1985 Audi 4000S quattro

Park a 1984 Audi 4000S quattro next to a 1985 Audi 4000S quattro and you’d be forgiven for thinking they were completely different cars. While few changes were manefested under the skin, the major overhaul in 1985 of the 4000 gave the car a completely different character. Few stones were left unturned; new aerodynamic headlights and smooth, textured body-color bumpers with revised indicators led the charge and did well to integrate the mandatory 5 mph impact bumpers. Wider black moldings surrounded the car. The same Ronal R8 14″ x 6″ 14 spoke wheels were present, but as the revised B2s stretched their legs, new aerodynamic lug covers appeared. The taillight design and rear quarter panels were revised as well – now the lights wrapped completely across the back of the car. But the full-width lights masked a big change to the body, as the trunk now had a much lower threshold, with the center section of the lights integrated into the lid. Inside, the seats didn’t change but the dashboard was entirely new. More up-to-date and modern feeling, power windows now were both front and rear and a few more options for colors were offered.

But underneath, what made the Type 85 quattro great remained unchanged. The 2.2 liter inline-5 JT-code motor was still pumping out 115 horsepower; modest for the weight, but with a great howl and good, usable torque. All-wheels were still driven with twin vacuum-actuated locking differentials, and the robust drivetrain and suspension was largely rally-ready out of the box. The great recipe coupled with the heavily revised and modernized aesthetics meant that the 1985 4000S quattro was a sales success, at least in relative terms. Nearly 5,000 sold that year (4,897 according to Audi), making it the most popular year for the model:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1985 Audi 4000S quattro on eBay

Year: 1985
Model: 4000S quattro
Engine: 2.2 liter inline-5
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 113,300 mi
Price: Reserve Auction

Up for sale is this beautiful original paint and RUST FREE 1985 Audi 4000S Quattro 5-Speed! This is the first year Audi offered Quattro in their cars and this 4000S is awesome! With 2 locking differentials and Quattro badges everywhere you look, we are definitely digging this 4000s! This car was purchased by a local collector and driven very little while he has owned it. We just had the car detailed, installed a new battery, and have been driving it the last few days. The AC blows cold, everything works, and its ready to go! No major issues, leaks, or needs other than the following. Passenger headlight is cracked and has taken on water, blinker lens on the passenger front is cracked as well. Shift knob is worn (see pics) Also, the pinstripes are showing their age, and we’re hoping the new owner will re-do them to really make this Audi stand out! We have the reserve set low and this 4000S will be selling! If you are interested and don’t want to bid, please call. We reserve the right to end the auction at anytime. Please call or e-mail with any questions! ——————————————————— Disclaimer: *** Mandatory Doc Fee of $250 must be collected and is not included in the sale price.***We do our very best to represent the vehicles we sell both cosmetically and mechanically. Our best advice to potential buyers is that if you aren’t sure of something or have a question, PLEASE CALL. Our stellar eBay reputation over the last 15-years should put anyone at ease, but please do your research, ask questions, and buy all means feel free to have any of our vehicles inspected prior to purchase. All the vehicles we sell have been serviced and inspected to some degree (please refer to description for details) BUT, with all that being said, all our vehicles are being sold AS-IS and WHERE-IS unless otherwise stated in the description. These are used vehicles so please expect there to be small blemishes, imperfections, and some repairs needed. If you need help making inspection or transportation arrangements, please contact us and we will gladly help! We are not like other car dealers! We are ‘Car Guys’ just like you and aim to please all of our customers to the best of our ability! Please call with any questions or concerns today!

Car is listed for sale locally and the auction can be ended at anytime ***Mandatory Processing Fee of $250 Must Be Collected and is not included in the sales price*** Please inquire about transportation quotes!

So, if you’ve been reading the post, you’d already realize that the first line is critical to the appeal of this car – but the second line also shows the level of knowledge the seller has about the model. With fender liners and zinc coating under the paint, the 4000 quattros (note the lower case, seller) fared better than the Quattros in the rust department. Break through enough of the zinc coating, though, and rust will being – generally, on the lower doors, under the moldings, and especially in the fender area. This car looks well kept, and while the odometers are fragile the general condition seems in line with the reported 113,000 miles. The seats, original mats, and paint overall look good. The car even appears to be wearing an original exhaust (or correct replacement). Mudflaps are a hard-to-find dealer option, too. It appears that the stone protectors on the rear fender leading edges were removed, though they often discolor badly at this point. All the grills and even the reflectors (though cracked) appear – as does the side cardboard radiator cover panel and map pockets; NLA parts that make model fans salivate. The car obviously has needs; the vinyl pinstripe is failing, the shift knob leather has disintegrated (normal, and of note interesting that this car has a plastic knob while many had wood underneath. My ’86 4000CS quattro had a wooden knob which I refinished, while my ’86 GT has a plastic piece), and the headlights need to be replaced. Moving to European H1/H4s is the preferred look, but it’s also quite expensive. It also looks to me like replacement speakers have been installed in the front – probably at the same time as the new head unit was installed. It wouldn’t surprise me if the rear also has replacement speakers, but at least they’re hiding (in front) under the original covers.

Pricing? A clean, original quattro will certainly draw attention because of their relative scarcity. This one has already hit $6,100 at time of writing with a few days to go and the reserve still on. That’s fairly close to the quite similar ’87 4000CS quattro we looked at just a few weeks ago. Benefits of the ’87 were the rare tan leather and some recent maintenance, none of which is disclosed on this car. However, this one is slightly cleaner overall for having the same mileage, and the mainland location means the bids are still coming in. Will it break the $8,000 asking price of the ’87? I think it just might.

-Carter