1990 Audi 90 E 2.3 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

One of the best cars I had

Faults:

Wear and tear parts replaced as per age/mileage. Oil pump and head-gasket killed it off (not worth repairing) at 15 years old and almost 150K miles. Suspect also the car had more mileage than advertised - clocked. Very popular practice among seedy back street garages back in the day.

General Comments:

Very smart looking saloon, the 90 was a fantastic car. Solidly built and comfortable, and great performing for its time.

Interior was grey/black and dull, but very functional and German. Good visibility. Controls had a satisfying clunk when used. Same for the doors.

2.3 had good power and you could still get 30 mpg, not bad for the time.

Still hard to see the difference between this car and the 80. The 90 I believe had more engine and trim options I believe, otherwise they were mechanically identical I think.

A brilliantly reliable car, and mine was a rough clocked example as well, would have loved a nicer one. They come up for sale very rarely nowadays, and mint ones are expensive!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th February, 2023

1990 Audi 90 2.3E 2.3 litre 5 cylinder from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

If treated well, an extremely satisfying car to own

Faults:

Air conditioning does not work.

Electric aerial does not work.

Rear electric windows do not work.

Radiator cracked.

Headlining has come loose.

Catalytic converter broke and rattled.

General Comments:

Overall, a very reliable vehicle if treated well. With regular servicing and the use of 98 octane fuel, the vehicle still feels as new, even after 160,000+ kilometres.

The vehicle is extremely safe, and is also very stable at speed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd September, 2010

1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V 2.3 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

An enthusiast's dream

Faults:

Randomly decides to shut down whether driving or idling, although does not happen frequently.

Lifters are quite noisy.

Slight oil leak from valve cover.

Cracked intake boot. Very expensive from Audi and they don't know their own parts.

Outer CV boot had to be replaced.

A/C compressor needs to be replaced.

Stock speakers have disintegrated haha.

Synchros are a little bit worn.

General Comments:

Handles well and performs quite well.

Very comfortable interior. The quality of the car is the most amazing, serious value for money.

The engine has a reasonable power output, but all of this has gone to waste with its less than impressive power curve. Maximum power is at a near unusable 6K RPM. Does have an excellent note above 3K.

Styling is excellent and looks good for its age.

1st and 2nd gears would be better if tweaked.

The all wheel drive is sensational.

I love the car despite its flaws, but the only problem lies with Audi... Unrealistic prices and the fact that they don't know their own vehicles and part numbers have put me off.

If you're after economy, look elsewhere.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th June, 2008

1990 Audi 90 Quattro 2.3 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

She will be around when 2007 cars are long gone

Faults:

Rear discs and pads replaced when I first had her, then nothing until this spring when the main radiator failed. I couldn't source the correct part. Audi UK had 10 in stock @ £345 each, guess what I told them. Instead I fitted one from an ordinary non quattro 90 and blanked off the pipes to the secondary radiator. She has run great all summer, pulling our trailer through the mountains of Wales and has never got hot. Question. What is the secondary supposed to do? Unless you live in Death Valley I don't see the need for it.

She is my third Audi and the best by a mile. 100% reliable, summer and winter, She is nearly 18 years old now, but going as strong as ever.

General Comments:

Not much goes past us on the local Welsh roads; it's real fun watching the rest when snow is on the ground.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th September, 2007

1990 Audi 90 2.3E 2.3 litre 5 cylinder from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Quality and luxury for peanuts

Faults:

Cam belt and idler pulley replaced.

All three drive belts replaced.

Strut upper mounts replaced.

Both front wheel bearings replaced.

Radiator replaced with second hand unit.

Two front brake hoses, one ball joint replaced.

Crankcase breather hose replaced.

Coolant overflow tank spigot repaired (twice).

General Comments:

Two things stand out about this car: one is the build quality and solidity, which are way above average. The other is that wonderful five-pot engine, which is gruff, torquey and characterful at low revs, smooth and quiet at high revs and when cruising. It's a bit thirsty though, 30 mpg tops. Three speed auto shifts smoothly, another gear would be nice.

The quality of the materials and build, the roominess and the perfect seats make the Audi's cabin a very nice place to be. The car is exceptionally quiet, the ventilation heating and AC excellent. Visibility is superb.

The steering could do with more feel, but handling is mostly entertaining, and the ride is good. Brakes require a firm shove, but feel solid.

Not the easiest to work on, lots of stuff has to be removed to get to the front of the engine. Beware the bleed screw in the radiator; it has a 13mm hex and it's easy to break the plastic header! Bosch injection seems overly complex compared to Rennix, for example.

No doubt a Peugeot 405 would handle better, but nothing at this price comes close to the sheer quality of the Audi.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th July, 2006