Audi S5 - anything particular to look out for when buying?
Discussion
I was looking for a TTRS but I'm now considering buying a 2011 Audi S5 Sportback, the 3.0 version rather than the v8, is there anything in particular that I should be looking out for when buying? The only thing I've heard of is brakes juddering but apart from that they seem very reliable, anybody had or got one and can comment.
I'm also interested in upgrading the supercharger pulley and getting a remap, has anybody done the same and can recommend a tuner? There is an APR dealer within a mile of one of our offices so that would be ideal.
I'm also interested in upgrading the supercharger pulley and getting a remap, has anybody done the same and can recommend a tuner? There is an APR dealer within a mile of one of our offices so that would be ideal.
Adrian E said:
The Sportback version has only ever been available as the 3 litre supercharged with flappy paddle s-tronic box, so that cuts the basic spec down to 1! We've got a 2011 model which we bought in the summer - very happy with it although the small fuel tank is a bit of a pain (64 litres). They're a bit more money than the equivelant S4 but the basic spec is higher (full leather supersports are standard on the S5, as are 19" wheels)
I think the water pump issues only applied on 2009-10 models, so you should have the metal water pump and not the plastic - if you look down the front of the engine on the passenger side and can see a lump of black plastic with a pulley on it, then it's the older pump. Ours had metal from the factory.
Spec is the biggest killer - as soon as you want any ADS options your search will be much more restricted. If you're not fussed about quattro sport diff, adaptive damping, adaptive steering, then there's quite a few to choose from. Download the old brochures from the owners area of the Audi site and check out the options and work out what matters to you and what you can be flexible on.
Be aware of the different types of sat nav system that could be specced. Most should have tech pack high aka HDD nav - it has a little joystick on top of the main MMI wheel as well as having a 'jukebox' option for music storage. A 6 disc CD changer and a nav drive behind the boot cover on the nearside means tech pack low. I'd avoid a car without nav as the centre console looks really bare bones without it.
Watch that the windows drop correctly as you open the door - if they catch due to being abused when frozen up they can be expensive to replace. There's some rubber treatment you can buy on ebay for a fiver that lubes the seals and stops them sticking.
Worth reading fault codes if possible - just to check all is well.
Service parts aren't crazy money - check that stuff's been done on a time based basis. Brake fluid is due at 3 years then every 2. Air con we had done at 3 years old as well and it had lost quite a lot of gas from new (dealer reckons they put the minimum in they can get away with on the line). S-tronic needs doing at about 37k miles from memory so if you're looking at average mileage cars they should've had it - budget £200 or less if it's not been done but the change interval is pretty critical to gearbox health.
Did I mention spec?!
There's a lot been for sale for months which are either poor spec, over-priced, or both. Good ones sell easily and quickly.
This is great information thank you I think the water pump issues only applied on 2009-10 models, so you should have the metal water pump and not the plastic - if you look down the front of the engine on the passenger side and can see a lump of black plastic with a pulley on it, then it's the older pump. Ours had metal from the factory.
Spec is the biggest killer - as soon as you want any ADS options your search will be much more restricted. If you're not fussed about quattro sport diff, adaptive damping, adaptive steering, then there's quite a few to choose from. Download the old brochures from the owners area of the Audi site and check out the options and work out what matters to you and what you can be flexible on.
Be aware of the different types of sat nav system that could be specced. Most should have tech pack high aka HDD nav - it has a little joystick on top of the main MMI wheel as well as having a 'jukebox' option for music storage. A 6 disc CD changer and a nav drive behind the boot cover on the nearside means tech pack low. I'd avoid a car without nav as the centre console looks really bare bones without it.
Watch that the windows drop correctly as you open the door - if they catch due to being abused when frozen up they can be expensive to replace. There's some rubber treatment you can buy on ebay for a fiver that lubes the seals and stops them sticking.
Worth reading fault codes if possible - just to check all is well.
Service parts aren't crazy money - check that stuff's been done on a time based basis. Brake fluid is due at 3 years then every 2. Air con we had done at 3 years old as well and it had lost quite a lot of gas from new (dealer reckons they put the minimum in they can get away with on the line). S-tronic needs doing at about 37k miles from memory so if you're looking at average mileage cars they should've had it - budget £200 or less if it's not been done but the change interval is pretty critical to gearbox health.
Did I mention spec?!
There's a lot been for sale for months which are either poor spec, over-priced, or both. Good ones sell easily and quickly.
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