How I Would Have Bought One New

Purist-Based Restorations are my thing – but there is only one car that I have experimented with to great personal success- and that’s Edelweiss. He’s looked many different ways over the years, and is the longest-running show car of the current fleet. But in his current state, he’s not something you could get from the factory, and that’s due to all the quirky equipment and trim mixed together to make the ultimate 1-of-1 C3 Audi 100 stateside. And finding this stuff was not an easy task – a decade long hunt for the odd and unobtanium has brought us here.

EDELWEISS OVERVIEW

1990 Audi 100 (Production 9/89) 2.3L I5 (NF) | 3-Speed Auto (087)

Alpine White L90E | Quartz Grey Serret Velour with Marine Appointments (Custom by T44Brian)

MSRP (With Dealer Installed Accessories): $28,725

Origin Dealer: Val Ward Audi, Fort Myers, FL (Now Audi Fort Myers) NOTE: Originally shipped to Contemporary Cars in Maitland, FL and was dealer-swapped to Val Ward.

Factory Options: Cold Weather Package 

Dealer Installed Accessories: Plush Floor Mats, Pinstripes, Paint Protection, 1000-Mile Service, Front Splash Guards

Member of T44Brian Since 3/27/2015

Special Plate: AUDI100

Status: Completed Restoration, Permanent Collection

Notable Awards: 1st Place Audi All (Carlisle IPN 2017), Wolfsgart 10 Alpha Class

Personality Profile: Eventually finding its groove at higher speeds and higher RPMs, the basic 100 is traditional non-turbo Audi feel: stout without stamina. As long as you’re not looking to make sudden moves, you can count on a quiet and composed experience, only made better by the refined cabin and controls that went into all 1989-1991 100/200 vehicles.

Odd & Unique About This Car: Combined with a previous show car 1989 100E in 2019 to create a 1-of-1 vehicle. This is a configuration that could have, but didn’t leave the factory and features Euro-style equipment and a unique two-tone blue and gray velour interior.

Name Origin: German – edel “noble” + weiss “white.” 

Edelweiss is the sixth Audi I purchased and the catalyst for my preservation efforts with these vehicles. Up until that point, all of the T44s had been nothing more than daily driver projects and worse for wear. I relied on those less-than-pretty examples to learn on, get me through school, and take me everywhere in between. But what if I wanted a nice Sunday driver? Seeing one as well-preserved and cared for until this car came along was a revelation. Sure, now that the 80s are in, these are coming out of the woodwork more than ever with sticker prices that no one from the Motorgeek days would even comprehend. But with no FaceBook Marketplace and just Craigslist and the like, I didn’t have many options.

Edelweiss was purchased new on April 18, 1990 by retired restaurant owners from Prospect, CT, who lived in Naples, FL during the winter months. He saw 20K miles of use in the first three years before seeing a steady decline thereafter. In 2011, now both in their 90s, the couple permanently moved back to Connecticut but held onto the car until the husband’s passing in 2014. Edelweiss was then sold to a family friend who owned a used-car dealership in Prospect, which is where I found him. I purchased him in March 2015 with 61,270 miles.

Edelweiss was bought for many reasons. I bought him as a 20th birthday present, for blue interior (which I had yet to find and own), and also because I wanted an actual T44 that I could call my show car. This was the first car that I didn’t have to stress out about – because it wasn’t required to be in daily service, and also barely needed any restorative work.

Factory cosmoline still coated the entire engine bay and underside, and right before I purchased him the original owners elected to do a several-thousand dollar service which took care of major work like the timing belt service and exhaust as well as the the minute details like bulbs or missing trim clips. That left me with somewhat of a blank canvas to clean up and experiment with. I was a blissfully ignorant 20 year old and had ideas to redo the interior and put a better audio system in: stuff that obviously goes against what I do now. But I did it anyways just to get it out of my system. Knowing I would put the car back to stock eventually, I didn’t do anything too permanent. 

Edelweiss was reset back to stock around 2017. This is when a few “upgraded” bits began to trickle into the fleet, with all the base 100s receiving such things like full center tail lights, center console wood trim, and shift knobs from V8 Quattros as subtle, but OE-provided upgrades. As I was getting more serious with Audi restorations – he served as one of the main show cars that year along with a twin Alpine White 100E, Greta.

For 2018, our flood-rescue Greis was the completed project which meant Edelweiss didn’t attend many events. Garage-mate Greta was in project mode and had some problems that were looming. To make room for new cars and also continue improving upon what I already own, I realized that Edelweiss and Greta were redundant. Greta was the unique 100E, but Edelweiss had lower miles, no engine bay or underside corrosion, and blue interior. There is also the sentimental aspect that Edelweiss had. The easiest thing to do was take all of the aspects of Greta that I love and combine the two cars to make Edelweiss the perfect 100 “E.”

There are certain things I wish Audi did from the factory back then. Edelweiss is now the most modified of the Permanent Collection, but he is also the car that closely resembles exactly how I would have ordered one if I could have. As if I need to remind you again how much I appreciate basic cars that have cloth interior and steelies with odd wheel covers!

