2011 Audi S5 Sportback: undercover police style
Discussion
I love unassuming but overengined machines and am allergic to front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder engines and turbos. Hence, I'm on a mission to own all the half-attainable interesting cars I can, before they're taxed off the road and/or disintegrate away...
With that in mind, I'm on my third BMW 130i - as you'll see from my car-ography below - having come to the realisation that it is the affordable fun car for me, being lighter, faster and/or more engaging than the models that came before and after it and more rear-wheel-drive, less turbocharged and more lightweight than the alternatives. That just leaves a more practical family car for everyday trips, tedious urban journeys and jaunts with my 18-month-old son and his gigantic car seat and pram.
Since I'm stuck in something of a 2005-2015 VAG groove that I'm unlikely to get out of any time soon, I've been aiming for a B8 Audi S4 Avant and went through a couple of 4.2-litre V8 Audi A6s and a Passat R36 Estate - which I loved far more than expected, partly due to its torso-clamping mega-seats and musical VR6 engine - while saving up for a half-decent S4.
The S4 struck me as a better long-term option than the R36 - bar the sound - due to its lower tax, more modern cabin, broader range of options and hope that the greater number sold makes it a more viable car to own for many years to come. As you can see, I failed to get an S4, after the one I really wanted sold - a very well looked after and high-specification grey 2010 S4 Avant with 116k miles, red and black Super Sports seats, B&O speakers, small wheels, adaptive headlights and pull-up rear window blinds, which enthused me far more than they should...
Having considered a handful of mediocre S4 Avants, which were poorly equipped, overpriced and/or poor condition, I pounced when this S5 Sportback popped up, as it seemed very well equipped, reasonably priced, low mileage and had a very good MOT history. It's a very late 2011 61-plate, with less than 89,000 miles on it, a good history and far more spec than pretty much any other S4/S5 I could find for the money. And it doesn't have most of the stuff I don't want (large wheels, sunroof, chavvy modifications etc.).
The main downsides for me were the slightly flat black paintwork, ugly black pack - which looks particularly cheap and nasty to me with the contrasting silver mirrors - tatty wheels and a few small bits of rust, which I imagine result from it spending most of its life in salty Scotland. Anyway, I've given it a mechanical spring clean and it's driving really well.
Cars to date:
2005-2006: 1996 Rover 416 Si
2006-2013: 1999 Volkswagen Bora 2.0 Sport
2013-2014: 2007 Ford Fiesta ST
2014-2015: 2003 BMW 325ti Sport
2015-2015: 2007 BMW 130i M Sport 5dr
2015-2019: 2005 BMW 130i M Sport 5dr
2019-2020: 2005 Subaru Legacy Tourer 3.0R Spec B
2020-present: 2006 BMW 130i M Sport
2021-2021: 2006 Volvo V70 2.5T SE
2021-2021: 2004 Volvo S60 2.4 T5 SE
2021-2022: 2006 Audi A6 Avant 4.2 V8 SE
2022-2022: 2009 Volkswagen Passat R36 Estate
2022-2023: 2007 Audi A6 4.2 V8 FSI S Line
2023-present: 2011 Audi S5 Sportback
With that in mind, I'm on my third BMW 130i - as you'll see from my car-ography below - having come to the realisation that it is the affordable fun car for me, being lighter, faster and/or more engaging than the models that came before and after it and more rear-wheel-drive, less turbocharged and more lightweight than the alternatives. That just leaves a more practical family car for everyday trips, tedious urban journeys and jaunts with my 18-month-old son and his gigantic car seat and pram.
Since I'm stuck in something of a 2005-2015 VAG groove that I'm unlikely to get out of any time soon, I've been aiming for a B8 Audi S4 Avant and went through a couple of 4.2-litre V8 Audi A6s and a Passat R36 Estate - which I loved far more than expected, partly due to its torso-clamping mega-seats and musical VR6 engine - while saving up for a half-decent S4.
The S4 struck me as a better long-term option than the R36 - bar the sound - due to its lower tax, more modern cabin, broader range of options and hope that the greater number sold makes it a more viable car to own for many years to come. As you can see, I failed to get an S4, after the one I really wanted sold - a very well looked after and high-specification grey 2010 S4 Avant with 116k miles, red and black Super Sports seats, B&O speakers, small wheels, adaptive headlights and pull-up rear window blinds, which enthused me far more than they should...
