Need advice on S5...is there any higher mileage S5's out there?

[sdamike]

Hi all, I'm looking at buying a 2013 S5. Its the S-tronic trans and has about 64k on it. It appears to be taken care of and the mileage appears to be from someone that traveled between NC and NY. No service history records other than what carfax shows, which is showing some. I do know it just had new brakes done at the dealer...thats about it.

I have done a bunch of searching on here and it seems when someone asks a reliability question about these cars the ones saying "yeah they are great" have under 35k miles on them. Im curious is there any higher mileage people out there? Im a bit paranoid about something major breaking as this car would have no warranty.

Id love to get this car but the lack of service history, DSG Transmission, and mileage have me a bit paranoid so Im hoping some input here may steer me one way or the other.

FWIW, I would put a tune and some other parts on this car. It would get used, but not beat. Would I be asking for something major to happen, or do these hold up just fine regardless of mileage?

Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated!

[jachien]

There are a few guys around. I sold mine with 75k ish miles on it. And i launched it pretty often on freeway on ramps after work daily. No issues. Sold it for a new car not because of issues btw


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[Sazexa]

Most of the S5's out there are in decent condition. Mine has 97,000 miles on it, but only really small routine maintainence stuff.

Mine uses a 4.2L V8, but, arguably the 3.0T V6 is "more reliable." They are good cars, 64K on these is just barely broken in. Mine still feels like brand new and it's from '09.

[makeshift101]

I have about 89,000 nmiles on my 2011 S5.
Routine maintenance so far, breaks, rotors.
Some rock chips on hood.
Currently I have a vacuum leak that I cant find right now giving me some trouble, but thats really it. (p20006/2007 error code)

[11S5V8]

Mine has 91k on the clock (4.2L) and the bigger ticket items I had to put into my car were a few oxygen sensors and a fuel pump, passenger side I believe and rear brakes (was planning on upgrading those anyway, did drilled rotors for a more aggressive look). Other than that not a single issue (knock on wood) one thing I am planning on doing is a carbon clean, local Audi enthusiast shop charges $600 to walnut blast everything and clean it up. Not showing any signs of carbon being an issue but more or less a peace of mind thing. some preventative things I do is throw some cleaner in ever other fill up and only use premium Shell or BP gasoline.

[ProfileX]

Currently I have a vacuum leak that I cant find right now giving me some trouble, but thats really it. (p20006/2007 error code)

Mine has a vacuum leak that's been tricky to find. A local shop thinks it's the main seal, they think they have it narrowed down by bypassing the breather and spraying brake cleaner (because its flammable) around different areas and watching for the numbers to change. I haven't decided if I want to get it fixed yet, or wait for the clutch to go. It also needs a new pivot fork because it won't start unless the clutch pedal is firmly pressed.

Mine has 74k on it, overall it's been great but things are starting to break. It started overheating recently, needed a new thermostat. I had the carbon cleaning done at 67k after multiple check engine lights. The motor mounts need to be replaced.

[fs454]

Hi all, I'm looking at buying a 2013 S5. Its the S-tronic trans and has about 64k on it. It appears to be taken care of and the mileage appears to be from someone that traveled between NC and NY. No service history records other than what carfax shows, which is showing some. I do know it just had new brakes done at the dealer...thats about it.

I have done a bunch of searching on here and it seems when someone asks a reliability question about these cars the ones saying "yeah they are great" have under 35k miles on them. Im curious is there any higher mileage people out there? Im a bit paranoid about something major breaking as this car would have no warranty.

Id love to get this car but the lack of service history, DSG Transmission, and mileage have me a bit paranoid so Im hoping some input here may steer me one way or the other.

FWIW, I would put a tune and some other parts on this car. It would get used, but not beat. Would I be asking for something major to happen, or do these hold up just fine regardless of mileage?

Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated!

Is it for sale at an Audi dealer or elsewhere? If the previous owner was the one who opted to go to the dealership to get the brakes done, it's probably a good sign that the car was generally taken care of.

Reliability is going to be different between the V8 and V6 supercharged cars - hopefully some high mileage 3.0T guys can chime in here too, but these cars for the most part don't have major faults. You may want to look around on the B8 S4 section of the forum too. The cars are all but identical when it comes to drivetrain except the S4 has been using the 3.0T+DSG combo since 2010 - more users over there and a longer time period to look at.

[snocat17]

I bought my 2016 S5 in May 2017 with 27K miles on it.

Just about to roll over 45K now, so I've put 18K on it in about 7 months. I haven't had any issues. It's on its second set of tires (first set were summer tires, now running all-season) and it's running like a champ. Going in for service on Saturday.

[vladsly]

My S5 is just rolling over 85k miles, I've owned it for almost 3 years now and I bought it with 43k miles. I should mention I have the V8 6mt. I haven't had any problems with it other than a HPFP (high pressure fuel pump) that started leaking on top of the engine so I bought a new one for $400 and replaced it myself in under 15 minutes. I also had my slave cylinder blow out, so I had to tow my car to get it fixed. I upgraded to stainless steel clutch lines while I replaced the slave. Other than that, this cars been great. Just oil changes, new brakes, and regular maintenance!

[Diesel S5]

Is the S5 you're looking at a Cab...? I don't think any of the S5 coupes have an S-Tronic tranny, no dual clutch systems in the S5 as far as I knew...

