High Mileage S5 4.2 V8s
Discussion
Hi All,
Within the next couple of months (March/April) I am looking to get a new car. I have previously owned a B8 A4 TDI which I absolutely loved. I want to get back into an Audi, and I was wondering if some of you guys could give me some advice regarding the S5 4.2 V8.
Most of the cars I am looking at are around 08 plate, and have around 80k miles on them. There is one car in particular that caught my eye due to the colour (dark blue with cream leather) which has over 110k on it. It has 2 owners and full service history.
I am mainly wondering how these cars are at that sort of mileage? It doesn’t normally put me off too much (I bought my A4 at 85k and run it to 110k fault free), but this would be my first V8, and I am worried about the potential for problems. Obviously overall condition is important too.
I have done some reading about and generally the only things that seem to crop up repeatedly are coking (which I understand is an FSI issue not exclusive to the V8), weak clutches, and timing chain rattles. I am looking for a Manual car, but would consider an Automatic.
Also I would like to know rough servicing costs, intervals, other possible expenses that I should perhaps be aware of. Anything else that I should be looking for?
I know these are expensive cars and just want to get a rough idea of things, general ownership experiences would also be nice to read too. The majority I’ve read so far about them is positive.
Thanks in advance
Ben
Within the next couple of months (March/April) I am looking to get a new car. I have previously owned a B8 A4 TDI which I absolutely loved. I want to get back into an Audi, and I was wondering if some of you guys could give me some advice regarding the S5 4.2 V8.
Most of the cars I am looking at are around 08 plate, and have around 80k miles on them. There is one car in particular that caught my eye due to the colour (dark blue with cream leather) which has over 110k on it. It has 2 owners and full service history.
I am mainly wondering how these cars are at that sort of mileage? It doesn’t normally put me off too much (I bought my A4 at 85k and run it to 110k fault free), but this would be my first V8, and I am worried about the potential for problems. Obviously overall condition is important too.
I have done some reading about and generally the only things that seem to crop up repeatedly are coking (which I understand is an FSI issue not exclusive to the V8), weak clutches, and timing chain rattles. I am looking for a Manual car, but would consider an Automatic.
Also I would like to know rough servicing costs, intervals, other possible expenses that I should perhaps be aware of. Anything else that I should be looking for?
I know these are expensive cars and just want to get a rough idea of things, general ownership experiences would also be nice to read too. The majority I’ve read so far about them is positive.
Thanks in advance
Ben
I have an S6 with 150k, only had it 2 weeks, and was terrified of the miles.
The reason I went for it is that it had FULL Audi history, and the major known faults, coking aside, had been done. Also the car was extremely clean and tidy, and hadn't been messed with.
I think with the S/RS, and probably most cars, it's better to base your judgment on history/condition, rather than mileage.
I for one am glad I took a leap of faith...so far!
The reason I went for it is that it had FULL Audi history, and the major known faults, coking aside, had been done. Also the car was extremely clean and tidy, and hadn't been messed with.
I think with the S/RS, and probably most cars, it's better to base your judgment on history/condition, rather than mileage.
I for one am glad I took a leap of faith...so far!
- edited to add, Audi are offering fixed price servicing deals at the moment, and price match too I believe, so worth looking at that. To do front discs and pads is something like £395 on my S6, the discs alone are more or less that much, so a good price to be had.
Edited by rufmeister on Saturday 14th February 09:51
Thanks for the reply
I know about the fixed price servicing as they were running that when I had my A4. Certainly helps make running costs a bit more reasonable! I also found my local main dealer very good, so would like to go back to using them, but I would not be against using an independent though if there is ever a cost issue.
It's just a mental thing with the mileage. It wouldn't concern me at all buying a run of the mill TDI or whatever at this sort of mileage, but the fact these are a big engined performance car just makes it that little bit more daunting. It's completely different to anything I've owned before really!
Ben
I know about the fixed price servicing as they were running that when I had my A4. Certainly helps make running costs a bit more reasonable! I also found my local main dealer very good, so would like to go back to using them, but I would not be against using an independent though if there is ever a cost issue.