Having considered a handful of mediocre S4 Avants, which were poorly equipped, overpriced and/or poor condition, I pounced when this S5 Sportback popped up, as it seemed very well equipped, reasonably priced, low mileage and had a very good MOT history. It's a very late 2011 61-plate, with less than 89,000 miles on it, a good history and far more spec than pretty much any other S4/S5 I could find for the money. And it doesn't have most of the stuff I don't want (large wheels, sunroof, chavvy modifications etc.).
The main downsides for me were the slightly flat black paintwork, ugly black pack - which looks particularly cheap and nasty to me with the contrasting silver mirrors - tatty wheels and a few small bits of rust, which I imagine result from it spending most of its life in salty Scotland. Anyway, I've given it a mechanical spring clean and it's driving really well.
Cars to date:
2005-2006: 1996 Rover 416 Si
2006-2013: 1999 Volkswagen Bora 2.0 Sport
2013-2014: 2007 Ford Fiesta ST
2014-2015: 2003 BMW 325ti Sport
2015-2015: 2007 BMW 130i M Sport 5dr
2015-2019: 2005 BMW 130i M Sport 5dr
2019-2020: 2005 Subaru Legacy Tourer 3.0R Spec B
2020-present: 2006 BMW 130i M Sport
2021-2021: 2006 Volvo V70 2.5T SE
2021-2021: 2004 Volvo S60 2.4 T5 SE
2021-2022: 2006 Audi A6 Avant 4.2 V8 SE
2022-2022: 2009 Volkswagen Passat R36 Estate
2022-2023: 2007 Audi A6 4.2 V8 FSI S Line
2023-present: 2011 Audi S5 Sportback
Edited by RoVoFob on Wednesday 20th September 00:14
Having been quick to buy interesting cut-price S4 alternatives previously, I was keen to hold off buying something until the right car came along this time. I took the plunge with this S5 barely a fortnight after selling my A6, however, due to this car's spec, price and MOT history...
It had 380-odd days of advisory-free MOT with no advisories for the last five years, which was way better than even most three-year-younger and 30,000-mile lower S4s/S5s. The spec was also very good, while the mileage was comparatively low at sub-89,000 miles. I was also keen to get a pre-facelift S5, as I believe these have hydraulic steering while later models switched to electric steering, but wanted one of the very latest, as I understand that these are more robust than earlier 2009 and 2010 models. I also prefer the slightly boxier look and circular steering wheel of the older versions.
So, my car's a late 2011 black S5 Sportback with black and 'silver' seats and the Black Pack, which I'd swap any day of the week for silver trim, as it looks so much sharper to me (anyone who has a S5 and wants to swap OEM silver trim for OEM black trim, drop me a line!). The colour combo is the only part of the spec, I'd change, bar potentially adding adaptive headlights. It looks particularly odd to me with silver wing mirrors but black trim everywhere else, plus the dark tinted rear windows and windscreen, which I suspect may be darker than standard.
It also has 18-inch wheels on all-season tyres rather than the 20s fitted from the factory which, oddly, I much prefer, as they give it a stealthy look. It's quite tempting to work with the undercover police look and remove the front, rear and side badges and get some black wing mirror covers. More excitingly, this car has loads of goodies, including B&O speakers, the full Drive Select pack - including adaptive dampers, dynamic dampers and Quattro Sports Differential - Hill Hold Assist and a reversing camera. Not bad for a 2011 car. I normally hate High Beam Assist, as it always seems to blind oncoming drivers before responding, however it was pretty seamless when I tested it out.
It had 380-odd days of advisory-free MOT with no advisories for the last five years, which was way better than even most three-year-younger and 30,000-mile lower S4s/S5s. The spec was also very good, while the mileage was comparatively low at sub-89,000 miles. I was also keen to get a pre-facelift S5, as I believe these have hydraulic steering while later models switched to electric steering, but wanted one of the very latest, as I understand that these are more robust than earlier 2009 and 2010 models. I also prefer the slightly boxier look and circular steering wheel of the older versions.
So, my car's a late 2011 black S5 Sportback with black and 'silver' seats and the Black Pack, which I'd swap any day of the week for silver trim, as it looks so much sharper to me (anyone who has a S5 and wants to swap OEM silver trim for OEM black trim, drop me a line!). The colour combo is the only part of the spec, I'd change, bar potentially adding adaptive headlights. It looks particularly odd to me with silver wing mirrors but black trim everywhere else, plus the dark tinted rear windows and windscreen, which I suspect may be darker than standard.
