1990 Audi Coupe – Project Profile

Like a fine wine, old Audis just get better with age. There is a purity and a ‘less is more’ simplicity of their style that means today, old Audis still have a presence on the road. But also because they’re Audis, and as such, engineered to the nth degree, they are classics that you truly can use every day. There are plenty of usable classics, of course, but Audis are on another level. Get a good one and it will still feel tight and fresh, even if it is thirty years old. Not many other marques can boast that once they have a few years behind them. 

For us, there is one Audi above all that embodies this better than the rest, and that’s the B3. It was introduced in 1986 as a four-door saloon (and if the practicality of four doors is a must, we heartily recommend one) before being released as a coupe a couple of years later. The B3 would grow to become the B4, which would bring with it the Avant estate version and also cabriolet version of the coupe. This, of course, then became the B5 Audi A4. 

What that means is that by buying a car from the Audi 80 family, you’re tapping into some seriously impressive automotive heritage. But more than that, you’re buying a car that has timeless looks, build quality that’s impressive by today’s standards and of course, if you buy the right model, a car with ample performance. Let us not forget, this is the car on which the S2 was based. 

What is it? 

The Coupe we’ve found is a 1990 2.3 20V model, and it’s a Quattro, meaning full-time all-wheel drive. This is the one to have, aside from an S2 of course. But you’re not going to get an S2 for three grand, unlike this one. And while it may not be the mighty S2, it’s still well worth having. For starters, it’s incredibly handsome. Then there is that five-cylinder engine – you will become an addict for the noise it makes as you push on through the five-speed manual transmission. And thanks to the Quattro drivetrain, push on you will. Make sure the BBS alloys are wrapped in decent rubber and you’ll have a car that inspires more confidence than you thought imaginable. 

The big plus with this car is that while it is indeed a coupe, it’s a ‘liftback’ design, meaning it’s quite tall. As such, you get a decent amount of boot space, plus, as it’s based on the four-door, you get four usable seats. It’s actually quite practical. But don’t think that it’s just a two-door saloon. Far from it. Audi re-worked the rear suspension and also fitted a new front suspension system that was a forerunner to the B4 80. Audi has always cared deeply about the driver appeal of its cars, and the B3 Coupe is no exception. 

Why is it a project? 

Unusually for us, we’ve actually picked a car that’s MOTd and on the road. As such, this would be more of a rolling restoration rather than a complete nut and bolt strip down. The fact it’s on the road also means you can check things like the Quattro system, but we’ll get to that later. 

The vendor states the car was bought as a project some time ago, but they haven’t really done anything with it since. However, the seller has been sure to run the car up to temperature on a regular basis, rather than just leave it sitting idle. They have also done some key service work to the car, changing the timing belt, water pump and associated tensioners. So that’s not something you need to worry about. 

What you do need to worry about, however, are the aspects that make this Audi a project. Firstly, the backbox has expired so will need replacing. The front suspension is knocking, which will require investigation. One rear caliper is sticking, and the speedometer has stopped working. Then there is the visual stuff. The seller states the car has various age-associated dings and dents as well as lacquer peel on the wing mirrors, and also, the headlining is sagging. 

Nothing that is wrong with the car will stop you from driving it though, and while it may seem like a lot needs looking at, the reality is that its lots of small, easily doable jobs. Not one, big, mammoth restoration. You could improve and better this at your own rate.

Five things to look for:

1) Suspension

The vendor has already stated that the front suspension knocks, but don’t just assume it’s worn bushes. Get under the car and look for any damage or other serious issues. Fingers crossed there won’t be any. 

2) Quattro System 

The main hook for buying this car is the all-wheel-drive system. It’s what makes this Coupe so special. As the car is MOTd’, try and get it on some gravel and have a blast about – make sure all four wheels are hooking up. Look for any leaks or breaks in CV boots and the like. 

3) Trim

Handily, Audi trim is pretty robust. However, if there is anything that’s worn, it could be hard to replace. A case in point would be the front seats, which are the rare ‘Quattro’ embroidered ones. Check these are in good condition. 

4) Mileage 

This Audi has done a lot of miles, 235,000 to be precise. And to make matters worse, the speedometer has stopped working. You need to try and ascertain how long that’s been the case, and try and work out what the real mileage is, which you may find out with…

5) History/Paperwork 

Having covered so many miles, you’re going to want some assurances that this Coupe has been looked after. Ask to see all the paperwork that comes with the car and have a good look through it. You need to be satisfied that the right money has been spent on it at the right times – services, MOTs, tyres etc.

What should you do with it? 

The Audi Coupe, while a tough old machine, is no doubt a rare sight on our roads these days. As such, we would encourage anyone looking to buy this old beast to consider restoring it back to standard. It’s got all the right bits; desirable trim, nice paint option, BBS alloys, so on and so forth. And it would all look even better restored. The suspension, as we know, needs work, but you can get parts off the shelf for that. Maybe even go for uprated bushes – not to steer away from originality, but because they’re just better and will improve the drive. 

The trick with this car would be to restore it to a presentable, mechanically sound condition and leave it at that. There is little point in going overboard, as the car has so many miles on it. It would be wasted money. Just refresh it, make it sharp and tight to drive and you’ll be set. A car like this is, after all, for driving.

Missed out on this one? Here’s where you can find an Audi Coupe for sale today.