2008 ish Audi S5 - Am I missing something?
Discussion
Decades long reader, first time poster.
I used to read General Gassing when I was a kid now I'm finally in the position to buy a car that would be PH worthy (no more s
t boxes)
I'm the market for a weekend road trip car and fancy something with a big engine and reasonably practical (fit two weekend bags in the back)
I'm an English expat in Aus so fuel price isn't too much of a factor £0.63 p/l and will only be used for weekend cruises exploring the country. I don't need a daily drive as I can walk/public transport within the city.
Have gone through many ideas:
Golf R32 - Nice all rounder but just doesn't seem special - hard to find someone who has actually looked after the DSG services on time.
TTS - Had a mk2 TT was okay - want something different.
E46 M3 - Out of budget for a good one.
Alfa 156 gta - Heart says yes, head says no.
Z4M Coupe - Out of budget here.
Audi S5 V8 seems to fit the bill nicely; big, comfortable, fast, modern & they seem relatively affordable in comparison to other similar cars of the era without crazy high milage.
I can't seem to find too many common faults with these?
Assuming DSG would be similar story to the R32, manuals are hard to find in Aus but would pick on up if I see one - resale value is less though.
Timing belt needs to be serviced every x? Can't find a definitive answer to this or even if it has a belt or a chain?
I know it isn't going to have the most engaging steering but other than that I can't think of anything else that will have the sense of occasion, happily munch up the miles (or KM as they say here) on the highway and still be engaging when I want it to be.
So my question is, are there any common faults or red flags i'm not noticing about a V8 S5 (causing them to be so cheap) or have I missed any other options?
A V8 Holden Maloo would be interesting but can't imagine doing a long trip in one.
I used to read General Gassing when I was a kid now I'm finally in the position to buy a car that would be PH worthy (no more s
t boxes)I'm the market for a weekend road trip car and fancy something with a big engine and reasonably practical (fit two weekend bags in the back)
I'm an English expat in Aus so fuel price isn't too much of a factor £0.63 p/l and will only be used for weekend cruises exploring the country. I don't need a daily drive as I can walk/public transport within the city.
Have gone through many ideas:
Golf R32 - Nice all rounder but just doesn't seem special - hard to find someone who has actually looked after the DSG services on time.
TTS - Had a mk2 TT was okay - want something different.
E46 M3 - Out of budget for a good one.
Alfa 156 gta - Heart says yes, head says no.
Z4M Coupe - Out of budget here.
Audi S5 V8 seems to fit the bill nicely; big, comfortable, fast, modern & they seem relatively affordable in comparison to other similar cars of the era without crazy high milage.
I can't seem to find too many common faults with these?
Assuming DSG would be similar story to the R32, manuals are hard to find in Aus but would pick on up if I see one - resale value is less though.
Timing belt needs to be serviced every x? Can't find a definitive answer to this or even if it has a belt or a chain?
I know it isn't going to have the most engaging steering but other than that I can't think of anything else that will have the sense of occasion, happily munch up the miles (or KM as they say here) on the highway and still be engaging when I want it to be.
So my question is, are there any common faults or red flags i'm not noticing about a V8 S5 (causing them to be so cheap) or have I missed any other options?
A V8 Holden Maloo would be interesting but can't imagine doing a long trip in one.
Mod edit. Please do not bypass the swear filter.
I'm far from an expert but these have been on my list for quite a while.
They are timing chains and the 4.2 audi V8 has had issues with the tensioner needing replaced, an engine out job. Though it's not hugely common it can happen and it'll typically be bloody expensive to do.
I love them and aware that the performance is still good, but not quite as fast as folk would think, fuel consumption isnt great and I'd imagine they would be fairly hard to get more power out of unless you've deep pockets!
I love them though, they look great in the right colour/spec and sound awesome. Good luck on the hunt.
They are timing chains and the 4.2 audi V8 has had issues with the tensioner needing replaced, an engine out job. Though it's not hugely common it can happen and it'll typically be bloody expensive to do.
I love them and aware that the performance is still good, but not quite as fast as folk would think, fuel consumption isnt great and I'd imagine they would be fairly hard to get more power out of unless you've deep pockets!
I love them though, they look great in the right colour/spec and sound awesome. Good luck on the hunt.
PixelpeepZ4 said:
E89 Z4 35i?
Not sure on practicality for your situation, boot is reasonable but halved if you want the roof down.
In budget, Straight (inline) 6 cylinder twin turbo, nice noise, very tuneable (306hp standard), metal roof.
i drive one on the weekends
Can confirm the engine in these is absolutely tremendous. A couple hundred quid can take you up to 380-400bhp. I've a 335i and it's a monster. Not sure on practicality for your situation, boot is reasonable but halved if you want the roof down.
In budget, Straight (inline) 6 cylinder twin turbo, nice noise, very tuneable (306hp standard), metal roof.
i drive one on the weekends
mikes2w said:
You won't need to worry about DSG in the 4.2 V8.
