Advice needed for a modern classic purchase

[JoshsZ4M]

Happy Sunday morning folks! Wondering if I can use the site as a sounding board for a decision I’m about to make

After visiting a German night at Caffeine & Machine in Warwickshire on Wednesday night, I started seriously hankering after older (80’s) Audi’s of a very specific genre. When I was growing up, my folks had a beautiful Audi 100 CS Quattro Avant, and I loved it... favourite family car of my childhood. Anyway, at the meet I got chatting to a guy who’d newly purchased an E34 525iX touring (photo below); hence the sudden nostalgia for the Audi.

So, the question... I’m now seriously close to investing in a 200 turbo Quattro Avant (again photo below). It has pretty strong provenance, having been owned for many years by one owner, covering 124k miles, and has only covered 6k miles more to now. Do you think it would be the worst decision I ever made?

I have done a lot of research on rarity of parts etc. so am not going in blind, and the car comes with a number of rare spares which would be useful for the future.

The M isn’t going anywhere, by the way but I’ve always wanted one of these, and now I have a shot at a good one, I’m finding it extremely hard not to let it pass me by.

I really do appreciate what those with more experience than I think about this. TIA

 

[Chris_D]

I’d suggest commit to buying something only if you’re fully prepared to address more issues than you originally anticipated.
Speaking purely from experience, I bought this 928S last year with genuinely sound mechanicals but in need of a cosmetic restoration. A nice, relatively straightforward resto project. Or so I thought. After encountering a small electrical issue with the rear lights it quickly multiplied into several issues with the electrics throughout the car and I’m now in the arduous process of replacing the entire harness and associated connectors. Although I’ve managed to source and acquire many parts I haven’t even started on the cosmetics yet!
I’m a step away from selling it as an unfinished project but keep refraining by telling myself that it keeps me off the streets and out of trouble. :lol:

Do thorough checks before buying anything and make sure it will live up to your expectations in the long term.

 

[srhutch]

Sounds like you are looking at this with heart, not your head.

From an investment point of view I’d say no. To relive your youth then yes.

 

[JoshsZ4M]

Sounds like you are looking at this with heart, not your head.

From an investment point of view I’d say no. To relive your youth then yes.

Thanks a lot, yeah you’re absolutely right on the reliving of youth. The same as with the Z to be honest, it doesn’t matter if they cost me the earth and I never see a return, I want to enjoy them. Also, with a dog and wanting kids as well, a more practical way of enjoying modern classics is not a bad thing. Really appreciate your thoughts

 

[Crazy Harry]

If you think its a bargain and you can afford it without pinching any other household spend then yes buy the dream and enjoy (even the repairing bits) the ownership. If your going to buy it because its an entertaining way to make money then walk away - lots more people have lost money on classic cars than ever made it.

Borrowing money is cheap at the moment with some savings accounts paying 0.01% they don't even keep up with inflation. Some big money has gone into 'very classic' cars (no capitol gains when you sell like houses) but as soon as rates changes that will go into something else. The smart boys will sell on a still rising market and make a mint - the rest of us will see values go down as everyone tries to sell. That said its always been the way - just that the commodity changes: cars; houses; Tulip bulbs; toilet rolls; building aggregates etc.

 

[JoshsZ4M]

I’d suggest commit to buying something only if you’re fully prepared to address more issues than you originally anticipated.
Speaking purely from experience, I bought this 928S last year with genuinely sound mechanicals but in need of a cosmetic restoration. A nice, relatively straightforward resto project. Or so I thought. After encountering a small electrical issue with the rear lights it quickly multiplied into several issues with the electrics throughout the car and I’m now in the arduous process of replacing the entire harness and associated connectors. Although I’ve managed to source and acquire many parts I haven’t even started on the cosmetics yet!
I’m a step away from selling it as an unfinished project but keep refraining by telling myself that it keeps me off the streets and out of trouble. :lol:

Do thorough checks before buying anything and make sure it will live up to your expectations in the long term.

C6F737B0-0626-4646-9331-16BCAC129600.jpeg
D1ED88B0-1FC5-4AAF-9371-6F03A012D3C8.jpeg

Thanks for helping with a bit of reality check of the practicalities of it... like you my first thought is a thorough detail. I am thinking I will probably then run through everything and make a list of essential things to do, nice to haves, and a mad wish list too. The parts that I can get at least seem to be cheaper than what I pay already for the Z!

