Highlights

• Comprehensive mechanical restoration carried out
• Massive history file
• 2.2-litre straight-five, manual transmission
• Quattro system

The Appeal

The History and Paperwork

• First registered in January 1986
• Current owner since June 2016
• Six registered owners from new (current owner accounts for two of those)
• 181,367 miles on the clock
• Two keys with remote key fobs
• V5c present and correct
• Present MOT to January 2024
• Large history file full of invoices and previous MOT certificates
• Haynes manual
• Crankshaft locking tool
• Strut top tool
• Speedometer cable tool
• Bentley Official Factory Repair Manual
• September 1996 : Purchased by vendor at 110,000 miles and already on private registration VIB4131
• January 2000: Exported and re-registered in The Netherlands by the vendor
• July 2005: Returned to UK and re-registered as VIB4131. Sold to new owner at 161,825 miles
• 2008: Odometer ceased to function at 170,112 miles. It is estimated that the car covered an additional 3,000-4,000 miles not recorded on the odometer
• January 2016: Repurchased by the vendor
• June 2016: Recommissioned by the vendor (including odometer repair)
• Some photos of the rebuild are available
• January 2023: MOT test passed at 181,352 miles
• The vendor reports the car has been a joy to own, service and drive, but current circumstances mean they are unable to give it the full care and attention it needs, so it is with reluctance that they offer it for sale

The Interior

• The vendor tells us that the interior is original, with the exception of the stereo system and the Sparco steering wheel
• The grey fabric seat upholstery is all in very good condition for the age, with the exception of the driver’s seat which is somewhat threadbare and has worn through on the bolster
• The black carpet is generally in decent condition, other than an area around the pedals which is worn and faded, with a hole near the clutch pedal
• The light coloured headlining is a little stained, but appears to be secure and undamaged
• Vinyl covering on the passenger sun visor has pulled away from the vanity mirror
• It’s reported that all of the switchgear and illumination is working as it should
• The only fault noted is that the wiper switch sometimes needs to be operated creatively to get the wipers to park correctly
• Aftermarket Sparco sports steering wheel, with centre-line
• Manually operated sunroof
• Electric front windows
• In February 2023 all failed switchgear lamps were replaced with new LEDs, which were carefully colour matched to the originals
• Custom stereo system, details as follows:
  • High quality drive units by SB Acoustics and Seas, solidly mounted along with Linkwitz-Riley crossovers on bespoke aluminium frames underneath the parcel shelf
  • Front speakers are the originals in good condition
  • A Kruger & Matz five-channel Class-D amplifier is installed in the glove compartment
  • A custom Bluetooth head unit with control buttons can be paired with a smartphone, which can be magnetically mounted on the head unit itself
  • This installation has been done discreetly and sympathetically with regard to the original styling of the car
  • Speaker cables are already present under the rear seat for potential subwoofer installation in rear passenger side panels.
• We’re told that the cabin is substantially free of squeaks and rattles, save for the sunroof which sometimes develops a slight squeak
• The generous boot is in good, clean original condition, but does show some signs of use
• A full-size spare is present in place of the original spacesaver – the mounting bracket for the spare has been moved slightly to allow the full size spare to be secured correctly in the boot
• A jack and tool roll is present
• The sunroof stowage brackets in the upper boot have been removed to increase boot volume slightly, and allow access to the rear strut tops to allow them to be removed
• A charging port has also been installed in the boot

The Exterior

• Graphite metallic paintwork is in below average condition, wearing quite a lot of dinks, scuffs, scratches and chips – particularly to the leading edge of the bonnet
• Numerous small areas of corrosion need attention
• We’re told that corrosion around windscreen seal sometimes allows very slight ingress of water in stormy weather
• The clearcoat on the roof is peeling
• Custom remote electromechanical central locking and immobiliser replaces original vacuum system – the doors are de-locked and fitted with armour plates
• The boot-mounted badges are not the original design for this model – already in place when the car was purchased in 1996, the vendor believes them to be genuine VAG items intended for the UR-quattro
• In 2018 the rear light clusters were replaced with new units, and in July 2019 the headlamp reflectors were renewed
• The windscreen has a stone chip which has been repaired but which is still visible.
• Near-side front lower vent is missing and has been replaced with a plastic mesh
• The 14-inch, multi-spoke alloy wheels are in need of some refurbishment, all still wearing their original finish
• The two rear tyres were replaced in 2017, while the vendor notes that the front tyres may be in need of replacement
• Patches of corrosion on the body and underneath have been kept at bay with applications of black WaxOyl underseal
• There are two small repair patches on the boot floor, and we are told that the sills have also been welded
• Overall, the underside of the car appears to be solid and straight, with no obvious damage or serious corrosion we could see

The Mechanics

• 2,226cc naturally aspirated, inline-five engine
• Five-speed manual transmission
• Quattro all-wheel drive system with locking differentials
• The vendor has provided an extremely comprehensive service history which includes the following details of some older work undertaken:
  • 12/97 Power steering rack rebuild and fluid + filter replacement (Estimated 120k miles)
  • 1/99 Front and rear Koni adjustable dampers (Estimated 140k miles)
  • 6/02 Brake master cylinder
  • 11/05 Handbrake cable, bonnet release cables, distributor cap, tracking alignment
  • 2/08 Windscreen
• Following an overheating problem in the previous ownership, the car was mechanically overhauled in 2016 after the vendor repurchased the vehicle, this included:
  • Full engine rebuild – it has performed faultlessly since
  • Block stripped, thoroughly cleaned, inspected and refinished with high temperature enamel
  • Oversize rebore and undersize crank grind
  • Head stripped, cleaned, inspected, mildly ported (inlet manifold matching, smoothing and contouring of rough parts)
  • Polished combustion chambers and valves
  • Valve seat re-cut/lap
  • Very light skim to clean up mating surface
  • New parts fitted: valve guides, hydraulic lifters, conrod bolts, main bearings, big end bearings, pistons/rings, gudgeon pins/clips, all seals and gaskets, water pump, timing belt and idler pulley, spark plugs, thermostat, oil filter, ancillary belts
• Once assembled, the cooling system was pressure tested with air
• Other items replaced during 2016 overhaul: radiator, rear brake hoses, air filter, fuel filter, fuel lines (copper), brake lines (copper), front and rear brake discs/pads, front anti roll bar bushes, power steering fluid
• Many non-critical fasteners replaced with stainless steel items
• Sump, timing belt covers, cooling fan shroud, cam cover all powder coated
• 2017: Injectors replaced, fuel system fully tested, fuel pump and associated flexible pipework replaced
• 2018: Rear brake callipers replaced with used 38mm callipers in good condition (direct fitment from newer VAG models)
• 2021: New front brake hoses, refreshed brake fluid
• 11/2022: New battery fitted and clutch fluid replaced
• 1/2023: Reversing light switch renewed
• Recent new clutch 
• The vendor assures us that the car is in good overall mechanical and electrical condition – repairs and servicing having been carried out to a high standard with reliability and longevity in mind
• We’re told the car is a joy to drive, with mechanical noise a little more evident at low speeds, satisfying exhaust note and excellent performance from the engine
• Neither diff-lock is working correctly, most likely due to leaky vacuum hoses
• Work done is only a limited overview of the major items

Summary