Audi S5 4.2, should I?
Discussion
For me, it's between this or an M135i.
The Audi is cheaper to buy but more expensive to run. The BMW will, with the law of averages, go wrong less due to its age and lower miles. The Audi shouldn't depreciate as much.
But I really want a V8 while I can! I don't want the gov to suddenly put huge taxes on them and I'll have to think forever that I never owned a V8 haha.
It'll be doing 10k miles a year and be used to commute 20 miles a day.
Any buying advice or suggestions?
Thanks
The Audi is cheaper to buy but more expensive to run. The BMW will, with the law of averages, go wrong less due to its age and lower miles. The Audi shouldn't depreciate as much.
But I really want a V8 while I can! I don't want the gov to suddenly put huge taxes on them and I'll have to think forever that I never owned a V8 haha.
It'll be doing 10k miles a year and be used to commute 20 miles a day.
Any buying advice or suggestions?
Thanks
I had a 2009 S5 4.2 V8 Manual (bought it in 2012 and sold it in 2015) and did about 50K miles (mainly motorway). The handling is not great but it is very comfortable and a perfect motorway cruiser although fuel economy was poor (can't remember the mpg but it was more than 23mpg!). I did not have any significant issues with it. It was my first V8 and I thought it was fairly quiet (would benefit from an aftermarket exhaust). It is a good car. Just don't expect the handling of a BMW.
I had a v6 A5 so not a direct comparison, but found it to be incredibly dull to drive, very understeer dominated. It was just ok in every way, no better in any department.
It was also epically unreliable, the gearbox was terrible and kept going wrong, constantly going back to Audi who seemed to blame me whenever it shat itself.
Was a relief when I got shot of it.
Got an M140 now... can’t think of what to replace it with.
It was also epically unreliable, the gearbox was terrible and kept going wrong, constantly going back to Audi who seemed to blame me whenever it shat itself.
Was a relief when I got shot of it.
Got an M140 now... can’t think of what to replace it with.
I've just done this!
I had an M135 about 6 years ago (the proper RWD, 6 cylinder, manual) from new and thoroughly enjoyed it doing about 16k a year. I loved it, probably the best car I've had.
About a month ago I bought an S5 4.2 ( I wanted a V8) as it will probably be my last petrol until they get taxed off the road and I have to go s
tbox EV as I won't be able to afford a Tesla or similar.
Mine is 2011 with 124k on the clock and currently having some back box delete straight pipes fitted and a machine polish, ceramic coating and the cream seats recoloured back to original, so being treated
It sounds nice as standard but I thought sod it, make it louder as I'll be doing about 5k a year.
I asked questions on here about what to look out for but didn't get many responses.
They suffer from valve coking if doing short runs and can lose about 100hp if bad. The timing chains can rattle but don't seem to be a weak point but are costly if need to be replaced.
The manual boxes are known to eat clutches and they last about 40k. The paddle auto is advised to be bombproof and sealed for life but I've just had the oil and filter changed in mine even though the VW/Audi specialist said it'll be fine.
If you're looking for the auto get one with the drive select buttons as it improves the throttle response, suspension and gives you a sport diff to play with.
I'm not sure how mixed tyres affect the quattro system but it's usually bad so check what tyres are fitted.
Door locks are a common fault where the handle doesn't operate but not a major cost to repair
There are a reasonable amount to choose from but keep an eye on milege and mot history online as I found a few that had hair cuts.
The last year was 2012 for the 4.2 and you can get a decent sat nav and blutooth options etc (not the latest stuff like apple/android car play)
There are some out there with poverty spec stereo/nav - avoid the cars with the menu controls above the heater buttons, there are a few and they are basic.
If you are looking to get more power, the only real option is to supercharge it.
It's a cruiser that you can put you foot down to enjoy.
I did about 4 months lockdown research.
The M135 is more nimble, economical and faster point to point on B roads but boot and cabin are alot smaller.
