Affordability is often a key consideration for those seeking the first classic to park in their garage. The thought of spending a significant sum on what could prove to be a flight of fancy can be unappealing, leading some to place the whole idea in the “too hard” basket. However, this 1989 Audi 100 Sedan ticks many of the right boxes for those seeking a vehicle with European flair. Its presentation is excellent, and it is a one-owner survivor that appears to have been treated respectfully. You will find the Audi listed here on eBay in Bohemia, New York. Bidding sits below the reserve at $1,025, although there is a BIN of $6,995 for those wishing to bypass the auction process.
Audi released the 100 Sedan in 1968, with its latest offering evolving until the Third Generation hit showroom floors in 1982. Our feature car is a one-owner 1989 survivor ordered in Stone Gray Metallic. It is an interesting and classy shade that perfectly suits the Audi’s styling. Faulting the vehicle’s presentation is seemingly impossible, with the paint free from significant physical damage, and the fading and patchiness that sometimes plagues this color. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and the comprehensive selection of images supplied in the seller’s listing confirms that it is rust-free. Those potential buyers who enjoy all that Mother Nature offers will welcome the owner’s decision to order this classic with the optional power Moonroof. The trim and glass are excellent, and the 14″ alloy wheels are wrapped in almost new Bridgestone tires.
It is always refreshing to find a classic of this vintage with an unmolested interior. It is common to find upgraded stereos and other items, but this Audi’s interior is as it left the factory. It is nicely equipped by the standards of the day, featuring a driver’s airbag, climate-control air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, factory floor mats, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player with rear headphone outlets. The cloth trim is in good condition, with only slight wear and marks visible on the front seats. There are what appear to be a couple of minor marks on the headliner, but those are the only visible faults. The vinyl is in good order, the luxurious woodgrain shows no evidence of deterioration, and nothing appears to have suffered UV damage.
Audi often marches to the beat of a different drummer, and lifting the hood of this 100 perfectly demonstrates that. While most manufacturers choose to adopt engines with an even number of cylinders, Audi powered this classic with a longitudinally-mounted 2.0-liter five-cylinder powerplant producing 113hp and 125 ft/lbs of torque. A three-speed automatic feeds the power to the front wheels, with power steering and anti-lock brakes as standard features. A quick glance at the engine bay reveals that most of the engine’s mass sits forward of the front axle centerline, which can impact handling if the driver is someone wishing to push the car to the edge. However, for everyday motoring, that weight distribution isn’t noticeable. The seller indicates that this classic is fully serviced, and is in excellent mechanical health. It runs and drives perfectly, ready to provide the winning bidder with immediate motoring pleasure.
It is undeniable that European classics don’t appeal to everyone, but that is true of any vehicle. This 1989 Audi 100 Sedan might be dismissed by some, but it is an affordable option for enthusiasts seeking a vehicle that combines luxury, practicality, and comfort in a package that stands out in a crowd. The seller’s BIN figure sits at the top end of the market, and the bidding has been very subdued. The same is true for the Watch List and viewing history for the auction. However, that could be good news, because if the seller has set their reserve at a realistic figure, someone could score themself a bargain. If a European classic has been on your radar, monitoring this listing could be worthwhile.
If only it were a long roof…..
One of the most sleek and striking wagons ever designed, with a partial-fastback profile and a rear window that wraps down into the lower tailgate slightly, bisected by a fat rubber spoiler wing (early years) or slim plastic spoiler lip (later years), lending a slight family resemblance to the Mk2 Scirocco.
I had an ’84 5000S wagon for a few years, nicknamed The Pod for its sci-fi shuttlecraft aesthetic. Mine was equipped with a 5-speed I’m not sure was even normally available in the US for non-Quattro wagons, tho’ it was clearly a US-spec car otherwise.
It came with some German auto-club decals applied along with some other documentation that led me to infer a US serviceman stationed in Germany probably ordered it for factory delivery during their tour there and had it shipped back afterward, which may explain how they were able to get one with the stick.
Oddly low gear ratios, too; aside from the very tall 5th, every gear seemed about a half-step lower than expected, which I took to calling “Alpine” gearing, with 1st suitably low go get moving up a steep grade fully-loaded, 2nd thru 4th spaced appropriately from there, and 5th suited for the Autobahn.
And a superb long-distance freeway cruiser it was, too. I remember once traversing Iowa in what seemed like no time at all, through a light snow flurry most of the way with a CD of Coil’s The Snow EP set on repeat.
When these were new, they came with the famous “Audi Card” warranty. For as long as the warranty was valid, virtually all maintenance and repairs were covered by the Audi Card. Local dealers had a reputation for being very generous, often replacing numerous partly worn items like tires, shocks, and brakes just before the Card expired. These cars were quite desirable, and used prices were fairly high…..But only until the Card expired. Then values dropped by nearly half. Remember also that, back then there were relatively few independent shops working on Audis and aftermarket parts supplies also limited.
These were nice driving cars. Durable, Comfortable and pretty quiet. The 5 cylinder ran well for what it was, although the turbo version was much more spirited. My 200 Wagon I paid $25 for due to a missing alternator served me well for almost 4 years after the bracket was put back in place as it should have been went to Michigan with over 250K miles on it and was still running and driving well. Nice to see some of these survive.
Considering the attendant brouhaha of “unintended acceleration “, Audi needed to reassure the American buying public that their car was worth the price. My dear wife loved it, but I never shared her enthusiasm. If owning an older car is about nostalgia and a sense of shared experience, this would be in the footnotes of my car bio. That this is whole and clean should portend a reasonable expectation for the next owner.
Late correction to the article description. The 89 Audi is powered by a 2.3 L 5-cylinder with 130hp. with Bosch CIS-3 fuel injection and 10:1 compression so they were more responsive than the earlier 2.2 5-cylinder.
Run for the hills!!!! These are mechanical nightmares .Guess why you don’t see them on the road anymore? I owned a ’91 100. I was scared to even start it..because there would be a new light on the dash..The braking system is very complex and expesive.
Ended at $1,775.
Reserve Not Met.