You Need This: Two Audi 90s–the path to project success or failure?

Colin
By Colin Wood
Sep 24, 2024 | Audi, Project Cars, Audi 90, You Need This

Photography Courtesy Bill Braunsdorf/Facebook Marketplace

Double or nothing, project car style.

Here we have two Audi 90 sedans for sale–both from the same year, 1990.

Both cars still retain their 5-cylinder engines and transmissions, thought the listing notes “both vehicles final drives are out.”

Find these Audi 90 sedans listed for sale in Crossville, Tennessee, on Facebook Marketplace. Asking price is $1000 for each, or your best offer for both.

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Comments
David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
9/24/24 1:42 p.m.

These are the saddest two Audis on the entire internet. 

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
9/24/24 1:59 p.m.

In reply to David S. Wallens :

If you combine the two, does it make one slightly-less sad Audi? Or an even sadder Audi?

iansane
iansane GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
9/24/24 2:30 p.m.

I have family in Crossville and a nonzero desire for another 90...

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
9/24/24 4:15 p.m.

If those are quattros, those are 20 valve cars.

Streetwiseguy
Streetwiseguy MegaDork
9/24/24 5:14 p.m.

Slightly better than a 5000, but still horrid.  

Docwemple
Docwemple Dork
9/24/24 5:22 p.m.

Both appear to be 2wd. It simply amazes me how many people really don't know/understand Aufi during this era. These cars were probably among the best builr ever.  My dad sold his 88 at 250k with original,  well , everything except waer items like brake pads, filters and do on. Original clutch, alternator, even exhaust.  And it was an upstate NY car he bought new, from the dealership in Ithaca.  My old 87 5k tqa. Sold a couple years ago in Wisconsin with 450k on the original clutch,  and I had that thing at about 250 bhp max boost with the stock MC1. Original engine,  trans, everything. I bet, with proper maintenance,  those 2 cars could see a million miles.  Not kidding. 

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
9/24/24 6:26 p.m.

In reply to Docwemple :

I used to own this car's slightly older, derpier cousin.  At 400k miles the bores (JT 2.2l five) had no measurable wear, and the clutch still had a ton of life left in it.  The body was severely rusted, which led to the car's removal from service.  (The taillights, for example, didn't work because VWAG didn't see fit to weatherproof them from the inside, which doesn't help when the lack of inner fenders causes salt spray to hit the circuit boards from inside the car)

Amusingly, the clutch PEDAL was severely worn at the pushrod pin.  You could barely disengage the clutch because you lost about a quarter inch of master cylinder travel due to the worn pedal, and there was no adjustment at the master.

 

Docwemple
Docwemple Dork
9/24/24 7:45 p.m.

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

I bought a 4kQ in 85, 84 model. One of the best cars I ever owned. My BiL totalled it. Still pissed at him for that. Bought a 87 4kQ a few years after. Prices on these cars is on the noticeable uptick. Great cars!

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
9/24/24 8:25 p.m.

In reply to Docwemple :

I had a Quantum Syncro, which was like a wide body 4000 but with a Super Beetle-ish rear suspension.  (Trailing arms and coilover springs)  It was a front drive B2 shell with the spare tire well removed and covered over, no strut towers for a station wagon.\

Body parts like glass seals were impossible to find for it because VW couldn't sell parts that might fit Audis (???) but given that the car was a couple inches wider than a 4000, no Audi parts would actually FIT the car.

No body or glass parts.  When the two piece speedo cable died, I replaced it with a still-available Coupe GT cable.

Docwemple
Docwemple Dork
9/24/24 10:45 p.m.

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

I loved those, but even early on, parts were unobtainium. Really wish Audi would be better at supporting their vehicles.  I know this is  VW, but the Q-ships were always more Audi than VW. Really well built.

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