You will need to drive both to see which you prefer but I took the S5 for a test drive and bought it!
I had an M135 about 6 years ago (the proper RWD, 6 cylinder, manual) from new and thoroughly enjoyed it doing about 16k a year. I loved it, probably the best car I've had.
About a month ago I bought an S5 4.2 ( I wanted a V8) as it will probably be my last petrol until they get taxed off the road and I have to go s
tbox EV as I won't be able to afford a Tesla or similar.Mine is 2011 with 124k on the clock and currently having some back box delete straight pipes fitted and a machine polish, ceramic coating and the cream seats recoloured back to original, so being treated
It sounds nice as standard but I thought sod it, make it louder as I'll be doing about 5k a year.
I asked questions on here about what to look out for but didn't get many responses.
They suffer from valve coking if doing short runs and can lose about 100hp if bad. The timing chains can rattle but don't seem to be a weak point but are costly if need to be replaced.
The manual boxes are known to eat clutches and they last about 40k. The paddle auto is advised to be bombproof and sealed for life but I've just had the oil and filter changed in mine even though the VW/Audi specialist said it'll be fine.
If you're looking for the auto get one with the drive select buttons as it improves the throttle response, suspension and gives you a sport diff to play with.
I'm not sure how mixed tyres affect the quattro system but it's usually bad so check what tyres are fitted.
Door locks are a common fault where the handle doesn't operate but not a major cost to repair
There are a reasonable amount to choose from but keep an eye on milege and mot history online as I found a few that had hair cuts.
The last year was 2012 for the 4.2 and you can get a decent sat nav and blutooth options etc (not the latest stuff like apple/android car play)
There are some out there with poverty spec stereo/nav - avoid the cars with the menu controls above the heater buttons, there are a few and they are basic.
If you are looking to get more power, the only real option is to supercharge it.
It's a cruiser that you can put you foot down to enjoy.
I did about 4 months lockdown research.
The M135 is more nimble, economical and faster point to point on B roads but boot and cabin are alot smaller.
You will need to drive both to see which you prefer but I took the S5 for a test drive and bought it!
Thanks for all the replies people! I will definitely both.
I currently drive a Fiesta ST that'll do 40mpg at 75, so I'm gonna be in for a shock mpg wise, that's why my head says M135i.
I have an MX5 as a fun second car so this will be more of a cruiser.
Never had a 6 pot either, so both options will a different thing to experience.
Decisions decisions
I currently drive a Fiesta ST that'll do 40mpg at 75, so I'm gonna be in for a shock mpg wise, that's why my head says M135i.
I have an MX5 as a fun second car so this will be more of a cruiser.
Never had a 6 pot either, so both options will a different thing to experience.
Decisions decisions
I took an S5 4.2 V8 for a test drive a few years ago. I was all set on buying it....until I drove it.
It was dull. I was gutted because I really wanted it but did nothing for me.
All the cost of running a V8 with seemingly none of the drama. I'd go for the later V6 supercharged if you can stretch the budget - and then chip it!
I have had other V8 cars - a 5.0 Chimaera and a 5.0 XKR - and they definitely delivered drama by the bucket full. The Audi did not, and I'm an Audi guy at heart so it is tough to admit this.
Fully agree that some work on the exhaust etc would make a big difference, but probably not enough to make me chose one over other more engaging cars. However the 4WD is a big bonus for year round driving. The XKR was frankly unnerving on cold wet roads with its 510 bph
Honest opinion from someone who really wanted one. Odd really because I had the 4.2 S4 Avant for a while and that was pretty good as a fast all year round estate car.
It was dull. I was gutted because I really wanted it but did nothing for me.
All the cost of running a V8 with seemingly none of the drama. I'd go for the later V6 supercharged if you can stretch the budget - and then chip it!
I have had other V8 cars - a 5.0 Chimaera and a 5.0 XKR - and they definitely delivered drama by the bucket full. The Audi did not, and I'm an Audi guy at heart so it is tough to admit this.
