Audi 80 how safe

[moaning]

Hi

I have a 1993 Audi 80 1.9 TDI and get a lot of stick about its safety from friends etc, as all they see is an old car. I wonder how the car stands up these days compared to new vehicles, obviously no air bags, but at the time of manufacture it was known to be one of the safest cars around. Anyone know where I could find the original crash test reports and so on?

For instance how would the car stand up in an accident compared to a new Fiat Panda which I think is NCAP 4

John

[pompeyal]

Hi, I have had 2 80's and felt safe in both of them. The first one was written of from a rear end shunt at 40ish whilst I was stopped in traffic. the car that hit me folded right up and was un drivable. Mind you I suffered from a back injury probably because the Audi didn't fold up when hit. I dont know if the woman who hit me suffered like I did. As your car is getting on a bit it wont be as safe as modern cars but it is all about luck when it comes to having an accident or not.

[zollaf]

the audi 80 is one of the safest cars ever built, even when compared to modern vehicles. it may not have airbags, but it has the far superior procon ten safety system. go onto youtube and have a look. they stopped using this as if it was activated, it wrote the car off. the bodyshell is fully galvanised so it will never weaken through rot. the front suspension is designed to keep the car straight if you have a blow out and even the headlining is designed to prevent injuries in a rollover crash. they are one of the best designed cars ever, and were crash tested far in excess of the requirements of the time.

[moaning]

Many thanks for this information. I thought it might be the case

[Tobster]

I had a rear wheel blow out on the naughty side of 70mph. She didn't even flinch. Couldn't even confirm it was a blow out until I could feel vibration.

I also (though genuine stupidity that I'll put my hands up to) ploughed it into a mud embankment at 25-30mph. Result was a slightly dented end of the bonnet (not a mark on the bumper), but a bruised shoulder.

If there's any reason why these cars are less safe than a modern car it's because they're too solid, and don't crumple enough!

[pompeyal]

If there's any reason why these cars are less safe than a modern car it's because they're too solid, and don't crumple enough!

My thought exactly.........

[jazzzza]

I've had a tyre blown out and the car drove through it fine, til we could stop. I've stuck it in a hedge and only the mud flap by the tyre pulled away slightly. It's like a flipping tank.

[murphyv310]

Hi.
One reason I love my 80 is the way it's built, I always feel that I am safer in it than in a modern tin box. the lack of rust on my 16 year old 80 is uncanny, and I wonder how todays stuff will be when they are 16 years old, I don't think I would like to given a lift then, or even now
Cheers
Trevor

[zollaf]

the lack of rust isnt uncanny at all, its down to the fact they are galvanised, then painted. bare galvanised steel generally has a life expectancy of 40 years (roof sheets), so with the paint as well, its anyones guess how long they will last. the only rusty ones you see are ones that have been repaired using non genuine panels. even if you scratch them down to the steel, they only rust slightly in that area, it doesnt spread. i believe audi were just taking the mickey out of the competition when they built them.

[Tobster]

Mine was a farmers car from new. Front arches took a pounding from driving through iodine dip during foot & mouth, and have since been replaced. Back arches had some surface rust which quickly sanded to bare metal and no holes, now primed and waiting for paint. Not a spec of rust on any other part of the car, underbody seal still good.