Audi A5 2.0 tfsi quattro automatic or BMW E92 330i automatic
Discussion
I know I've been plaguing this forum the past week but I'm extremely undecided and just need a bit of advice/help. I really appreciate everyone's responses.
I thought I had made my mind up on an E92 330i N53 but the injector stories are starting to make me really paranoid. I went online and index 11 injectors are basically unavailable now and index 12 are pretty hard to find and expensive. Apparently the bull to replace all 6 is around £2500 and I can't really afford a sudden bill like that.
So another car that I've always liked the look of (inside and out) is an Audi A5 I'm looking at the 2.0 tfsi quattro automatic around a 2009/2010 plate. I was just wondering what the common issues are and if these cars are reasonable reliable? I've read that some have an oil consumption issue and also something about the piston rings (which doesn't sound fun)
Am I right in thinking they are belt driven instead of chain?
In terms of speed they seem pretty close, from the sounds of things the e92 will be more fun but I'm looking at more reliability than fun, unfortunately haha.
Any help/advice is really appreciated!
I thought I had made my mind up on an E92 330i N53 but the injector stories are starting to make me really paranoid. I went online and index 11 injectors are basically unavailable now and index 12 are pretty hard to find and expensive. Apparently the bull to replace all 6 is around £2500 and I can't really afford a sudden bill like that.
So another car that I've always liked the look of (inside and out) is an Audi A5 I'm looking at the 2.0 tfsi quattro automatic around a 2009/2010 plate. I was just wondering what the common issues are and if these cars are reasonable reliable? I've read that some have an oil consumption issue and also something about the piston rings (which doesn't sound fun)
Am I right in thinking they are belt driven instead of chain?
In terms of speed they seem pretty close, from the sounds of things the e92 will be more fun but I'm looking at more reliability than fun, unfortunately haha.
Any help/advice is really appreciated!
The solution is to find an E92 or E93 with the injectors have already been done.
Plenty about owned by enthusiasts, check the E91 bearding thread on the BMW sub forum. Look for a car on the E92 group chats on Facebook , many on there come with stacks of history and receipts.
Look for the facelift LCI models if you can stretch to it.
The Audi is too dull to consider, I was in the same boat as you last year before I gave up and went for an F30 instead. If you want an auto the Audi isn’t even in consideration if it came with the terrible Multitronic gearbox, only consider S Tronic
Plenty about owned by enthusiasts, check the E91 bearding thread on the BMW sub forum. Look for a car on the E92 group chats on Facebook , many on there come with stacks of history and receipts.
Look for the facelift LCI models if you can stretch to it.
The Audi is too dull to consider, I was in the same boat as you last year before I gave up and went for an F30 instead. If you want an auto the Audi isn’t even in consideration if it came with the terrible Multitronic gearbox, only consider S Tronic
V 02 said:
The solution is to find an E92 or E93 with the injectors have already been done.
Plenty about owned by enthusiasts, check the E91 bearding thread on the BMW sub forum. Look for a car on the E92 group chats on Facebook , many on there come with stacks of history and receipts.
Look for the facelift LCI models if you can stretch to it.
The Audi is too dull to consider, I was in the same boat as you last year before I gave up and went for an F30 instead. If you want an auto the Audi isn’t even in consideration if it came with the terrible Multitronic gearbox, only consider S Tronic
I've been looking for about 3 months now and can't seem to find a serious one, when ever I ask about the injectors they never know if they've been done. Apparently the index 11/12 can fail as well. I'd much prefer a E92 in all honesty. Plenty about owned by enthusiasts, check the E91 bearding thread on the BMW sub forum. Look for a car on the E92 group chats on Facebook , many on there come with stacks of history and receipts.
Look for the facelift LCI models if you can stretch to it.
The Audi is too dull to consider, I was in the same boat as you last year before I gave up and went for an F30 instead. If you want an auto the Audi isn’t even in consideration if it came with the terrible Multitronic gearbox, only consider S Tronic
Unfortunately can't afford a LCI model
So the Audi isn't a fun drive at all then? The one I'm looking at is the S tronic.
Thank you for the advice mate
Hmmm some generic advice…
1) Doing your due diligence is great, but scour the internet long enough and you’ll find bad experiences of anything and everything.
2) Cars make excellent servants but terrible masters. If something goes wrong you either need to be able to fix it, walk away from it, or love it enough that you’ll find the cash. To have a car that will break you if it breaks… you’ll never really enjoy it. You’ll worry too much and sometimes it’s easier to accept it’s a financial step too far. So you park the idea under it’s a lesser % of you money.
1) Doing your due diligence is great, but scour the internet long enough and you’ll find bad experiences of anything and everything.
2) Cars make excellent servants but terrible masters. If something goes wrong you either need to be able to fix it, walk away from it, or love it enough that you’ll find the cash. To have a car that will break you if it breaks… you’ll never really enjoy it. You’ll worry too much and sometimes it’s easier to accept it’s a financial step too far. So you park the idea under it’s a lesser % of you money.
