Used Audi 90

What to know before buying: Audi 90

From 5 forum threads · updated 11/10/2026

What the reviews say

• One owner describes the Audi 90 as exceptionally balanced and engaging to drive, despite having tried more comfortable and powerful cars.[3]one source
• An owner called their 1988 Audi 90 a great car, but only after putting everything right.[5]one source
• A manual quattro owner reported very tall gearing from third upward, so its transmission character is worth assessing on a test drive.[2]one source

Typical faults

• One Audi 90 suffered sudden stalling, severe idle vibration and jerking. Its fuel filter was dirty, the crankcase breather hose was kinked, and the fuel pump made an unusual howl.[1]one source
• A Type 89 Audi 90 2.3E with the NG engine intermittently failed to start: the pump received no control signal and there was no spark while cranking, although the pump and wiring to the relay worked.[4]one source

  2.3E NG

• An owner review of a 1989 Audi 90 identifies the windscreen around the heater airflow area as a weak point.[5]one source

  1989–1989

Which engine and version to take

• Consider the 2.3E NG only after a thorough starting-system check: the source reports intermittent loss of the fuel-pump control signal and no spark.[4]one source

What to check at the inspection

• Start the engine several times, then check idle and low-gear driving for stalling, severe vibration, self-rising revs or jerking.[1]one source
• Listen to the fuel pump and inspect the fuel filter and crankcase breather hose. Loud howling, a dirty filter or a kinked hose warrants investigation.[1]one source
• On a 2.3E NG, verify the fuel-pump control signal and spark while cranking; the reported fault was intermittent.[4]one source
• On a 1989 car, closely inspect the windscreen around the heater airflow area, which an owner identified as a weak point.[5]one source

Verdict

Sources

1. [1]audiclub.fi — Audi 90 coupe + ongelmia, ongelmia, ongelmia - Audifinns · forum
2. [2]audi-club.ru — Отсечка Audi 90 · forum
3. [3]audi-club.ru — Владельцы Audi 90 ау! | Страница 2 · forum
4. [4]bilforumet.no — Problemer med audi 90 2.3E! - Teknisk · forum
5. [5]forum.110km.ru — Отзыв о Audi 90 1988 года Ауди 90 · forum

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