My ode to the Type 43 Audi 5000 turbo

"505Turbeaux" (505turbeaux) 09/17/2013 at 10:33 • Filed to: throwback thursday, audi 5000

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I don't really know how this car got to be one of my favorites of all time, but it has. And as much as I look to find another, it always eludes me due to how many of these hit the crusher. In all honesty, it only hit the States with a slushbox, no wagon version (Europe got the funky 100/200 Avant hatchbacks, and sticks, and 2 door sedans), and the Turbo was good for a whopping 130 horses through the front wheels. But it remains in my mind one of the most comfortable, fun cars I have ever driven. I owned a 5000 diesel stick, an 81 Turbo, and the very rare 83 5000 Turbo diesel, which was a hoot until the head cracked and I learned the hard way that the d20 head is pure unobtanium. My favorite was my 81 Turbo, which I bought at the age of 17 for what the owner called a "nickel", which I learned was $500 at that time. Had 57K original miles on it, the seller had inherited it from his father, and he decided that this clean Audi didn't fit in with the plethora of rusted out Chevy's in his barn. $500 later and a new battery and I am driving in style, seemingly moving up in the world from air cooled VWs by the dozen and a 16V Scirocco that was on it's last legs.

Let's start with the interior. The cloth was the much better option. I have yet to see a leather one that has held up, even 15 years ago. The velour had a great checked pattern. In my 81 the blue had faded to a purpleish color and the brown to a tan, but it was all in one piece. Sorry about the image quality on some of these, I am digging deep. Dashes crack something fierce on these.

The gauges and steering wheel were always some of my favorite touches too. Notice the checkered pattern on the warning sections of some of the gauges. Even the fuel meter. Also recognize the font on the turbo in the steering wheel emblem? Looks like 80's Porsche to me. Absent out of this shot is a nice crotch level vent to keep your bits cozy. Thanks Audi! 85 mph gauge sucked. Pegged one many times.

Speaking of vents, look at all those (pic from a 100, close enough). Audi was not screwing around with HVAC. Great storage too, and door pockets that didnt crumble to dust or stab you (mercedes w123 I am looking at you).

Ok enough harping on the interior (and I am running short on resources). Now lets talk about the outside. Before the aero 5000/100/200 came out in 84, I think this was a nice, crisp, very Germanic design. Recognize the wheels? Same design as on the original Quattro, and having 15" in 81 must have been like having 22's now. Looks great and shows the 4 wheel disc setup nicely. Turbo and TD both had that front air dam.

Nice clean rear end design, had a good amount of room in the trunk too. Say 1.5 average bodies deep.

Engine wasn't spectacular, but it is a turbo 5, directly related to most other Audi 5's. Decent setup and easy to get at stuff. 20V Turbo 200 swap would be something phenomenal.

I may as well show you the weird Euro only versions we never got too, so here you go. 100 Avant and a 100 2 door. The Avant actually looks pretty useful. 2 door looks an awful lot like a 2d 4000 but it is clean enough

I just love these things. Unintended acceleration did alot to tarnish the 5000 nameplate and sent alot of these cars to the crusher undeservedly. Also the crappy build quality of the auto transmissions didn't help. I remember a junkyard that used to have a whole slew of these. It shut down and I have only seen maybe 3 Turbos for sale in the past 10 years. Saw one TD that someone wanted way way too much money for. Have you seen any of these around? Any for sale? Almost thinking that I want to grab one from over the Atlantic, but good examples go for big money. Saw a mint 200T go for 12K EUROS a year back.

That one even had the OE rear seat pillows like this!

Dumpring > 505Turbeaux 09/17/2013 at 10:57

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The side profile looks just like an e28 minus the hofmeister kink. Was there ever a pre-1980 RWD audi ever sold in the US? It seems impossible to find anything older than a 5000 these days.

505Turbeaux > Dumpring 09/17/2013 at 11:00

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I have never seen a RWD Audi before 1969. I had a 72 Super 90 that was FWD with inboard brakes, and a 74 FWD 100 too

Dumpring > 505Turbeaux 09/17/2013 at 11:07

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Audi super 90! It's like a mix of BMW bavaria and 1960s Opel

505Turbeaux > Dumpring 09/17/2013 at 11:15

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totally. One of the first collaborations between Porsche and Audi as well

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > 505Turbeaux 09/17/2013 at 11:16

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Awesome article, tangent question a head; Which Audi came with just a singe foglight hanging from the front bumper. Saw a picture of one not to long ago but for the life of me i cant seem to retrace my steps. Thanks!

