A leaking gasket in the engine. Other than that its just been routine servicing. Oil change, timing belt (replaced just for reassurance!), spark plugs, brakes and oil filter.
Very reliable, everything works perfectly, solid and ages well. But the boot is very small!
Yes, the 80's not a bad car, but there are a few niggles and problems that can be alleviated by keeping an eye open...
First, the most expensive. My car is a 1.8S (NE engine), with auto 'box. After about 60,000 miles, the transmission fluid changed colour from cherryade to dark yellow. WATCH THIS, it's a common fault - the seal between the box and the torque converter has died, and the oils have mixed. This leads to a rather expensive gearbox replacement, as the bearings go, and the layshaft eats its way through the bellhousing. Believe me, it happens, and apparently, according to the guy who did the new gearbox, it's a common design fault. Audi don't care, as they did recieve a few letters...
Otherwise, watch the dipstick plastic - if the car smells rank, that's most likely cracked. Uuh, what else broke recently?... yeah, the plastic bit on the back of the engine (nearest the firewall) where the heater hose connects tends to warp, and being at the back of the engine, I didn't notice it for 25,000 miles!
Other than that, there's not many things that've gone wrong.
Phil Andrews, Bristol, England
1988 Audi 80.
My automatic gearbox just blew, really watch out for this one!!!
Note: A Comments RSS Feed 
is available. New comments appear in the Members Area before the main site