[scmtkings4]

Is the S5 you're looking at a Cab...? I don't think any of the S5 coupes have an S-Tronic tranny, no dual clutch systems in the S5 as far as I knew...

S5 coupes definitely have the dual clutch transmission also

[Diesel S5]

S5 coupes definitely have the dual clutch transmission also

pre-facelift models did not have s-tronic offerings though...

[scmtkings4]

pre-facelift models did not have s-tronic offerings though...

OP is looking at a 2013 s5

[sxC]

75k on mine (2012 4.2L) and mechanically I've had zero issues. I have replaced the brake pads and rotors, and every maintenance item has been done by Audi per their schedule.

The only real "issues" I've had are on the interior. I've had the clip for the sun visor break off and the sunroof shade slide off its track. Also had a major rattle coming from the headliner, which Audi replaced. All of these under warranty.

Battery also failed and was replaced, again by Audi at the dealership.

All in all it's been fantastically reliable. Mechanically flawless, though I am considering a carbon cleaning in the near future.

[rmbrown09]

I bought my 2010 a little over 3 years ago WITH 86k on it. Since then I’ve put on another 60k and currently sit a little over 145k miles.

Basic tires and breaks haven’t been bad, nor too frequent. Right after I bought it, there were a number of items that needed doing (mind you I spent 25k for my car).

Engine mounts need replacing around 100k for most.

I’ve done bushings, gaskets for oil leaks, oil pan replacement, high pressure fuel pumps, valve covers, serpentine belt and pullys (was expensive because I replaced the belt somewhere and they didn’t do tensioners so it shredded 10k miles later and damaged something else expensive).

Overall I would still say this is a very reliable car. Once I got ahead of the needed maintenance neglected by the previous owner, it’s been smooth sailing. I’m sitting in the dealership right now as they finish the cat replacement recall. Other than a caliper leak, no major issues. Every car is different and you’ll be going for the v6 which means many of the oil leak issues won’t hopefully be a factor for you.

I just repainted my car and it looks almost brand new. It still gets massive head turns and complements everywhere I go, and this is an 8 year old car with 145k miles.

2c.

[Phantom_S5]

Recently bought a 2010 S5 (4.2L V8) with 77K on the clock. Needs rotors and fresh brake fluid which are getting done soon. Also had a coolant leak and ended up replacing the coolant flange at the back of the motor. No more leak. The shop I took it to did a thorough inspection and everything else turned out good. Mine was a one owner car and was serviced by the same Audi dealer it's whole life.

Overall I'm impressed with it's condition (especially the interior). Has a few rock chips on the front bumper but the rest of the exterior is in excellent shape. I too was worried about the carbon cleaning but the car runs great, doesn't throw codes, or runs rough during idle. Planning to get the cleaning done before 100K.

Good luck on your search!

[CCS]

I have a 2013 S5 with 3.0T and dsg. I bought it last year with 49K miles. I'm reaching 60K in just under a year. Basic daily driver with a few weekend trips and a few canyon runs. No issues yet, but I'm doing the carbon cleaning next, oil change, probably change the SC oil and also doing stage 2 with SC pulley at the same time. Also doing the dsg tune. While it's in the shop I'll have them check everything and let me know what wear parts need replacement. I've done awe tack exhaust, ie intake so far, looking forward to the tune.

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[BrianS5]

Just hit 155,155 miles. No real issue besides thermostat and high and low fuel pumps. What’s even crazier no carbon clean done. This is my daily driver my commute about 125 a day and I’m usually driving like a mad man.


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[03TLSinCO]

… no carbon clean done. This is my daily driver my commute about 125 a day and I’m usually driving like a mad man. Audizine

Italian tune up done on a German car!

[snocat17]

Just hit 155,155 miles. No real issue besides thermostat and high and low fuel pumps. What’s even crazier no carbon clean done. This is my daily driver my commute about 125 a day and I’m usually driving like a mad man.


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NICE! What year?

I'm at 68K on my 2016.

[MonsoonB8S5]

Just hit 155,155 miles. No real issue besides thermostat and high and low fuel pumps. What’s even crazier no carbon clean done. This is my daily driver my commute about 125 a day and I’m usually driving like a mad man.


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Nice! I'm at 91k with no carbon clean ever done! Had the car since around 70k miles. I too drive like a mad man since I have a great commute to work.

I've fixed nothing on the car during my ownership. It's been incredibly reliable.

[wangshuo1989]

72K miles here, no repairs at all. Driven pretty hard as well :)

[BrianS5]

2012


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[BrianS5]

Bought it 3 yrs ago with 22k


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[Hitekauto]

I have a 2013 with 187,600 miles

[ciderian]

I have a 2013 with 187,600 miles

Can you please describe how it has been maintained? Type of driving? Any mods? Any significant repairs?

[rk4S5]

131,200 miles here. 2009 4.2l 6mt.

[RaffianiS5]

6mt 2014 S5, 102k. Bought at 52k and commuted for a year before i moved closer to work. Mostly routine maintenance, lost the waterpump at 85k, a wheel bearing, and some little stuff like a headlight bulb etc. Despite not beating on it and never launching it, i lost the clutch at about 90k. No idea why or how, was getting inspected and i went to leave the the pedal just went straight to the floor. Despite the 2 major failures its been a great car, i wont be getting rid of it anytime soon.