Would you still get an Audi S5...

[RadDoc]

... knowing that there are some issues with Audi:

1) FSI engine ultimately having to be cleaned out bc of carbon build-up
2) Overall, reliability of Audi in the past 10 years

I would be planning on keeping the car for 7-10+ years. ( it would be replacing a 1990 Mercedes 300SE)

[Audi_A5]

Voted YES. I don't think there is 1 car out there that has no issues after purchase. CB tends to be a big issue to some, but I believe the car makes up for it.
2.. Audi reliability is pretty good no? Never had any problems before, service/dealer/car
:thumbsup: Audi

[FaceSmA5h]

... knowing that there are some issues with Audi:

1) FSI engine ultimately having to be cleaned out bc of carbon build-up
2) Overall, reliability of Audi in the past 10 years

I would be planning on keeping the car for 7-10+ years. ( it would be replacing a 1990 Mercedes 300SE)

Pretend your car is a pet. If you want an English Bulldog for example I know they come with a lot of back problems and a lot of trips to to the Vet. Assume the cost and time one would have to put in to maintain the vehicle. If its worth it, then you should do it. IMO, cars will always continue to look better and improve in the future. I would lease first and buy later in case you want to keep your car.

[torsendiffsrock]

I think we all still did.

[GSS5]

Looks and sound won me over but that novelty has worn off somewhat. Rattles, creaks, carbon buildup, clutch issues, shit paint, soft leather, lackluster performance, high school kids....way too many problems for someone as anal about my cars as me. I still love my S5 and baby it no matter what but some days I really wish I'd gotten an E92 instead. I'm never buying another Audi for a while that's for sure.

[crisp74]

"high school kids" ???

what's that all about GS?
btw, bmw has more than it's fair share of problems too.

Doc, what i would tell you is that this car's gas mileage is absoultely horrendous, makes me feel like i'm driving a bugatti, with 1/10th of the performance. if you plan to keep it for a long time, that particular issue may start to wear on you. granted i've only had the car about eight months, so there is not much for me to complain about other than the mileage.

[GSS5]

what's that all about GS?
btw, bmw has more than it's fair share of problems too.

lol. just one particular. you know..a real pain in the ass...

i'd imagine BMW having problems, but none as bad as carbon buildup and a sticky clutch that Audi can't seem to do anything about...

btw are you planning on going to the auto show in the city?

[vidalkiss5]

If I had the time and money to spend correcting the errors with the S5 (supposedly the problem) I'd do it. but then again, u still have to maintain relaiabilty and upkeep with any car, especially a high-end vehicle.

gas prices is the only thing I'm concerned about right now. paid $4.49 a gal./prem. yesterday...

[Kurt2009]

Was ready to pounce when the change of engine was available; looks like I will not be buying the 2012 for sure.

[Tifosi]

... knowing that there are some issues with Audi:

1) FSI engine ultimately having to be cleaned out bc of carbon build-up
2) Overall, reliability of Audi in the past 10 years

I would be planning on keeping the car for 7-10+ years. ( it would be replacing a 1990 Mercedes 300SE)

Absolutely yes. Because of the following.....

1) CB has not been a problem on the V6 Supercharged engine, which is what I have in the S5 Cabriolet.
2) An Audi has been my daily driver since 2001. With the exception of Lexus, they are not any less reliable than any other cars within their market segment, they are especially equal to, if not better, overall reliability when compared to other European cars. With that said, just like any other eletronic-heavy cars of today, I would not plan on keeping them beyond 10 years as the repair/maintenance cost will offset their worth.
3) IMO, as the best all-around, all-season daily driver that comes with a personality, there is nothing better than an Audi at this point in time. The other marquees are not oblivious to this which is why all of them are offering optional AWD systems within all of their lineups.

[RadDoc]

Absolutely yes. Because of the following.....

1) CB has not been a problem on the V6 Supercharged engine, which is what I have in the S5 Cabriolet.
2) An Audi has been my daily driver since 2001. With the exception of Lexus, they are not any less reliable than any other cars within their market segment, they are especially equal to, if not better, overall reliability when compared to other European cars. With that said, just like any other eletronic-heavy cars of today, I would not plan on keeping them beyond 10 years as the repair/maintenance cost will offset their worth.
3) IMO, as the best all-around, all-season daily driver that comes with a personality, there is nothing better than an Audi at this point in time. The other marquees are not oblivious to this which is why all of them are offering optional AWD systems within all of their lineups.

