1990 Audi 80 SE 1.8

Summary:

Overrated, overpriced and expensive to maintain: avoid

Faults:

Silver head gasket failure.

Oil leak.

Trim fell off very easily.

Very loud squeaky brake pads.

Numerous suspension problems.

General Comments:

The car was fast enough, being a 1.8, but the automatic gearbox sapped power from what should have been a lively engine.

Car was a complete nightmare and parts were expensive. Dealer service was also atrocious and they acted as if they did not want to know. Best make friends with your local mechanic.

All in all, I would recommend that everyone stays out of the German build quality trap. It's the biggest myth they ever exported. The cabin was nicely designed, but bits of trim came off everywhere and there were numerous occasions when I had to glue parts back on.

Audi in all honesty are overrated and unreliable. I found out the hard way. They don't make them like they used to and a friend of mine who also owns an Audi - the A4 model, is having similar problems. So nothing has changed.

Very disappointed overall... Avoid.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 4th April, 2005

14th Jul 2005, 02:44

Sounds like your car has been abused - Abused German cars are to be avoided at all costs, however a well looked after one is a reliable piece of engineering.

1990 Audi 80 Sport 2.0i

Summary:

I believe Audi should re-release this car in a special edition to celebrate its beauty

Faults:

The sensor on the coolant bottle.

CV joint.

Switch on the distributor.

Driver's seat worn on the right hand side.

General Comments:

This car is very quick and feels nice and solid on the road.

It has immaculate bodywork for a 12 year old car.

Reliable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th February, 2002

7th Nov 2003, 19:34

I agree, the 80 Sport is gutsy, solid and sleek

I have 92 J reg' edition with front bodykit and silver/red "SPORT" tag above the glove box.

Now considering buying 2.8 version, although I don't know much about them.

I'm hooked.

3rd Dec 2003, 11:55

I`ve just bought a 1990 G reg. It is a great car, solid,clean and still shifts. I love it.

31st Oct 2004, 08:52

Iv had my 91 80 sport for 5 years, had to replace the ball joints and a couple of bulbs. The car is still nice, drives like new and still pretty quick.

11th Sep 2005, 09:15

I have just bought a 1995 Audi 80 sport for £795. It has been very well looked after and the service history shows that it has received a great deal of care. It is lovely to drive, handles well and can accelerates well if you want. Confident my next car will now be an Audi. Only problem at present is with the speed dial, as it bounces even when speed is not changing. Other than that, I love it!

13th Feb 2009, 12:20

I bought my Audi 80 2.0i Sport for £50 off a friend of the family who didn't want to see it go to the big scrapyard in the sky. I wanted it for a project and put it on the road for one month to see if there was any problems needed sorting.

As soon as I drove it to work for the first time, I couldn't wait to finish work to drive it home. I loved it; the ride, comfort, and rigidity when cornering was amazing, and taking into consideration the age of the car, it's a J-92, wow, I will own my 80 Sport to the day I die.

Oh I did find one thing wrong with it; the bloody drivers seat was worn on the right hand-side, and I ended up with a sore leg LOL.

1990 Audi 80 Sport 2.0 8v

Summary:

Reasonably quick, looks good, but let down by niggly items

Faults:

Handbrake caliper - twice.

Water leak in boot.

Radio circuit failed.

Steering pulls to left, cause not found.

Suspension bushes rotted.

Missing bolt in front exhaust section, causing exhaust to fail.

Possible sun roof leak.

Windscreen seal doesn't.

Corroded wheels.

High fuel consumption around town - low 20s but good over long distances - 40ish.

General Comments:

A good solid car, reasonably quick once it's rolling, but a bit slow off the mark. Handles very well, especially on minor roads. Wasted on motorways.

Seats could be more supportive and pedals are a bit upright, so can be uncomfortable over long distances.

Insurance is steep.

Looks the part with Speedline wheels.

Makes other cars feel tinny by comparison.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 31st July, 2000

16th Jan 2001, 18:15

The AUDI 80 Sport Saloon. THIS CAR IS SERIOUSLY FUN.

I am in love with them. Who said they are slow off the mark? You are not driving it right my friend. I'll have any boy racer in my H plater 200K motorway miler. Granted, it's a bit heavy on petrol round town, but it's worth the cost for the drive.

These are motorway cars and serious pieces of kit. I love the looks I get off older people, and love third gear @ 2500 rpm onwards, she's ready to play.

26th Jan 2001, 20:25

I've got 2, a 1.8E, which I had new, 130k & running like a Swiss watch & a 16v coupe with 16k (93 model).

These motors are far superior to most, but they do need regular servicing & oil changes! I've been driving Audi's for 28 years & have never been let down.

29th Apr 2015, 17:23

Just found my old review, I have just bought a 1990 8v Sport as I missed my old one. Anyone for a mid life crisis..?

In reply to 29th Apr 2015, 17:23

30th Apr 2015, 19:51

That's no crisis. There's something appealing about older cars, when they didn't all used to look like each other, and they all felt different to drive. I still see a few of the 1988 and 1992 Audi 80s running around like the ones I used to have, and I still look as they pass by. I haven't been fortunate to be able to afford them new, but I think if I did, I'd have kept them much, much longer.

1990 Audi 80 Young edition 1.6 petrol

Faults:

Nothing has really gone wrong, apart from a few minor problems with brakes - squeaking sounds coming out of the rear brakes.

General Comments:

Generally speaking I have been really satisfied with this car although the engine could use some more power. If there was an entry called 'safety' I would give the car 20 marks, because I survived a crash in it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th December, 1998