1990-1994 Audi V8: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1990-1994 Audi V8 and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Passenger and cargo room
- Antilock brakes
- Acceleration
- Handling/roadholding
- AWD traction
Cons
- Ride
- Fuel economy
- Road noise
Vehicle Highlights
On sale in July 1989, Audi's new high-performance luxury "flagship" sedan challenged such logical rivals as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Jaguar. Exterior styling resembled Audi's 100/200 series, but only the front and front doors were shared with those models. Priced at a hefty $47,450, the V8 Quattro held a 240-horsepower, 3.6-liter aluminum V8 engine with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Power went through a 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission to a permanently engaged all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. Normally, engine output was split 50/50 between front and rear axles. When wheel slippage was detected, extra power would be sent to the axle with the greatest amount of traction, giving the best possible chance of getting underway properly. In extreme situations, all the power could temporarily go to either the front or rear, wherever it was most needed. This was the first Audi Quattro model with an automatic transmission, fitted with three modes: E for higher fuel economy; S for sportier performance; and M for manual operation. An automatic shift lock required that the brake pedal be applied to shift into a drive gear. Standard features included a driver's airbag, antilock brakes, 2-sided galvanized steel body panels, leather upholstery, a Bose sound system, and a cellular phone.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Audi V8 Quattro Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 7 | |
| Fuel Economy | 2 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 7 | |
| Quietness | 6 | |
| Controls/Materials | 7 | |
| Interior Room | 7 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 5 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 4 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 55 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1994 Audi V8. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1994 Audi V8.
Year to Year Changes
1991 Audi V8:
A 5-speed manual transmission became available this year, as a no-cost option in place of the standard 4-speed automatic.
1992 Audi V8:
A larger engine and a passenger airbag went into the 1992 model of Audi's flagship sedan.
1993 Audi V8:
Few changes were evident this season. Only one powertrain was available: the 4.2-liter twin-cam, 276-horsepower V8 engine with 4-speed automatic transmission and permanently engaged 4-wheel drive. The 5-speed manual transmission was gone.
1994 Audi V8:
Changes were few for the top-of-the-line Audi's final season in this form. Except for new colors, the only revision was installation of new ellipsoid fog lights within the front fascia. A replacement for the V8 Quattro was expected for 1995, and arrived in 1997 as the A8 series.
Our road test for the 1990-1994 Audi V8 includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1994 Audi V8 and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1994 Audi V8 is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Offering every available safety and convenience feature, the V8 Quattro is one impressive automotive achievement--but it's clearly not a car for everyone, even where money is no object. Even those who can afford a car of this caliber might find Audi's flagship to be more in tune with the German Autobahnen than with American interstate highways. The combination of firm suspension and wide Z-rated tires give it commendable--even amazing--stability at high speeds, but also makes the ride harsh and noisy on rough roads and patched pavement. Tires also generate considerable noise, which can get tiresome on long drives. Steering, on the other hand, is precise and responsive. Audi's initial dual-cam V8 engine delivers strong, prompt passing response on the highway, but lacks brisk off-the-line acceleration--especially in "economy" mode. Around town response might be better in "sport" mode, but in our test of an early model, the transmission reverted to "economy" every time the engine was started. Highway fuel mileage is disappointing, whatever the mode. The stronger V8 for 1992-94 will be appreciated when trying to move this 2-tonner away from a stoplight. Among this sedan's impressive attributes is outstanding traction. Audi's sophisticated all-wheel-drive system is a wet-weather ally that sets the V8 Quattro apart from other high-priced luxury sedans of the early '90s. Fuel economy is poor. We averaged 17.2 mpg overall with an early model, reaching a high of 21.8 mpg on the highway. When new, the V8 Quattro's price included a stiff federal gas-guzzler tax, as well as a luxury tax. Four adults have plenty of space in a well-designed interior. The large trunk has a low liftover height. Though the V8 Quattro is impressive in many ways, and makes a fine road car, most Americans will probably find models such as the Lexus LS 400, Infiniti Q45, and Cadillac Seville much better suited to their driving tastes.
