Audi A5

DonalB1

In the market for a new car, had my eye on a 2012 3 series but it may be a little out of my price range (roughly 12,000-13,000)

I currently have a 08 3 series but would like to change car and I really like the 08-09 A5. Has anyone on here owned one or know anything about them? How much would i be looking at paying for one at those years? Anything in particular I should look out for?

Silane

I just traded mine in yesterday, great car I loved it. Only got rid of it because I have a young un on the way and it's definitely not a family car.

The DMF goes in them at around 150K km, don't buy one around there unless it's done already. The timing belt was originally supposed to be done at 180K km, I think Audi revised that down, but most people probably go by the manual, so that's also something to look out for. There's also a known issue with the window regulators, so make sure to check that windows aren't making and noises and operate smoothly. For one in good shape with a clutch/DMF/timing belt done I'd say it would cost about 13-14K

Idbatterim

Op think you started another thread recently. If it's the 3 series you really want. Why not save a bit more or just wait a few more months? I'd say there will be a lot of people buying 171's and with huge amounts of imports. Used prices are going down quickly...

DonalB1

Thanks for the replies

Silane wrote: »

The DMF goes in them at around 150K km, don't buy one around there unless it's done already. The timing belt was originally supposed to be done at 180K km, I think Audi revised that down, but most people probably go by the manual, so that's also something to look out for. There's also a known issue with the window regulators, so make sure to check that windows aren't making and noises and operate smoothly. For one in good shape with a clutch/DMF/timing belt done I'd say it would cost about 13-14K

Cheers for this, some sound advice. What sort of milage should I be looking at for a 08? What sort of warranty should I be looking for? There's a few on Done Deal the most expensive being 12,950 and I'm sure you could knock a few quid off that too, although I have little to no experience with buying cars.

Idbatterim wrote: »

If it's the 3 series you really want. Why not save a bit more or just wait a few more months? I'd say there will be a lot of people buying 171's and with huge amounts of imports. Used prices are going down quickly...

I love the new 3 series (2012 and up) but I've already agreed to sell my current car so I need to find a replacement. Do prices drop a lot in the new year?

Silane

For an A5 you're probably better to go to 09 to avoid high tax cars. The car I traded is 09 and the dealer has it up for 12500 now, in my opinion that's a great deal, but I would say that, I have an emotional attachment.

bazz26

Seems a bit expensive to me for a car that is now 2 weeks away from being 8 years old.

DonalB1

Silane wrote: »

For an A5 you're probably better to go to 09 to avoid high tax cars. The car I traded is 09 and the dealer has it up for 12500 now, in my opinion that's a great deal, but I would say that, I have an emotional attachment.

Are there any major differences, outside of the running costs, between the diesel/petrol models in regards to giving trouble?

Silane

DonalB1 wrote: »

Silane wrote: »

For an A5 you're probably better to go to 09 to avoid high tax cars. The car I traded is 09 and the dealer has it up for 12500 now, in my opinion that's a great deal, but I would say that, I have an emotional attachment.

Are there any major differences, outside of the running costs, between the diesel/petrol models in regards to giving trouble?

Obviously with petrol you don't have to worry about DMF's & DPF's but if the DMF is done already then in my opinion its just down to personal preference, I don't know of any real reliability differences between petrol and diesel. I never drove a petrol one to be honest, but did spend quite a bit time on the A5OC forum's and aside from some of the petrol's burning a bit of oil, I don't remember and major re-occurring problems that would differentiate one from the other.
If I wasn't going to do regular motorway driving I'd go with the petrol. I prefer petrol in general, but Diesels are cheaper to run, and easier to find, so I ended up buying another diesel.

Moanin

Silane wrote: »

Obviously with petrol you don't have to worry about DMF's & DPF's but if the DMF is done already then in my opinion its just down to personal preference, I don't know of any real reliability differences between petrol and diesel. I never drove a petrol one to be honest, but did spend quite a bit time on the A5OC forum's and aside from some of the petrol's burning a bit of oil, I don't remember and major re-occurring problems that would differentiate one from the other.
If I wasn't going to do regular motorway driving I'd go with the petrol. I prefer petrol in general, but Diesels are cheaper to run, and easier to find, so I ended up buying another diesel.

I believe the 1.8 petrol engines suffer from Timing chain issues.

DonalB1

Moanin wrote: »

I believe the 1.8 petrol engines suffer from Timing chain issues.

Really? That's the exact issue I'm trying to stay away from in the 3 series diesel

ShadowHearth

Moanin wrote: »

I believe the 1.8 petrol engines suffer from Timing chain issues.

That is the issue on them indeed. Oil burning too.

I was looking in to A5 myself.

And all engines have some issues. Though with interest these days there is no perfect cars. Google can save you from money pit, but at the same time put you off cars, that have small amount of issues, but as we know, people are more vocal when things go bad, then when it's fine.

One thing i know for sure::
Insurance on 1.8tsi is a lot cheaper then 2.7 and 3.0 diesel. Mpg is not bad on petrol and would be my first choice. Just the damn chain issue again...

TomYeats1

ShadowHearth wrote: »

That is the issue on them indeed. Oil burning too.

I was looking in to A5 myself.

And all engines have some issues. Though with interest these days there is no perfect cars. Google can save you from money pit, but at the same time put you off cars, that have small amount of issues, but as we know, people are more vocal when things go bad, then when it's fine.

