Am interested in an '90 Audi V8 that is for sale. How reliable is the power train (motor and trany)? How difficult is it to work on? Where can engine parts be sourced? Are parts expensive?What problem areas are inherant with this car? What is a reasonable price for this car in average or above average condition?

I currently own an '86 5K, that I have done a lot of wrenching on myself. The '90 V8, appears to have the same body, so don't think there would be that many changes, except for the V8 drive train and quattro system. Any thoughts?

Thanks for any advise.
Regards,
Rooster 2

quattro system is pretty reliable. brakes can be a very expensive proposition. of course, the engine is completely different than your 5K. the timing belt is a monster job. at least check to make sure that was done at recommended intervals.

all parts for all audis are expensive, as you probably have found out by now. luckilly, tehre are a lot of 5Ks on the road and in yards to provide a nice supply. not so for V8s. you might be stuck getting parts from your dealer.
also, buy some stock in an oil company. it takes an ungodly amount of oil in the sump. i seem to remember something like 12-14 qts.

I've had my '90 v8 for almost 3 months now. I just rolled it past 130k.. Powertrain problems with mine are hard shifts in and out of first unless im on the gas. Leaking injector(s) causing really bad gas mileage and carbon buildup in the left head. From what I hear you are definately going to want to replace the timing chain if it hasn't been done in 60k.

Like any Audi I've ever worked on there is 89235 things to remove to get to what you want to work on. You can get basic parts from such websites as carparts.com, partsamerica.com. But there are a lot of dealer only parts. Parts are fairly expensive, to give you an idea I bought a 1 foot rubber hose that goes between valve covers - dealer only - $55.

A reasonable price for a V8 with no major problems is around $5000 - $6500. I picked mine up for $5350 talked down from $5800.

But it is a very fun car to drive. Very comfortable and performs wonderfully for a 4000 pound luxury sedan. You also cant beat the sound of the V8. I was looking at getting a 1991 90 20v Q but dont regret the V8 decision at all.

Check out my reply to DUGSY33 about 1/3way down this page for my 2bits.

Thanks to everyone for the advise. I went to the "search" section of this foruum, typed in Audi V8 and learned a lot from the postings.

I read that the 90 V8 has some wierd expensive brakes called "UFOs." Guess they are aptly named.

The car I have looked at, is actually coming up for sale in a "donated to charity" auction. It will probably sell for $500-$700 dollars, as the rednecks attending the auction will think it is just another old Audi. Its probably worth buying on the cheap. If the car is bad, I can still "redonate," then take the retail price as a tax write off, and not loose money.

Thanks, Rooster

just been on to martyn at www.vagparts.com to ship pairof ufos out to you with insarance you are looking at 600 dolars dont know how that compares to us prices.700$ for timing belt water pump all adjusters and tensioners dont know how it compares but if you get it 4 that price its worth spending a few $ on it anyhows good luck mat