505Turbeaux > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 09/17/2013 at 11:20

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center mounted? Some had the rectangular bosch dealer add ons, that fell victim to curbs more often than not. Cant see why you would want a single, unless it is a Subaru with the Cyclops light

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > 505Turbeaux 09/17/2013 at 14:17

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Sweet. I love it when people drive retro cars from this era, especially saloons. It's usually people that have a real passion for their car. They're not old enough to benefit from tax exemption (here in the UK), they don't often have a high value from desirability, and they're old enough to be tricky to find parts for.

It takes a true enthusiast to drive one of these cars.

505Turbeaux > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 09/17/2013 at 14:23

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you know I sold this car to buy a silver on blue leather '83 GTV6 that was a horrible piece of junk, and I wish I never had. The Audi gave me a good 35K miles though. The parts werent even too hard to find! Ah the regret...

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > 505Turbeaux 09/17/2013 at 14:30

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Shame. I've heard real mixed reviews from GTV6s. If you get a good one, you're in for a great time. If you get a lemon, it's really, really hard going.

I don't think I'm old enough yet to experience any automotive regret. Hell, 6/7 of the cars I've ever owned are still in my possession. The only one that isn't was a 1.2l Vauxhall Corsa that we gave to my cousin.

505Turbeaux > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 09/17/2013 at 14:33

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I had a Milano verde (75 in Europe speak) that was phenomenal reliability wise. That Alfa just sat for too long and I wasn't terribly kind to it

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > 505Turbeaux 09/17/2013 at 14:44

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I'd love a 75 as well, and also an Alfetta saloon in addition to a GTV6 (and now an Alfa 6 thanks to you).

I think I've found a way to make an Alfetta, a GTV6 and a 6 different enough to justify having all 3 at once.

Alfetta with a 3.0l V6 from a 75, GTV6 with a 3.5l V6 and a 6 with a 3.5l V6 with ITBs. Maybe add a 2.0l T-Spark 75 for the whole set :)

505Turbeaux > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 09/17/2013 at 14:55

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haha good plan...buuuuut I would drop those, drop all of my current cars to have a 75 Turbo Evoluzione

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > 505Turbeaux 09/17/2013 at 15:10

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One of those would be sweet. I wish they'd developed them to the extent of the E30 M3 and the 190 Cosworth.

505Turbeaux > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 09/17/2013 at 16:06

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agreed for sure.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > 505Turbeaux 09/17/2013 at 16:21

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No its off centered. It was a featured car on some euro site for slammed/static/flush type cars. And I found it.

505Turbeaux > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 09/17/2013 at 18:59

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I don't remember that ever being stock on a VAG product from either side of the Atlantic. It would be very difficult to get down with that lopsidedness unless it was executed very carefully, otherwise it would look busted. Would love to see a pic if you dig one out

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > 505Turbeaux 09/18/2013 at 09:33

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Pic below, what prompted my interest was that a few days after first seeing this picture I hit a raccoon, broke my foglight etc.but I remembered this car (C3 100) and replaced the grill mesh to one without a foglight hole, looks on purpose in the light.

505Turbeaux > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 09/18/2013 at 09:38

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Oh yeah that is just someone trying to be ironic. With the yellow lens you probably dont need 2 of them, it cuts through the fog much better. Never a factory thing that I know of. Reverse fog lights Audi did one of alot. A6, A4, probably the 8 too

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > 505Turbeaux 09/18/2013 at 09:47

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Yea, my car had it only on the driver side rear, but it had all the hardware on the right just no hole in the actual housing for the bulb. But with a few moments and some power tools dual rear fog lights achieved

fintail > 505Turbeaux 09/18/2013 at 13:45

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Fun read. I've always liked the style of these, even knowing they can be a chore to maintain.

Back in the late 90s I drove an 82 model. It was in decent condition, the checked cloth interior held up well. I think it had a non-working sunroof. It wasn't fast. Owner wanted to trade me straight across for my fintail, which I politely refused. I suspect I made a good decision.

