Hello A5 club, in need of some urgent advice please!

[DarkShadow]

Hello guys,

I own B7 A4 S-Line and I'm looking to buy an A5 3.0. I'm in touch with the owner of this car and I'm looking to buy it: Audi A5 3.0 TDI Quattro Sport Black RS5 Grille, B&O, FSH, Sat Nav, Fully Loaded | eBay

I've been following the market for the past 3 months on the lookout for a good A5 that ticks my criterias. This seems high on the list.

I'd appreciate any pre-buying guide/advice and questions to ask. Unfortunately the car is some 180 miles away. So I'd like to cover the groundwork before I go to purchase the car.

I've asked about the DPF and intend to go in depth after a brief chat but any other issues I may be unaware of?

Much appreciated A5 sub!

 

[N4th4n90]

I did notice this as I'm looking at one myself. I think he's a member on A5OC and he's put threads about the previous problems that he mentioned in the ad. Worth having a read to see what you think.

 

[warren_S5]

Know very little about the A5 3.0TDI Q.

It's a hell of a car from what I have read, and quite reliable. Typical issues with car include:

> clutch / DMF issues due to the high torque (check out for pedal vibration)
> tumble/swirl flaps in the inlet manifold seem to cause some owners an issue (failing)
> EGR valve failure (not a cheap part) - Exhaust gas regulator valve
> DPF regen issues on older models

I'm afraid that's as much as I know, but it's a start.

 

[crmatthews]

I'm not sure this is going to be to much help, but I have just brought one a week ago and I love it. Engine has plenty of power and as I had an S3 before, it's really good on fuel, i generally average about 47mpg(motorway miles mainly).

 

[desertstorm]

The A5 3.0 TDI shouldn't have any clutch issues unless it has a high mileage as it's twin plate 228mm clutch is good for 800Nm.
The swirl flap issue on the inlets can usually be fixed by replacing the worn linkage rods, about £30 for the pair and not too tricky a job.
DPF's are usually pretty good on these as it is right at the back of the engine so heats up quickly, as long as it has a bit of a run every other week or so you should be good.
When I bought mine I took VAG-COM along and checked for faults, had a glow plug issue and the fuel cap solenoid was faulty.
Glow plug took 5 minutes to do and cost £13, solenoid is a very common problem and was about £35 with all the bits.
When the car is locked see if you can open the fuel flap, If the solenoid is faulty you will be able to open it.
The flap is open any time the car is so most people wouldn't notice.
Have a look at my build thread, there is a link in my signature to see what you can tweak from them.

Karl.

 

[ben.w93]

Went across from an A4 B7 3.0TDI to an A5 3.0TDI and have not looked back, in all a fantastic car, even better when NHN put cruise control on for me, I get about 43 mpg on a run without taking it too gently, but there have been some issues though, I had some missing fuses causing issues with headlights (previous owner had done some poor quality LEDs) and the DPF light cam on but soon cleared after a short run, I also have a glow plug issue like desertstorm, but I had the same on my A4, also replaced the swirl flaps with recon parts available online, so I can fix the A5 as in when they go rather than if. I also have an auto leveling issue which I am in the process of getting sorted out by the garage I bought the car from.

 

[DarkShadow]

Brilliant, thanks everyone!

I did notice this as I'm looking at one myself. I think he's a member on A5OC and he's put threads about the previous problems that he mentioned in the ad. Worth having a read to see what you think.

I found his thread and it seems he's carried out a fair bit of work on it but in all honesty it's not exactly filling me with confidence knowing he's had so many issues with it, that and paired up with the fact he's been carrying out his own work at 23.

What do you guys think?

 

[warren_S5]

On a car as complex as the 5, if it's had significant issues and not been repaired by a specialist / main dealer UNLESS they were plug & play issues (e.g. Sensors) I'd be steering well clear. Have you got a link to the owners thread.

 

[DarkShadow]

On a car as complex as the 5, if it's had significant issues and not been repaired by a specialist / main dealer UNLESS they were plug & play issues (e.g. Sensors) I'd be steering well clear. Have you got a link to the owners thread.

After running a report on the car, turns out it's a cat D. Something he conveniently failed to mention. Thanks for the advice buddy, just going to have to remain patient until I find the one

This guy:

HELP!! Engine just went??? - A5_OC

3.0TDI Glow Plug DIY (No Pics) - A5_OC

It wasn't long before I found his deets. Doesn't quite seem like the kind of person I'd like to do business with.

 

[warren_S5]

Doesn't quite seem like the kind of person I'd like to do business with.

Not if he's overlooking Cat.D, I'd walk away from that as it's likely to be one of a myriad of likely issues.

 

[N4th4n90]

Yea, it does seem a lot of work to be carried out in a short amount of time. And +1 on the cat d situation - convenient he's forgotten it. Good job you avoided that one!! Although it does mean another buyer I'm competing with

 

[ben.w93]

Cat D? It was the right decision to walk away from that one, sounds like he has ragged the nuts off the car too reading his thread, keep on looking, a clean unmolested one will turn up.

 

[crmatthews]

Well i might be able to give you some advice now, as mine which i have just brought less than 2 weeks ago now has an engine light on, booked into Audi tomorrow, hopefully nothing serious, feels fine though :/

 

[ben.w93]

Likely to be manifolds, my A4 3.0 had the same issue, but then they are complex beasts, the Q7s comes on with a fuel pressure sensor playing up from time to time, hope you get to the bottom of it and that it isnt too expensive

 

[DarkShadow]

Yea, it does seem a lot of work to be carried out in a short amount of time. And +1 on the cat d situation - convenient he's forgotten it. Good job you avoided that one!! Although it does mean another buyer I'm competing with

You're seriously interested in throwing around 12k for a cat D that's been driven hard?

Cat D? It was the right decision to walk away from that one, sounds like he has ragged the nuts off the car too reading his thread, keep on looking, a clean unmolested one will turn up.

Thanks bud :thumbsup:

Well i might be able to give you some advice now, as mine which i have just brought less than 2 weeks ago now has an engine light on, booked into Audi tomorrow, hopefully nothing serious, feels fine though :/

That's unlucky, hope it's nothing too serious. Keep us updated!

 

[N4th4n90]

You're seriously interested in throwing around 12k for a cat D that's been driven hard?

No I meant as in I mentioned that I was already looking for an A5 3.0 tdi and now you aren't buying this one I've got someone else looking at cars I might be interested in. I was put off before it was a cat D tbh!

 

[crmatthews]

That's unlucky, hope it's nothing too serious. Keep us updated![/QUOTE]

Well Audi have had a look at the car and it turns out 2 intake manifolds have gone :/ In total it's going to be about £1700, I'm just happy i decided to buy warranty for the car, which so far they have said is covered. Fingers Crossed.