Edelweiss has just hit 70K miles, which is something I have said would happen for the past 4 years. I usually only take him out for a drive on our anniversary date, or birthdays, since they’re so close. I don’t own another Audi like it, and never will again. And I can’t even begin to tell you the countless hours I’ve spent with this car. Cars and Coffee trips for 2023? Let’s plan on it!

Notable Mods & Changes

2023:

• Nautical Blue Custom Steering Wheel
• Nautical Blue V8q Shift Knob

2022: No Changes.

2021: No Changes.

2020: Final Refinements

• NOS Genuine Audi Sunroof Air Deflector
• NOS Genuine Marine Blue Audi Floormats (“Early” Version – Low-Pile w/Audi Rings)
• NOS Genuine Audi Rear Mudflaps (ZAW 166 124)
• NOS Front Splash Guards (Euro-Market Votex Style)
• Orginal Val Ward Dealer License Plate Frame
• Replacement Dashboard Center Zebrano Wood (Finally!)
• Steering Column Cover Swap (Non-Airbag)
• Replacement Instrument Cluster Housing
• PDR Repairs to Left and Right Front Doors, Roof

2019: Borrowed from Greta to make a 100E-style vehicle:

• 100E Quartz Grey velour seats and door card inserts
• Delete Ski/Storage Sack
• Delete non-functional seat heater switches from center console
• Rain Tray (Early Audi Logo style)
• Non-drilled Front Bumper
• 14″ Steel Wheels with Aero Wheel Covers
• “E” Trunk badging
• Marine Blue Seatbacks, Non-Net (From 5000S Wagon)

2018-2019:

• New Fuel Line Retaining Clips
• Original Floor Mats Restored
• Paintless Dent Repair on Hood
• New Wheel Covers from Audi Tradition
• Coolant Flush with new Expansion Tank
• Refinished Steel Wheels in OEM Satin Black

2016-2017

• Center Console Wood Trim (climate control cover and ashtray)
• NOS Center Taillight Panel
• Restored Audi Delta Radio with Refurbished Rear Speakers
• Better Condition Headlights with new Adjustment Screws
• New Bumper Turn Signal Indicator Lights
• Repainted Timing Cover with New Oil Level Warning Decal

What’s in a name? Edelweiss is a regular 100 combined with a true 100E to create a custom one-off vehicle. Don’t know what a 100E is? Here’s All You Need to Know:

“The Value Sell”

The 1989 Audi 100E was a one-year only trim level of the 100 Series exclusive to the US market. I have owned one and found that information elsewhere was lacking, so I decided to do a writeup to fully explain why the model existed.

Please note: My 100E became a retired show car has been combined with Edelweiss  (a regular 1990 100) to create a unique build. While I have added specific E bits and pieces, he still features upgraded equipment that would not have been available on a true E trim vehicle. The information on this page does not outline that build, you can go here to learn about Edelweiss.

When Audi refreshed the C3 chassis and renamed the 5000 to the 100/200 Series, the 100E served as the entry level full-size offering meant to replace the basic 5000S.

In hopes to regain traction in the US market after the infamous unintended acceleration scandal, Audi marketed the new 1989 vehicles as consisting of 1,500 changes (mostly due to a fully redesigned interior). The refresh was planned regardless of the scandal: Europe began receiving refresh vehicles in mid-1988. The requirement to shelve the 5000 name in the US was not: A true “100” had not been here since the first generation C1 vehicles, which completed their run in 1977 and were replaced with the C2 5000 in 1978. This would also be the first time the US would see the 200 name appear as the upscale offering, replacing 5000’s CS trim level.

To understand the 100E, it is important to look at the 1988 model year. A base 5000S with no options had a base price just north of $22,000. A manual transmission was standard-issue: the 3-speed automatic had always been additional cost on base 5000S models – automatics weren’t standard either on CS Turbo (though standard on the earlier S turbo from 1984/85) and automatics were not available with quattro vehicles.

Also factor in that even in 1988, the 5000S did not have stereo as standard equipment, and all options such as power seats, leather, metallic paint, and a sunroof were costly. The reality is that most of the manual-transmission 5000S models only lived in brochures and not on the roads – few dealers ordered and stocked basic models. Add aforementioned options and the base 5000S reached base 5000CS Turbo territory at $27K.

In my possession is an interesting pamphlet distributed in 1988 through COMNET – Audi’s communications system that provided sales bulletins to dealers and salespeople. It is called “Audi 100 – the Value Sell” and goes through what’s new and different about the 1989 100 models that would appear on dealer lots shortly. In Audi’s view, their market research showed consumers were cross-shopping the 5000S with a smattering of competitors – such as the Nissan Maxima, Volvo 740 GLE, Acura Legend, and even the Lincoln Town Car and Pontiac 6000 STE. Heavily discounted or not, the base 5000S was still more expensive than most of these cars, and consumers didn’t like the fact that an automatic was costly, optional equipment.

This wouldn’t have been as big of an issue if the refreshed 1989 100 sedan didn’t sticker at a base astronomical $27,480 before options. And again, the automatic transmission was not standard, requiring another $1,000 to be added to the MSRP. 1988’s budget Audi shopper could have easily purchased a bare-bones 5000S with the sole automatic option for less that $24K.

And to understand the pricing issue, we have to factor in Audi’s newly-introduced B3 80/90 Series, which also saw a massive price jump compared to 1987’s 4000 offerings. Whereas one could purchase a bare-bones FWD manual 4000S for under $16K, $500 more for an automatic. The FWD manual Audi 80 started right below $20K, with the optional automatic pushing into $21K. Like the 4000S predecessor, it was mated with a larger but still weak 4-cylinder engine. The range-topping Audi 90 quattro neared $27K before any options, representing a nearly $6K jump from the 1987 4000CS quattro. If you needed an automatic but wanted fully-featured, the regular front-wheel-drive automatic 90 had an MSRP of $26K. The 90 was not a compelling choice to the entry-level 5000S consumer in both price and size, though some chose it due to being better equipped.

Now the 100E comes into play. Remember the aeformentioned “Audi 100: The Value Sell?” The pamphlet covers the fact that, yeah, maybe the new 100 is not the best deal, especially to those who are new to the Audi brand. Salespeople are suggested to:

“Consider the 100E for customers who need a large automobile, yet are perhaps new to European luxury cars.”

The suggestions for the entire model range are somewhat humorous, especially the bullet point that affirms “The Audi 100s are much more than Audi 5000s with new interiors.” Change my mind, people.

Okay, so you show a potential customer a 100E. It’s the bargain model and is de-contented. Quickly in a buyer’s view – this supposed European luxury car looks like a big Audi 80 with it’s wheel covers, manual climate control, and lack of a front armrest and wood trim. 

Not all hope is lost: There’s an automatic transmission, and it’s standard equipment. With a sticker price of $25,230, it bridged the gap between the well-equipped but smaller 90 and the larger, but less equipment and pricier 100.

Was a standard automatic in the base model trim enough to solve this long-standing transmission-tragedy? Here’s what you received (and didn’t):

The 100E still shared these features with the regular 100:

• 2.3L 5-Cylinder Engine w/ Electronic Fuel Injection
• Power Windows, Door Locks, and Mirrors with Defog
• Anti-Theft Alarm System
• Serret Velour Interior
• Audi Delta Radio w/ 6 Speakers
• Power Steering and 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
• Cruise Control
• 10 Paint Choices and 3 Interior Colors

But removed all these features:

• ABS (Optional, rarely equipped)
• Electronic Climate Control (Manual controls from the 80)
• Front Center Armrest
• Front Seat Lumbar Adjustments
• Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
• Audi Duo-Sound Rear Headphone Ports
• Power Sunroof (A manual unit shared with the 80 took its place)
• 5-Speed Manual Option
• 15” Aero-Style Alloy Wheels (14″ Steel wheels with covers from 80)
• Active Auto Check System
• Zebrano Wood Inlays
• Front Seatback Magazine Nets
• Rear Passenger Headrests
• Engine Bay Illumination
• Ski/Storage Sack (Optional, rarely equipped)

Other than optional ABS and the ski sack, you could add the cold-weather package (heated front seats, washer nozzles, and door locks) and clear coat metallic paint. If the 100E survived for the 1990 model year, an airbag package would be available that would also give you back the Zebrano wood trim.

Audi never defined what exactly the “E” stood for in it’s marketing materials, but “Economy” or “Entry” is most suitable. You could also argue “Euro” could be a possibility as well, as 100E closely mirrors a Euro-specification Audi 100 when equipped with 2.3L engine and Comfort Package.

Was the 100E a success? Hardly. Of the 10,499 MY1989 100/200 Series vehicles sold in the US, less than 5% (~525) were the E trim level.

Why did it fail?

1. The 100E was often used as a bait-and-switch car, as dealers could advertise that they had a a $25K 100 with Automatic, leaving out the fact that it was the base E.
2. The 100E was scarce to begin with and was never meant to be a high-volume trim and is barely mentioned in press publications and brochures. Many dealers never even received a 100E in their stock. It if as if Audi was embarrassed to move their bread-and-butter model downmarket.
3. Though there were some equipment options, the 100E could be ordered in any available color and cloth interior. The majority were Alpine White, as metallic paint would have been optional and driven up the cost, which was not its purpose.
4. With wheel covers and austere interior appointments, the 100E may have been less suited to American tastes. The equipment removed from the vehicle were mostly gimmicks/niceties, but in 1989, a vehicle that still doesn’t give you an armrest in this price range seems a bit odd. Of course, no Audi of this era still offered cup holders, either, so much like other German brands, they were a bit out of touch.
5. A 100E was sometimes only a few dollars less than a smaller but fully equipped FWD 90, which shared the same engine and transmission and had the advantage of being lighter and more nimble. While this may have persuaded some to the smaller car, plenty of buyers not only looking for increased interior space but also a large trunk would be immediately turned off by the 80/90s ineffective, oddly shaped trunk. This lack of accommodation in the lineup could have turned buyers away from Audi all together.

For 1990, the 100 Series lost the 100E and similar deadweight 100 Wagon. Prices of the FWD 100 Sedan were slashed to a base price of $26,900, and now included a standard automatic transmission.