Value for the Money
Fast and powerful with the 1992-94 engine, at least, the V8 Quattro boasted nearly every modern safety and comfort feature for its day. What this sedan lacked was an appeal wide enough to generate substantial sales. Prices remain strong even today, but a V8 Quattro can yield a satisfying--if nonfrugal--highway experience.
Fast and powerful with the 1992-94 engine, at least, the V8 Quattro boasted nearly every modern safety and comfort feature for its day. What this sedan lacked was an appeal wide enough to generate substantial sales. Prices remain strong even today, but a V8 Quattro can yield a satisfying--if nonfrugal--highway experience.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Audi V8 Quattro Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 7 | |
| Fuel Economy | 2 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 7 | |
| Quietness | 6 | |
| Controls/Materials | 7 | |
| Interior Room | 7 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 5 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 4 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 55 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Audi V8 includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Audi V8 .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Automatic transmission:
A leak in the connector on the transmission's final-drive housing causes the engine to stall when coming to a stop. (1990-94)
Brakes:
The ABS kicks in at speeds below 20 mph due to weak signals from the wheel speed sensors that may have to be replaced and regapped. (1990-92)
Doors:
The power locks for the doors and fuel door fail because the vacuum hoses come loose requiring new clamps and/or longer hoses. (1992-94)
Mirrors:
The screw holding the rearview mirror comes out and the mirror falls off. Reinstalling the screw and coating with thread locking compound is the repair. (1990-92)
Oil consumption:
The oil capacity stated in the owner's manual (10 quarts) is incorrect, and the level has been changed to 8.5 quarts. (1991)
Seat:
The ratchet mechanism fails in the adjustable armrest. (1990-94)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $780 |
| Alternator | $475 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $1,100 |
| Brakes | $745 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $800 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $2,310 |
| Exhaust System | $775 |
| Radiator | $685 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $1,660 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $310 |
Our price chart for this generation Audi V8 details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1994 | |||
| V8 Quattro | $3,600-4,400 | $2,900-3,500 | $1,000-1,200 |
| 1993 | |||
| V8 Quattro | $3,000-3,800 | $2,300-2,900 | $700-900 |
| 1992 | |||
| V8 Quattro | $2,500-3,200 | $1,800-2,300 | $500-700 |
| 1991 | |||
| V8 Quattro | $2,100-2,600 | $1,500-1,800 | $400-500 |
| 1990 | |||
| V8 Quattro | $1,700-2,200 | $1,100-1,500 | $300 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Audi V8 include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door sedan | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 106.4 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 191.9 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 71.4 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 60.0 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3991 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 16.7 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 21.1 | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 37.8 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.7 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.5 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 36.0 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
As its name suggest, the V8 Quattro sedan was powered by a V8 engine: initially, a 3.6-liter dual-overhead-cam unit that produced 240 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque. Only a 4-speed automatic transmission was available in 1990, but a 5-speed manual gearbox could be installed on 1991-92 models. For 1993, a 4.2-liter V8, rated 276 horsepower, replaced the 3.6-liter engine.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc V8 | 3.6 / 217 | 240 | 245 | 5-speed manual: 14/20 4-speed automatic: 15/20 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: -- |
| dohc V8 | 4.2 / 254 | 276 | 295 | 4-speed automatic: 14/20 | 4-speed automatic: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Germany
Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/all-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Audi V8 include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1990-1994 Audi V8 directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1990-91:
Bushing that guides cruise-control rod can, over time, deteriorate and cause rod to bind, which may impede return of throttle plate to its full idle position.
1990-91:
Instruction label for jack operation is incorrect.
1990-93:
Some airbag sensors do not comply with durability standards over lifetime of vehicle; if sensor should malfunction, airbag can deploy inadvertently.
1991-92:
Capacitor in rear speakers could leak and cause overheating or potential fire.
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