It also has 18-inch wheels on all-season tyres rather than the 20s fitted from the factory which, oddly, I much prefer, as they give it a stealthy look. It's quite tempting to work with the undercover police look and remove the front, rear and side badges and get some black wing mirror covers. More excitingly, this car has loads of goodies, including B&O speakers, the full Drive Select pack - including adaptive dampers, dynamic dampers and Quattro Sports Differential - Hill Hold Assist and a reversing camera. Not bad for a 2011 car. I normally hate High Beam Assist, as it always seems to blind oncoming drivers before responding, however it was pretty seamless when I tested it out.
- Phantom Black pearl effect paint
- Spectral Silver/Black leather seats
- Black styling package
- Sound package (Bang & Olufsen sound system and DAB digital radio)
- Technology package - High (Audi Music Interface (AMI), DVD player, MMI Navigation Plus, radio system for MMI plus, voice dialogue system)
- Phone Prep - High with Bluetooth
- Audi Drive Select (Damper Control, Dynamic Steering, Quattro Sports Differential)
- Auto dimming rear-view mirror
- Exterior mirrors electric/folding/heated/dimming/memory
- Electric front seats, driver memory
- Heated front seats
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Hill Hold Assist
- Audi Parking System Advanced
- Audi Side Assist
- High-beam Assist
- Advanced Key
Despite a very good service history compared with most of the S5s I've seen, I wanted to give the car a good spread of preventative maintenance, so booked it in for £870's worth of precautionary servicing:
Anyway, really pleased with how it's driving. I'm still surprised it feels so sharp on 18-inch wheels and Michelin Cross Climate all-season tyres. Had these on my old 2004 S60 2.4 T5 and I'm sure it didn't feel that sharp, though it was much better on the Goodyear F1 5s I subsequently fitted. The only aspect of the drive that could be better is how responsive the gearbox is - my 2009 Passat R36 DSG responded more quickly and instinctively. That had had a replacement gearbox around 2015, so maybe that had newer mapping and/or the six-speed version is just better...
So, now the mechanics are covered for at least the next year, that leaves addressing the slightly drab paintwork, a few small bits of rust - mainly on the inner wheel arches (has anyone tried claiming on the Audi anti-rust warranty?) and refurbing the wheels/getting a better condition second-hand set. Having got a freshly refurbished set of lightweight OEM A6 BBS wheels for £500 six months back, I'm more keen to just buy a better condition set. I'm likely to stick with 18s and will probably go with the best value and lightest A5/S5 wheels I can find. Also need to give the interior a damn good clean.
All in, though, it seems like a pretty decent buy so far - and I haven't found anything near the mileage/spec/MOT history for similar money. Even S4s/S5s for £4,000-£5,000 more often seem to have worse MOT histories, service histories, mismatched budget tyres etc., judging on the cruddy examples one of my colleagues saw before veering off and buying a BMW...
- Oil/filter
- S tronic oil/filter
- Rear differential oil
- Spark plugs
- Air filter
- Pollen filter
Anyway, really pleased with how it's driving. I'm still surprised it feels so sharp on 18-inch wheels and Michelin Cross Climate all-season tyres. Had these on my old 2004 S60 2.4 T5 and I'm sure it didn't feel that sharp, though it was much better on the Goodyear F1 5s I subsequently fitted. The only aspect of the drive that could be better is how responsive the gearbox is - my 2009 Passat R36 DSG responded more quickly and instinctively. That had had a replacement gearbox around 2015, so maybe that had newer mapping and/or the six-speed version is just better...
So, now the mechanics are covered for at least the next year, that leaves addressing the slightly drab paintwork, a few small bits of rust - mainly on the inner wheel arches (has anyone tried claiming on the Audi anti-rust warranty?) and refurbing the wheels/getting a better condition second-hand set. Having got a freshly refurbished set of lightweight OEM A6 BBS wheels for £500 six months back, I'm more keen to just buy a better condition set. I'm likely to stick with 18s and will probably go with the best value and lightest A5/S5 wheels I can find. Also need to give the interior a damn good clean.
All in, though, it seems like a pretty decent buy so far - and I haven't found anything near the mileage/spec/MOT history for similar money. Even S4s/S5s for £4,000-£5,000 more often seem to have worse MOT histories, service histories, mismatched budget tyres etc., judging on the cruddy examples one of my colleagues saw before veering off and buying a BMW...
