Buying an a5

[James811]

Hi there. My name is James. I live near Great Yarmouth in Norfolk.

I've been a BMW driver for the past 5 years but fancy a change. I'm looking at an a5 3.0tdi Quattro.

I'm aware of the window regulator issue and the egr valve. But is there anything else I should be wary of?

I am looking at an 08 model with the black pack with 95k miles on it. Here's a link to the add, does is seem a good buy?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201610198915035?gallery=open

Regards,
James

 

[Neil_M]

Hi James,

History wise, it may be worth researching to see what work has been done to the car. Be it from Audi or the "specialists". They may give you some idea of the car...

Thanks,
Neil

 

[James811]

I'm currently waiting for a call from the dealer and a friend of mine works at Audi so he's going to run the plate and check what's been done.

Anything I should be looking for?

 

[Neil_M]

Your friend should keep you right on what was completed and declined. Recalls completed etc.

It will also give you an idea of any reported issues with the car when it was serviced by them.

 

[DrEskimo]

Hello!

Other than the usual stuff related to used cars and in the case of diesels, the egr and DPF condition, the 3.0TDI is meant to be pretty solid.

However, that is not a black edition A5. There was that option in 08 and it looks like that car has been modified a fair bit. It looks like a standard sport model (no S line stone guards down the side) and they have replaced the front grill, wrapped or painted the chrome trim, debadged, looks lowered, replaced the discs with drilled ones, and the exhaust looks aftermarket. That could mean the DPF has been removed or gutted, as it's a common mod on diesel cars.

Also worth checking if it has the AMI in the glovebox. This is a unit that connects your phone/USB device to play music through the cars MMI system.

Good luck!

 

[DrEskimo]

* There WASNT this option in 08*

Oh it's also got a K&N aftermarket air filter.

It's not so much that these mods are bad (well apart from the DPF removal given the risk you run with insurance etc.), it's that they haven't been noted in the description and therefore what else could have been done?

 

[James811]

Think I'll be steering clear then. I only do very short journeys so perhaps a diesel isn't for me.

I've found a nice spec 1 owner 2012 model with 99k on for £13k

http://www.adamwalterscars.co.uk/used-cars-norwich/car-details/Audi-A5-U1963/

 

[Sandra]

Hi James. We have an Audi dealership meet coming up in Sunday in Kings Lynn. Could be a good opportunity for you to see what they have available. The link is below if you wish to attend please add your name on. There will be a master tech present so he could maybe answer some questions for you.
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/nov-13-2016-kings-lynn-dealership-meet-kings-lynn.291317/

 

[DrEskimo]

Think I'll be steering clear then. I only do very short journeys so perhaps a diesel isn't for me.

I've found a nice spec 1 owner 2012 model with 99k on for £13k

http://www.adamwalterscars.co.uk/used-cars-norwich/car-details/Audi-A5-U1963/

Nah I would avoid diesel then...

The B8.5 (2012-2016) are generally much more reliable than the B8 (2007-2011) models.

I have read very few reports of the dreaded oil consumption issues that the B8 2.0TFSI suffers from, or the window regulator problem...

The high mileage would put me off, but YMMV...I would look into what other servicing items are required, as at that mileage you are looking at the replacement of pretty pricey parts....

 

[James811]

I'm not aware of the oil issues with it like the previous ones had. The car comes with a 128 point AA inspection and a 3 year warranty. The garage said that because the car has only been motorway miles (mostly anyway) it doesn't have the wear and tear of a car that's done 99k in smaller journeys.

My mate is doing a check on the plate.

Sounds promising

 

[DrEskimo]

Im sure they would say that....

A 3yr warranty...you sure?? And who is that with? Most often these third party warranties aren't worth the paper they are written on given all the get out clauses they write in their T&Cs...

Here is the Audi fixed priced services. It's the cambelt and water pump and the clutch for a Quattro that I would look into before buying.

https://m.audi.co.uk/owners-area/servicing-with-audi/fixed-price-servicing/2l---under.html