Pre-A: 1994 Audi 100CS quattro

Audi’s naming convention between 1985 and 1995 was, to say the least, a bit confusing. Audi had already changed its B2 series to the 4000 designation and C2/3 series to 5000 to help differentiate them from the earlier models. Starting in 1986, Audi introduced the “CS” designation. In the 5000 model, that denoted the turbocharged model, as the “S” was lower spec model. The same carried to the 4000 model. In both cases, the “S” model was no longer available with quattro. This was a bit confusing, as the 4000S quattro had been available in ’84/’85, and the ’86 model was effectively identical to the outgoing ’85. It was more confusing, though, in ’87, when the “S” model was introduced with quattro in the 5000 range but not in the 4000.

In 1988, the trim levels changed again. Now the 4000 designation was gone, replaced with the B3 models that brought the small sedans in line with their European counterparts. Now there was a low spec 80 and a high spec 90, both available with quattro. The 5000 soldiered on for another year with only revised badging script to bring it in line with the change.

In ’89, the 5000 was changed over to match the 80/90 with the 100/200 models. As with 80/90, the 100/200 differentiated trim and engine choice. Quattro was available in both models, but the 200s were higher spec and had turbochargers. It made sense.

Things started to get confusing again in 1992, though. Audi was really struggling to make sales in the U.S., and the introduction of the new “S” performance models further muddied the waters as the new C4 was introduced. Gone was the 200, but S/CS designation was back! However, since turbocharged models were limited to the S4 in the U.S., there was no 100S quattro – only the 100CS quattro. This convention, however, only lasted 3 years.

At the same time, the 90 range was also revised in 1993 to the new B4 model. In 1992, only the 80 model was available, but when the new 90 model was launched, the 80 was gone and the 90 was now S/CS trim, too. The strange changes continued in 1995, when thoroughly frustrated by their lack of sales success Audi completely relaunched their brand with the new “A” series of names. So, in 1995, the 100 became the A6 and the S4 became the S6, with only minor changes between the two. But the 90 continued alongside the A6 range for one more year until the new A4 was ready, although the CS was dropped in that year and replaced with “Sport”. Still with me?

The point of all this is that each of these generations of Audis is pretty unique, but none were particularly sales successes. In the case of the 100CS quattro we see here, a scant 5,000 of which were sold in the U.S.:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1994 Audi 100CS quattro on eBay

Year: 1994
Model: 100CS quattro
Engine: 2.8 liter V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 136,000 mi
Price: $5,500 Buy It Now

Pearl White over Platinum Grey Leather
136K Miles (Reading 135,XXX and the car is driven a few times a week)

All owner’s packet books (manual, maintenance, radio code, key code)
Original Window Sticker
Original OBD adapter cable
Original Ronal wheels with age/use appropriate wear
Original Audi logo floor mats with age/use appropriate wear
Custom made Sheepskin seat covers (used from new until our purchase of the car)
Original stainless steel exhaust tips
Service records from 2013 to present
Recent oil change
Goodyear tires with less than 3K miles
Original 10 disc CD changer (present but needs repair)
Bose Stereo with original Audi/Bose cassette head unit
Heated front seats
All windows and moon roof work correctly
Electric antenna works

Clean title. CarFax shows an accident in 1998. Previous owner had the car valeted and the valet popped the clutch, hitting the car parked in front. Left front mainly damaged. LF headlamp and under panel repaired/replaced.

The only other body damage is a small crease on the right side rocker panel. The undercoating is not damaged however the original owner’s wife drove too close to a curb at a shopping center. This crease has not been repaired. All other paint and fittings are original.

The car drives wonderfully! It is very smooth and grips great with Quattro. There are no rattles or weird stories. The car was purchased new by Henry Rushmann, inventor of Glitter. We purchased it from his step daughter and have been bringing the car back up to spec with servicing and cleaning. There are minor door dings in line with age and mileage but the body is in great condition. There is a slight hesitation under very hard acceleration. That said, time permitting, the car will get new valve cover gaskets and a tune up (already have these parts).

Please reach out if you are interested. Thank you!

1994 was the last year of 100CS quattro, and about 1,500 were sold that year. The C4 generation 100 introduced many changes to the traditional model, including the death of the 5-cylinder which was replaced by the 2.8 V6. It’s a reliable but not particularly exciting unit. The 100 quattro also had the nice Votex 15″ x 7″ 5-spoke wheels with polished lips. The same shape but not the bolt pattern was carried over to the B4 sport models, but 5-bolt versions of these wheels are quite rare as they were only fit to this model.

Outside of that, only superficial changes differentiate the 100 from the later A6; dynamically, they’re almost the same car. This one is fairly unique as a 5-speed manual, since the C4 chassis also introduced the 4-speed automatic to the quattro drivetrain outside of the V8 model.

Presentation of this specific car is quite good overall, and it should be no surprise that the developer of Glitter ordered the shimmering Pearlescent White Metallic. The seller does a pretty good job of outlining the few problem areas. I really love to see these rarely found 100CS quattros, which look a bit more distinctive than the A6 that replaced them. I find it troubling, however, that apparently I share the same taste in cars as the man who invented Glitter, which I absolutely detest.

It’s amazing to see what the light update in styling and name change did for the C4; in 1995, Audi sold nearly 5,000 A6s – basically, almost the same amount as they had sold 100CS quattros between 1992 and 1994 in total, even though it was almost the same car. However, the people buying the C4 also changed, and finding a manual A6 quattro is very difficult – the disappeared entirely in 1998 from the U.S..

The only problem with this example, frankly, is the price. As with the V8 quattro from the other day, there are just a lot of more classic or newer, better performing models available in the same price range. These are really nice cars, well built and solid drivers that punch above their weight class – they really do feel like Mercedes-Benz models inside. But unfortunately they’re just not worth much money in today’s market. I wish the seller good luck but think this car is unlikely to trade at much more than half of what the current asking price is.

-Carter