They were tiptronic or manual 6 speed
Isn't it S-Tronic, which is basically just an Audi-renamed DSG? Could be wrong, mind.They were tiptronic or manual 6 speed
OP, they seem a lot of value for the money. They're not that fast by today's standards, but probably quick enough and you can't beat that noise. I don't think they'll be that expensive to run either. I'm sure getting a bad one will put you off for life, but the same can be said for any car like that. Some parts and consumable won't be the cheapest but they seem really solid cars.
Most people aren't happy to run thirsty cars like these, so that could be why they're so cheap. I'm sure somewhere has a buyers guide for them, which is probably worth checking out.
I've only driven a manual one, but engine aside, I didn't really gel with it. It felt like engine, gearbox and suspension had been designed by teams who'd never spoken together and the resultant coming together is a bit of a mess. Also feels very big and heavy.
Shame as I wanted to like it...
Chris
Shame as I wanted to like it...
Chris
Someone asked something similiar recently, in respect to running costs (https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=&t=1895038).
My reply replicated below for ease:
My reply replicated below for ease:
deeb0 said:
I've a 2008 V8 on 68k miles that I've owned for 2 and a bit years, it's used as our main /family car. We do about 4/5k a year in it. Tax is indeed £570 odd quid a year. long term MPG for us is 17.2, couple of hundred miles to a tank. A decent run for an hour will see it do 23/24mpg.
The V8 is quiet from the inside, it hums along but it's not too much of an event. Overall the build quality feels pretty good, I havent had many issues, some suspension components, an ABS sensor and a headlight leveling sensor. One of the headlights is 'delaminating' which is annoying/unsightly. Edit: when I first got it there was a secondary air pump issue which was replaced under warranty from the garage I bought from, part of the system that helps the cat converter when the car first starts.
I like the simple butch lines of it , think it looks less fussy than the more modern iterations.
It's nice enough although I generally feel it's better to look at than drive . The gear change isn't that satisfying. The steerings a bit light for my taste. The exhaust note a little too muted. It's a better cruiser than 'driver' if that makes sense.
Reasonable value though. Other people ask me about it quite a lot, surprisingly I thought it looked more or less like any other old audi.
The V8 is quiet from the inside, it hums along but it's not too much of an event. Overall the build quality feels pretty good, I havent had many issues, some suspension components, an ABS sensor and a headlight leveling sensor. One of the headlights is 'delaminating' which is annoying/unsightly. Edit: when I first got it there was a secondary air pump issue which was replaced under warranty from the garage I bought from, part of the system that helps the cat converter when the car first starts.
I like the simple butch lines of it , think it looks less fussy than the more modern iterations.
It's nice enough although I generally feel it's better to look at than drive . The gear change isn't that satisfying. The steerings a bit light for my taste. The exhaust note a little too muted. It's a better cruiser than 'driver' if that makes sense.
Reasonable value though. Other people ask me about it quite a lot, surprisingly I thought it looked more or less like any other old audi.
No you're not missing anything I think they're a good looking car & they have a V8 so what's not to like but they can potentially suffer with timing chain stretch, the auto's are conventional autos & not DSG units.
They're heavy (what car isn't these days) cars so can wear suspension components & that's pretty much it, you can get the 3.2 but it's the same road tax as the S5 not really that much better on fuel so I'd go for the S5.
Here's a Readers Car thread on owning one:
https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element...
ttihrqz61o&q=https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp%3Fh%3D0%26f%3D47%26t%3D1737966%26i%3D200&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwia_qDxnpntAhUXCGMBHcetBac4ChAWMAF6BAgJEAI&usg=AOvVaw2JmmcHYDm69oNhYo2DH7h7
Now there is a car I'd buy over the S5 but they're rare to find for sale & that's the E500 coupe bulletproof drivetrain restrained but torque laden V8, the only downside is finding one.
They're heavy (what car isn't these days) cars so can wear suspension components & that's pretty much it, you can get the 3.2 but it's the same road tax as the S5 not really that much better on fuel so I'd go for the S5.
Here's a Readers Car thread on owning one:
https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element...
ttihrqz61o&q=https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp%3Fh%3D0%26f%3D47%26t%3D1737966%26i%3D200&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwia_qDxnpntAhUXCGMBHcetBac4ChAWMAF6BAgJEAI&usg=AOvVaw2JmmcHYDm69oNhYo2DH7h7Now there is a car I'd buy over the S5 but they're rare to find for sale & that's the E500 coupe bulletproof drivetrain restrained but torque laden V8, the only downside is finding one.
I’m in Oz too, so can add that slant to it.
What’s your budget, $25-30k?
As you know, prestige German stuff tends to be poor value here compared to the local/American offerings.
Have you thought about 300SRT, Jeep GC SRT and Commodore SS? All offer big, comfortable, V8 bang for buck IMO.
What’s your budget, $25-30k?
As you know, prestige German stuff tends to be poor value here compared to the local/American offerings.
Have you thought about 300SRT, Jeep GC SRT and Commodore SS? All offer big, comfortable, V8 bang for buck IMO.
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