2018 S5 Tips & Tricks

[TomScrut]

Frankstar123 said:

Ok so new tyres time.. (12,000 miles done)

I'm leasing the car so do i have to put the exact same ones on? I think I've got continental, but if i'm honest im looking for ones that are a bit quieter and according to balck circles; dunlop , goodyear and Michelin are all quieter and in the same price bracket.

I should probably check my leasing paperwork but i'm at work at the moment.

Ta

Frankie

They have tp be the correct size, load and speed rating. Beyond that they have to have equal or greater spec (efficiency noise and wet) than what the manufacturer recommends (so to be on the safe side, equal or greater than what you have on the car already). I put Michelins on mine as they last better than others I have tried

[mackie1]

TomScrut said:

Yes I don't think that's why production was stopped though?

The release said drivability improvements (i.e. higher idle in D with more torque converter drag but quicker takeup) which lead to a slightly higher overall CO2 emmisions rating. That's my understanding anyway.

The car was serviced last Friday and they were unable to find an applicable update for my car but my complaint has been reported back to Audi.

[IJB1959]

mackie1 said:

TomScrut said:

Yes I don't think that's why production was stopped though?

The release said drivability improvements (i.e. higher idle in D with more torque converter drag but quicker takeup) which lead to a slightly higher overall CO2 emmisions rating. That's my understanding anyway.

The car was serviced last Friday and they were unable to find an applicable update for my car but my complaint has been reported back to Audi.

There deffo is a software update for the known lag in D drive. Friend had it done. Makes it a bit better, but not a lot. All it does appear to do is raise the idle speed like S does and uses more fuel as a result. The Audi mechanic told him it was just a 'cheap' fix update to silence hundreds of complaints, whereas a proper fix is a mechanical one costing £100's.

I have yet to have the 'update', so cannot comment on personal experience.

[mackie1]

Interesting, I was not offered any such thing but I don't get the impression I was being fobbed off. Maybe they've decided not to offer it anymore?

[IJB1959]

mackie1 said:

Interesting, I was not offered any such thing but I don't get the impression I was being fobbed off. Maybe they've decided not to offer it anymore?

Probably right. I always drive is S mode unless on long roads or motorways, so I'm not that bothered as I do not do that many miles to worry about the extra fuel cost in doing so. TBH, this issue is a poor show for a 50k performance car regardless.

[TomScrut]

IJB1959 said:

mackie1 said:

TomScrut said:

Yes I don't think that's why production was stopped though?

The release said drivability improvements (i.e. higher idle in D with more torque converter drag but quicker takeup) which lead to a slightly higher overall CO2 emmisions rating. That's my understanding anyway.

The car was serviced last Friday and they were unable to find an applicable update for my car but my complaint has been reported back to Audi.

There deffo is a software update for the known lag in D drive. Friend had it done. Makes it a bit better, but not a lot. All it does appear to do is raise the idle speed like S does and uses more fuel as a result. The Audi mechanic told him it was just a 'cheap' fix update to silence hundreds of complaints, whereas a proper fix is a mechanical one costing £100's.

I have yet to have the 'update', so cannot comment on personal experience.

Thing is, surely this must be an issue on all the other cars that use this gearbox? If the engine speed is the thing that makes it better, then surely its an issue with the torque converter (i.e. not software) which means it should be the case on other Audis, VWs, BMWs etc. rather than specific to S4 & S5?

[PhantomPH]

Frankstar123 said:

Here's a good one (probably works better in summer). Lock your car. Leave it for 2 hours then come back and the boot has a good chance to be open......

Sorry urge tab very old post (not been through the full thread yet) but I’ve had exactly this happen. A colleague sent me a message saying my boot was open. Was properly wide open and it was raining as well.

I just put it down to perhaps leaning on the keys in my pocket or something. Is this actually more than that?

[mackie1]

TomScrut said:

Thing is, surely this must be an issue on all the other cars that use this gearbox? If the engine speed is the thing that makes it better, then surely its an issue with the torque converter (i.e. not software) which means it should be the case on other Audis, VWs, BMWs etc. rather than specific to S4 & S5?

It'll be combination of precise variant (the ZF8 with coast function is pretty new) and software calibration. It's a modular thing so even though so many cars use some variant of the gearbox this particular config could easily be unique to the S4/5. I suspect the hardware solution would be an updated torque converter or actuator that can respond more quickly/precisely. Not sure if it's the variable pitch vanes or lock up clutch that you feel engage when it jerks.

