Know anything about Audis, Anyone

jcc911 · 08-14-2006, 05:47 PM

Sorry guys for posting an Audi question here, but I value all of your opinions and did not want to post on a baised board.

I am currently looking at a 1990 90 Quattro 20V. Any thoughts?
It has approx 135K mi. Timing belt, water pump, head (used), tensioner, belt, radiator, plugs wires all recently replaced. I drove it and it seems sound, but it may need a clutch.

Let me know what you think, thanks!!

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

I drive a newer ('06) Audi and can't give you much on what you're thinking of picking up, but have heard that the 5 cyl. are good engines. My take is that if you like the car, think that YOU could work on it if needed and price some of the primary parts to see if they're available and affordable I'd seriously consider it (price being the deciding factor). My .02

asphaltgambler · 08-14-2006, 06:53 PM

Would not touch it with a ten foot pole. The earlier stuff was crude and technicaly outdated when they were ne............even compared to what was available in other makes.

Plus a USED head indicates that it was either way overheated or the t-belt broke and bent the valves. Which ever way indicates very poor maintainence

jcc911 · 08-14-2006, 06:59 PM

Yes the timing belt broke and bent the valves. The current owner bought it from the person who owned it when the belt went and had the repairs done.

Thanks for the insight.

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by asphaltgambler
Would not touch it with a ten foot pole. The earlier stuff was crude and technicaly outdated when they were ne............even compared to what was available in other makes.

Plus a USED head indicates that it was either way overheated or the t-belt broke and bent the valves. Which ever way indicates very poor maintainence

Shows ya what I know about Audi's. Better I stick to LandCruisers and Porsches (now those, I can fix)

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

I had a 5000 in the 80s. Troublefree car, but it had an odd 'tinny' feeling. They had a reputation for problems, but mine was a great commuter car.

rouxroux · 08-14-2006, 07:43 PM

I know enough that there will never be another one in my garage. Here's the "all too common pose"...POS

So many electrical gremlins, you'd think it was subbed-out to Lucas. Spent more time @ the dealership (warranty work) than on the road. Never again....

rcm · 08-15-2006, 05:32 AM

No more Audis here.

TerryBPP · 08-15-2006, 07:39 AM

I know they are all pretty much junk and the older one were prone to transmission slipage while in park.

NICKG · 08-15-2006, 07:58 AM

the 20v quattro is a special car. they are great cars...I have had several of them. The clutch is about 400 and the car is still youg with those miles...buy it, you will love it...if it was close to me I would. They are very reliable and very good cars for daily use...and were QUITE advanced for their era(they acually introduced Torsen Diffs)

rick-l · 08:07 AM

I own a 1991 90 quattro 20v. 200,000 miles and driven daily. I think there were only 5 or 600 of these cars imported. It cost big bucks when new.

It is amazing in that mine has the original clutch. This car only came with a 5 speed so you don't have to worry about it slipping while in park

Did you check www.20V.org? Rennlist also has a 20V listserver.

The only special tool I have is the harmonic balancer holder for a timing belt change.

The fuel injection is made by Hiachi and the injectors are expensive and hard to get. There is a bosch replacement kit available. (look for 034 on one of the lists). After an initial failure my injectors have been fine.

For someone that doesn't approach this as a hobby and try to understand the various (unnecessarily complicated) systems and how they work it would be a maintenance nightmare. I think that is why there are fewer and fewer list members and some of the cars are beat up and cheap.

The car isn't particularly fast. It handles well (mine has the sport package). It is fun to drive in an urban snowy street situation. I get 22 mpg on premium gas.

My car was originally owned By Volkswagen of America (for 6000 miles) and it looks identical to one photographed in a magazine test report.

edit: oh yeah one item missing on that list is the crankcase breather update. The rubber hose assy rots and clogs. When this happens it forces oil into the distributor and it runs like crap.

Some cars also have a resonante vibration on the distributor. When this happens it breaks the plastic gear. The new distributors have a brass gear $250 or someone sells a brass gear on e-bay for $25.