Thinking of buying a Coupe

[jonnocooper1987]

Hi Guys,

I currently own an 1998 A4 1.8T Sport with 135k on the clock. It's got leather seats, is black and is generally pretty nice. But for the past few months I have had this mega urge to get myself an Audi Coupe. I love the look of them and would like to own another Audi rather than getting something else.

I was just hoping for some of your guys opinions on the Coupe and if it is any good or not?

The models I have seen are the 2.0E, 2.3E & the 2.6E.

Any idea of the performance figures on these cars? Also, any major common problems?

If I did get one, it would probably have 100k on the clock due to the age and I would be looking to get a 1996 one.

Any input/information you guys have would be well recieved! :biglaugh:

Cheers guys.

[zollaf]

get one. simple as that. yes they do have problems, like any other cars, but on the whole they are built like tanks. they are galvanised so will never rust. if you find one that is rusty it generally means it has been crashed and repaired using non genuine un galvanised panels. find the cleanest most original example and you cant go far wrong. all of them are good performers and handle well, even with the engine slung all the way in front. all are also heavy on wishbone bushes, but thes are easily and cheaply replaced with poly bushes. as for engines, the 2L 8v is the slowest, but the 16v is better. the v6 engines are refined and powerful. the 5 pots sound nice. i would advise you test drive a few different ones and see what you like the best. the 2.3 20v has to be the pick of the bunch, with quattro, or a later 2.8 v6. mileage really doesnt matter as they take it well. the 4 cylinder are the cheapest to run as the engine is basically a golf unit. you could always go for an S2, but then your talking money.

[scotty33]

Yeah, Great cars, have a 20v at the moment. Sadly none of these made after 1991 and the 2.3 10v did not go on beyond 1994 ( I think?) So the only 5 pot would be the 2.2 20v turbo S2
155mph 0-60 in approx 6 secs. 230 hp

2.8 quattro 0-60 7.5 secs 137 mph 174 hp

2.6 150hp not sure on the figs sorry!

2.0 8v 115 hp 16v 140hp

Look out for clunking front suspension(top mounts/wishbone bushes anti roll bar links), oil leaks from V6, rear caliper problems can cause poor handbrake. erratic electric windows, temp gauge/fuel gauge. Noisy electric window regulators can be expensive/awkward to fix.
Other than that good cars!

[upliftin]

Yes i would say go for it, they are great cars, have a timeless look and the main issues are as stated above. Mine is a 90 2.0 8v, the slowest but still a very good engine, and pulls really well on the motorway. I get great fuel economy and drive it hard.

Ive had all the common problems with the coupe, i.e - wishbone rubbers, clonky suspension noises, window winding mechanisms breaking, rear wiper stuttering (due to old grease, easily fixed), sqeeky rear boot, due to bushings again.....but to be honest for a car that is 18 years old, it is unbeatable.....no rust, looks like a car that is half its age.....totally amazing....just look at some 18 year old mercs and fords....most are in the scrap yard.

Enjoy it.

Peace.

[upliftin]

im actually looking to buy another one, most probably a last edition model 1996 with a 2.6 v6...leather all electrics etc etc.....but they are hard to find in original condition and when you do they are not cheep.

ive been looking now for almost a year and still cannot find the one i want....in the mean time i keep banging on the miles on my 90 2.0 8v workhorse.....

dont believe everything everyone says about the 2.0 8 v, IMO its one of the best 2.0 engines Audi/VW ever made.....it just pulls and pulls and ive not had 1 issue with the engine in over 6 years of ownership...only normal service, oil, belts, new radiator and thats it. No oil leaks. Ive only fitted a K&N filter and a stainless exhaust and it runs sweet. She starts everytime, first time.

can you tell i love my coupe ? :biglaugh:

I will post a pic later on of my baby....for you....she also had an S2 front bumper fitted with 80 cabriolet alloys too.

:beerchug:

[zollaf]

funny thing with the coupe, even with a mere 115 bhp available from the 8v, they still feel quicker than a lot of other cars with more power.but then they are quite light, and sooo well engineered. yes they do have problems, but try to find another 15 year old car to use everyday!!!i always say that anything mechanical or electrical can be sorted out, but once you have to get the mig out for the mot, thats more or less it, something that you dont have to do to older audis.

[upliftin]

well i decided to create a thread of my cars resurrection from the ashes..

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=57659

Peace,

[scotty33]

I should add, the V6 and S2 use hydraulic brake assist, The hydraulic system is fed by the 'power steering' pump which is actually two pumps in one - a tandem pump. The fluid used must be Audi spec hydraulic mineral oil which is Green. Some unsuspecting owners put normal red PAS fluid in which gets expensive! Well worth checking the reservoir has green fluid in if buying one of these.. the (!) symbol on the dash is normally bad news

see the 'bomb' test, (similar system to the older 20v cars)

http://www.20v.org/brakprob.htm

[zollaf]

my 16v has that system as well. if the car has no brake servo then it has the bomb. well worth checking. its a very good system, nothing wrong with it, as long as its been filled with green fluid.

[AKKERS]

I bought a 96 2.6 V6 coupe 6 months ago as a second cheap fun car with all the goodies bar sunroof (my other car is a 96 A6 2.5tdi quattro avant!). It had all the old MOTs and 145k miles, and an auto box. I have had absolutely no problems with it at all. It's got plenty of oomph makes a good motorway cruiser, and is pretty good around town, but I wouldn't say it's an out and out sports car - if you want one of those go for a beemer.

Likes : it's classic slightly boxy good looks (doesn't look like a girly coupe sic: TT), bulletproof reliability, galvanised (it will rust but a lot later than the beemer), cosy interior, well laid out dash, smooth understated V6, my three young teens kids can sit comfortably in the back for even the longer journeys, it didn't cost very much to buy, you can get 'em for less than 1k (there's a convertible which I've seen going quite cheap at a dealer in Pompey - I can't fit 3 kids in the back though), good auto box gives seamless changes.

Dislikes: MPG low 20s around town, 25-30 if I include the commute up the M3, handling not as good as the estate I've got (considered getting a 2.8 quattro coupe or the S2 but then cost came into the equation, and they don't have autos), steering wheel not adjustable - but I, 6fter, can still get comfortable, some of the bootspace is taken up by the vertical standing spare tyre.

It's probably not as much fun to drive as the A4 1.8T, I used to have a chipped 1.9tdi A4 99S which I could really hustle with, but the coupe's got character and I don't see many about on the roads. It is after all a model that came out in '88, and the A4s came out in '95.

[kopman9]

They are beautiful cars even though they are quite an old shape, this was my dads 2.8e Quattro

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v646/107/64/597801612/n597801612_1889287_5115.jpg

[Dudey Head]

2.6 150hp not sure on the figs sorry!



0-60 About 8 - 8.5 seconds and about 130 mph.

Just changing upgrading the exhaust (inc. high flow cat) on my 2.6 really made a difference to how well the car picks up, probably shaved the best part of a second off the 0-60 dash.
215/45 R17's & Koni's mean it's no longer necessary to slow down for bends when out in the sticks!
So basically, it's a very good car to begin with & a few uncomplicated tweaks make it really good!
The weight of the V6, which is positioned quite far forward can destroy dampers quite quickly, but the weight all up at the front doesn't seem to make the handling dodgy at all, slightly prone to understeer if zealous cornering when wet seems to be the only symptom.
The torquiness of the engine means you can trundle round town at 25mph in 5th without it complaining & it will actually move from standstill in 3rd! (not recommended, I did it by accident once & a couple of other times just to amuse myself!! :D)
Extremely solid car still & it's a late '94 model.