I would be getting a coupe so CB would definitely be an issue but its seems like that it hasn't deterred many people. I am getting the extended warranty for 7 years 70 k miles. So that should give me some peace of mind, right?

[op487062]

i'd imagine BMW having problems, but none as bad as carbon buildup and a sticky clutch that Audi can't seem to do anything about...

you haven't read up on the dct issue and oil pan issues the 08-10 e90/e92's had? not sure if they've resolved them.

i've had a lot of little issues with this car. i'd say the biggest or recurring ones are:

mileage
tpms
oil level sensor
lurching in low gears
mmi/ipod issues

i hope i don't get the carbon buildup issue.

my mechanic--who used to be an audi-dealer master mechanic--told me i should buy the extended warranty once mine expires. he said it will pay for itself 5x over. *sigh*

[RadDoc]

you haven't read up on the dct issue and oil pan issues the 08-10 e90/e92's had? not sure if they've resolved them.

i've had a lot of little issues with this car. i'd say the biggest or recurring ones are:

mileage
tpms
oil level sensor
lurching in low gears
mmi/ipod issues

i hope i don't get the carbon buildup issue.

my mechanic--who used to be an audi-dealer master mechanic--told me i should buy the extended warranty once mine expires. he said it will pay for itself 5x over. *sigh*

Just curious, did he say to get the 7 Year or 10 year? Also what is TPMS and do you have a manual? I having heard about gear issues in the Tiptronic.

[torsendiffsrock]

the people that are supercharging it say it has a zf tranny. tpms is tire pressure monitoring.

just lease one if you're nervous. this isn't a mercedes from 1990.

[Zac]

because of carbon?? Almost all audis get it...

[RadDoc]

the people that are supercharging it say it has a zf tranny. tpms is tire pressure monitoring.

just lease one if you're nervous. this isn't a mercedes from 1990.

Haha... your right the merc isn't as technically advanced as the S5. Having this car for over 22 years though I think that it maybe more reliable and definitely heavier.

[Zee Dgerman]

I've had way more problems with my BMW's than with my current S4. I think Audi has gotten better with reliability.

[Ali-S5]

I got the car knowing these problems, so i'd say yes. its just a unique beast out there on the street. while the M3 looks so ordinary to me

[PGJ]

FWIW...I've had an e46 and an e90 and they are MUCH more reliable than both of my Audis.

[toothysaw2]

i say yes, but with the same points as the others. although i've managed 18+mpg, it's still not exactly a prius, but if they had done the gears differently to get better mileage it wouldn't be as fun to drive.
compared to my 2006 A4 i would say the quality and durability of the interior are rather poor, but still way above average. the only other reason i might reconsider is because having a nice car as a daily driver is a pain to worry about dings, scratches, etc. that would go for any expensive car though.

in the end it's a beautiful car that stands out, and it's a blast to drive. lots of similarly priced cars will outperform it, but nothing else is even close to as good looking.

[toaster]

Owning my second audi now, I can safely say that the reliability issues have really been a moot point during my ownership. In the last ten years, audi has done a tremendous amount to improve reliability. On my b7 I have had virtually NO problems at all, just the coilpack issue covered under warranty including a free tow, in over 50,000 miles.

compared to my 2006 A4 i would say the quality and durability of the interior are rather poor, but still way above average. the only other reason i might reconsider is because having a nice car as a daily driver is a pain to worry about dings, scratches, etc. that would go for any expensive car though. lots of similarly priced cars will outperform it, but nothing else is even close to as good looking.

i was extremely disappointed with the loss of uniform tactile feel from all interior buttons like the previous b6/b7 interior. Really disappointing what audi did with this aspect of the b8 interiors. But, as an audiophile, i feel that the new stereos, (even non-b&o,) more than make up for this shortcoming. Also, I am a little surprised that audi ditched older recaro seats for the newer options in the s4/s5, which seem to be less supportive to me.

I absolutely agree that the fiver coupes are some of the nicest looking cars on the road by far...at any price.

gas prices is the only thing I'm concerned about right now. paid $4.49 a gal./prem. yesterday...

Pshh...you lucky bastard!

[green a6]

yes

[ExhaustNote]

i was extremely disappointed with the loss of uniform tactile feel from all interior buttons like the previous b6/b7 interior. Really disappointing what audi did with this aspect of the b8 interiors. But, as an audiophile, i feel that the new stereos, (even non-b&o,) more than make up for this shortcoming. Also, I am a little surprised that audi ditched older recaro seats for the newer options in the s4/s5, which seem to be less supportive to me.

I could not agree with this more. The interior on the B8's look better but the plastic quality is definitely cheaper than my old B6.
I also agree that the S4 seats on my old car felt more supportive than the B8 and the leather seemed to hold up better as well. One of the biggest surprises for me, however, was how the 2g MMI was inferior to the RNS-E in many ways.

[toothysaw2]

But, as an audiophile, i feel that the new stereos, (even non-b&o,) more than make up for this shortcoming.

interesting, i actually think the non-b&o stereo is a huge step down. my a4 had audi symphony II or whatever the base stereo was, and it was really decent. since it was so good i decided not to do the b&o on the S5, and that's probably my biggest (only) regret.

[RadDoc]

for those of you that said yes, did you guys install a catch can Day 1?

[jcmiro]

Lol if it came with the new 3.0t engine ;-)

[elf_cruiser]

for those of you that said yes, did you guys install a catch can Day 1?

No, I just disconnected the whole stupid PCV system... 18k miles and still running like a raped date...

[RadDoc]

No, I just disconnected the whole stupid PCV system... 18k miles and still running like a raped date...

Hey elf_cruiser, I am a novice mechanic and not sure really what the PCV is and how to do that? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[BlkS5]

I did. When my S5 got totaled I went right out and bought another.

[RadDoc]

Hey elf_cruiser, I am a novice mechanic and not sure really what the PCV is and how to do that? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

was reading about it... may not be the safest option

[elf_cruiser]

Yah I did a write-up a while back, search and you should find it. Not sure if anyone else has tried it or not...

[KARAKAS]

This is an old post but I would like to share my experience...

Here are the issues I run into in my S5 with 65k miles:
- Carbon built up at intake valves which is a known issue
- Cylinder 8 injector failed at around 60k miles. This is due to injectors being located in the combustion chamber and known to be a common issue.
- Exhaust valve spring failure at 65k miles causing engine removal and cylinder head repair and rebuilt. This cannot be common but per AoA it is normal since the life expectance is 100k miles???.

I would not recommend this car to anyone, if you do like to style and the looks, make sure you have extended warranty. The last repair was over $4k.

[mxrz]

I would not recommend your car to anyone either.

[rmh]

FYI
If anyone doesn't think other manufacturers have carbon build up problems, then you haven't done your research. All direct injection engines will have carbon deposits and no amount of fuel additives will keep that from happening because the fuel doesn't flow over the valves, even BMWs.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=581084

http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorhea...-injection-101

Direct fuel injection, also known as GDI in gasoline engines, is a system where fuel is sprayed under high pressure directly into the combustion chamber of each cylinder. GDI is new technology that maximizes power and fuel economy allowing a smaller, lighter engine to provide the same or better performance as larger ones.

WHICH VEHICLES HAVE IT

Last December Ward's Automotive published their "Ten Best Engines" list for 2012. Seven of those engines have gasoline direct fuel injection. These engines ranged from 3.0 to 1.6 liter and were made by Audi, BMW (2), Ford, Buick, Hyundai, and Mazda. Other automakers including Volkswagen, Mercedes, Porsche, General Motors, Ferrari, Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, and Renault also offer direct injection, so it is widely available. GDI is often used with a turbocharger or supercharger for fuel economy gains of 10% or more. One fuel injector manufacturer projects that by 2015, 25% of all new vehicles in North America will be direct injection.

Then for some icing on the cake of why you don't want a BMW 435 you want the S5:
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...omparison-test

...If the S5 didn’t exist, the 435i would feel great. BMW’s problem is that the S5 does exist....

...Now in its seventh model year, the S5 casts a harsh light on the BMW’s dynamic gaps. Where the BMW is aloof and isolated, the S5 feels alive and vivid. There’s more sound and more sensation in the Audi driver’s chair than there is in the BMW’s. Its suspension filters out less of the road surface without being harsh. The heavier brake pedal offers a more consistent, natural feel. Its steering reacts more quickly, with a degree of feedback that’s absent in the BMW. At all times, the S5 feels like a car, not a simulation....

...the Audi pummeled the 4-series in every performance test, launching harder, turning sharper, and stopping shorter....

