A5 3.0tdi underpowered?
Discussion
Without trying to wind anyone up, I test drove an Audi 57 plate A5 3.0tdi with a manual box today and was pretty underwhelmed by the shove in the back (or lack of) and was just wondering if any owners or previous owners can give me an opinion?
I'm comparing it to my old 53 plate 530d, on paper the Audi has it beat on bhp and almost the same on torque so I was expecting it to feel much more punchy than it did, the car itself was lovely and as far as I know everything was working ok but I couldn't help thinking that maybe the turbo wasn't working at full strength.
Any comments from people with experience would be gratefully received as I still really like the looks of the car.
Thanks.
I'm comparing it to my old 53 plate 530d, on paper the Audi has it beat on bhp and almost the same on torque so I was expecting it to feel much more punchy than it did, the car itself was lovely and as far as I know everything was working ok but I couldn't help thinking that maybe the turbo wasn't working at full strength.
Any comments from people with experience would be gratefully received as I still really like the looks of the car.
Thanks.
Are you sure it was a 3.0 and not 2.7? I drove for a few thousand km a 240 bhp manual A5 and it was definitely not underpowered, and coming from a 530D it should feel at least if not more powerful. Also, was actually free-revving for a diesel and book figures was something like 0-60 in 6 seconds.
Thanks for the comments, it's advertised as 3.0 so I'm pretty sure that's what it was and I'm not aware of my previous 530 being modified in any way but I can't for sure say it wasn't.
The Audi was very smooth and it got up to just above motorway speeds very easily it just seemed to lack that low down surge of torque that I really liked from the BMW.
I haven't compared it to another Audi which would be the fairest test to see if something was wrong or if that's just the characteristic of the a5 3.0
The Audi was very smooth and it got up to just above motorway speeds very easily it just seemed to lack that low down surge of torque that I really liked from the BMW.
I haven't compared it to another Audi which would be the fairest test to see if something was wrong or if that's just the characteristic of the a5 3.0
In more recent years the manufacturers have done their level best to get rid of the nothing-BANG-nothing of old school diesel power delivery.
The other thing you'll be feeling is that the quattro A5 has an incredibly composed chassis with massive reserves of traction. Some higher powered two wheel-drive cars feel 'up on their toes' when pushed hard whereas the quattro A5 simply says "deploying power, sir. Will that be all?".
If you like something that feels a bit naughty on the limit that's completely fair but Audis generally put their power down in a more dignified manner
The other thing you'll be feeling is that the quattro A5 has an incredibly composed chassis with massive reserves of traction. Some higher powered two wheel-drive cars feel 'up on their toes' when pushed hard whereas the quattro A5 simply says "deploying power, sir. Will that be all?".
If you like something that feels a bit naughty on the limit that's completely fair but Audis generally put their power down in a more dignified manner
AudiSport said:
Do the Audi 3.0TDI Quattro lumps respond well to remapping? I've recently bought an 06 A6 Avant, and that too feels smooth, and perhaps a little sluggish.
I guess lag and modern mapping causes things to feel like they are down on power.i imagine 300bhp back in the 90's would have felt very different to 300bhp now
I have a 2007 a4 TDI convertible with the 3.0TDi engine, I have owned it for 7 years now, its used for weekends in the Dales and holidays in the alps.
I remapped it with a bluefin about 3 years ago the power increase according to them is from 230 to 278BHp and from 413 ft lbs to 450
Cost about £400 I think.
The difference is amazing, pulls much harder, 4th gear acceleration kick is like 3rd was. Also eliminates a huge flat spot that prevented you getting off the line smoothly. Generally makes it a lot nicer to drive, it made a lot more difference than I expected.
On a run down to the Alps, hood up fully laden, driving at or around the speed limits, its getting 5-7 MPG more as well.
I remapped it with a bluefin about 3 years ago the power increase according to them is from 230 to 278BHp and from 413 ft lbs to 450
Cost about £400 I think.
The difference is amazing, pulls much harder, 4th gear acceleration kick is like 3rd was. Also eliminates a huge flat spot that prevented you getting off the line smoothly. Generally makes it a lot nicer to drive, it made a lot more difference than I expected.
On a run down to the Alps, hood up fully laden, driving at or around the speed limits, its getting 5-7 MPG more as well.
Its all relative really - I have a 3.0 tdi A6 Allroad which feels much torquier than an 530d i drove recently and not far off a 535d (twin turbo) i also have access to and without a remap.
If it genuinely is underpowered it could be due to blocked filters/DPF or fuel, inlet manifolds, injectors, or issues already discussed on this thread, they certainly were not short of drivable power/torque from new its fairly good unit in this respect for a derv.
Of course if you are coming from an RS5, it may feel at tad short.......
If it genuinely is underpowered it could be due to blocked filters/DPF or fuel, inlet manifolds, injectors, or issues already discussed on this thread, they certainly were not short of drivable power/torque from new its fairly good unit in this respect for a derv.
Of course if you are coming from an RS5, it may feel at tad short.......
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