Audi S5 4.2 V8 Service schedule

[adz86]

Afternoon all

Looking to buy an Audi S5 4.2 V8 (any year), but having a hard time finding out what work should have been done during each service. Is there any work I need to be check has been done?

I've been looking at potential issues, and other than carbon build up, the car seems pretty solid. I used to have a 2008 3.0TDI version and never had a problem with it.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Dr G]

Check the oil regularly. If you drive it hard-ish a litre in 1k miles is totally normal.

Oil every 10 (although they did leave the factory on silly 20k longlife intervals). A lot of people like to run the V8s on 5w40 (instead of 5w30) as they get bloody hot and the 40 seems to reduce oil consumption noticably.

Brake fluid due first at 3 years then every 2 afterwards.

Pollen filter 2yrs/20k.

Plugs every 40 (I think it's 60 officially but the V8s foul them up quite quickly)

Filters every 60 (again, they're often dirty much sooner)

Clutches on manuals aren't the best. If they feel squidgy or heavy you can easily do 2k with a flywheel to replace it.

Old 6 speed tip boxes are virtually indestructible.

[adz86]

Thanks for the reply

I assume most of this should be in a log book with the service stamps?

I've heard the auto's aren't that good, the old auto boxes being slow and not engaging. I've also heard the old manuals (2007-2010) can feel sluggish too.

[Dr G]

The 6 speed ZF torque convertor box (tiptronic) in those is fine, it isn't whip-crack fast like a newer S Tronic but it doesn't feel like a slug either. The V8s make a really good spread of torque so you'll spend a lot of time 'in gear' anyway.

The manual in those does have a longish throw to it, getting a fast, smooth shift takes a little bit of practice.

As for 'should be' don't make any assumptions. There's a perception that they only need an oil change every 20k miles regardless of time or how they're driven. Given that a lot of these cars are older and cheaper now there can be a reluctance to spend money properly staying on top of maintenance. A 2008 with 50k miles on it could easily still have its original spark plugs in, for example. Would you want to run or rely on 10 year old plugs?

Edited by Dr G on Friday 3rd August 08:41

[adz86]

Test driving a manual tomorrow will see if I can find an auto to compare. I've driven manuals all my life (bar the odd hire car) so its just what I'm used too and didn't even consider it with the perceived negativeness on review sites and youtube.

Completely agree, I'd expect these to be changed at the right year, rather than millage, and see proof of it before purchasing.

[Dr G]

A lot of motoring journalists (and wannabe/copycat 'journalists') criticise and comment on what they think they should, often following a perceived trend, rather than forming a critique from experience or real world usage. Look at the comments in General Gassing on the launch of just about any Audi product, they're all the same tired, cliches. Audi unsurprisingly know a lot more about what their customers want and like than some bloke with a GoPro and an Instagram account.

I.e. - This hybrid Lexus SUV does not have the same steering feel as a Caterham.

It's like panicking that Aldi doesn't stock beluga caviar; a complete irrelevance.

The tip box works fine, it's smooth, reliable, and responds plenty well. The slightly shower shift in a manual (compared to a Honda Type R or something) isn't really an issue on the road as 3rd gear will take you from ~10mph to something like 90. It is not a frenetic car to drive.

[adz86]

So looking at one now, this is the service history.

Unknown date - 17539 (Audi)
09/09 - 32743 (Audi) - Pollen filter changed
11/10 - 49357 (Audi) - Oil & Pollen filter changed
09/13 - 60289 (Audi Independent) - Oil, Break fluid, Spark plugs, Air & Pollen filter changed
05/15 - 62622 (Audi Independent) - Oil changed
09/16 - 64088 (Audi Independent) - Oil changed
07/18 - 69071 (Garage whos selling) - Oil & Spark plug changed

So, going off whats above, due a break fluid change. Not the most consistent history, but seems to tick the oil and spark plug boxes. Looks like in its earlier years it was left a little longer than should for a service. Dealer says there is loads of paperwork (wounder if I find any carbon clean work), and willing to negotiate on any other work that needs doing.

They also provide a 12 month in house warranty on all work and labor (as long as the car goes back to them..) but offer a 36 month warranty first warranty

Edited by adz86 on Friday 3rd August 18:13