in many models of the Volkswagen Group, and even powered the Golf III GTI. For that, it was far too tame. In the comfortable 80 Avant, it actually fits quite well, the engine has lots of torque low down. In 2025, you might find 116 hp ridiculously little, but you could also get it in a version detuned to 90 hp. Above 116 hp, the party started: then you had a 2.3 E five-cylinder, and above that were a 2.6 E and a 2.8 E, both a V6. Quattro drive was available in combination with the five- and six-cylinders, of course it was standard on the S2 and RS2. Diesel was possible with a 1.9 TD of 75 hp, the first four-cylinder TDI with direct injection and 90 hp also ended up in the Avant.
31 years and one month, 72,000 kilometers
Enough 80 Avant history, we focus on this example. Exactly 31 years and one month ago, this green station wagon was registered. The owner treated himself to electric window controls. Also, the wood inlay and the wooden gear knob enhance the ambiance on board. The materials of this dashboard seem made for eternity, and the upholstery fabrics used still look fantastic in the photos. Even the trunk lining is tip-top. You don’t just toss a garbage bag in there to transport it to a dumpster further away.
We do see some blank buttons in the dashboard, but that also makes this ‘used car’ so wonderfully typical German. You simply didn’t get much for free in those days, only the build quality was excellent. Only 72,000 kilometers have passed under the alloy wheels.
Quality Feel
It’s a substantial amount, €9,500, and it doesn’t have a five-cylinder. But when we look at the amounts being asked for the increasingly scarce BMW E30 3-series Touring, we still find it somewhat reasonable. That BMW drives more special partly due to its rear-wheel drive. But the quality feel that this modest 80 Avant undoubtedly gives when you take it for a test drive makes the trip to the dealer in Steensel certainly worth it, in our opinion.