It's just a mental thing with the mileage. It wouldn't concern me at all buying a run of the mill TDI or whatever at this sort of mileage, but the fact these are a big engined performance car just makes it that little bit more daunting. It's completely different to anything I've owned before really!
Ben
4.2 V8 is glorious. I had one in my B6 S4 and the noise (with a Milltek) was epic.
Whenever you're buying anything high mileage, just think about when you might sell it on and how big your market might be at that time.
Go in with eyes wide open to both purchase and re sale and buy accordingly., especially if you plan to keep it for 12-18 months only.
I'm happy to buy highish mileage but am genuniely realistic of resale value come the time to move it on.
Whenever you're buying anything high mileage, just think about when you might sell it on and how big your market might be at that time.
Go in with eyes wide open to both purchase and re sale and buy accordingly., especially if you plan to keep it for 12-18 months only.
I'm happy to buy highish mileage but am genuniely realistic of resale value come the time to move it on.
Everyone seems to trot out the 'well maintained high milers are nothing to worry about' line, which while true for major mechanical aspects doesn't always hold true for the boring minutiae. Personally I would worry about wear and tear of suspension, bearings, window mechs as well as all the obvious service stuff (brakes, plugs, filters, etc...). Owned plenty of high mileage cars and they have all required far more work than low mileage or new. Sounds obvious but seeing as you're asking the question you should be open to the likelihood of having to replace many parts that will reach the end of their life during your ownership.
If it's cheap enough maybe no problem, but personally I can do without the hassle.
If it's cheap enough maybe no problem, but personally I can do without the hassle.
Thanks for the replies so far.
I am looking to keep the car reasonably long term. 3 years+
I guess its just a case of looking properly and considering condition as well as what might have been done on top of usual servicing. I'm not a stranger myself to high mileage cars, I've had a Saab 93 which I run from 117k to 130k, aside from usual servicing it required new rear wheel bearings, and front coil springs which I think is acceptable given the mileage of the car. On buying it was in great condition, not even the leather bolsters were worn, and it had most common faults already sorted (new egr, inlet, injectors etc) before I owned it. My A4 needed nothing other than servicing. Both cars were one owner and appeared to have been well maintained.
On the other hand the car I currently own is 14 months old and has 16,000 miles on it. I bought it brand new. It has been nothing but a pain. Nothing mechanical, just one ridiculous fault after another, and has been back at the dealer on several occasions already. Yes it's all been under warranty so far, but it's still a hassle and I can't wait to get rid of it.
I just want to make sure that quite literally these cars are not likely to explode at any given moment! An engine of this size is not something I am familiar with, so I'm just trying to absorb as much info about them as I can before I go and get one. Word on a forum is obviously no guarantee, but generally from what I've read here and elsewhere the consensus seems to be positive, with a few relatively minor things to look out for.
I think if I can find a well maintained 1 owner car with around 70-80k. I should be doing ok...Hopefully!
Ben
I am looking to keep the car reasonably long term. 3 years+
I guess its just a case of looking properly and considering condition as well as what might have been done on top of usual servicing. I'm not a stranger myself to high mileage cars, I've had a Saab 93 which I run from 117k to 130k, aside from usual servicing it required new rear wheel bearings, and front coil springs which I think is acceptable given the mileage of the car. On buying it was in great condition, not even the leather bolsters were worn, and it had most common faults already sorted (new egr, inlet, injectors etc) before I owned it. My A4 needed nothing other than servicing. Both cars were one owner and appeared to have been well maintained.
On the other hand the car I currently own is 14 months old and has 16,000 miles on it. I bought it brand new. It has been nothing but a pain. Nothing mechanical, just one ridiculous fault after another, and has been back at the dealer on several occasions already. Yes it's all been under warranty so far, but it's still a hassle and I can't wait to get rid of it.
