Though we’ve had a nice string of older Audis, it’s been a while since we’ve looked at a V8 quattro – but today’s is pretty special. First off, it’s one of the later 4.2 models. These cars were upgraded with a transmission cooler to help solve the early model automatic transmission failures. That, of course, meant all U.S. bound 4.2s were automatics from the factory. While that may sound like a downer, the 4-speed auto wasn’t a bad transmission and linked to the 276 horsepower, all-aluminum 4 cam V8 in front, motivation was never really an issue. Dynamically, these V8 quattros were also much better on the fly than the nose-heavy inline-5s, too. Not only was the engine a bit farther back, but the Torsen differential in the rear helped to give these cars a better power distribution. Of course, the cream of the crop were the 3.6 5-speed manuals – the only Torsen center, Torsen rear differential car Audi ever produced. Mate one with a 4.2 in a perfect color combination, sprinkle in some sport seats, and you have one pretty desirable package:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1993 Audi V8 quattro on Boulder Craiglist
Year: 1993
Model: V8 4.2 quattro
Engine: 4.2 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: >110,000 mi
Price: $6,000
1993 audi v8 Quattro. Euro’d.
4.2liter v8, 5 speed manual transmission, all wheel drive, chipped ecu from Germany, euro headlamps, Porsche brakes with new rotors and pads front and rear, lowered bilstein suspension, 6 puck racing clutch, sport seats, magnaflow exhaust, new windsheild, new fuel pump and fuel filter, new battery, fresh tires and 2 sets of rims (18″ on car now and 17’s for winter), full size 18″ spare. Parts replaced in last 3 years or 3000 miles – radiator and expansion tank, hyraulic pump and hoses, powersteering rack, timing belt with pullys and waterpump, both front cv axles and front wheel bearings.
Head gaskets replaced at 110k.
No leaks, runs great, car has been garaged, kept in great shape Mechanically and mantined with 198,000 miles on it. Clean title, passes emissions. average wear on car. $ 6000.00
Cyclamen Pearl Metallic is a lovely shade which works really well on these early 90s Audis, and this one is no exception to the rule. This car was also upgraded with Travertine Sport seats, but careful observers will note that the original Travertine steering wheel has been replaced by a black unit – probably because of wear, I’d guess. Aside from the 5-speed swap which is rare and very desirable, the other modifications are good quality – Porsche brakes, Euro lights, and Bilstein suspension along with some mechanical updates. Indeed, the only items which really look out of place are the 4.2 badge stuck over the quattro badge (properly, these cars only had the “V8” left and “quattro” right) and the wheels which look out of character. That could pretty easily be solved by a set of OEM option 17″ Boleros, though. Outside of that, $6,000 seems like a very reasonable ask for what is a pretty compelling sporty luxury sedan alternative to the M5 or 500E.
Thanks to our reader John for the great spot!
-Carter
Sweet! What a great melange of a V8! And your observations are fantastic. I would prefer the interior in black. The sport seats up front and the Connelly seats in back is somehow perfect for this beast. Boleros just belong on this car. I’m feeling the V8 love.
Love love love these cars. Always wanted to own one, My friend Ingo has owned quite a bit, and recently he posted that as much as he loved them, he will never consider owning one again. I guess many frustrating issues lurk in these cars, but I always thought they were of normal reliability for Audis of the era.
And oh yes, Bolero wheels, my all time favorite. Had them on my B5 (not sure how to get pics to post in these comment boxes):
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yseDa3Wx9y9BjcpNkIQUHjBX6Q0aR3nHnrNPNEZ6UpJL8H7VcDlc5ofU1zkMNSGQ57mi5Eh9dmseqravqYdKrQF-Jff0Bs_yCqRNd1CWobEqCcpgeir6rJFBbqdqv2qzGzhYyxvYc8bjgud8O8vNZ6kRq0LhOIOu4_AUgYMz9Umz_TqbT_6YjMzAl9bKO6swIJAAjYLpNhN70_hYFV6d0QxkBRXQz9AvZNa_H0rZzBFKsM3HV70FSxpFKMGXRSWtFtPoUe4G4-Ri08TeyDC3zh4a6gJcvrXj-9Gt4ak4cy1kmpFOy5jmoxYe7hiPU0DBhYTCB2KKHDgxb4ntpbDYo8oUADEkWPBtfL59iRmVm-r3jCYfxhSmUWBx0Et3OAvUcA1CGnqd5P1UFz_LOQYzlIX_PhJypBh6pcpARI71shU5AgBlxGwEmnHmjxSIEEHwyoyTXRGcqcWKC_lR5I-xB5z2w9UEX4hWfkQJSwaQHH1G3A9CsjIhM9nRDkxI55CK9TBQewv939PpJRdRrIV7Nn2QAB88FscLiXK5kurTsQQEfu3p9Sw5Ac9p60LPW3HV9dn6oJ-ua8sa-rWORwWB33VN3BCpIhRffenU4yaQg2BKdkA0=w864-h648-no
@Christian – Rautenburg! (sp?) One of the faithful. And the V8 is a cult for sure. Its good to escape it, and yet it is just such a amazing beast to experience. It just had a feel about it that was unique. The more you leaned on it the more it would hunker down and go, all the while delivering a fantastic soundtrack. And now that I think about that ZF automatic, it was a PITA, but it actually did the job quite nicely. But I dreamed of a five speed…….
And the Boleros look great on your B5!
Yes, Rautenburg, the one and only! It’s been a looong time since we have hung out, but catch up and chat on Facebook quite a bit.
Awesome car, I remember seeing it in town when I had my 200 20v years ago. If you had to have one of these I doubt you could do better than this one. The idea of dealing with the glitch prone instrument cluster, and constantly leaking hydraulic system in a Type 44 again gives me a headache, although this one appears to be in pretty good nick.
Love the look of these, proportions are perfect.
@Christian – Borleos AND Pelican Blue? WOW. Do you still have that car?
Also, add me to the list of “will never own another V8” but I’m sure glad I did. Parts from my 260K ’93 are still alive and kicking, though – my mechanic’s ’91 sports the original, unrebuilt auto now for the past decade and likely 300K at this point.
I was wondering about the shade of blue on that B5, but somehow I came to the conclusion that is wasn’t quite pelican before I asked. I’m glad you asked.
One of these days I’ll overcome my mental block of writing “Borleo” instead of Bolero. Seriously, Carter.
Yes, Pelican, what a great color that was. I ordered that car new to be the best possible A4 you could get; Pelican, manual, turbo, quattro, sport seats, xenons, and sport suspension. Best A4 combo in existence (in my opinion!). With that car I was trying to recreate a special edition euro final run A4 that included slightly boosted turbo, eibach springs (which I did install on my car), and those beautiful Bolero wheels. Favorite Audi wheels of all time. Sold the car in 2008 with 135K miles to a buddy who worked for Alex Job Porsche racing. He was to sell it back to me in a few years, but he actually kept it a long time then sold it to another friend. I tried to buy it back a few years ago, but was not successful. I would pay big big dollar to have a pelican blue A4 again.