Fully agree that some work on the exhaust etc would make a big difference, but probably not enough to make me chose one over other more engaging cars. However the 4WD is a big bonus for year round driving. The XKR was frankly unnerving on cold wet roads with its 510 bph
Honest opinion from someone who really wanted one. Odd really because I had the 4.2 S4 Avant for a while and that was pretty good as a fast all year round estate car.
Edited by TorqueDirty on Tuesday 23 March 13:40
TorqueDirty said:
All the cost of running a V8 with seemingly none of the drama. I'd go for the later V6 supercharged if you can stretch the budget - and then chip it!
I have had other V8 cars - a 5.0 Chimaera and a 5.0 XKR - and they definitely delivered drama by the bucket full. The Audi did not, and I'm an Audi guy at heart so it is tough to admit this.
I do know what you mean. I'm an Audi guy too, but the fast Audis do suffer a few of the same problems. No 1 the noise. I had the V10, the sound was OK, but nothing special. Compare to an AMG merc or the BMW M5 it was lacklustre. 2. The understeer , only good thing to say about it is it is predictable, you know.its going to understeer and you know how much. I had a Honda Accord once and you turn into a corner quickly and you had no idea where it was going to end up.I have had other V8 cars - a 5.0 Chimaera and a 5.0 XKR - and they definitely delivered drama by the bucket full. The Audi did not, and I'm an Audi guy at heart so it is tough to admit this.
Parts can be costly. I had a throttle body fail. 1000 quod from Audi. Thankfully I found some nobber who had wrapped his S6 round a tree and got the part for 50 notes.
There's a readers car thread on one of these, I like them they're a good daily not the most exciting especially in the exhaust note department, but you can still have fun & enjoy these.
The M135i is a different experience, they're a fun steer (not on Megane RS levels) & something different to the S5 I'd say test drive both & you'll know what one you'll be buying.
The M135i is a different experience, they're a fun steer (not on Megane RS levels) & something different to the S5 I'd say test drive both & you'll know what one you'll be buying.
Felt exactly the same.
TVR griff and SL500 here as well.
Didn't sound great, didn't go great, didn't look great.
Seriously, I would discount the Audi.
TVR griff and SL500 here as well.
Didn't sound great, didn't go great, didn't look great.
Seriously, I would discount the Audi.
TorqueDirty said:
I took an S5 4.2 V8 for a test drive a few years ago. I was all set on buying it....until I drove it.
I was dull. I was gutted because I really wanted it but did nothing for me.
All the cost of running a V8 with seemingly none of the drama. I'd go for the later V6 supercharged if you can stretch the budget - and then chip it!
I have had other V8 cars - a 5.0 Chimaera and a 5.0 XKR - and they definitely delivered drama by the bucket full. The Audi did not, and I'm an Audi guy at heart so it is tough to admit this.
Fully agree that some work on the exhaust etc would make a big difference, but probably not enough to make me chose one over other more engaging cars. However the 4WD is a big bonus for year round driving. The XKR was frankly unnerving on cold wet roads with its 510 bph
Honest opinion from someone who really wanted one. Odd really because I had the 4.2 S4 Avant for a while and that was pretty good as a fast all year round estate car.
I was dull. I was gutted because I really wanted it but did nothing for me.
All the cost of running a V8 with seemingly none of the drama. I'd go for the later V6 supercharged if you can stretch the budget - and then chip it!
I have had other V8 cars - a 5.0 Chimaera and a 5.0 XKR - and they definitely delivered drama by the bucket full. The Audi did not, and I'm an Audi guy at heart so it is tough to admit this.
Fully agree that some work on the exhaust etc would make a big difference, but probably not enough to make me chose one over other more engaging cars. However the 4WD is a big bonus for year round driving. The XKR was frankly unnerving on cold wet roads with its 510 bph
Honest opinion from someone who really wanted one. Odd really because I had the 4.2 S4 Avant for a while and that was pretty good as a fast all year round estate car.
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