Thinking of buying a 2012 Audi S5 Used. Need advice

**livestrongforev** · 05-23-2016 09:23 PM

Hi Guys,

I saw this AD on shift,
https://shift.com/car/c16004

its only $29k. It seems like a real good deal. I mean sure the miles seem like a lot but I was sort of dealing with someone who was going to sell me a 2012 S4 with similar miles but I would have to clean up their real bad scuffs and chip paint that I was going to take to a shop. THey were going to sell it to me for $26k. But do I just spend $3k more and buy a S5?

What are the typical issues with the 2012 S5? Is it the same thermostat and Crankshaft pulley issue? Thank you so much in advance! I want to join the AUDI family so bad. hahaha

Thanks

**livestrongforev** · 05-23-2016 09:29 PM

I also found their CL post:
his 2012 Audi S5 4.2 Premium Plus Quattro brings safety and comfort along with sleek looks and serious style points. Plush leather seats, navigation, and paddle shifters make for an elevated driving experience, and the power sunroof lets you enjoy that California sunshine as you cruise. Don't get lost in all that luxury, though--this is still a heck of a sporty coupe. With a 4.2-liter V8 engine tucked in its engine bay, this S5 has 354 horses just raring for you to let them go. Car has recently passed 200-point mechanical inspection including smog.

• Leather Interior
• Power Sunroof
• Navigation
• Folding Rear Seats
• Paddle Shifters
• Front Fog Lights
• Multi-Function Steering Wheel
• 19" Alloy Wheels
• Clean Title
• Carfax Available

I used this car to commute and for weekend road trips. The handling is phenomenal. You'll be surprised by the traction capabilities! I'm selling it because I am moving across the country and need a truck.

- - - Updated - - -

I just texted him to see if it includes Sports Diff since I know many here say its a must on the S class.

**Vanimal** · 05-23-2016 09:58 PM

I bought my 2010 last year with similar miles. It was fully dealership serviced up until than. I now do all my oil changes myself etc. I've put roughly 10k miles on it since than & still purrs like the day I got it. Makes a great DD I drive in 365 days a year even through PA winters

Only money I've put into it "upkeep" is oil changes every 5k which I've done twice already myself. I have one of those oil pump extractors takes 25 mins to do the oil

. Oh and my HID driver bulb just kicked on me today. 75k I figure they are due for a fresh set of Xenon HID's.

I'm not aware of any crankshaft pulley issue. Thermostat problems is common on any car getting closer to the "100k" mark. I have a friend who has a 2008 S5 with a little over 100k now, has had it since about 35k. Only thing he's needed to do is replace the thermostat at right about 100k mark. And the other small thing was a tiny crack in the coolant res plastic overflow. Again this all happened after 100k so you expect those sort of things.

I really enjoy the V8, as I come from sports cars with V8's in the past. It's a solid motor, treat it good and it will do the same. I can assure you if my B5 S4 went 200k with proper upkeep the 4.2L V8 will in the B8 S5 lol. I have a deep sea blue Pearl one and get compliments often on it. It's a nice car for the money you spend on the "used" market. It's really hard to something total package for the price in the used market. Same goes for the B8 S4, it's like a Swiss Army knife. Does a little every everything.

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**livestrongforev** · 05-23-2016 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by Vanimal

I bought my 2010 last year with similar miles. It was fully dealership serviced up until than. I now do all my oil changes myself etc. I've put roughly 10k miles on it since than & still purrs like the day I got it. Makes a great DD I drive in 365 days a year even through PA winters

Only money I've put into it "upkeep" is oil changes every 5k which I've done twice already myself. I have one of those oil pump extractors takes 25 mins to do the oil

. Oh and my HID driver bulb just kicked on me today. 75k I figure they are due for a fresh set of Xenon HID's.

I'm not aware of any crankshaft pulley issue. Thermostat problems is common on any car getting closer to the "100k" mark. I have a friend who has a 2008 S5 with a little over 100k now, has had it since about 35k. Only thing he's needed to do is replace the thermostat at right about 100k mark. And the other small thing was a tiny crack in the coolant res plastic overflow. Again this all happened after 100k so you expect those sort of things.

I really enjoy the V8, as I come from sports cars with V8's in the past. It's a solid motor, treat it good and it will do the same. I can assure you if my B5 S4 went 200k with proper upkeep the 4.2L V8 will in the B8 S5 lol.

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wow thanks so much for the responses! Funny since Im actually looking at 2010 Audi's right now on CL and find them cheaper than the 2012's with similar miles. Im thinking of purchasing 2010 S5's as I think they are the same model as the 2012s. Was there any internal difference that they did with the 2010 and 2012 that make them any different?

**Vanimal** · 05-23-2016 10:12 PM

2008-2012 is the same car pretty much. Small interior changes as the 2008 I believe used 2G MMI & the 2009+ I believe is 3G.

It's basically the same 2008-2012. I know the 2008 had a aluminum manifold & 2009-2012 uses a plastic.

The one KEY exterior difference is 2008 & I believe the 2009 uses halogen style tail lights & the 2010-2012 uses a LED style.

Same HP & TQ numbers motor wise 08-12. The B8 does not suffer from the chain tensioner problems found on the B6/B7 4.2L motors.

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**livestrongforev** · 05-23-2016 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by Vanimal

2008-2012 is the same car pretty much. Small interior changes as the 2008 I believe used 2G MMI & the 2009+ I believe is 3G.

It's basically the same 2008-2012. I know the 2008 had a aluminum manifold & 2009-2012 uses a plastic.

The one KEY exterior difference is 2008 & I believe the 2009 uses halogen style tail lights & the 2010-2012 uses a LED style.

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ahhhh sweet! so If I find a 2010 S5 at 27k and 2012 S5 at 29k with very similar miles, then I should just go for the 2010.

**Vanimal** · 05-23-2016 10:18 PM

Yeah i mean the 10 vs the 12 is for the most part going to be the same car. Go for the one that either has the lower miles or the better condition etc. OR the options you want and color etc.

**livestrongforev** · 05-23-2016 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by Vanimal

Yeah i mean the 10 vs the 12 is for the most part going to be the same car. Go for the one that either has the lower miles or the better condition etc. OR the options you want and color etc.

did you buy your car with sports differential? Is it worth it for the S5?

**TTRStud** · 05-24-2016 03:59 AM

All opinions seconded. Very solid car all around. Mine is fully loaded including the sport differential. For a car as nose-heavy as the S5 (or most Audi's for that matter except the R8), I would pick a car with the sport differential if you have the choice - it makes the car feel more neutral during cornering, and it has plenty of turn in, eliminating what would otherwise feel like understeer.