Gigamoons said:
Hmmm some generic advice…
1) Doing your due diligence is great, but scour the internet long enough and you’ll find bad experiences of anything and everything.
2) Cars make excellent servants but terrible masters. If something goes wrong you either need to be able to fix it, walk away from it, or love it enough that you’ll find the cash. To have a car that will break you if it breaks… you’ll never really enjoy it. You’ll worry too much and sometimes it’s easier to accept it’s a financial step too far. So you park the idea under it’s a lesser % of you money.
That's some good advice and you're completely right with the over searching. The other issues with the e92 seem fairly manageable but it's literally just the injectors that are scaring me a little bit haha. Just with the availablity of them and price 1) Doing your due diligence is great, but scour the internet long enough and you’ll find bad experiences of anything and everything.
2) Cars make excellent servants but terrible masters. If something goes wrong you either need to be able to fix it, walk away from it, or love it enough that you’ll find the cash. To have a car that will break you if it breaks… you’ll never really enjoy it. You’ll worry too much and sometimes it’s easier to accept it’s a financial step too far. So you park the idea under it’s a lesser % of you money.
I went from a BMW to a, new at the time, 60 plate A5 2.0 TFSI Quattro DSG.
I’d had Audis before but it was the least involving car to drive, also the engine used quite a bit of oil. The dealer told me this was normal.
I only kept the car for 11 months and went back to a BMW.
Personally I wouldn’t have another Audi.
Did look quite nice though.
I’d had Audis before but it was the least involving car to drive, also the engine used quite a bit of oil. The dealer told me this was normal.
I only kept the car for 11 months and went back to a BMW.
Personally I wouldn’t have another Audi.
Did look quite nice though.
Luke33 said:
I thought I had made my mind up on an E92 330i N53 but the injector stories are starting to make me really paranoid. I went online and index 11 injectors are basically unavailable now and index 12 are pretty hard to find and expensive. Apparently the bull to replace all 6 is around £2500 and I can't really afford a sudden bill like that.
Why not go for an E90 330i with the N52 engine? The car is pretty similar, the engine is more reliable and still offers very strong performance, albeit with lower claimed fuel economy.Manual, M Sport, 115k miles, £3,500:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304106...
Automatic, SE, 78k miles, £3,595:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306058...
Luke33 said:
If there was an e92 with the N52 engine I would definitely go for it but unfortunately I can't find any, think there was one on autotrader. I'm not really a fancy of the e90 shape to be completely honest.
I always thought the N52 was available in the E92 but may have just been in E90 and E91, as I can’t see any for sale either.Facelift Z4s, Z4 Coupe and 130i are other N52 alternatives if any of those suit you…
G/f has a 2013 A5 - albeit a diesel one.
It seems to be very reliable, and rarely has any problems. She clocks up quite a mileage on it (currently about 160k I think) - having had it from about 6 months old. It is belt not chain, so I'm sure a 2010 would be the same.
Personally, I don't like it. It's a damn big car - which I suppose might be a positive to you - but I also find the suspension very hard as a passenger, and that's from somebody who owns cars that are supposed to have hard suspension.
I've only driven it a couple of times for short journeys - I don't remember it being terribly memorable.
She likes it I think, but I'm not a fan.
It seems to be very reliable, and rarely has any problems. She clocks up quite a mileage on it (currently about 160k I think) - having had it from about 6 months old. It is belt not chain, so I'm sure a 2010 would be the same.
Personally, I don't like it. It's a damn big car - which I suppose might be a positive to you - but I also find the suspension very hard as a passenger, and that's from somebody who owns cars that are supposed to have hard suspension.
I've only driven it a couple of times for short journeys - I don't remember it being terribly memorable.
She likes it I think, but I'm not a fan.
I've had two TFSI engine'd cars (mk5 Golf GTI and an Octavia VRS). Reliability wise, both were spot on - never had a single issue with either outside of normal service stuff. The engine felt far more suited to the lighter Golf - so much so I'd definitely have another - the combination of relatively small car, DSG box and engine meant it was just a really quick way to cover ground but also hugely practical. Only let down was mk5 Golf related bodywork problems - rusty boot lid, rusty arches etc.
I've also had a 330i E91. Very different engine - could tell it was N/A as the power was instant unlike that very slight lag with the Golf. It also sounded brilliant. Like the TFSI though, reliability wise it was faultless.
Doesn't help much but of all the cars I've owned, my favourites have been that Golf and the BMW...
I've also had a 330i E91. Very different engine - could tell it was N/A as the power was instant unlike that very slight lag with the Golf. It also sounded brilliant. Like the TFSI though, reliability wise it was faultless.
Doesn't help much but of all the cars I've owned, my favourites have been that Golf and the BMW...
davek_964 said:
G/f has a 2013 A5 - albeit a diesel one.
It seems to be very reliable, and rarely has any problems. She clocks up quite a mileage on it (currently about 160k I think) - having had it from about 6 months old. It is belt not chain, so I'm sure a 2010 would be the same.