 

[JoshsZ4M]

If you think its a bargain and you can afford it without pinching any other household spend then yes buy the dream and enjoy (even the repairing bits) the ownership. If your going to buy it because its an entertaining way to make money then walk away - lots more people have lost money on classic cars than ever made it.

Borrowing money is cheap at the moment with some savings accounts paying 0.01% they don't even keep up with inflation. Some big money has gone into 'very classic' cars (no capitol gains when you sell like houses) but as soon as rates changes that will go into something else. The smart boys will sell on a still rising market and make a mint - the rest of us will see values go down as everyone tries to sell. That said its always been the way - just that the commodity changes: cars; houses; Tulip bulbs; toilet rolls; building aggregates etc.

Cheers Harry, this is all good info. You’re right, it’s not going to eat in to any other spend. I’ve put a lot in to my Z this year to get it to where I want it, and now actually I’d like to be putting some money in to this... I mean to be fair it’s had £6k spent in this guys ownership, not including a respray. You’re absolutely right though, I would never expect or need the car to turn a profit.

 

[mr wilks]

Sounds like you are looking at this with heart, not your head.

From an investment point of view I’d say no. To relive your youth then yes.

Sage words mr H :wink: i accept we are all different when it comes to cash & cars , i have great memories of my early cars (Nissan Silvia turbo , Kadett SR , Manta Gte , E30 325i sport ) ) but i have zero desire in owning any of them now .
Its not just about the buying , they have considerable overheads in terms of upkeep ( insurance ved etc) & any service / repairs plus in my mind you need convenient dry storage as its highly probable the car would rarely move & being parked outdoors all weathers is soon going to create problems .

 

[JoshsZ4M]

Sounds like you are looking at this with heart, not your head.

From an investment point of view I’d say no. To relive your youth then yes.

Sage words mr H :wink: i accept we are all different when it comes to cash & cars , i have great memories of my early cars (Nissan Silvia turbo , Kadett SR , Manta Gte , E30 325i sport ) ) but i have zero desire in owning any of them now .
Its not just about the buying , they have considerable overheads in terms of upkeep ( insurance ved etc) & any service / repairs plus in my mind you need convenient dry storage as its highly probable the car would rarely move & being parked outdoors all weathers is soon going to create problems .

Cheers sounds like I’m thinking about the right things... getting dry storage organised close to my house (as I only have a single garage), and will swap the cars regularly to keep batteries charged etc. Also contacted a few friends who are specialists in old VAG products to talk through the foibles. I can remember some of the issues we had with ours too, and the parts for all of the issues are still readily available, which is a plus. Definitely not afraid of putting money in to it, and it’s far more for the enjoyment of it, rather than any thoughts of it as an appreciative investment.

 

[TitanTim]

If you love the car and it ticks the boxes then go for it and scratch that itch, life is too short If its a well sorted example with little needing doing too it then why not.

Its swings and roundabouts with any older car, hopefully it won't turn to dust like a Lancia and bodywork should be better than most. Only thing with cars edging from the 80s into the 90s is the electrics that will invaribly be the archilles heel with increased use of ECUs, software etc.

When I bought my 2001 Z3 the intention was to keep it idefintely but it was things like the wiring harness that failed, immobilser that started playing up and then I decided to get rid as not cheap to fix. I have the same idea with my M140i to just keep it but in the back of my mind I honestly can't see any of todays modern cars lasting the course in 20/30 years time, they're just too complicated and rely too much on software that I reckon wil stop cars from effectively running in the future.

If I was to go for a classic then sign me up for a TR6 or GT6 or a Healey, more likely to rust but mechanically and the electrics are just more simple to deal with.

Talking of Lancias my dream classic woud be a Fulvia if you can find one

I'm finding this also very tempting based on condition,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-MR2-Turbo-T-Bar-Convertible-Not-Modified-36k-Low-Miles-Stunning-Example/402360087037?hash=item5dae87b1fd:gcEAAOSwhClezpBg

Tim.

