1987 Audi 5000S Quattro – The Car That Started the AWD Revolution

This topic has 10 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 5 months ago by andrew12.

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March 30, 2026 #238
oliviayoung12
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Just finished reading the Car and Driver archive test on the 1987 Audi 5000S Quattro and I’m absolutely blown away by this machine. This wasn’t just another luxury sedan – it was genuinely ahead of its time with the Quattro all-wheel-drive system that completely changed how people thought about performance and traction control.

The 5000S represented Audi’s commitment to making AWD mainstream when most manufacturers were still stuck on rear-wheel drive. What fascinates me most is how the Quattro system actually worked back then – the engineering was so clever for 1987. The reviews highlight how this sedan could handle winter conditions, wet roads, and spirited driving with a level of control that was almost alien compared to its competitors.

The acceleration and handling characteristics were genuinely impressive for the era. A 5.0-liter engine paired with Quattro traction meant this thing could put power down in ways that would embarrass some sports cars. The reviewers really seemed to appreciate the balance Audi struck between comfort, performance, and practicality.

What strikes me most is how this car essentially proved that AWD wasn’t just a novelty – it was the future of automotive engineering. Every manufacturer worth their salt now offers AWD options, and a lot of that comes down to what Audi demonstrated with the 5000S Quattro.

Has anyone here owned a vintage Audi Quattro? I’d love to hear real-world perspectives on reliability and driving experience. Also curious if anyone thinks this era of Audi would be worth collecting today.
March 30, 2026 #239
andrew12
Participant
The Audi 5000S Quattro absolutely deserves the recognition. I’ve always thought that generation set the standard for what luxury sedans could achieve. That Quattro system was genuinely revolutionary – no car in that class had anything like it.
March 30, 2026 #240
amelia.pratama
Participant
Interesting perspective, but I have to disagree somewhat. While the 5000S was technically impressive, it was also quite heavy and fuel consumption was brutal by modern standards. The engineering was ahead of its time, but that doesn’t automatically make it the best solution for performance handling.
March 30, 2026 #241
david_lim
Participant
The maintenance costs on these older Audis are insane though. You’re looking at premium parts, specialized labor, and if something goes wrong with the Quattro system, you’re in for a world of hurt financially. Beautiful cars, but money pits for sure.
March 30, 2026 #242
adrianclark382
Participant
That archive test was fantastic. The way they explained how Quattro gave the 5000S such a competitive edge over the competition really showed why Audi became so dominant in the premium sedan market.
March 30, 2026 #243
ameliajohnson903
Participant
Does anyone know how the 5000S compares to the BMW 7-Series from that same period? I feel like BMW had better interior quality, even if Audi had the technical advantage with AWD.
March 30, 2026 #244
oliviayoung12
Participant
Great question! The BMW was certainly more luxurious in terms of materials and cabin feel, but the Audi had something BMW couldn’t match – that all-wheel-drive confidence. It’s apples and oranges really. BMW = ultimate driving machine on dry roads, Audi = all-weather mastery.
March 30, 2026 #245
david.hall
Participant
That 5000S Quattro test really demonstrates why German engineering became synonymous with performance and reliability. The innovation pipeline at Audi during this era was genuinely unmatched.
March 30, 2026 #246
jamespratama527
Participant
I completely disagree with the hype around this car. Yes, Quattro was innovative, but the 5000S handled like a boat compared to the BMW 5-Series. Audi was prioritizing traction over real driving dynamics.
March 30, 2026 #247
david_lim
Participant
The handling characteristics that the Car and Driver reviewers praised – I wonder how much of that was actually the Quattro system versus just good engineering across the board. Audi really thought about the complete package back then.
March 30, 2026 #248
adrianclark382
Participant
Anyone considering buying one of these should really get a pre-purchase inspection from someone familiar with vintage Audis. The Quattro system can hide issues until something catastrophic happens.
March 30, 2026 #249
noah_martin
Participant
Does anyone have any resources about the original Quattro system development? I’d love to read more about how Audi engineered this breakthrough.
March 30, 2026 #250
amelia.pratama
Participant
The ergonomics of that interior were definitely ahead of the curve. The driver-focused cockpit design influenced luxury sedans for years afterward. That’s something people don’t talk about enough.
March 30, 2026 #251
sarah_clark
Participant
I just watched some old promotional videos from Audi about the Quattro system when it first launched. The confidence they had in this technology was justified. It really did change everything.
March 30, 2026 #252
sarah_clark
Participant
The styling of that generation is criminally underrated. That boxy, purposeful shape just screams 1980s German engineering. Modern Audis are so bland in comparison.
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