1990 Audi V8 Quattro from North America - Comments

Two failed water pumps

Three failed oxygen sensors

One failed brake pressure accumulator

Phone: non functional

Radio has insane cycling heterodyne

Digital features: do you like running out of gas when the computer says you have 200 miles left?

Sunroof: stopped functioning

Tachometer: works intermittently

Heated Seats: non functional

Dealer won't touch it.

The Audi V8 Quattro was the first of the technologically challenged Audi's sent over to America. The above failures and problems speak volumes as to the lack of basic quality inherent to this vehicle. All of this at just 75k.

With an original sticker of $50,000, one would hope for a bit more out of this pretentious money-pit that holds its value like a pasta strainer holds water.

No, it's not completely bad. It's really a blast to drive when it's not sick. It handles like a sports car, and it's deceptively quick (a timed run to 60mph took just under 8 seconds). It will effortlessly cruise at 120 plus for as long as you desire. This car was designed for high speed cruising in Europe, and it loves to go fast. Put your foot into it and prepare to spend much of your spare time in traffic court. It exhibits unbelievably handling characteristics in the higher speed ranges.

Unfortunately it suffers from inexcusable quality control, cheap construction, coupled with mind boggling repair costs. The electrical system is legendary for failures, and the subsequent cost of repair will make your eyes bug out. The repair cost for the Tachometer problem was $1500. That's just to see the engine speed, folks. This car has more current problems than all of the other cars I have owned... combined! Your biggest challenge with this car will be finding a mechanic who has the proper tools, and is willing to work on the car.

Yet it continues to run. You know... like a rattlesnake that still bites after it's dead.

No! He/she is a perfectly normal human!

I owned two Audi's and I won't buy another one. It is a waste of money and the time! I owned RS2, which died on me after just 55.000 kilometers, and A6, which spent more time in the shop than on the road. It was a new car, and it had several bad things gone wrong (oil leaking/spraying at 2.000!!! kilometers from the upper side of engine under the hood, and many more faults).

It is fair to say that Audi and other European car manufacturers make cars that are not known for their reliability, but more for their durability. I am on my 3rd Audi - presently a '90 V8 and it is the best of the lot. People are always amazed at the age and the condition of the interior/exterior. The V8 was meant for uber speeds and with the speeds we typically travel in N. America, the engine is under stressed. I expect to keep the car a long time and maintain it as required. At present everything works, even the rear heated seats. I would never buy any car new and for me, a depreciated Audi is such a good buy if you are patient and do a little research first.

Traction and performance is such a toxic combination which is why Audi has such a loyal following.

What a saga LOL... give you 200 dollars for it... I am servicing a 90 Quattro V-8 with just over 500,000km on it. You could not pry it out of this owners hands.

G Pilot.

OK I've had my 1990 Audi V8 Since Nov of 2003, here's what I've had for problems so far...

Right front and rear windows failed.

Tachometer works when it wants (but not really needed for automatic)

Left Rear Caliper (luckily I bought a used one for $75.00 or else I would have paid $800.00 through Audi.

Middle of exhaust rusted through (but not uncommon in New England.

But here what's awesome about this car, it's a blast to drive. 240 HP stock. AWD V8? Gotta love it... I won't lie... I have all the records of the previous owner, and he spent a lot of $$ to maintain this car. I got mine at a steal of $1500.00 when the book value was about $4000.00 I believe. I'm at 157,689 miles right now, and she runs very strong.

If you want this car, get yourself a good trusty mechanic and buy your parts online, or if your lucky like me...from a 92 that some jerk decided to get in a minor accident, being declared a total loss.

And oh yeah if you do get into an accident, tear your car apart for parts and sell them!

Overall I love this car, but you'll need to have some $$$$ around to fix this beauty.