[kidentist]

Most of my trips to the dealer/auto shops in the last 2 years have either been maintenance or "mods"……just saying!

[ians]

Looks and sound won me over but that novelty has worn off somewhat. Rattles, creaks, carbon buildup, clutch issues, shit paint, soft leather, lackluster performance, high school kids....way too many problems for someone as anal about my cars as me. I still love my S5 and baby it no matter what but some days I really wish I'd gotten an E92 instead. I'm never buying another Audi for a while that's for sure.

I own both E92 335i & S5 with 3.0TFSI, I am so regret getting the S5 since I own the S5, I hate my beloved 335 more & more everyday! I did have CEL on my S5 the 2nd day, after that fixed, no problem so far for the year. On my first year on my 335, I have 3 limp mode & 4 CEL (replace HPFP twice) and not to mention those minor electronic glitches. What I really care is how the S5 drive 100000x better than the rattle tin can 335i.

NB: I have carbon build up on my 335 too after 80k km & bimmer MT is known to be notchy, I already get used to it but still feel annoying every time driving it. OTH, Audi MT is as smooth as Honda MT.

[GlazierGlaze]

This is an old post but I would like to share my experience...

Here are the issues I run into in my S5 with 65k miles:
- Carbon built up at intake valves which is a known issue
- Cylinder 8 injector failed at around 60k miles. This is due to injectors being located in the combustion chamber and known to be a common issue.
- Exhaust valve spring failure at 65k miles causing engine removal and cylinder head repair and rebuilt. This cannot be common but per AoA it is normal since the life expectance is 100k miles???.

I would not recommend this car to anyone, if you do like to style and the looks, make sure you have extended warranty. The last repair was over $4k.

I don't feel bad for anyone who didn't research the known issues with the car, let alone get the proper warranty when in high mileage.

I bought mine used and fucking love every second of owning it.

[Tifosi]

This is an old post but I would like to share my experience...

Here are the issues I run into in my S5 with 65k miles:
- Carbon built up at intake valves which is a known issue
- Cylinder 8 injector failed at around 60k miles. This is due to injectors being located in the combustion chamber and known to be a common issue.
- Exhaust valve spring failure at 65k miles causing engine removal and cylinder head repair and rebuilt. This cannot be common but per AoA it is normal since the life expectance is 100k miles???.

I would not recommend this car to anyone, if you do like to style and the looks, make sure you have extended warranty. The last repair was over $4k.

You are obviously on a crusade against the S5, and perhaps, even AoA, which you are completely entitled to do so.

However, just in case you don't know, carbon build up is a hereditary issue shared by ALL DIRECT INJECTION ENGINES and more so with NA engines. We are all left to chance when buying a new car, and you are even more at risk when it comes to used/CPO cars since there are even more variables involved.

[KARAKAS]

You are obviously on a crusade against the S5, and perhaps, even AoA, which you are completely entitled to do so.

However, just in case you don't know, carbon build up is a hereditary issue shared by ALL DIRECT INJECTION ENGINES and more so with NA engines. We are all left to chance when buying a new car, and you are even more at risk when it comes to used/CPO cars since there are even more variables involved.

I am upset with the valve spring failure, because this is a component designed to last over 100k miles easy. I love Audis and I have owned many, but I feel there seems to be a lack of quality at newer models. My experience tells me reliability does not seem to be Audi's focus lately.
Below is my 1990 Audi 90 Quattro with 185k miles on it, it still drives strong and has factory installed valve springs.

Regarding carbon built up, I agree with you, I think we all accept that fact. I knew this issue prior to purchasing my vehicle, but valve spring failure at 65k miles just didn't make sense...

[Tifosi]

I am upset with the valve spring failure, because this is a component designed to last over 100k miles easy. I love Audis and I have owned many, but I feel there seems to be a lack of quality at newer models. My experience tells me reliability does not seem to be Audi's focus lately.
Below is my 1990 Audi 90 Quattro with 185k miles on it, it still drives strong and has factory installed valve springs.

Regarding carbon built up, I agree with you, I think we all accept that fact. I knew this issue prior to purchasing my vehicle, but valve spring failure at 65k miles just didn't make sense...

Sounds like you also understands that valve spring failure is uncommon and is more of an exception than norm in this case. While I understands your frustration but to torpedo the complete S5 line because of this is a little over the top. With that said, and I have stated this before, It has to be a really special car for me to own any European car without an extended warranty.