Motoring: Save money on style and safety

Used Audis offer real bargains.

NOT MANY years ago, Audis were little more than up-market Volkswagens. They were reliable, well built, but sadly lacking in a real identity of their own.

However, all that started to change with the arrival of the stylish new 80 in 1986. The styling was spot on, and buyers start to take notice of the distinctive four-ringed logo on the grille. With its successor, the A4, Audi finally built a credible alternative to the supremely successful BMW 3-series.

In the late Nineties though, A-class Audis are becoming much more ubiquitous, and prices are starting to fall, especially for the A4. Old 80s and 100s in particular are real bargains, whilst the big A8s are the pick of the used luxury car crop. It has never been a better time to choose a used Audi.

Starting with the 80, even 12-year-old examples remain reassuringly solid. The boot is small, the interior a little bit cramped and spartan, but it is a very well finished and durable small saloon. Like all Audis, misaligned body panels and a smoking, noisy engine are signs of neglect. Prices start below pounds 2,000.

However, restyled versions from 1991, with a noticeably larger boot, are a bit more practical, although prices start at around pounds 5,000. The 2.0 litre engine is the ideal unit, with at least SE specification. Buyers who need more room will appreciate Audi 100s, which are considerably cheaper, though no less capable, than equivalent Mercedes and BMWs. Examples can be picked up for little more than pounds 1,000, despite being fully galvanised, and therefore corrosion-free.

The restyled range from 1991 start at pounds 5,000. The V6 engine is very able and those after economy will appreciate the diesel TDi model, which can still sell for pounds 8,000 to pounds 9,000. An added complication with both the 80 and 100 is the Quattro four-wheel drive system. At around pounds 6,000 for a 100 2.3, or pounds 4,000 for an 80 2.0, they are the cheapest all-wheel drives you can safely buy.

Audi's biggest bargain comes in large, if light, packages - A8 and S8. The aluminium body is innovative, the interior commodious, and V8 engines at the top of the range are superb. Tempting retail prices start at pounds 16,000 or so for the 2.8 model.

Coming right up to date, the A4 still grabs the attention. Avoid low- specification, company car specials, and the less-than-executive 1.6 engine. Around pounds 10,000 for high mileage ex-company 1.8s is the starting price, but closer to pounds 11,000 for an SE would be more worthwhile.

For a quick look at how good used Audis could be, I went to Fountain Motors in Iver, Buckinghamshire. Prices started at pounds 3,995 for a large 100 Avant Auto in blue. A well-equipped A4 Sport with air conditioning was pounds 12,995, and a 1995 2.8 A8 pounds 19,995. With full service history, warranted and prepared to Audi showroom standards, there seemed no reason why any of these examples should be overlooked. If a used car buyer hasn't considered an Audi yet, that's their loss.

Fountain Motors: 01753 650909