Personally, I don't like it. It's a damn big car - which I suppose might be a positive to you - but I also find the suspension very hard as a passenger, and that's from somebody who owns cars that are supposed to have hard suspension.
I've only driven it a couple of times for short journeys - I don't remember it being terribly memorable.
She likes it I think, but I'm not a fan.
Seems to be the opinion of everyone that they aren't very fun to drive and a bit uninvolvedIt seems to be very reliable, and rarely has any problems. She clocks up quite a mileage on it (currently about 160k I think) - having had it from about 6 months old. It is belt not chain, so I'm sure a 2010 would be the same.
Personally, I don't like it. It's a damn big car - which I suppose might be a positive to you - but I also find the suspension very hard as a passenger, and that's from somebody who owns cars that are supposed to have hard suspension.
I've only driven it a couple of times for short journeys - I don't remember it being terribly memorable.
She likes it I think, but I'm not a fan.
Thanks for the advice man!
DaveyBoyWonder said:
I've had two TFSI engine'd cars (mk5 Golf GTI and an Octavia VRS). Reliability wise, both were spot on - never had a single issue with either outside of normal service stuff. The engine felt far more suited to the lighter Golf - so much so I'd definitely have another - the combination of relatively small car, DSG box and engine meant it was just a really quick way to cover ground but also hugely practical. Only let down was mk5 Golf related bodywork problems - rusty boot lid, rusty arches etc.
I've also had a 330i E91. Very different engine - could tell it was N/A as the power was instant unlike that very slight lag with the Golf. It also sounded brilliant. Like the TFSI though, reliability wise it was faultless.
Doesn't help much but of all the cars I've owned, my favourites have been that Golf and the BMW...
My neighbour has an Audi TT with the 2.0 tfsi, which I'm assuming would be the same engine in the A5? I can imagine it would probably suit a TT or a golf more than the A4 or A5. I've also had a 330i E91. Very different engine - could tell it was N/A as the power was instant unlike that very slight lag with the Golf. It also sounded brilliant. Like the TFSI though, reliability wise it was faultless.
Doesn't help much but of all the cars I've owned, my favourites have been that Golf and the BMW...
What engine did you have in the e91? Was it the N52 or the N53? Ideally I'd like an e92 with the N53 engine, apparently a really nice fun drive with. What was the power like in the BMW?
Luke33 said:
Seems to be the opinion of everyone that they aren't very fun to drive and a bit uninvolved
Thanks for the advice man!
To be fair - I haven't really driven it far enough to know whether it is fun or not. I've taken it a few miles for tyres but not really much more than that. My dislike is actually more as a passenger (although that could just be her driving!)Thanks for the advice man!
Luke33 said:
My neighbour has an Audi TT with the 2.0 tfsi, which I'm assuming would be the same engine in the A5? I can imagine it would probably suit a TT or a golf more than the A4 or A5.
What engine did you have in the e91? Was it the N52 or the N53? Ideally I'd like an e92 with the N53 engine, apparently a really nice fun drive with. What was the power like in the BMW?
By coincidence - I have a TT with the 2.0 TFSI. Quite a nice engine I think - seems poky enough.What engine did you have in the e91? Was it the N52 or the N53? Ideally I'd like an e92 with the N53 engine, apparently a really nice fun drive with. What was the power like in the BMW?
davek_964 said:
Luke33 said:
Seems to be the opinion of everyone that they aren't very fun to drive and a bit uninvolved
Thanks for the advice man!
To be fair - I haven't really driven it far enough to know whether it is fun or not. I've taken it a few miles for tyres but not really much more than that. My dislike is actually more as a passenger (although that could just be her driving!)Thanks for the advice man!
Luke33 said:
My neighbour has an Audi TT with the 2.0 tfsi, which I'm assuming would be the same engine in the A5? I can imagine it would probably suit a TT or a golf more than the A4 or A5.
What engine did you have in the e91? Was it the N52 or the N53? Ideally I'd like an e92 with the N53 engine, apparently a really nice fun drive with. What was the power like in the BMW?
Mine was the N52. 260ish brake - absolutely brilliant...What engine did you have in the e91? Was it the N52 or the N53? Ideally I'd like an e92 with the N53 engine, apparently a really nice fun drive with. What was the power like in the BMW?
Luke33 said:
What engine did you have in the e91? Was it the N52 or the N53? Ideally I'd like an e92 with the N53 engine, apparently a really nice fun drive with. What was the power like in the BMW?
I bought a Z4 Coupe in 2014 with the N52 engine and loved it, so I replaced it with another one. 
Then I went looking for an estate daily and got an E91 325i, but found it a bit sluggish so I replaced it with an E90 330i. Both times I only looked at N52 engines to avoid the injector, HPFP and coked up inlet manifold problems associated with the N53!
Z4s are 265PS, 325i was 218PS and 330i is 258PS. The best bit is they make peak power at a turbine-smooth 6,600 rpm.
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