Hi mate,
I've just picked up a 2011 s5 also, 60k on the clock and very clean. I did pay strongish money for it. I have no plans for it yet apart for servicing. Did you notice any difference after a gearbox service? I made my purchase to still allow me to take the kids about and also have a decent boot. I had a 2009 a6 avant before which was hard to replace.
I've just picked up a 2011 s5 also, 60k on the clock and very clean. I did pay strongish money for it. I have no plans for it yet apart for servicing. Did you notice any difference after a gearbox service? I made my purchase to still allow me to take the kids about and also have a decent boot. I had a 2009 a6 avant before which was hard to replace.
lewis328 said:
Hi mate,
I've just picked up a 2011 s5 also, 60k on the clock and very clean. I did pay strongish money for it. I have no plans for it yet apart for servicing. Did you notice any difference after a gearbox service? I made my purchase to still allow me to take the kids about and also have a decent boot. I had a 2009 a6 avant before which was hard to replace.
Nice. I find it a really good family car and my two-year-old loves it. His pram fits in the boot pretty comfortably as well. 60k is pretty low mileage for these. Mine is on about 93k, which still seems low compared with most.I've just picked up a 2011 s5 also, 60k on the clock and very clean. I did pay strongish money for it. I have no plans for it yet apart for servicing. Did you notice any difference after a gearbox service? I made my purchase to still allow me to take the kids about and also have a decent boot. I had a 2009 a6 avant before which was hard to replace.
I thiiink the gearbox service made a bit of difference in normal driving as it’s mostly very smooth, though you can still tell it’s an older generation unit when manoeuvring at low speeds. Do you have a specialist you trust to service it, as they may be able to give you advice based upon your specific car?
I came to the S5 from two 2006 A6 4.2 V8s with an R36 Estate in between…definitely in the VAG groove, though the S5 drives way better than the A6’s did.
Do you have any pictures?
lewis328 said:
Not particularly clean as not really had a chance to get stuck in, I've not got a local Audi specialist but there is one where I used to live that looked after my s4. Mine is smooth through the gears, but yes you notice the old gen box when going between 1st and 2nd in traffic.
I do like the colour, before I sold the A6 which was Daytona Grey (my personal favourite) I had them side by side and the S5 looked almost Silver, even though it is Light Grey. You mention the lack of tint, I have already considered a light rear tint but I am still undecided. Your one I assume is a Black Editon of sorts. My plan is to keep this standard, it's never going to be a classic, but when/if I sell it being standard should hopefully make it stand out.
The only annoying thing for me is a light rattle coming from the rear boot area, some sort of trim or clip that I can't quite locate.
The only annoying thing for me is a light rattle coming from the rear boot area, some sort of trim or clip that I can't quite locate.
lewis328 said:
I do like the colour, before I sold the A6 which was Daytona Grey (my personal favourite) I had them side by side and the S5 looked almost Silver, even though it is Light Grey. You mention the lack of tint, I have already considered a light rear tint but I am still undecided. Your one I assume is a Black Editon of sorts. My plan is to keep this standard, it's never going to be a classic, but when/if I sell it being standard should hopefully make it stand out.
The only annoying thing for me is a light rattle coming from the rear boot area, some sort of trim or clip that I can't quite locate.
Shame it’s not a two-minute job to swap rear windows over!The only annoying thing for me is a light rattle coming from the rear boot area, some sort of trim or clip that I can't quite locate.
Yep. Mine has the Black Pack or whatever it was called at the time. It looks like a storm cloud with wing mirrors and wheels. Wanted a blue, grey or silver car, but this had alllll the other spec I wanted, so went for it.
There are lots of plastic bits under the boot floor - for securing the spare wheel, tool kit gubbins and B&O subwoofer, if fitted. May be worth having a quick rummage around to see if there are any loose bits flying around.
lewis328 said:
Rattle was in fact the parcel shelf. The 2 plastic pieces that slot into the boot lining were the issue. One piece was broken, some velcro stuck on the end and silence.
Sounds like the best kind of fix - simple and cheap.My front suspension is getting ever more creaky - was hoping that the garage would have diagnosed the problem when I got the brakes sorted but they either didn’t really look or couldn’t find anything. Frustrating when they’re an hour from home, so I can’t just drop in and out…
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff