1989 Audi 90 Quattro 2.3 inline 5 from North America

Summary:

Audi when they were at their best!

Faults:

Clutch throwout bearing had disintegrated when I bought the car.

Replaced oil pump, cam seal and water pump since I had the engine out of the car.

Replaced all 5 fuel injectors.

Replaced fuel pump twice.

Replaced fuel tank (pickup had rotted away).

Replaced A-arm bushings and hardware (previous owner had swapped smaller bolts in, which destroyed his bushings).

Replaced vehicle speed sensor.

Removed supplemental radiator due to corrosion.

Replaced muffler.

Replaced O2 sensor.

Replaced fuel pressure regulator due to a hole in the diaphragm.

Replaced CIS metering dizzy due to stuff having gotten into it from the rotted fuel tank and a cheap Chinese fuel filter.

Removed cosmetic lower door trim.

Replaced hood because of corrosion.

Replaced fog lights.

Re-wired fatigued tail light loom in trunk.

Replaced both front brake hoses, a portion of a brake line and right front caliper when a hose failed.

A/C doesn't work.

Seized e-brake cable.

Cracked windshield.

Cracked leather front seats.

Driver's side door lock wonky.

Various interior lights out.

Missing front right ABS sensor; have pulled ABS relays to remedy this, otherwise the car doesn't want to stop.

Shocks need replacement.

Odometer stopped working.

Dash gauges and trip computer come and go.

Factory stereo volume and balance pot scratchy.

Diff lock switch comes and goes.

Radiator fan slow speed doesn't work.

Rear diff seal leaks.

Vacuum lines to climate control module leak.

Cruise control doesn't work.

General Comments:

I love this car! It's not fast by any means (it's actually pretty slow by today's standards) but its 2.3 liter 5, which at one time produced 130 BHP, has enough get up and go to keep me satisfied. With the optional Quattro all wheel drive, it is an absolute hoot to drive in the snow! Hands down the most fun and confidence instilling winter car I have ever driven. Drifts easily and very controllably, and it's impossible to get stuck; believe me I've tried.

It does have more things wrong with it than I can count, but the car still runs and drives great so long as I can keep up with the cost of parts. The only major head scratcher I have run into so far was the rotted fuel tank pickup. This required two fuel pumps, a junk yard CIS control dizzy and countless fuel system flushes before I figured it out.

Despite the headaches, I plan on keeping this thing as long as I can!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th July, 2014

27th Jul 2014, 03:33

Sounds like you've been bit by the Audi bug ;)

28th Jul 2014, 14:54

Gotta love those old Audis. I sure don't care for their current line up of cars; too glitzy and pretentious.

1989 Audi 90 2.2e from Spain

Summary:

Excellent, strong and well made car

Faults:

When I got it, it was miss-firing, but after cleaning the ISV and fixing the vacuum leaks, it now purrs.

Needed the wheel bearings replaced (front and rear).

Boot wiring loom, a common fault, but easy to fix.

General Comments:

This has been a excellent car, and better than a lot of other motors that I have had in the past.

It's nearly 20 years old, and drives like new and never let me down.

Besides the air-con, everything works fine.

I paid 500 euro for it, and it was worth every cent.

I used to have an Audi 80 when I was living in the UK, and that also was very good.

I would buy another Audi, as the build quality is excellent.

The only thing that I would say is that the boot is small for a big car.

Fast, good handling and reliable. Also good on fuel for a 2.L.

5cyl engine sounds great.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th July, 2009

1989 Audi 90 cs sport quattro 2.3 from North America

Summary:

I love my Audi quattro

Faults:

Main and aux. radiators have failed due to plastic parts.

Radiator hoses replaced three times.

A/C compressor, alternator and starter replaced.

Hydraulic lifters replaced they were making noise.

Drivers window regulator and sunroof motor replaced.

Clutch master cylinder failed at 250,000 miles.

Complete suspension rebuilt four times.

Fuel pump replaced five times.

All v-belts replaced as needed.

Timing belt and water pump replaced as needed every 60,000 miles.

Trunk wiring harness replaced due to break from opening and closing.

Springs replaced three times.

Inner and outer C/V joints replaced once at around 180,000 miles.

Rear main seal replaced at 190,000 miles.

Clutch replaced twice.

Brake disks and pads replaced as needed.

Brake lines replaced with s/s braided lines.

Drivers door opening cable replaced.

Hood and trunk shocks replaced.

Wheel bearings replaced at 230,000 miles.

Interior items such as buttons, switches and bulbs replaced as needed.

Gas pedal replaced at 240,000 miles.

General Comments:

I purchased this car new in June 1989 and have driven most of the 250,000 plus miles.

It is a great car that has always performed for me. Through summer heat and winter snow. City traffic and country back roads.

I am a member of two car clubs and have been taking my Audi to different race tracks for club events since 1992 these are not races, but rather driving/safety events for fun. However I do run the car very hard during these events and it has always performed well. It actually runs better after a track day I call it a car workout.

I drive it very hard all the time every day, but I also take care of it well. some items are expensive to repair, but I do all the work myself and that helps a great deal. I find it to be a easy car to work on if you have the correct tools and a Bentley repair manual.

The real beauty of these cars is the quattro all wheel drive. It will out perform almost any other vehicle in any type of bad road conditions, rain, snow mud.

The performance is good for the weight/power of this sedan.

Interior and exterior fit and finish is very good materials are high quality. all controls and guages are well placed and easy to use at all speeds.

I regularly get 24 to 28 miles per gallon combined city/highway always driven hard.

My wife drives an Audi quattro as does my sister and two of my best friends.

As with most higher end cars keeping them running in top shape can be expensive, but I feel it is worth it due to safety/security that the all wheel drive offers. I will always drive an Audi quattro.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd August, 2007

1989 Audi 90 quattro 2.3 liter from North America

Summary:

Sport, style, and longevity in an inexpensive package

Faults:

A bushing on the driver's side tie-rod is bad.

The windshield is cracked.

The alignment (front and rear) is off.

The rear struts are bad.

The brakes squeal.

A couple of the fuel injectors are leaking.

General Comments:

This car shows the beauty of German engineering.

The car is so well built that, after nearly three hundred thousand miles, very little is actually wrong with the car.

The interior is very well set up, and is very comfortable with the power leather seats.

If you don't own an Audi, run out right now and buy one!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th September, 2002

18th Jun 2014, 02:02

I'm from Australia and I have just got the same car. Have you ever had any problems with the gearbox or the heaters?

1989 Audi 90 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Stylish, reliable but expensive to run

Faults:

Thermostat stuck causing the head gasket to blow, very expensive.

Back callipers seized and the regulator on the brakes also seized - common fault apparently and very expensive, cost approximately £450.

Check the handbrake thoroughly before purchasing as they can be bodged.

General Comments:

Good reliable car, but a little heavy on the petrol. Engine has a wonderful trustworthy sound to it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th November, 2000