Enthusiasts Blogging Our Favorite Classifieds
It’s the time of year where’s it’s fun to take to Europe and consider what might be available for import in just a few days. I found a few fun ones to consider here but would love to hear what you’re looking for. First off, this clean ’99 Audi A3 1.8 manual with only 66k miles for under 3k Euro!
Often overlooked when compared to it’s rivals, the BMW M3 and the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, I find the RS5 to be an interesting alternative today. The reviewers of the time often drew the conclusion that the RS5 was more sport tourer in nature and rather limp-wristed by comparison to the other two. But as time has moved on and actual owner reports have documented since, the RS5 is a great daily driver with it’s own unique charms that make it noteworthy.
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After B5 production ended, Audi continued to widen the pool for its small chassis. Joining the lineup for the B6 model was a new Cabriolet, and of course returning were the dynamic duo of the sedan and Avant models. Power now came from the BBK 4.2-liter 4-cam 40 valve all-aluminum V8. Fitting the motor into the small chassis necessitated dropping the belt drive in favor of the infamous rear-mounted chain. Still, though, with 340 horsepower on tap and weighing the same as the outgoing 250 horsepower V6 twin-turbo but now with instant torque, the S4 seemed top of the heap. But it was still playing catch-up with the outgoing E46 M3, so when it came to the B7, Audi offered even more spunk, bringing for the first time after three generations their first top-tier offering in the small chassis: the second-generation RS4.
At the heart of the new addition to the fleet was, of course, a special motor. Dubbed the BNS, Audi ditched the 5-valve heads but added FSI direct fuel injection. In reality, little was shared or untouched between the seemingly similar 4.2 V8s in the S4 and RS4, but the result of the fiddling was impressive. The engineers at Ingolstadt managed to crank a 420 horsepower screamer out, and coupled with the revised, more rear-biased quattro drivetrain in the B7, a completely different beast was born.
Were it not for the four rings on the front, it would be pretty easy to mistake the Audi 100 Coupé S for any number of other late 1960s to early 1970s GT cars. There’s a loose resemblance to the the second-generation Mustang, for example, but a much stronger link to cars like the Datsun B210 and original Toyota Celica. Too pedestrian for you? How about the Fiat Dino, Jensen Interceptor, Ferrari 365 GTB/4 and Aston Martin DBS? Indeed, there were many coupes that shared the relative same profile in this era, though truth be told it’s not likely that you’ll mistake the Audi for a Ferrari once the curves beckon. Underneath, the Coupé S was, after all, a C1 Audi, not known to be the best drivers out there but good cars on the highway. With only 113 horsepower on tap, even with the 4-speed manual you won’t win any drag races. However, it’s a sharp-looking and rarely seen classic, with only a handful in the Western Hemisphere. That makes this Audi even more rare to see on these shores than a Sport Quattro, for argument’s sake, if you chose to import it. Though it’s not as desirable, there is nonetheless a fanbase that love these very pretty early Coupes:
1976 Audi 100 Coupé S for sale on eBay
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Check out this 1987 Audi Coupe GT Special Build—an exceptional specimen with only 7,253 miles, embodying near perfection. This model served as a bridge between the B2 and B3 chassis, introducing features later found in the B3 front drive 90.
1987 Audi GT Special Build for sale on eBay
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