 

[john-e89]

It’s no good thinking you’ll do it next time Josh.....once you’re in the ground that’s where you’ll stay mate.

 

[TitanTim]

It’s no good thinking you’ll do it next time Josh.....once you’re in the ground that’s where you’ll stay mate.

Maybe something more practicable then, useful for DIY and tip runs

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-Colman-Milne-2000-E240-auto-3-door-2-4-petrol-hearse/402346965072?hash=item5dadbf7850:g:-5QAAOSw21NfJLmI

Tim.

 

[john-e89]

It’s no good thinking you’ll do it next time Josh.....once you’re in the ground that’s where you’ll stay mate.

Maybe something more practicable then, useful for DIY and tip runs

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-Colman-Milne-2000-E240-auto-3-door-2-4-petrol-hearse/402346965072?hash=item5dadbf7850:g:-5QAAOSw21NfJLmI

Tim.

No....no Tim, I didn’t mean Josh builds himself a hearse to take him to the cemetery......dipstick.... :roll: :wink:

 

[TitanTim]

It’s no good thinking you’ll do it next time Josh.....once you’re in the ground that’s where you’ll stay mate.

Maybe something more practicable then, useful for DIY and tip runs

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-Colman-Milne-2000-E240-auto-3-door-2-4-petrol-hearse/402346965072?hash=item5dadbf7850:g:-5QAAOSw21NfJLmI

Tim.

No....no Tim, I didn’t mean Josh builds himself a hearse to take him to the cemetery......dipstick.... :roll: :wink:

Good buy though, one careful owner and never been over 20mph plus lots of polishes in between

Tim.

 

[Argyll Andy]

Maybe something more practicable then, useful for DIY and tip runs

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-Colman-Milne-2000-E240-auto-3-door-2-4-petrol-hearse/402346965072?hash=item5dadbf7850:g:-5QAAOSw21NfJLmI

Tim.

No....no Tim, I didn’t mean Josh builds himself a hearse to take him to the cemetery......dipstick.... :roll: :wink:

Good buy though, one careful owner and never been over 20mph plus lots of polishes in between

Tim.

Mattress in the back, set of curtains and you’ve got a ready made staycation mobile :lol:

 

[TitanTim]

No....no Tim, I didn’t mean Josh builds himself a hearse to take him to the cemetery......dipstick.... :roll: :wink:

Good buy though, one careful owner and never been over 20mph plus lots of polishes in between

Tim.

Mattress in the back, set of curtains and you’ve got a ready made staycation mobile :lol:

Tim.

 

[JoshsZ4M]

Maybe something more practicable then, useful for DIY and tip runs

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-Colman-Milne-2000-E240-auto-3-door-2-4-petrol-hearse/402346965072?hash=item5dadbf7850:g:-5QAAOSw21NfJLmI

Tim.

No....no Tim, I didn’t mean Josh builds himself a hearse to take him to the cemetery......dipstick.... :roll: :wink:

Good buy though, one careful owner and never been over 20mph plus lots of polishes in between

Tim.

Love this as an option Tim

You’re absolutely right that it’s a good one... these were also one of the first cars to be zinc galvanised in the manufacturing process, so if kept well they stay pretty solid.
My dads going to see it for me next weekend as he and my mum are staying quite close to it for the weekend.

 

[TitanTim]

No....no Tim, I didn’t mean Josh builds himself a hearse to take him to the cemetery......dipstick.... :roll: :wink:

Good buy though, one careful owner and never been over 20mph plus lots of polishes in between

Tim.

Love this as an option Tim

You’re absolutely right that it’s a good one... these were also one of the first cars to be zinc galvanised in the manufacturing process, so if kept well they stay pretty solid.
My dads going to see it for me next weekend as he and my mum are staying quite close to it for the weekend.

Good luck with the viewing Josh

Tim.

 

[JoshsZ4M]

It’s happening my dad viewed it for me on Sunday as he was over that way for a long weekend. We’re going to go back this Sunday to agree a final price based on my viewing in person. Got dry storage and an initial detail arranged

Got some plans already... I’ve bought a set of these wheels (unrefurbed) from a good source in Lithuania (photo of what they will look like below).

Keen to see if there are any classic Audi lovers lurking