Faults:

The typical Quattro issuses. Cracked exhaust manifold, power window regulator, vacuum leaks.

Everything else was just because the car is an older model, and the replaced parts were original. This happens on ALL cars.

General Comments:

It's not a legendary car just because of the rally pedigree.

By todays standards of automotive performance, it might be easily dismissed when looking at the performance figures on paper, but when one gets a chance to drive a Quattro, sheer acceleration, and go-cart turns are no longer a priority.

They are indeed quick, and handle great. But the best thing is the organic feel of the car. You actually get the satisfaction from driving this car, not found in any modern equal.

This car altered the course of automobile history.

It's common place to have turbocharged, AWD cars with flared fenders these days, but it all started here.

Even amongst a sea of STi's, and EVO's, these cars stand out apart from the crowd, just as they did at the Geneva auto show in 1980.

Many folks give the car undue flak, for being utterly expensive to run, and maintain.

That's rubbish.

Yes, there is a problem, with spares, but there's also a problem with most older cars regarding this. The more common Mk1 Golf shares this same problem.

These cars are not for the faint of heart, or the penny pinching owner, as they are not as cheap to own as many other VW/Audi products.

The prices have already hit rock bottom here in the states, and the value of the cars are already steadily on the incline. So if you are considering purchasing one, the time isn't going to get any better.

Faults:

Distributor cap disintegrated, causing erratic running.

Oil sender faulty giving incorrect pressure readout.

A hot start issue.

Only thing to be aware of is that parts are getting harder to find, expect to pay in the region of £70-80 for a rear light lens for example if you can find one!

General Comments:

The car is quick for a car that is now 20 years old, but still evokes a truly enjoyable driving experience when travelling cross-country!

The handling and balance of the Torsen-diff model is a joy, and you get so much more driver feedback than the equivalent Impreza. When you look at the fact that the car has done over 200k with only a reconditioned cylinder head, you have to marvel at how over-engineered these cars were.

Faults:

Clutch slave cylinder at 81,000 miles.

General Comments:

Quick and agile.

Faults:

Surprisingly few problems:

Valve stem seals at 110k.

Discovered leaking seal on one of the turbo oil pipes at the same time.

Exhaust corroded and started blowing.

General Comments:

Fabulous car. Searingly quick, sounds amazing and handles superbly.

At 130,000 miles it was happy to be driven around Castle Combe at "9/10ths" most of the day at the Audi International meeting with no ill effects (cooked brakes apart), and it's still capable of providing clockwork reliable (if thirsty) daily transport. The ur originates from the days when German engineering really was superior to the competition, and didn't just get you an expensive looking interior.

There is a feeling of responsibility in owning a ur in that it's like taking custody of a piece of motoring history. They were rare to start with, and they are rapidly getting rarer thanks to accident damage and maintenance costs than can quickly escalate into the thousands. Whilst mine has been reliable so far, all logic suggests that a turbocharged rally replica with six figure mileage on it is going to land me with a major bill sooner or later. I'm happily vacationing in the land of dismissal!

Just hearing that five pot warbling under load, feeling that torque sling the car up the road, and feeling the steering's weight changing constantly and relaying the road surface in minute detail is enough for me to forget the costs, swelled in no small way by the 14 mpg average fuel consumption.

The Quattro is impractical and expensive, but I love it. The thought of selling it brings me out in a cold sweat which is why it will never happen.

Faults:

Steering mysteriously weighted up and lost sensitivity after having driven several miles - and stayed like this for the rest of the drive. Frustrating as Quattro steering is recognised as one of the best.

Don't use Audi main dealers, as they have no understanding of the nature of this car. I found Dialynx excellent (www.dialynx.co.uk).

The usual headlight corrosion.

General Comments:

Not particularly fast by modern standards (0-60 in just over 7 seconds), but the extremely usable torque band once rolling makes this a fantastic companion. Flat cornering, great stability and body control. Wonderful image - really appeals to those who know what it is (a large number owing to its rally heritage), and has none of the pretentiousness that blights rival manufacturers' efforts.

Well worth spending a little extra, once you have found a good one, on upgrading the turbo or at least getting yours chipped. The later (1990-1) 20v car had 220 BHP and feels substantially quicker (the 10v car, which is the one I owned, has 200).

One of the all-time greats. Prices have dipped as the design has dated in the last 5-6 years, but, as another UR-reviewer has noted, the number of serviceable cars have now dropped and prices might now start rising for good examples - particularly as modern offerings have become so dull and "efficient".