Any B8.5 Issues Compared to B8

[CaptSlow]

Wanted to create this thread to find out if any B8.5 owners have had any issues that plagued the B8 S4's.

As far as I can tell from asking service reps, researching online, and asking Audizine members:

- Waterpump - Audi replaced the plastic housing to a metal one for the B8.5, so failure is a non-issue.
- Thermostat - Failures affected 2010-2012 model years. Not sure if Audi made any changes, but I have not seen any members complain about this failing on their B8.5's.
- Mechatronics - Failures affected 2010-2012 model year. No reported failures on B8.5 apart from owners/members complaining of "clunky shifts," which does not mean the unit has failed.
- Carbon buildup - Have read that the B8.5's run at a hotter temperature to help lower risk of carbon buildup.
- Leaky Sports Differential - Does not seem to be a widespread issue, but have not seen any owners/members report this on the B8.5 model years.
- Notchy Steering - Did not affect B8. Only affected 213 model years, issue seems to be fixed.

Please correct me if I am wrong on these statements, I really would like others to add on this thread. Reading problems about the S4 is pretty shocking, almost to the point where you'd think it will break down on you at any moment. [:/]

[SteveYem]

The steering issue still exists in my 2015 model.

[CaptSlow]

The steering issue still exists in my 2015 model.

Wow, I didn't expect it to last into the 2015 MY. I have a 2014 and have not noticed anything major with the steering, except from some floatiness on on the highway, but it's nbd to me.

[B8 S4]

Yes, steering is a big one. It took me a month or so to realize what was happening with the steering notchiness. Dealer just replaced my steering rack and so far I havent come upon the problem again.

Also seems to be a noise in my suspension that they thought they fixed but didnt. It isnt a big deal but just annoying sqeakes. Installing coils this weekend so I am hoping this will fix the issue.

[The Fat Kid]

Yes, steering is a big one. It took me a month or so to realize what was happening with the steering notchiness. Dealer just replaced my steering rack and so far I havent come upon the problem again.

Also seems to be a noise in my suspension that they thought they fixed but didnt. It isnt a big deal but just annoying sqeakes. Installing coils this weekend so I am hoping this will fix the issue.

My driver-side rear suspension sounds like a squeaky mattress; it is actually hilarious. I'll have them check it out when I drop it off for the 5k service.

[sacandagaD]

Wanted to create this thread to find out if any B8.5 owners have had any issues that plagued the B8 S4's.

As far as I can tell from asking service reps, researching online, and asking Audizine members:

- Waterpump - Audi replaced the plastic housing to a metal one for the B8.5, so failure is a non-issue.
- Thermostat - Failures affected 2010-2012 model years. Not sure if Audi made any changes, but I have not seen any members complain about this failing on their B8.5's.
- Mechatronics - Failures affected 2010-2012 model year. No reported failures on B8.5 apart from owners/members complaining of "clunky shifts," which does not mean the unit has failed.
- Carbon buildup - Have read that the B8.5's run at a hotter temperature to help lower risk of carbon buildup.
- Leaky Sports Differential - Does not seem to be a widespread issue, but have not seen any owners/members report this on the B8.5 model years.
- Notchy Steering - Only affected 213 model years, issue seems to be fixed.

Please correct me if I am wrong on these statements, I really would like others to add on this thread. Reading problems about the S4 is pretty shocking, almost to the point where you'd think it will break down on you at any moment. [:/]

Ultimately it's like a woman, in that you either get a good one or a bad one. My 2011 has been flawless for 41k.

[evil_O]

2013 MY

Not sure if this is really a "problem" but my brakes squeal horrendously when applied at slow speeds - like a drive through.

Both infuriating and embarrassing.


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[CaptSlow]

2013 MY

Not sure if this is really a "problem" but my brakes squeal horrendously when applied at slow speeds - like a drive through.

Both infuriating and embarrassing.


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I would consider that a nuisance, seems very widespread. I was initially talking about major problems to fix ($800 and up)

[evil_O]

I would consider that a nuisance, seems very widespread. I was initially talking about major problems to fix ($800 and up)

Yeah. I kind of figured. I hate it though so I saw a door slightly open for me to bitch. :)


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[CaptSlow]

Yeah. I kind of figured. I hate it though so I saw a door slightly open for me to bitch. :)


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Lol, the rear windows don't go all the way down also.

[evil_O]

Lol, the rear windows don't go all the way down also.

Ha! My kid always reminds me of that!


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[drob23]

Wanted to create this thread to find out if any B8.5 owners have had any issues that plagued the B8 S4's.

As far as I can tell from asking service reps, researching online, and asking Audizine members:

- Waterpump - Audi replaced the plastic housing to a metal one for the B8.5, so failure is a non-issue.
- Thermostat - Failures affected 2010-2012 model years. Not sure if Audi made any changes, but I have not seen any members complain about this failing on their B8.5's.
- Mechatronics - Failures affected 2010-2012 model year. No reported failures on B8.5 apart from owners/members complaining of "clunky shifts," which does not mean the unit has failed.
- Carbon buildup - Have read that the B8.5's run at a hotter temperature to help lower risk of carbon buildup.
- Leaky Sports Differential - Does not seem to be a widespread issue, but have not seen any owners/members report this on the B8.5 model years.
- Notchy Steering - Only affected 213 model years, issue seems to be fixed.

Please correct me if I am wrong on these statements, I really would like others to add on this thread. Reading problems about the S4 is pretty shocking, almost to the point where you'd think it will break down on you at any moment. [:/]

Issue 1 was addressed with MY2011. Issue 2 is probably still something to be aware of, not as many B8.5's with significant mileage. Issue 3 was changed in the B8.5 and so far, so good. Issue 4 is not a problem on B8's, there is no temperature difference between B8.5/B8 that I'm aware of. Issue 5 is not a B8/B8.5 differentiator, similar to Issue 2 IMO. Issue 6 is hard to nail down, but the B8 never had steering issues.

[Mr.Tan]

the only thing i noticed from the 2015 loaner i had was steering... it felt TOTALLY different than my '12. Floaty on the highway, which i didnt like at all. I felt like i wasent in total control.

[CaptSlow]

Issue 1 was addressed with MY2011. Issue 2 is probably still something to be aware of, not as many B8.5's with significant mileage. Issue 3 was changed in the B8.5 and so far, so good. Issue 4 is not a problem on B8's, there is no temperature difference between B8.5/B8 that I'm aware of. Issue 5 is not a B8/B8.5 differentiator, similar to Issue 2 IMO. Issue 6 is hard to nail down, but the B8 never had steering issues.

Nice, the mechatronics was changed in B8.5? I did not know that, it's probably the most worrisome thing about the S4 STronic. Did they use a different unit or something?

[drob23]

Nice, the mechatronics was changed in B8.5? I did not know that, it's probably the most worrisome thing about the S4 STronic. Did they use a different unit or something?

I can't confirm that, only that the feel and performance felt very different to me when I was originally shopping in Oct 2012. The B8 subsequently had a software update for the ECM/TCM that improved driveability. But my claim was more based on the results we've seen from this poll: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/579636-B8-B8-5-DSG-Problem-Poll-Any-kind-of-failure