1987 Audi ur Quattro Turbo review from UK and Ireland

Exhaust split and needed replacing.

Oil temp gauge only works intermittently.

ABS sensor failed.

Rattling from the intercooler (broken mount).

As soon as circumstances dictated I could have a second car for pure fun use, I went straight out and found my Quattro. I haven't looked back since.

Modern cars, even quick ones, now feel sanitised and dull. An Impreza or Evo would leave this standing off the lights, but you can hear and feel everything working in the Quattro. The impression of speed is huge, the feel from all the controls (particularly the steering) is deliciously mechanical, the noise fantastic and the fuel consumption terrifying. It's the original old school rally rep from an era where power sapping emissions gear and lardy crash bars weren't even considerations, and hence it's got more character and attitude in one column stalk than the modern Japanese stuff has on the whole production line.

ur Quattro's are thought to number less than 1,000 in the UK now, so it's a rare sight indeed. What I love though is that to most people it is simply "an old Audi" and therefore invisible. And yes, this works for police as well. I've been pulled over more in my company Mondeo than in this. Enthusiasts recognise it of course, and morons in Novas try to race it, but either of those are fine by me.

The astonishing thing about the Quattro is just how sharp it still feels to drive. The suspension is quite soft which gives a bit of body roll, but it turns in sharply, is adjustable on the throttle, and the change in weighting and feedback on the steering as the road surface and grip levels change is pure delight. It's still a devastatingly quick cross country machine, but it involves you as a driver in the way that few new cars do. No nannying driver aids either - you can even turn off the ABS!

Running costs are pretty steep, largely because of terrifying fuel consumption. It will happily slurp a gallon of treated Super Unleaded in 9 miles if you're giving it some welly, although to be fair, it averages about 18. Not particularly cheap then. The car has so far been very reliable, but the ongoing list of niggling faults betray its 17 years. The bodywork however still looks like new. One bonus is insurance. It now qualifies for classic status and hence F/C cover is available for less than £300 (I'm 30 and it's a group 20 car!!)

I will never sell this beast, and if you go out and find a good one, I suspect you will be exactly the same. Gorgeous bit of kit.