2008 B8 S5 56k miles
Discussion
Hello all,
Looking for some input on the following topic. So after lusting after a V8 S5 for some time I bought one last year in November. Test drove it and loved it, was a clean example for the age and seemed good. FSH and only 2 previous keepers. However on the way home I noticed excessive vibrations through the steering wheel so contacted the guys I bought it from and then took it to my local specialist. They balanced the wheels and gave it a thorough check over. Got it back and they said all was good aside from a few minor points. Nothing urgent. Guys I bought it from refunded me half my bill, said they wouldn't pay for diagnostics, whatever I was happy to get some money back. That was £75 paid out. All was fine for a while then a headlamp went. Changed the bulb that didn't help. Took it back to the garage said it was the ballast. They wanted £300 for a new one, I sourced one from eBay and they installed it. Was about £100 for the part and the install. All was fine for a bit longer then we were hit by that cold snap at the start of the year and after freezing solid and working intermittently the driver's door handle failed. Another trip back to the garage. Think that was about £300 for parts and labour.
Again everything was ok for a bit, you guessed it though, then got the engine management light come on intermittently under acceleration. Was actually on the way to the garage for an oil change at the time. They kept it, ran diagnostics and said there was a misfire on cylinder 5. Investigation found that it was the injector. After some discussion with the garage they advised that other injectors could go but that there was nothing to suggest that currently. So decided to do just the one and the carbon clean whilst they were in there. £1700 bill followed.
About a month later under acceleration the engine management light came back on. Took it back again. Injector again this time on cylinder 3. Decided to just do the remaining 7 whilst they were there. £2000 bill followed.
As I'm sure anyone reading this can imagine I'm pretty sick of the sight of the car by now. But I'm in 2 minds. Do I just get rid of it, if I did it would be for something more practical and less expensive to run. Or after all that expense do I just keep the dam thing? I don't want it to depreciate too much and actually be able to get roughly what I paid for it last year. Or if I keep it does anyone think these might appreciate? Probably not with the RS5 around.
Apologies for the long thread but wanted some input. Thanks in advance
Looking for some input on the following topic. So after lusting after a V8 S5 for some time I bought one last year in November. Test drove it and loved it, was a clean example for the age and seemed good. FSH and only 2 previous keepers. However on the way home I noticed excessive vibrations through the steering wheel so contacted the guys I bought it from and then took it to my local specialist. They balanced the wheels and gave it a thorough check over. Got it back and they said all was good aside from a few minor points. Nothing urgent. Guys I bought it from refunded me half my bill, said they wouldn't pay for diagnostics, whatever I was happy to get some money back. That was £75 paid out. All was fine for a while then a headlamp went. Changed the bulb that didn't help. Took it back to the garage said it was the ballast. They wanted £300 for a new one, I sourced one from eBay and they installed it. Was about £100 for the part and the install. All was fine for a bit longer then we were hit by that cold snap at the start of the year and after freezing solid and working intermittently the driver's door handle failed. Another trip back to the garage. Think that was about £300 for parts and labour.
Again everything was ok for a bit, you guessed it though, then got the engine management light come on intermittently under acceleration. Was actually on the way to the garage for an oil change at the time. They kept it, ran diagnostics and said there was a misfire on cylinder 5. Investigation found that it was the injector. After some discussion with the garage they advised that other injectors could go but that there was nothing to suggest that currently. So decided to do just the one and the carbon clean whilst they were in there. £1700 bill followed.
About a month later under acceleration the engine management light came back on. Took it back again. Injector again this time on cylinder 3. Decided to just do the remaining 7 whilst they were there. £2000 bill followed.
As I'm sure anyone reading this can imagine I'm pretty sick of the sight of the car by now. But I'm in 2 minds. Do I just get rid of it, if I did it would be for something more practical and less expensive to run. Or after all that expense do I just keep the dam thing? I don't want it to depreciate too much and actually be able to get roughly what I paid for it last year. Or if I keep it does anyone think these might appreciate? Probably not with the RS5 around.
Apologies for the long thread but wanted some input. Thanks in advance
After reading this through I realise it's all very negative and there are still things I love about the car. I still love how it looks, how it sounds, the performance (fastest thing I've owned) the B&O sound system is the best I've had in a car and it is clean inside and out for the age. Having kids it isn't at all practical but that's why the wife has an estate and I didn't buy it for practicality.
It sounds as though you're very fond of the car, but understandably frustrated by the experience so far.
In my very humble opinion, a car is just a machine and can be indefinitely maintained and repaired - especially a VAG product, with so many garages and online support resources.
No-one can say for sure that fixing these problems will give you a trouble-free period ahead, not least because most 13-year-old vehicles will require more intensive maintenance. Only you can judge what's too much of a hassle!
In my very humble opinion, a car is just a machine and can be indefinitely maintained and repaired - especially a VAG product, with so many garages and online support resources.
No-one can say for sure that fixing these problems will give you a trouble-free period ahead, not least because most 13-year-old vehicles will require more intensive maintenance. Only you can judge what's too much of a hassle!
It sounds like you've repaired a lot of the common problems but I can understand it could continue to be a black hole for cash.
I bought a 2011 2 owner B8 S5 with 125k on the clock a few months ago and love it. It not the nippiest car I've had but I love the grunt and sound - it has the back boxes removed and straight pipes so sounds hooligan loud but my god it's great!!
Enjoy it while you can, there won't be any more in the future....
I bought a 2011 2 owner B8 S5 with 125k on the clock a few months ago and love it. It not the nippiest car I've had but I love the grunt and sound - it has the back boxes removed and straight pipes so sounds hooligan loud but my god it's great!!
Enjoy it while you can, there won't be any more in the future....
Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff