audi s5 and rs5 engines
Discussion
Currently looking at an s5 and an rs5 coupes with 4.2 engines. Can I ask what are the main issues with these engines and drive trains to look out for, both cars are under 50000 miles and have full dealer history; I am aware that the Haldex unit needs to be looked after. Also, these cars in general have any other issues with suspension etc.?
All information gratefully received.
All information gratefully received.
I asked a similar question about a year ago when i was looking for a 4.2 S5 but I didn't get much response.
So from just an S5 point of view and the research I did, the timing chain can stretch but is not a common problem compared to the earlier (i think pre 2007 4.2's).
The coolant tank can crack and leak. If you get misfires it can be spark plugs and/or injectors.
The FSI system means that the valves can get coated in carbon and reduce the power which is common so walnut shell blasting is needed.
The rocker cover gaskets can perish and leak oil in to the spark plug recesses.
Like all engines regular servicing helps and the long life oil schedules are debatably probably not the best and identified as one of the reasons for the carbon build up on the valves.
The clutches on the manuals can wear out at around 40-50K
There isn't much scope for tuning to get more power unless you're looking to add a supercharger.
If you get an S5 I would recommend one with the sports diff but it can come with it's own set of problems with oil leaks.
I hope this is useful.
So from just an S5 point of view and the research I did, the timing chain can stretch but is not a common problem compared to the earlier (i think pre 2007 4.2's).
The coolant tank can crack and leak. If you get misfires it can be spark plugs and/or injectors.
The FSI system means that the valves can get coated in carbon and reduce the power which is common so walnut shell blasting is needed.
The rocker cover gaskets can perish and leak oil in to the spark plug recesses.
Like all engines regular servicing helps and the long life oil schedules are debatably probably not the best and identified as one of the reasons for the carbon build up on the valves.
The clutches on the manuals can wear out at around 40-50K
There isn't much scope for tuning to get more power unless you're looking to add a supercharger.
If you get an S5 I would recommend one with the sports diff but it can come with it's own set of problems with oil leaks.
I hope this is useful.
Yes, got my S5 about a year ago. It's my forever ICE car as I have had most cylinder combinations other than a V8 or larger, until they are taxed off the road.
It's a 2011 model and had 125k on the clock so just run in ;-)
I don't do many miles so it works out OK at the moment just trudling around town and occasional blast across the countryside.
It has 20" wheels so the ride can be a bit bumpy and potholes can be jarring but doesn't particularly cause me any problems and I'm just having them repaired and re-furbished as they were losing pressure and one was cracked. Also having poly bushes fitted so will probably be a bit more harsh than standard also I've got mixed tyres front to back which isn't ideal so that's another thing that's worth checking when you look at one. I've read that the quattro system doesn't like mixed tyres as they can cause diffs to overheat on long journeys.
For a big car it handles fairly well but it's more of a cruiser, not that it can't make progress on cross county roads.
For me it feels very stable at high speed which is re-assuring.
It's auto with a sports diff and I like the combo (would have preferred manual but there wasn't a lot of good choices for my budget at the time) and the diff makes a difference out of junctions and tight corners.
The guy I bought it from had some shiny back box replacement pipes which I got with the car, had them fitted and it is very loud now, full pelt in sport mode it is insanely noisy but I'm enjoying it until the fun police crack down on that too.
I previously had a 2018 V6 S4 which has the same power and the ride in that was a little more compliant on 18" wheels.
If you want a smooth ride the 19" wheels on the S5 are probably a better option, or put all weather/winter tyres on. My wife has them on her Mustang and the ride is very smooth on the softer walled winters and it grips like it's stuck to the road
Everybody's opinion on car dynamics is different, I used to have a hatchback Subaru WRX and my wife hated that it felt wallowy to her but for me i could feel the grip levels quite well with it's setup.
You'll need to drive one for yourself and good luck choosing
It's a 2011 model and had 125k on the clock so just run in ;-)
I don't do many miles so it works out OK at the moment just trudling around town and occasional blast across the countryside.
It has 20" wheels so the ride can be a bit bumpy and potholes can be jarring but doesn't particularly cause me any problems and I'm just having them repaired and re-furbished as they were losing pressure and one was cracked. Also having poly bushes fitted so will probably be a bit more harsh than standard also I've got mixed tyres front to back which isn't ideal so that's another thing that's worth checking when you look at one. I've read that the quattro system doesn't like mixed tyres as they can cause diffs to overheat on long journeys.
For a big car it handles fairly well but it's more of a cruiser, not that it can't make progress on cross county roads.
For me it feels very stable at high speed which is re-assuring.
It's auto with a sports diff and I like the combo (would have preferred manual but there wasn't a lot of good choices for my budget at the time) and the diff makes a difference out of junctions and tight corners.
The guy I bought it from had some shiny back box replacement pipes which I got with the car, had them fitted and it is very loud now, full pelt in sport mode it is insanely noisy but I'm enjoying it until the fun police crack down on that too.
I previously had a 2018 V6 S4 which has the same power and the ride in that was a little more compliant on 18" wheels.
If you want a smooth ride the 19" wheels on the S5 are probably a better option, or put all weather/winter tyres on. My wife has them on her Mustang and the ride is very smooth on the softer walled winters and it grips like it's stuck to the road
Everybody's opinion on car dynamics is different, I used to have a hatchback Subaru WRX and my wife hated that it felt wallowy to her but for me i could feel the grip levels quite well with it's setup.
You'll need to drive one for yourself and good luck choosing
Thanks for that, very informative and just the sort of information I was looking for. You are right the choice of cars is still minimal and I also need a last hurrah before it is too late, my last decent V8 was a Griffith, but nowadays I need a bit more comfort and my wife insists on it (her TT has very compliant suspension). The cars I am mostly looking at are on 19" wheels so that could be a bonus. It looks more likely that it will be an RS5 as there is more choice within my budget unless I want to travel hundreds of miles to view, although I do believe the S5 is a better compromise, I need to be patient because as the saying goes "there will always be another one". - but will there be is the burning question.
As you say I need to drive one to see how the suspension suits my particular needs.
As you say I need to drive one to see how the suspension suits my particular needs.
Hi
I have the V8 and as the chaps mentioned above, the main issue on the S5 (not the RS5) is the inherent issue with the Timing chain.
However if there is no timing chain rattle and regular oil changes have been done with the correct oil it can do some high miles.
A lot of them do leak oil (mine always has) from either the rocker cover gasket and/or the main rear crank oil seal.
As this is an engine out job to fix the rear oil seal i have just lived with it and done a lot of miles with no issue.
Years ago i had an RS4 Avant with the V8 engine and that also leaked oil.
Otherwise very reliable overall, mine has now done 151k and still used every week.
Various people told me use the '15 second rule' whereby turn the ignition on and then wait 15 secs before starting the car to build up engine oil pressure and prolong the timing chain life - But you never know if this works with the internet!
Regards
I have the V8 and as the chaps mentioned above, the main issue on the S5 (not the RS5) is the inherent issue with the Timing chain.
However if there is no timing chain rattle and regular oil changes have been done with the correct oil it can do some high miles.
A lot of them do leak oil (mine always has) from either the rocker cover gasket and/or the main rear crank oil seal.
As this is an engine out job to fix the rear oil seal i have just lived with it and done a lot of miles with no issue.
Years ago i had an RS4 Avant with the V8 engine and that also leaked oil.
Otherwise very reliable overall, mine has now done 151k and still used every week.
Various people told me use the '15 second rule' whereby turn the ignition on and then wait 15 secs before starting the car to build up engine oil pressure and prolong the timing chain life - But you never know if this works with the internet!
Regards
kayeabl said:
Various people told me use the '15 second rule' whereby turn the ignition on and then wait 15 secs before starting the car to build up engine oil pressure and prolong the timing chain life - But you never know if this works with the internet!
Does it have an electric oil pump?catso said:
Does it have an electric oil pump?
No. It's internet rubbish. Purely mechanical.In my experience the chains on the direct injection engines (S5 included) are fine. It's the older, port-injection (i.e b6/7 S4) that can give issues. The chain guide on these that's one of the main culprits is often upgraded with the standard RS4/S5 part.
Ozone said:
I asked a similar question about a year ago when i was looking for a 4.2 S5 but I didn't get much response.
So from just an S5 point of view and the research I did, the timing chain can stretch but is not a common problem compared to the earlier (i think pre 2007 4.2's).
The coolant tank can crack and leak. If you get misfires it can be spark plugs and/or injectors.
The FSI system means that the valves can get coated in carbon and reduce the power which is common so walnut shell blasting is needed.
The rocker cover gaskets can perish and leak oil in to the spark plug recesses.
Like all engines regular servicing helps and the long life oil schedules are debatably probably not the best and identified as one of the reasons for the carbon build up on the valves.
The clutches on the manuals can wear out at around 40-50K
There isn't much scope for tuning to get more power unless you're looking to add a supercharger.
If you get an S5 I would recommend one with the sports diff but it can come with it's own set of problems with oil leaks.
I hope this is useful.
This is all good advice. Chains not really an issue on these.So from just an S5 point of view and the research I did, the timing chain can stretch but is not a common problem compared to the earlier (i think pre 2007 4.2's).
The coolant tank can crack and leak. If you get misfires it can be spark plugs and/or injectors.
The FSI system means that the valves can get coated in carbon and reduce the power which is common so walnut shell blasting is needed.
The rocker cover gaskets can perish and leak oil in to the spark plug recesses.
Like all engines regular servicing helps and the long life oil schedules are debatably probably not the best and identified as one of the reasons for the carbon build up on the valves.
The clutches on the manuals can wear out at around 40-50K
There isn't much scope for tuning to get more power unless you're looking to add a supercharger.
If you get an S5 I would recommend one with the sports diff but it can come with it's own set of problems with oil leaks.
I hope this is useful.
Sport diff is stupidly rare on V8 S5s.
My wife put 40k (over 5 years) on her S5 before it left, and I'm in year 4 of an RS4. The S5 gave us no engine troubles (other things, yes, but that isn't the question 
) - the RS4 has had the fuel pressure sensor go, which on removal looked like it was superceded. I had the engine de-carbon'd as it was clogged up (and I was given photo evidence). Other than that, it's been a lovely engine.
The S5 (2008) went from 39k to 80k and the RS4 (2014) is currently sat at 57k.
) - the RS4 has had the fuel pressure sensor go, which on removal looked like it was superceded. I had the engine de-carbon'd as it was clogged up (and I was given photo evidence). Other than that, it's been a lovely engine.The S5 (2008) went from 39k to 80k and the RS4 (2014) is currently sat at 57k.
As I am retired that is not an option, but I take your point.
Yes viewed the car, it was immaculate and a full spec. I was expecting it to be gruffer than it was on the test drive when it performed in a very svelt smooth quiet style. I was not keen on how the transmission second guessed (downshifts) your requirements when in sport mode, but I guess more use would show me how to avoid this and in any event, I am pretty sure it would have lived its life in "comfort" mode. At the end of the day, we decided it was not the car for us, the back seats are quite cramped in practice, not a huge issue, but nonetheless another nail in the coffin. Strangely the car did not wow me and give me the "yes come and buy me" feeling. Perhaps I was expecting too much, but as with all car purchases, you always know if it is the car for you or not by instinct. Went on to try a C63, totally a different animal but gosh what a beast, this is ongoing and the right car has to be found, and I believe more working hours would be required to fund the petrol consumption!!
Yes viewed the car, it was immaculate and a full spec. I was expecting it to be gruffer than it was on the test drive when it performed in a very svelt smooth quiet style. I was not keen on how the transmission second guessed (downshifts) your requirements when in sport mode, but I guess more use would show me how to avoid this and in any event, I am pretty sure it would have lived its life in "comfort" mode. At the end of the day, we decided it was not the car for us, the back seats are quite cramped in practice, not a huge issue, but nonetheless another nail in the coffin. Strangely the car did not wow me and give me the "yes come and buy me" feeling. Perhaps I was expecting too much, but as with all car purchases, you always know if it is the car for you or not by instinct. Went on to try a C63, totally a different animal but gosh what a beast, this is ongoing and the right car has to be found, and I believe more working hours would be required to fund the petrol consumption!!
Edited by cjb44 on Friday 11th March 16:58
cjb44 said:
Currently looking at an s5 and an rs5 coupes with 4.2 engines. Can I ask what are the main issues with these engines and drive trains to look out for, both cars are under 50000 miles and have full dealer history; I am aware that the Haldex unit needs to be looked after. Also, these cars in general have any other issues with suspension etc.?
All information gratefully received.
Probably too late to this party but I don’t think that the S5/RS5 have a Haldex diff; I think that is only in the TT/ A3/ S3 type cars, ie the ones with a transverse engine rather than the in-line engine in the A/S4, 5, 6, 7, 8. All information gratefully received.
The in-line engine cars have a Torsen diff, I think.
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