It doesn't spoil the car but even with its "MCT" clutch pack my old C63 was better at being smooth and slushy around town but worse at being a "performance" transmission.

[TomScrut]

mackie1 said:

It'll be combination of precise variant (the ZF8 with coast function is pretty new) and software calibration. It's a modular thing so even though so many cars use some variant of the gearbox this particular config could easily be unique to the S4/5. I suspect the hardware solution would be an updated torque converter or actuator that can respond more quickly/precisely. Not sure if it's the variable pitch vanes or lock up clutch that you feel engage when it jerks.

It doesn't spoil the car but even with its "MCT" clutch pack my old C63 was better at being smooth and slushy around town but worse at being a "performance" transmission.

Ah I didn't realise they were modular or that they were a fairly new variant of gearbox. I think the jerk must be the clutch as I don't think the vanes would have as sudden an effect as that?

I personally think the gearbox is OK, other than some of the silly things it occasionally does (was going at 70mph along the motorway the other day and it chucked me into 4th gear :S). Its not as nice as the Stronic in the B8 but if its more reliable I'll take it as a plus overall

[talksthetorque]

TomScrut said:

Ah I didn't realise they were modular or that they were a fairly new variant of gearbox. I think the jerk must be the clutch as I don't think the vanes would have as sudden an effect as that?

I personally think the gearbox is OK, other than some of the silly things it occasionally does (was going at 70mph along the motorway the other day and it chucked me into 4th gear :S). Its not as nice as the Stronic in the B8 but if its more reliable I'll take it as a plus overall

Mine does this, like its preparing you for a fast overtake on an A road.
I put it down to my schizo driving style of economy mode unless soemthing is in my way

[IJB1959]

TomScrut said:

IJB1959 said:

mackie1 said:

TomScrut said:

Yes I don't think that's why production was stopped though?

The release said drivability improvements (i.e. higher idle in D with more torque converter drag but quicker takeup) which lead to a slightly higher overall CO2 emmisions rating. That's my understanding anyway.

The car was serviced last Friday and they were unable to find an applicable update for my car but my complaint has been reported back to Audi.

There deffo is a software update for the known lag in D drive. Friend had it done. Makes it a bit better, but not a lot. All it does appear to do is raise the idle speed like S does and uses more fuel as a result. The Audi mechanic told him it was just a 'cheap' fix update to silence hundreds of complaints, whereas a proper fix is a mechanical one costing £100's.

I have yet to have the 'update', so cannot comment on personal experience.

Thing is, surely this must be an issue on all the other cars that use this gearbox? If the engine speed is the thing that makes it better, then surely its an issue with the torque converter (i.e. not software) which means it should be the case on other Audis, VWs, BMWs etc. rather than specific to S4 & S5?

Yes, it is an issue with all B9 models and reported on the Audi forums. The problem is mechanical and not just a software 'cheat' to increase idle speed.

[simonwhite2000]

Exhaust pics

[simonwhite2000]

[IJB1959]

simonwhite2000 said:

Exhaust pics

NICE!......they do look good with a glossy rear carbon diffuser as well (like the RS) so getting mine changed next week.

[IJB1959]

Another small change.

Carbon Fibre wrapped my rear diffuser to change it from the boring grey colour. Doing the two black 'plastic' side skirts next.

[simonwhite2000]

IJB1959 said:

Another small change.

Carbon Fibre wrapped my rear diffuser to change it from the boring grey colour. Doing the two black 'plastic' side skirts next.

Looks really good! Not sure if it would look good with Daytona Grey though.

[IJB1959]

simonwhite2000 said:

IJB1959 said:

Another small change.

Carbon Fibre wrapped my rear diffuser to change it from the boring grey colour. Doing the two black 'plastic' side skirts next.

Looks really good! Not sure if it would look good with Daytona Grey though.

They do lots of other colour shades of carbon fibre too.

[DaDel]

My S4 is in for its first service today but no updates to cure the lag issues

[simonwhite2000]

Anyone else still check this page lol or is it just me?

Few more mods coming even though I said id stop. Getting the autohold retrofitted - ordered the kit so just waiting for it to arrive from Germany. Also managed to track down some carbon atlas inlays. Always wished I had specced them on my first S5 and then my current S5 was a cancelled order so didnt have the choice.

Hopefully ill have both sorted in the next few weeks. Really need to stop there though.

[du tan]

Anyone on here who upgraded, looking to sell the original grille?