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 ;)