I love my V8!! I don't drive it very much as it is our family car (not a commuter). It has just 44k miles on it. I got it from my brother this last year. He parted with it because he parted with us. At first, I was a bit intimidated by the car because of the high $ reputation for repair cost. If you are willing to do your own work with correct quality parts you will save yourself a ton of money. I enjoy the secure ride it delivers. It merges onto the freeway with great authority with OK acceleration up to 50. After that, it just takes off so I have to be careful. It is very comfortable car. I still have the UFO brake assembly with no intention of converting them. If the rotors give way to warping, I bump it up to 90 and apply the brakes hard. That trues them up. So far, I have converted the r12 AC to an r134 system requiring a new Denso compressor and a new drier. I had the shop install retro fittings when they charged it up with r134. They found my mistakes (leaks), charged it up, and tested it for $300. The parts I found on line for less than $450. It blows super cold. I can't tell the difference between the r12 vs the r134 conversion. I changed the window regulator and motor in the front passenger door. That ran $145 for a new part. I found a factory service manual (set of 4 in three-ring binders) on Ebay for less than $100. The car only needs the rear window switch replaced as it doesn't operate on the driver's side. I love the classic lines of the early V8. Mine is a 1990 (gun metal grey with grey interior). My only regret about the car is I had to loose my brother to get it. I will keep it forever as it isn't mine to sell. I love it too much to part with it. Worth any repairs that may arise. Just keep up with scheduled maintenance and run premium!

Would the person who posted the following "I found a factory service manual (set of 4 in three-ring binders) on Ebay for less than $100." be willing to sell a printed copy?

This is a beautiful car the best I ever had.

Well I also just got ahold of a 90 Audi v8 the owner paid just over 4000.00 for it last summer and I got it off of him for 600.00 due to the fact that he ran into some major money problems, but I think it is a pretty sweet ride it has a few problems, but like the windows don't roll down whick I found some relays at a junk yard for 10 bucks and needs a new tail light because its just got a small crack in the back, but other than that the heated seats are awesome and the v8 really goes when you need it too... so I am very pleased so far.

I love my 90 awd v-8. As said another, the best car I've ever had (second to an 85 bmw 735 sedan). I'm a school teacher with kids in college, and it is in need of another repair (I believe a front axel). But it is recently tuned with a total brake job and body is perfect.

If I wanted to sell this car (the thought is heartbeaking), how should I go about it? Ceratainly the parts alone are worth a lot (I had to go to Germany for a headlamp fixture aftermy daughter dinged it practicing driving).

My 1990 V8 is by far the best vehicle I have ever owned. In a close second comes my 1986 4000 CS Q. My V8 has its issues like any other car, but for being 17 years old and looking like its new speaks a lot for a car. It has been a Michigan car its whole life and there isn't a spec of rust on it nor does anything electrical not function properly. When something does go wrong however I am going to have to pay quite a bit, but I don't mind when I remember that I am driving one of the best vehicles ever made. It is a tribute to German engineering and quality and for anyone who disagrees keep driving Fords and Chevy's because everyone and their brother has one of those and they all know how they last. So if your panties are in a bunch because you can't hack paying to drive a masterpiece of a vehicle you don't deserve to drive it.

I own a 1990 Audi V8 Quattro. I got it up in Minniappolis MN for an early Christmas present to myself back in 2000. I bought it sight unseen off the internet from a small car dealer up that way with the intent to ship it down to Cincinnati. Well it snowed real bad up there for several weeks pretty much shutting down the whole upper part of the country so finally I got my Comair buddy pass and flew up there with my 8 year old son at the time to get it. She drove great and without problem for the first three to four years. Once I had her doing 135mph between here and Columbus trying to make the first ever Columbus Bluejacket hockey game. She drove flawlessly and like a 747 airliner.

Anyways the problems started to mount around 2004-5. That's when she turned from and Audi to an Ouchie. I can't recall how many times I duelled out $1000 to fix the car. Around 2006 all I wanted to do was turn the odometer over to 200k. I managed to do that crossing over the Tampa Bay bridge last fall. Last december the car met it's demise. Serious engine problems caused her no longer work like she use to. Rather sad to see her towed that cold winter day back to my house and pushed into my drive.

Well that's the story behind my V8 Quattro. I still have it hoping she will fix herself one day magically and we can drive together again! If you want to rescue / salvage her yourself then feel free to email me at pjlcinci@netzero.net.