5-cyl, 20V vs 6-cyl in an Audi 90

[Ti Kan]

Tom Christiansen writes:
> Which one would recommend the one with the 5-cyl, 20V DOHC engine (1990-92)
> or the one with the 6-cyl engine (1993-?)?
>
> Has the 5-cyl, 20V been discontinued? The 6-cyl in the 90, is that the same
> power plant as used in the A4? Are the 6-cyl engines as reliable as the
> 5-cyl? Will they last as long? I believe the rear oil seal on the V6 is
> known to leak a bit. Is this an issue I should be concerned about?

For the US market, the 5-cylinder was used in 10V form (130hp) on the
B3 90 from 88-92 except quattros in 91-92 are 20V (164hp).  Then in
93 through 95, along with the change to the B4 generationm redesign
all 90s went to the V6 12V (172hp).  Neither engine will be a drag
race winner and being a normally aspirated powerplants, there aren't
many inexpensive upgrades to significantly improve the performance.

The same V6 12V is used in the A4 in the 96-97 model years, after which
the V6 30V (190hp) took over.

Both engines have proven to be long lasting.  Very early V6s had oil
leak problems but that has been addressed in the later model years.

The 20V non-turbo I5 engine has weak torque in low RPMs but comes alive
when revved high.  The V6 in the later cars are torquier but the heavier
chassis mutes the gains.  If you like a more "raw" feel go with the
B3 generation cars.  The B4 cars are much more refined.  Also, the B4
trunk space is much more usable and the rear seatbacks fold down to allow
even larger items to pass through into the cabin.

-Ti
2003 A4 1.8T multitronic
2001 S4 biturbo 6-sp
1984 5000S turbo
1980 4000 2.0 5-sp
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