Faults:

The idle control failed last month due to general wear and tear (15 year old car). The mechanic I bought the car from is replacing it under warranty.

General Comments:

Apart from the idle control the car has not put a step wrong. The car takes off quick from the traffic lights and handles extremely well. The inline 5 engine makes a great rumbling sound that is very unique and the limited sound proofing on the engine means that everyone knows it.

The interior is nice and in perfect condition. Although the boot space has been sacrificed for more leg room.

I live 100m from the sea and there is not a spot of rust on the car.

The one draw back of the car is in unquenchable thirst, it consumes between 12-16L/100km of premium petrol; but it is definitely worth it.

Faults:

The heater packed up so have by passed the same. It doesn't get that cold in New Zealand.

Driver seat has split, The dashboard covering has come unstuck in places, creating a bubbling effect.

But I guess for a vehicle 16 years old is to be expected!!

General Comments:

Great value for the money I paid!!

This car has everything, any driver should want in a family sedan.

Power, comfort, economy, plenty of room inside, the power delivery from the 5 cyl engine is smooth, quiet, Also the transmission is simply the best.

The paintwork is still original (black) When polished it comes up just like new.

I am fortunate that the two prior owners cared for this vehicle, as do I.

I have always wanted a European car and tossed up between a Beemer, and a Merc or an Audi.

The Beemer I took for a test drive was awful just a German Cortina in my View.

The Merc was a 2.3 but the 4cyl motor was likened to an old pack mule. Very sluggish and a tired feeling the rest of the Merc's performance at speed was top class!!

But the Audi in my opinion was in a class of it's own!!

Faults:

The speedometer stopped working on the way home when I first brought it. This was fixed by simply pulling the instrument panel apart, then putting it back together.

The engine died when stopping or fast deceleration. This was fixed by adjusting fuel injection.

There is tappet noise when the engine is cold, but this is normal for an Audi, or so I have read.

General Comments:

I am very happy with this car. It is suitable for town driving, being pleasant under 4000 rpm. When I want to have some fun I plant my foot.

The 2.2 liter engine isn't too thirsty. I haven't worked out the mileage, but it is not much more than the Honda Civic 1.5 I was driving before.

The thing I like best about this car is the way it looks. It has class with a lot of sportiness.

Faults:

Radiator blew one hour after collecting from car from dealership.

Temperature gauge works sporadically.

Steering rack leaking, requires reconditioning.

Front bushes need replacing.

Strange clattering noise in engine when running cold.

General Comments:

The 90 is kind of the best of both worlds - it's the 80-style bodyshape, with the more powerful engine from the 100.

My favourite feature of this car is the 5-cylinder engine. It just oozes torque and pulls strongly from as little as 1500 rpm, with the unusual, but pleasant exhaust note unique to these cars. The broad torque curve means there's hardly ever a reason to take it all the way to redline, which is good because it's a bloody thirsty old beast!

Handling is good, but requires more steering wheel input than most cars I've owned. Steering would be the 90's biggest weakness - it's vague, flighty at speed and squirmy under braking.

Ride quality is excellent, and the cabin is decked out in plush blue velour.

Overall it's a rewarding car to own and drive, although I'm not under any illusion as to the long-term running costs of this vehicle. Having said that, the Audi 5-cyl engine is capable of racking up enormous mileages, so I think it's a good car to hang on to for a while.

It's also the most unusual car I've had, which is saying a lot after a Peugeot, a BMW and a string of Fiats.

Dealer service is truly excellent, especially considering it's a 13 year old car.

To sum it up, the Audi has the character and styling originality of an Italian car, with all the engineering hallmarks of a German one. They don't make them like this anymore.