Real Road Test: Audi 100 C3 diesel non-turbo Avant!

There was a time when Audis were well-regarded, and less likely to be chasing you down a motorway. This beautiful 1980s 5-cylinder diesel Avant is definitely from a better time, with just 69bhp yet everything you could need.

Test conducted on the roads of Deventer in The Netherlands - which is pronounced more like Day-venter, but I only learnt this after filming...

[colourado]

Here's a message from the owner. The bridge Mr Hubnut went over is indeed the one from the movie a bridge too far. The car was converted and sold as a van back in 1986. I have the car now for nearly 6 years. Funny Ian says he didn't like it when he was younger. I've bought it when I was in my twenties and didn't like it first. Thought it was way too big and slow, but now I actually do like it. Maybe I got used to it I don't know.. It's indeed very easy and nice to drive. Very few things have gone wrong with it all this time so I'm planning to keep it for now.

Btw the red tape under the bonnet is a warning to other machanics because of the sharp edges, dispite the looks the unit works fine though. I still have the brown seats but they aren't too comfortable.

Cheers everybody, thanks for testing it Ian!

[PaulHojda]

" '82 was the year of aerodynamics. Not everyone was a fan"....unintentional pun

[jaxandmore]

You know you're a true car enthusiast when you enjoy cars like this. That 5 cylinder engine sounds very appealing and I love the 80's styling...and the brown interior.

[kimkiriniki]

Love the sound of that engine. Terrific car, great review, many thanks HubNut

[gaufrid]

Sounds good and nice styling! I loved the comment from the owner that you drove over "A Bridge Too Far"! Some wonderful World War Two history there!

[adamtoms]

Love 80's and 90's Audi's. So much better than their Q series SUV turds being produced now. That Audi 100 is an absolute gem!

[russcattelli]

I worked in a dealership when the C3 was new. they were mostly bought by solicitors, dentists and surgeons. The types that would drive somewhat different to the current Audi owners.

[Useaname]

Had one of these. A 2 litre petrol model. Was a great car, very roomy, fast, comfortable, handled very well. Left it outside a pub one night, had my coat nicked with the keys in it, and stupidly, an Audi keyfob attached to the keys.
Car was nicked, never saw it again.

[waynetetley]

Loved my Dads 1984 1.9 petrol 5 cyl C3. Great sounding engine. 2.2E even better

[grahamx]

My father in law always had Audi's in the 80's and 90's. Just really good quality, understated cars with a fantastic engine noise.

[Vazin]

80's Audi's were the best. 5 cylinder engines, quattro and innovative aero. The 80's definitely stood for "Vorsprung Durch Technik".

[poppyneese]

Diesels have never been on that Popular in the US, but those who love them LOVE THEM! A friend had a early 80’s Escort with a Diesel, we drove it 110 miles to see KISS in Roanoke Virginia, going to the bathroom I could hear the lil diesel still singing in my ear even over KISS! The diesel Audi is a ship, a manual transmission ship!

[antonioercolino]

My brother bought a 1988 C3 Audi 100 2.2E saloon in 1991. It drove superbly and he when he emigrated to Italy in 1999 he drove it to Italy and still has it today. He adores it and they are also very rare cars in Italy. He got it re-registered on Italian number plates and due to it's age it's now considered a historical vehicle.

[jonp]

Ian, you were so engrossed in the lovely Audi that you failed to notice the even lovelier silver Daewoo Matiz passing you by at 15:25!

[ajpdaniels]

When executive cars became lighter and more aerodynamic so they could do more with less. Perhaps we need that approach again.

[superchickenlips]

I think I speak for all of us viewers when I say that I fully expect to see either this exact car, or one extremely similar in the Hubnut garage very soon. I for one would be very pleased to see you add such a capable car to the fleet.

[DarrenVelSatis]

the 5 cylinder engines were absolutely beautiful, we had a 1987 2.2 petrol non-turbo, it was a wonderful car indeed, .29 coefficient with a galvanised body, made for a great package, it was very good at the time, in 1984 it was a very good luxury car, we had a SAAB 900 Turbo which was faster and thirstier! The engine in the Audi was brilliant and it felt lighter.

[jasonpeters]

From the isle of wight there is a gentleman over here who still uses one of these Audi estates for a taxi he got a bar going across the roof with the taxi sign in the middle not from the isle of wight ordinary I am always surprised to see what comes around the corner great vlog

[palebeachbum]

The scenery is gorgeous and the car wonderful. I feel like I missed out by being born in the USA and decades too late to buy one of these new. Thanks for the serene ride along.

[antiochiaadtaurum]

Review on an Audi 100 avant? So this is what it feels like to soar weightlessly to heaven.