2008/9 A5 3.2 What goes wrong ?

[Crackie]

Hi,
I'm thinking seriously about getting one of these and was hoping to benefit from the forum's knowledge & experiences.

What goes wrong with first gen A5 coupes; 3.2 in particular. ?

Car I have in mind is a 58 plate manual with 25k miles.

Thanks.

[rassi]

The 3.2 has a reputation for stretched timing chains, especially on engines with long service intervals

[Ved]

Had an R32 with the same engine and the above is the only issue. Regular oil changes, even every 6 months, is the best way to do it and also have the chain inspected before you part with any money. Oh and get a fruity exhaust.

[xjay1337]

Same engine as r32 so look up common faults.
Timing chains can be an issue but generally solid engines.

[catso]

Surely the A5 uses a different 3.2 engine than the R32/A3 - longitudinally mounted conventional V6 rather than the transverse VR6? that said I have no idea if it also has a chocolate camchain.

[Ved]

catso said:

Surely the A5 uses a different 3.2 engine than the R32/A3 - longitudinally mounted conventional V6 rather than the transverse VR6? that said I have no idea if it also has a chocolate camchain.

You're actually correct there. Still chain driven so that's all you'd likely need to focus on.

[xjay1337]

Ah, I've just done some research, and I was totally wrong :-)

Seems to be a totally different, proper V6, rather than an VR6.

[mikes2w]

I've had one of these for 2.5 years. Now on 70k miles.

Fuel flap actuator is the only fault I've had.

Window regulator failure is quite common

[Crackie]

Thanks for the replies. My wife had a 3.2 TT DSG for a few years so was aware of timing chain concerns.

I'd read about some of the VAG FSI engines suffering from the cylinder head / valves choking up. Has anyone got any experience of this on theirs ? Walnut shell cleaning ??

[Dr G]

I've never seen a later (B8 generation) 3.2 suffer chain issues (although did see it now and then on older B7 A4s).

[Adrian E]

Watch that you're getting the drivetrain you expect - I believe these were available as front wheel drive with multitronic (nasty CVT) or quattro with tiptronic (proper 6 speed ZF auto), with manual versions available too. Some later options will have s-tronic dual clutch box, but will mainly be sportbacks.

[Crackie]

It is a 'proper' manual rather than a dual clutch job.

I've been doing some more digging online and have found several threads regarding failure of the timing chain tensioners and guides. Very rare problem in UK but probably because, relatively, there were very few 3.2 fsi sold. Engine out job to fix

[si_xsi]

In the r32 it was not an engine out job, but the gearbox had to be dropped so still quite labour intensive. If you have vagcom software you should be able to obtain readings from the cam chain block to see if they are in tolerance or if they have suffered from stretch.