Audi 90: Maintenance Costs (Calculation)

Owning an Audi 90 is a great way to show style and sophistication. But like any other car, it requires regular maintenance to keep running well. This blog post will discuss the typical yearly maintenance costs for an Audi 90.

We’ll also provide helpful information so that you can estimate your maintenance costs. So read on to learn more about the Audi 90 and how to keep it in great shape!

How Expensive is Yearly Audi 90 Maintenance?

When Audi introduced the Audi 90, they improved upon the Audi 80 by adding more comfort and luxury for its era, plus more technical advantages than they previously included. The automaker manufactured the Audi 90 from 1988 to 1995.

The annual maintenance for an Audi 90 can vary depending on factors. However, we can provide some estimates to help you get started.

Some experts recommend having your car serviced every six months or 5,000 miles, whichever comes first. Annual maintenance typically costs around $400 to $600 per visit. In addition, you’ll need to budget for things like oil changes, brake pads, and tires.

Again, these costs can vary depending on the type of Audi 90 you have and how often you drive it. For example, an Audi 90 with a turbocharged engine will require more frequent oil changes than a naturally aspirated engine. Similarly, if you do a lot of city driving, you’ll probably need to replace your brake pads more often than someone who primarily drives on highways.

All these factors considered, the average cost of yearly Audi 90 maintenance is between $600 and $1200. Of course, this is just a rough estimate – your actual charges may be different depending on dealership costs and necessary maintenance. 

Also read: Are Audi Cars Good? (Pros and Cons)

Changing Tires

One of the most important – and expensive – aspects of annual Audi 90 maintenance is changing the tires. Tires are an essential part of your car’s safety system, and they need to be in good condition at all times. But, as any car owner knows, tires can be expensive, especially if you need to replace all four at once.

The cost of tires will vary depending on the type of Audi 90 you have and the size of the tires. But in general, you can expect to spend between $600 and $800 per year on tires for your Audi 90. If you purchase from a dealership, this cost will likely be higher. However, many online retailers sell tires at a lower price.

If you’re driving an average of 12,000-15,000 miles per year, then your tires will wear out after three years and will need to be changed. Changing them out every three years implies getting regular tire rotations every 5,000 miles and not putting too much strain on the tires. If you aren’t doing regular rotations and don’t drive much, you should replace them every six years.

Overall, changing your Audi 90’s tires is an important – and expensive – part of annual maintenance. But it’s also one of the most important things you can do to keep your car safe on the road. So you can rest assured that your Audi 90 will be in good shape by budgeting for this expense.

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Oil and Oil Filters

Another critical aspect of Audi 90 maintenance is oil changes. Depending on the engine type, you’ll need to change the oil every 5,000 miles. Again, you should use high-mileage synthetic to give your vehicle the necessary care. Doing your oil changes can cost between $100-200.

In addition, you’ll need to replace the oil filter every time you change the oil. Oil filters usually cost between $20 and $30 each. By combining both elements of the oil change, the total cost of oil changes will be between $120 and $230 each time. If you’re following the 5,000-mile oil change interval, then you should be spending a maximum of $360 and $690.

Fluids

Another important – but often overlooked – expense in Audi 90 maintenance is fluids. Depending on the car you have, you’ll need to replace things like brake fluid and power steering fluid every year. However, you can run Transmission fluid longer to approximately 60,000 miles before you need to change it.

Replacing these fluids can be expensive, especially if you go to a dealership. The average cost of replacing all the fluids in your Audi 90 is around $500. However, there are some ways to reduce this cost.

One option is to buy the fluids from a dealership and then do the replacement yourself. Doing the work yourself will save you some money on labor costs. You can also purchase fluids online at a lower price than what you would find at a dealership. Another option is to take your car to an independent mechanic. Again, they will likely charge you less for the fluids and labor than a dealership would.

Also read: Are Audis Reliable After 100k Miles? The Truth

Belts and Hoses

It should be no surprise that the timing belts and serpentine belts will require replacement on the Audi 90. However, you’ll most likely replace the serpentine belt first because serpentine belts can crack, dry rot, and eventually snap apart as these cars age.

You need to replace the belts regularly, typically every 50,000 miles. However, if you start to notice poor performance from many car sub-systems, you may want to replace the belt sooner. You’ll see malfunctions in:

  • Power steering
  • The AC is weak or doesn’t work at all
  • Squealing noises may indicate a slipping belt or wobbling pulley

As many car owners know, the timing belt is a crucial part of your car’s engine and keeps it running smoothly. Essentially, this part connects the crankshaft to the camshaft, and if the belt breaks, it can cause catastrophic damage to your engine. Therefore, you’ll want to replace this part before it’s even close to failing. You will usually replace it around 50,000 to 100,000 miles before the old one becomes a problem.

Replacing the timing belt will easily cost you $1,100, and the serpentine belt should cost around $300. So altogether, the belts and hoses in your Audi 90 should cost no more than $1,700 to replace. However, hoses are also crucial in Audi 90 maintenance, as they can quickly wear out and burst if not replaced on schedule. Therefore, you should replace all of these hoses every 60,000 miles. 

You should replace these hoses most often:

  • The heater hoses
  • The radiator hoses
  • The coolant overflow hose

Brakes

Arguably, your Audi’s braking system is another crucial system that must be well-maintained. The front brake pads provide the most stopping power on your vehicle. It’s because of this that you’ll want them to be in the best possible shape.

