the audi A5

famagusta

hi,

my friends sister is thinking of buying an audi A5, (nice to have money) and i've to go with her!!!

anyways, she's looking to buy an 08 model, anything to look for, any model that is particularly goog eg. diesel/ petrol etc.
there is a nice 1.8 petrol or a 3l diesel,

any opinions good or bad on the car appreciated please

mustang01

defo go for da diesel ! think they come in 2lt tdi, best option unless she lookn for a lot more horses !

2008 b shortly out of warrenty if not already to be prepared to pay well for parts needed, headlight bulb alone is 100 + euro ! so if she can afford to buy it make sure she able to run it !

famagusta

thanks mustang,
are the petrol models hard on juice, it is actually hard enough to get an 08 diesel!

Shane732

There's plenty of 08 2.7 and 3.0 diesels out there at the moment.

The 3.0 diesel is clearly the best option for your friends sister. In fact I think Conlan's have a 3.2 FSI going at the moment which would be an even better option for her. :D

Matt Simis

quattro (AWD) version or dont bother. There is a terrific 208bhp 2.0T version too, great MPG and power (its petrol).

famagusta

would an 09 audi a4 tdi SE be a better option?

Shane732

famagusta wrote: »

would an 09 audi a4 tdi SE be a better option?

NOOOOOOOO!!! Don't do it, please!!!

Matt Simis

famagusta wrote: »

would an 09 audi a4 tdi SE be a better option?

Duller but hardly better..

famagusta

why??????????

Mr.David

The manual A5 sportback (possibly same in coupe?) has the most awful pedal arrangement I've ever come across, the clutch is hidden in a recess. Theres a lot of vibration at idle from the 2.0tdi.

The higher spec ones are definitely worth the extra cash imo, and the 2.0T petrol is a good engine, I'd much rather it to the diesel assuming not having a huge annual mileage.

mustang01

at end of day its all down to wha she can afford, if she buckets of money den defo go for da quattro model, but if she not to much extra 2 spend dem best of with diesel !

famagusta

thanks lads some good info, she can't go over 30k which rules out quattro and high spec ones which is a pity

mickdw

Get the 3.0 tdi which is quattro (not the the 2.7 diesel which is front drive)
There were no smaller diesels in 08.

Ive a 1.8T 2008 A5 wouldnt advise anyone to buy that model. Ive mine since new and the front passenger wheel literally jumps off the road violently under even modest acceleration but only when the passenger seat is empty thats the kind of crap behaviour it has. Strong tramlining too and with certain tyres, impossible to hold in a straight line with one hand while accelerating or braking hard. Much experimentation (and cost) with tyres has helped to make it reasonable.

famagusta wrote: »

thanks lads some good info, she can't go over 30k which rules out quattro and high spec ones which is a pity

30k would get very close to a 08 3.0 tdi I would have thought. Also watch out for some imports without the LED front lights - THey were standard here on the A5 but not in uk believe it or not.

Matt Simis

Mickdw is it possible to get an LSD fitted? It should take of that wheel hop.

maddness

Get a quattro if you can as the front wheel drive versions are a terrible drive. Also be very carefull of the manual as the clutch is where the break pedal should be and is very uncomfortable to drive.

vectra

A bit of haggling and a wad of cash could possibly reduce the price on this one.
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A5/3.0TDI-Q/201109201455917/advert?channel=CARS

mickdw

maddness wrote: »

Get a quattro if you can as the front wheel drive versions are a terrible drive. Also be very carefull of the manual as the clutch is where the break pedal should be and is very uncomfortable to drive.

I agree the pedals are offset but its not something I would have even noticed until I saw all the comments on motoring forums.

mickdw

Matt Simis wrote: »

Mickdw is it possible to get an LSD fitted? It should take of that wheel hop.

I have no idea. Its strange, a tiny squirt of power with cause it. A passenger in front seat pretty much cures it so perhaps a lump of lead in the engine bay would be a crude cure:D.
I had plenty people on A5 owners club telling me to learn how to drive and feed in the power better. Eventually one guy came back after having driven another 1.8T and said it was unbelieveably bad. Seems some cars are worse than others too.

glynf

O.P., as the owner of an 07 3.0 tdi for the last 2 years, I would strongly recommend one with quattro, don't touch a fwd audi if possible. This is my first Audi and I'm still blown away by it. The thing shifts, and it feels like way more than 236 hp due to the way the quattro puts the power down & shed loads of torque.
I had two BMW's before this, and would not go back now. The interior is quality-the car is 4 years old in August w/50k miles on the clock and not one rattle.
Granted the drive is not as exciting and the steering is dull compared to the 3er but it goes where you point it...:D

Just remember just 'cause someone is looking for 32/3 K for one does not mean that the car will go for that. And offer a few k less for the 08 above and see how you go.

A few 07's went for late 20's lately, I'm keeping an eye on them at the min. because I may have to sell mine soon as I might have to get a company sh!tbox instead, or change to one <4 years for mileage.

Matt Simis

mickdw wrote: »

I have no idea. Its strange, a tiny squirt of power with cause it. A passenger in front seat pretty much cures it so perhaps a lump of lead in the engine bay would be a crude cure:D.
I had plenty people on A5 owners club telling me to learn how to drive and feed in the power better. Eventually one guy came back after having driven another 1.8T and said it was unbelieveably bad. Seems some cars are worse than others too.

I ask as what you describe is common for FWD cars that deliver torque abruptly. While you shouldnt have to fix a car thats "designed" like that, its quite likely it could be eliminated with:

- High Performance Tyres (better traction, less hop and spin)
- Uprated Anti Roll Bar or strut brace (if this is happening on cornering mostly)
- A limited slip differential (so one wheel doesnt hop then spin like its doing)
- Sports Suspension (to better plant the front of the car)
- A remap that rolls on the torque smoother

An LSD would be the "best" solution, but they arent cheap:
http://www.tsr-performancestore.com/audi-a4-2wd-front-quaife-atb-helical-lsd-differential-900-p.asp

The passenger in front solution kinda indicates the stock suspension isnt up to much, so I would also look at that avenue if it was me.

mickdw

Matt Simis wrote: »

The passenger in front solution kinda indicates the stock suspension isnt up to much, so I would also look at that avenue if it was me.

Yes Im thinking the same. A motorsport guy who sampled the wheel hop suggested that the control arms would need to have stiffer bushes as his theory is that the wheel is not being held in position adequately. Also suggested stiffer shocks would do no harm.
Im inclined to agree with this as it would tie in very well with the severe tramlining and steering pull on varying road surfaces
Last time I looked though there was nothing available for A5 aftermarket in terms of powerflex bushes etc.

Matt Simis

mickdw wrote: »

Last time I looked though there was nothing available for A5 aftermarket in terms of powerflex bushes etc.

I would be wary of Powerflex for street usage, but surely the S5 arms and Anti-roll bar will fit and are uprated over the A5?

mickdw

Matt Simis wrote: »

I would be wary of Powerflex for street usage, but surely the S5 arms and Anti-roll bar will fit and are uprated over the A5?

A dealer told me that the S5 arms are identical although there are updated arms with a retro fit kit available for A5/S5. (Audi say this modification was related to vibration. I tried my best to get audi to fit this kit to my car while still under warranty but didnt succeed) I guess the S5 being 4 wheel drive mightnt be any more severe on its front arms.
Ive since got ekta parts system, must have a look now to confirm that they are the same.
Antiroll bar is certainly different as are shocks & springs.


I will admit that I dont like spending too much on the car after the initial cost of the thing. A certain fix via new control arms would be ok but Im not going to be throwing thousands at it.