Despite the quattro transmission's complexity, it's incredibly durable

Life is full of compromises. Gain in one area and you lose in another – unless you’re a quattro driver. This is the car that has it all: shattering performance, handling, grip, reliability and muscular looks – even relative economy.

It’s rare that a car changes how people think, but the quattro did; before this, four-wheel drive was for off-roading. It also changed Audi’s image forever. Until March 1980, the company produced worthy but dull cars. Then the quattro debuted at the Geneva Motor Show, with its four-wheel drive and turbocharged five-pot engine, and production followed immediately after. The quattro went on to set the rally world alight with its performance and durability, and the car stayed in production for more than a decade.

Despite the quattro’s wide-ranging talents and competition heritage, quattro Club chairman Dave Preece reckons a roadworthy example can be picked up for as little as £2500. Says Dave: ‘Service history is vital: a pre-1989 car can command up to £12,000 if it’s exceptional – although most fetch £5000 to £10,000 – but a lack of history can cut its value in half.

‘It’s the 20-valve editions that everyone wants; even high-mileage cars fetch at least £7500. Expect to pay £14,000 for something worthwhile, but a really special late model can be worth over £20,000. That’s still cheap compared with a short-wheelbase Sport, though: these fetch £45,000-65,000 depending on mileage and condition.’

According to Roger Galvin of The Quattro Workshop, any quattro will find a buyer – but many shouldn’t.

He comments: ‘Cars have been known to sell for just a couple of thousand pounds, but they’re guaranteed to have big bills attached. Such a motor will need a £3500 respray, probably fresh wings at £1300 plus perhaps an engine rebuild, bringing the outlay up to £10,000; yet the car won’t be worth that. A good quattro costs at least £5000 in a private sale – anything less will be a money pit.
‘Also bear in mind that DIY maintenance isn’t possible other than for the basics. Therefore, not only is a service history vital but you’ll need to budget for a specialist to do most of the maintenance.

‘The key is to get an expert to check any potential purchase. I looked at a car recently where the owner wanted £14,000, but it was worth just half that. Such a scenario is not unusual.’