Your Audi 90 brakes will wear out at different times depending on how often you drive, where you drive, and how much wear and tear your brakes experience. They may need to replace them every year or 15,000 to 50,000 miles. If you start to notice a delay when you brake, an inspection determines that your brake’s friction material is 1/4″ or less, or you hear a screeching sound when braking, then you’ll want to get them replaced sooner. It’s a good idea to have them inspected every six months or during an oil change.

Replacing your brakes will cost anywhere from $200 to $600 per axle. So, if you need to replace both the front and rear brakes, it will cost you $400 to $1200. Of course, this is dependent on the type of brake pad you’re using.

Unexpected Problems

Although the Audi 90 is a great antique car, it’s not immune to problems. As with any vehicle, you may encounter issues that you must address. Some of these problems include:

  • A failing water pump – $750 to $880
  • Leaking oil pan gasket – $330 to $400
  • Intake manifold gasket leaks – $760 to $880
  • Worn out spark plugs and wires – $120 to $190 for spark plugs and $190 to $230 for the spark plug wires.

These are only a few of the problems you may run into with your Audi 90. Of course, some issues will be more severe than others and require a more expensive fix. Altogether, you could spend anywhere from $2,080 to $2,580 on unexpected repairs and maintenance costs. So naturally, these types of surprise expenses are the ones you’ll want to avoid. 

Also read: Are Audi Parts Expensive? (with Exact Costs)

Insurance

Your Audi 90 will likely be in the same category as other luxury cars when it comes to car insurance. You can expect to pay a higher premium for your policy with a luxury car. How much you’ll end up paying depends on several factors, such as:

  • Your age
  • The make and model of your car
  • How often do you drive
  • Your driving record
  • The type of insurance you need

Generally speaking, luxury cars cost more to insure because they’re more expensive to repair. They also tend to be involved in more accidents than other vehicles. However, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $1,600 per year for your policy.

I can only give you estimates; your insurance company will determine your actual premium. So be sure to shop around and compare rates before buying a policy. The cost of insuring your Audi 90 is just one of the many costs associated with owning a luxury car.

How To Buy A Reliable Audi 90?

When shopping for a used Audi 90, it’s important to remember that not all models are created equal. However, there are some key things you’ll want to look out for when inspecting an Audi 90.

First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure the car runs smoothly. Ask the owner to take it for a test drive and check for any abnormal noises or vibrations. You’ll also want to check the brakes, steering, and suspension to ensure they’re all in good condition.

You should also take a look at the exterior of the car. Search for dents or scratches, faded paint, or cracked headlights and taillights. These things can be signs of neglect and may indicate that the vehicle has been an accident. 

In addition to checking for physical signs of damage, you’ll also want to make sure all the electronic components are in good working order. Finally, you’ll want to get a vehicle history report. These reports will tell you if the car has been in an accident. It will also give you a list of any mechanical problems the car has had in the past.

By doing all of these things, you can get a good idea of how reliable the Audi 90 is and whether or not it’s worth buying. Keep in mind that some repairs may be more expensive than others, so be sure to factor that into your decision. When choosing a reliable Audi 90, it’s essential to do your research. By taking the time to inspect the car and get a vehicle history report, you can make an informed decision and avoid any costly surprises down the road.

Conclusion

When calculating the maintenance cost of your Audi 90, you should consider the cost of insurance, repairs, and regular maintenance. You’ll also have to pay for things like gas, oil changes, brakes, fluids, and repairs when considering whether or not to buy a luxury car, be sure to take all of these costs into account.

Otherwise, you could end up spending more money than you anticipated. When purchasing an Audi 90, you must be thorough in your vehicle inspection if you want to avoid costly surprise maintenance.

References

Audi 90 Quattro Maintenance, Service & Repair Costs, AUDI 90 (B3) specs & photos – 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 – autoevolution, Maintenance Schedule for 1990 Audi 90 | Firestone Complete Auto Care, Audi Maintenance Cost: What You Might Pay (2022), Audi 90 Tires, Audi Tire Service & Maintenance, Audi 90 Quattro Oil Change Cost Estimate, Audi 90 Quattro Oil Change Costs, Audi 90 Transmission Fluid Change Cost Estimate, 1995 Audi 90 Transmission Fluid Change Prices & Cost Estimates | Kelley Blue Book, 1992 Audi 90 Brake Fluid Flush Cost Guide – MyCarSpecs United States / USA, Audi 90 Quattro Power Steering Fluid Reservoir Replacement Costs, Audi 90 Timing Belt Replacement Cost Estimate, Audi Serpentine & Timing Belt Replacement in Las Vegas, NV, When Should You Replace Your Audi’s Timing Belt? – Reliable Import Service, Audi 90 Quattro Serpentine Belt Replacement Cost Estimate, https://www.autoguru.com.au/repairs, https://www.audistpaul.com/audi-brakes, Audi 90 Quattro Water Pump Replacement Cost Estimate, Audi 90 Quattro Oil Pan Gasket Replacement Cost Estimate, https://repairpal.com/estimator/audi/90-quattro, https://repairpal.com/estimator/audi/90-quattro, Spark Plug Wire Replacement Cost – RepairPal Estimate, https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/1990