505Turbeaux > fintail 09/18/2013 at 13:51

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yeah people either give them away or think they are worth all of the money. A Heckflosse is a superior car as far as reliability. I had a 64 190d forever and a 67 230E for a short period. Slow as all get out but you cannot beat the class (and the awesome gauges). And you are either fighting the rust on one or the other. I would say you made the right decision

fintail > 505Turbeaux 09/18/2013 at 14:25

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The fintail is still running and is pretty reliable...I can't say for sure the Audi would be on the road today. Still, something to be said for rarity - the C2 probably has a lower survival rate, and are hardly seen anymore.

TotallyThatStupid > 505Turbeaux 09/18/2013 at 15:50

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Awesome. We had an 85 5000S, and a schoolmate of mine had an older slab-side 5000S. Ours was mostly junk, but I'd have another one in a second. Can't help but think a slab-side 5000S 20v Turbo Quattro would be all kinds of fun.

DAMMIT! Now I'm going to spend the rest of the day on SearchTempest and Mobile.de.

505Turbeaux > TotallyThatStupid 09/18/2013 at 15:58

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don't worry, I was all over it. Only 43 I found was a 83 turbo diesel in Baltimore for 5 freaking grand. Head cracks, which it does (there is a spec in the manual for how big the cracks can be), and that 5K can get flushed, or a 20V could be swapped. I think for some reason I have considered a quattro swap in the past, but the floorpan wont take it easily

stclark > 505Turbeaux 11/04/2013 at 10:33

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Great to see your detailed webpage on this fantastic, under-appreciated model, from someone who obviously cares about the C2's. Many good memories of these! Thanks for keeping it alive; well, its memory, anyway. We had a 1982 5000s/5 in (Surinam?) metallic red, damn it was pretty and a real nice car. I remember Mom being really pissed at Dad when he traded it away for a gray '87 5oooS/5 quattro non-turbo (wtf?)

RallyWrench > 505Turbeaux 10/30/2014 at 14:45

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I really like the the way these look in Euro trim. I have to admit I've found the automatics to be quite strong. The problem is that nobody services them well, and they leak or swap ATF & diff fluid past the internal seals, and ATF will of course destroy the diff, and conversely GL5 will destroy the valve body & clutches. And oh, that noisy old 10V turbo. 13 years of Urq ownership gives me a bit of a soft spot for it, despite its many shortcomings.

I'd love to see a 20V T43 5000 5 door quattro build. Nobody would suspect it.

Klaus Schmoll > 505Turbeaux 10/30/2014 at 14:46

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Childhood memories!

505Turbeaux > Klaus Schmoll 10/30/2014 at 14:49

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wasnt this from a movie? It is eluding me!

505Turbeaux > RallyWrench 10/30/2014 at 14:51

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oh yes. Actually here is a shot of me and my first one. The tranny was actually what died in it. The vanagon auto uses the same box and it is very durable. I have serviced many of those by now and wish I had kept this one

Klaus Schmoll > 505Turbeaux 10/30/2014 at 14:56

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E.T. The older brother always wanted to pull it out of the garage, constantly hitting the trash can.

RallyWrench > 505Turbeaux 10/30/2014 at 14:56

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Nice! Iv'e got a Vanagon client with over 400k on the original automatic. We reseal it about every 30k, but it just keeps on truckin'.

505Turbeaux > Klaus Schmoll 10/30/2014 at 14:59

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AH THATS RIGHT!!!!

505Turbeaux > RallyWrench 10/30/2014 at 15:01

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still running the wasserboxer?

I beat the bejesus out of mine, being all of 17 years old. If you ever see one around, even in US spec let me know. I will travel for one, and overseas they go for alot bigger money than here

RallyWrench > 505Turbeaux 10/30/2014 at 15:21

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Yep, on its 2nd engine. They take fastidious care of it.

I'll keep my eyes peeled for a 5k, they pop up out here now & then, often rust free.

505Turbeaux > RallyWrench 10/30/2014 at 15:33

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yep, that is what I want. Even with a blown motor or trans. I might TDI swap one or do something nuts

RallyWrench > 505Turbeaux 10/30/2014 at 15:39

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Um, I don't know how to put this, but ask and ye shall receive. Also, HOLY SHIT!!