I just want to make sure that quite literally these cars are not likely to explode at any given moment! An engine of this size is not something I am familiar with, so I'm just trying to absorb as much info about them as I can before I go and get one. Word on a forum is obviously no guarantee, but generally from what I've read here and elsewhere the consensus seems to be positive, with a few relatively minor things to look out for.
I think if I can find a well maintained 1 owner car with around 70-80k. I should be doing ok...Hopefully!
Ben
Edited by BenRichards89 on Sunday 15th February 15:36
Barry Ashcroft said:
Hi Matt which version of milltek did you have?
Hi BarryI went with a catback resonated version. Not intrusive but sounded great when accelerating or on the over run.
I dabbled with replacing the resonated centre sections with non resonated for 2 weeks (having had it on the car for 6 years).
I removed them and put the resonated centres back on as I couldn't bear the droaning at 50mph (the commute speed) and they hummed at 85-90 on the motorway.
Some people love the non resonated but they were not for me.
My S5 has just moved on to 70k. Still feels tight as a drum and the interior really is in good nick.
It's a lovely bit of kit. Mugello blue with silver leather and 20 inch wheels. It's being part exchanged in April if you're interested. Pic in my profile for reference.
Apart from normal servicing it's had two fuel filler release mechanisms, a window regulator and two clutches. All work completed by bolton audi under warranty.
Neither clutch was due to abuse/mileage. Gearbox came out as a small bearing had gone. Changed the clutch as a precaution (was over 2/3 worn). 2k later new clutch plate had failed (!) so it was replaced along with the flywheel.
Wouldn't hesitate to use for another 50,000. It's that good, comfortable and well spec'd that I'm really happy. Only changing as my wife wants a cab, so just ordered a new S5
It's a lovely bit of kit. Mugello blue with silver leather and 20 inch wheels. It's being part exchanged in April if you're interested. Pic in my profile for reference.
Apart from normal servicing it's had two fuel filler release mechanisms, a window regulator and two clutches. All work completed by bolton audi under warranty.
Neither clutch was due to abuse/mileage. Gearbox came out as a small bearing had gone. Changed the clutch as a precaution (was over 2/3 worn). 2k later new clutch plate had failed (!) so it was replaced along with the flywheel.
Wouldn't hesitate to use for another 50,000. It's that good, comfortable and well spec'd that I'm really happy. Only changing as my wife wants a cab, so just ordered a new S5
MattS3 said:
Hi Barry
I went with a catback resonated version. Not intrusive but sounded great when accelerating or on the over run.
I dabbled with replacing the resonated centre sections with non resonated for 2 weeks (having had it on the car for 6 years).
I removed them and put the resonated centres back on as I couldn't bear the droaning at 50mph (the commute speed) and they hummed at 85-90 on the motorway.
Some people love the non resonated but they were not for me.
I was the opposite I had the resonated but while sounding great wasn't quite loud enough so went for non resonated which was much better. Now got cat replacement pipes as well & it sounds fantastic!I went with a catback resonated version. Not intrusive but sounded great when accelerating or on the over run.
I dabbled with replacing the resonated centre sections with non resonated for 2 weeks (having had it on the car for 6 years).
I removed them and put the resonated centres back on as I couldn't bear the droaning at 50mph (the commute speed) and they hummed at 85-90 on the motorway.
Some people love the non resonated but they were not for me.
Edited by kippax on Wednesday 18th February 23:58
kippax said:
I was the opposite I had non resonated but while sounding great wasn't quite loud enough so went for non resonated which was much better. Now got cat replacement pipes as well & it sounds fantastic!
If I was keeping mine I'd defo go with a Militek. They sound bloody amazing! Seriously, the running costs can be quite sensible. I just had a minor service at Audi for £195. Major is £365 under their fixed price regime which includes both air filters, oil filter, 10 litres of synthetic oil, pollen filter and 10 platinum spark plugs. AO rates Toyo Proxes can be had for under £100 a corner. I admit that fuel consumption can be bad. I get around 13mpg around the city centre and around 20mpg on a run. Tax is £500.Not sure how this stacks up against the S5.
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