One thing i know for sure::
Insurance on 1.8tsi is a lot cheaper then 2.7 and 3.0 diesel. Mpg is not bad on petrol and would be my first choice. Just the damn chain issue again...

I've also heard the same, I currently have a 3 series and no timing chain issues but can't say I know what the a5 is like other than what I've heard!

Surely some Audi owners out there could be helpful and shed some light ?

Silane

The timing chain issues are much rarer on the A5 compared to BMW's. They're not even really comparable in my opinion, of course there have been issues with timing chains on the A5, but is it any worse than any other car? On every car there will be some things that fail. The petrol A5 burns oil, that's common enough that I would say it's an attribute of that engine, the timing chain thing I wouldn't worry about, I'm sure timing belts have snapped on the diesels too, but it's not a common fault.

Carpentry

I own an '09 A5 for a while now. It's 2.0 turbo petrol and absolutely love every minute of the ownership.

Never burnt an even drop of oil and returns 35 mpg.

All in all deadly car.

Very said time, but has to go now, five door needed. I can drop a PM if anyone interested.

Silane

My condolences, there's a lot of that going around. When I went to look at my new car the dealer said said I was the third guy in the last few weeks trading in an A5 with a pregnant other half.
I got an A6, it's nice and all, lots of bells and whistles, just doesn't feel sporty like the A5, and not as much fun to drive .

Carpentry

Silane wrote: »

My condolences, there's a lot of that going around. When I went to look at my new car the dealer said said I was the third guy in the last few weeks trading in an A5 with a pregnant other half.
I got an A6, it's nice and all, lots of bells and whistles, just doesn't feel sporty like the A5, and not as much fun to drive .

Especially that it took me good while to find one really nice specd out /s-line with B&O sound system/, low miler, with only one previous owner. Its really killing me to sell it.

I would look into A6 or maybe even Q5 as the roads are getting worse and worse.

ShadowHearth

Carpentry wrote: »

I own an '09 A5 for a while now. It's 2.0 turbo petrol and absolutely love every minute of the ownership.

Never burnt an even drop of oil and returns 35 mpg.

All in all deadly car.

Very said time, but has to go now, five door needed. I can drop a PM if anyone interested.

Are 2.0t 4 wheel drive? What bhp us yours? From what I sow they have very little power increase over 1.8t.

Carpentry

ShadowHearth wrote: »

Are 2.0t 4 wheel drive? What bhp us yours? From what I sow they have very little power increase over 1.8t.

2 versions of 2.0t - Quattro is 211 BHP and FWD is 180 BHP.

Not sure about 1.8t, I think its 170 BHP.

So the 10BHP doesnt seem like a lot, but I think that for 1.8 petrol engine 170 horses is bit too much to handle. That's why problems with chain tensioner and pistons.

That's why I went for 2.0t with 180 BHP, cheaper to run and insure when compared with 211 BHP quattro.

Carpentry

I have upgraded from e92 325i m-pack with all the bells and whistles possible, A5 is just a different class.

9935452

bazz26 wrote: »

Seems a bit expensive to me for a car that is now 2 weeks away from being 8 years old.

The audis hold their value well.
A big problem in my eyes is in 2 years it will be 10 years old .
Will it be insurable , will it drop in value beacause of it

Carpentry

9935452 wrote: »

The audis hold their value well.
A big problem in my eyes is in 2 years it will be 10 years old .
Will it be insurable , will it drop in value beacause of it

8 years ago my audi was 75 000 when new with all the extras. Now, 8 years later its around 15k mark.

I dont think in 2 years time will be worth less than 10-11 grand, depending on mileage and condition.

bazz26

Going a bit off topic but losing 60k in 8 years is a fair hit on the pocket. Extras are the worst for depreciation, they cost a fortune when new but retain very little if any monetary value down the road. Also I cannot see anyone paying 10k or 11k for a 10 year old example. Yes the rate of depreciation slows down after x number of years but not at that rate. I'd say 8.5k/9k would be about right for a 10 year old example imo.

Carpentry

bazz26 wrote: »

Going a bit off topic but losing 60k in 8 years is a fair hit on the pocket. Extras are the worst for depreciation, they cost a fortune when new but retain very little if any monetary value down the road. Also I cannot see anyone paying 10k or 11k for a 10 year old example. Yes the rate of depreciation slows down after x number of years but not at that rate. I'd say 8.5k/9k would be about right for a 10 year old example imo.

Thats all true. But I wouldn't look at the car that for example doesn't have a volume control on the steering wheel. Sucha small thing, but so handy and yet there is so may cars without it. Or dimming mirrors when every second car is fitted now with xenons from Lidl and can make you blind.

You get what you pay for.

bazz26

Yes but alot of newer cars have those features these days so it becomes less relevant on a 10 year old car as people are used to them. Yes these features can be the difference between selling it quickly but money wise people won't pay much extra for them at that age. I'd say a potential buyer would be more interested in it being a rare 2.0 litre petrol engine variant.

TomYeats1

Have been looking to at the A5's since last posting on this and they've really grown on me.

I'd love to splash out on one but with the budget I have a 08 would probably be as far as I could stretch. Would it be possible to get a decent 08 model for under 12k?