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/473204…

If you get this I'll pick it up & store it for you.

505Turbeaux > RallyWrench 10/30/2014 at 15:44

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HOLY CRAP is that thing clean! Even has the Audi/Blaupunkt still in it!

Though for 5 large I need a turbo and all the bits. Damn. But I will still be thinking on this one, it is sweet. Why do you think it rusted in those few places?

RallyWrench > 505Turbeaux 10/30/2014 at 15:52

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It does say OBO...

As far as the rust, they can trap water from the cowl runoff down there, and if any of the rocker coating is compromised & moisture gets in, that happens. The little spot at the left rear looks like it got dinged & cracked the paint. It also might not be a long-term CA car, as those plates aren't more than a few years old.

505Turbeaux > RallyWrench 10/30/2014 at 15:55

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ah right. Yeah I am going to keep my eyes on that one and think on it. It reminds me of my 80 diesel which was silver, but that had the same brown cloth. the 200's were so different feature wise. I think more than anything I want the checkered gauges!

RallyWrench > 505Turbeaux 10/30/2014 at 18:01

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Slow afternoon.

Cheap but beat up '83 Turbo in Oregon:

http://roseburg.craigslist.org/cto/4682912731…

Diesel:

http://sierravista.craigslist.org/cto/4701987550…

505Turbeaux > RallyWrench 10/31/2014 at 07:47

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that beat 83 might be the ticket. I am going to reach out and see what is what.

505Turbeaux > RallyWrench 10/31/2014 at 08:13

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you know what? I think that oregon one is a turbo diesel too. see the script on the back of this small image

(should say simply "turbo" on the right side) I was wondering why it had the usual rims on it for a TD and not the usual 15 or so spoke gasser rims. I would never buy one of these not running. Gasser sure but the D20 is a rare beast to find parts for, and the heads crack like crazy. There is a spec in the bentley for the D20 not if it has cracks, but just how big they can be before it is junk. D24/T in the Volvos the same thing

RallyWrench > 505Turbeaux 10/31/2014 at 12:01

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Good catch, I didn't see that. I remember having heard about the crack spec, similar to old aircooled VWs between the valve seats. I've tangled with a couple of D24s, and the guy I bought my old 245 from had to scrap a perfectly nice 740 diesel because of the head.

505Turbeaux > RallyWrench 10/31/2014 at 12:09

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yeah I had a wagon last year 745TD with a stick. I sold it and made 300% on the car so whatever. Did the t-belt on it and ran it 10K miles though before I did that. It was a very strong setup to say the least. Head was probably cracked regardless! Still have the green books for the D24T though!

505Turbeaux > RallyWrench 10/31/2014 at 12:15

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Also about 13 years ago I had my last 5K TD out when I lived in CO. Lost the injection pump timing belt on it coming down a pass from aspen. Silver with tan leather. I drove it out from CT when I moved, but I left it on the side of the road and hitched back to Denver. No rust at all. It is sad to think back to it

TotallyThatStupid > 505Turbeaux 11/05/2014 at 15:56

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I read this when it was originally posted, and just re-read it. My family had a new '85 5000S and, like another commenter, a friend's family had a slab-side. Ours was a colossal piece of shit, which may or may not have had anything to do with the fact it was front-ended three times.

I would have an old 5000/100/200 in a heartbeat as well. Actually, I'd really like a normally-aspirated 5000S/100 quattro for winter beating. Seems like a simple enough car to keep going.

505Turbeaux > TotallyThatStupid 11/05/2014 at 15:57

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my last 100Q was a nightmare for some reason, but I still loved it!

Beer Audi200 > 505Turbeaux 03/02/2015 at 18:49

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With not much comments. They picture says enough. Ode to the Audi 200 5T.

505Turbeaux > Beer Audi200 03/02/2015 at 19:03

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Yeah man. Your screen name also says it all!

SubGothius > 505Turbeaux 01/15/2020 at 20:13

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Just discovered this post and had to necro the comments just to mention my favorite part of these C2 turbo editions: the titanium-color trim and wheels with a sort of sandblasted-matte texture, replacing all of the polished chrome trim of the standard models, aside from the headlight buckets painted black for the turbos — a particularly striking look when paired with this blued-steel paint color: