1988 Audi Coupe GT5 FI review from UK and Ireland

As I was missing the lower grille on the bumper a small stone punctured a hole through the radiator which had to be replaced at a cost of £120.

The brake bias value developed a leak and cost £140, apparently this is quite common and as a result of this I could not find a second hand one. I was not too disappointed by this as I like to know that the brakes in my car are going to work.

The oil light and buzzer came on and after a trip to the garage, which involved the sump been removed and everything mechanical and electrical been checked it was determined that the buzzer had corroded and was short circuiting. This was removed and the light stopped coming on. A friend who has the same model, but a year older had the same problem which was fixed in the same way and the Audi 80 I owned before the Coupe also had the same problem and was fixed in the same way. The oil warning system still works, but is minus the annoying buzzer.

The rear brake calipers seized, which cost around £100 to be repair This is quite common apparently and the repair cost can depending on whether they can be reworked or if a new one has to be purchased.

The only other thing to go wrong with the car is the rear exhaust clamp rusted and fell off.

The car handles well as standard, but I upgraded to H+R progressively wound springs and new dampers, which has decreased body roll and not really effected the comfort. This makes corner more fun and motorway journeys less vague and wobbly.

It is surprisingly quick with nearly 140 horse power as standard and a lot of torque, it will surprise a lot of people from the lights and can easily keep up standard hot hatches such as 16 value golfs of the same age and newer smaller ones like the Citroen Saxo. Not bad for a car weighing in at 1.5 tons.

I consider the car reasonable to run, fuel can be a bit on the heavy side, a full tank (60 litres) will do somewhere between 300 and 350 miles depending on driving style and conditions. Repairs are in line with my Audi 80 but that is the only other car I have own so my perspective may slightly be warped.

Generally a great car to drive with a bomb proof engine. I know someone who drove a santana (passat with a boot) with the 2.0 litre version of the engine for 15 miles with oil or water with no adverse effects after they had been topped up. I would not recommend it though. It still looks good and is occasionally mistaken for a quattro turbo when parked because of the decreased ride height.