Buying a 2016 S5 w/super low kms

[dsmp]

Hi,

So I found a 2016 S5 with 21000kms. I am travelling next week to go pick it up hopefully, the owner is meeting me 8 hours away.

Anyone have thoughts on mileage here? I am a little suspicious, having dealt with an odo rollback issue in the past. I have purchased a carista and tried it on a friends 2015 S5 and it only pulls in the cluster odometer, contrary to what it does on my f150 where it shows a bunch of other module milage.

I have a carfax report which appears mostly clean and up to date, however there has been no logged kms since 2020 when it was 20000kms.

Want to make sure I don't get hosed here, thought was just to do a good visual on brakes, tires, hoses, belts - check for dash rattles or anything tampered.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance

[John@Nemesis]

Super low mileage vehicles are out there, for sure. I have a 2015 with 17k miles on it. It was more of a weekend daily for a long time and then I didn't need it for that anymore. Now I maybe put 500 miles a year on it, been that way for several years. Could be a similar situation. Check everything and if in doubt, have a ppi done on it.

[Mrads]

Low KM cars are definitely around. I have put less than 11000 KM on my RS5 in 5 years. It is smart to be cautious and do your due diligence, but low KMs aren't always a warning sign of odo tampering.

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[dsmp]

Thanks yes, I agree I am sure there are lots of people who sunny weekend only their cars. I am curious how much tampering really happens out there with these cars, I assume not a ton but perhaps that is a bit naive.

[Mrads]

Thanks yes, I agree I am sure there are lots of people who sunny weekend only their cars. I am curious how much tampering really happens out there with these cars, I assume not a ton but perhaps that is a bit naive.

Get a carfax for the vehicle and provided there is adequate history available, that should help you validate the KMs on the car. Also, ask the PO for the service records, which will also validate the KM.

You should be able to get both of these items before traveling 8 hours to get the car.

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[dsmp]

Get a carfax for the vehicle and provided there is adequate history available, that should help you validate the KMs on the car. Also, ask the PO for the service records, which will also validate the KM.

You should be able to get both of these items before traveling 8 hours to get the car.

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Yeah got this stuff ahead of time, but the last service was 2020 at 20500kms, and now it has only 21350 or something which has me a bit nervous.

[eskimo0101]

850 KM in 5 years? Or for the majority on here, 528 miles in 5 years... just over 100 miles a year from 2020 to 2025. I'd be suspicious too, especially since it had averaged 5125 KM/year from 2016 to 2020. Did the seller give any explanation of why the car basically stopped being driven in 2020? I'd also be concerned the car hasn't seen a service in 5 years. With so few miles how old is the gas in the tank? Has it been sitting flat spotting the tires for years? How has it been stored? Rodent issues?

[dsmp]

yeah all good questions, however sort of lines up given he bought the car in 2017 with 17,500kms then drove it 1400kms where he lives and the next service was in 2020 with 20,481. Has been garage stored under a cover with battery tender and comes out the odd sunny weekend apparently. Pics look mint and went over it over facetime, but yeah.. seems really low.

[John@Nemesis]

850 KM in 5 years? Or for the majority on here, 528 miles in 5 years... just over 100 miles a year from 2020 to 2025. I'd be suspicious too, especially since it had averaged 5125 KM/year from 2016 to 2020. Did the seller give any explanation of why the car basically stopped being driven in 2020? I'd also be concerned the car hasn't seen a service in 5 years. With so few miles how old is the gas in the tank? Has it been sitting flat spotting the tires for years? How has it been stored? Rodent issues?

Not at all weird. Especially if you're a car guy that loves the car. No real need to get rid of it, but also no real need to have it. 5 years go by and then the time comes. Same thing I have looked at with mine.

[dsmp]

Well wish me luck I’m flying to get this thing and drive it home unless there are some major flags when I get there.


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[eskimo0101]

yeah all good questions, however sort of lines up given he bought the car in 2017 with 17,500kms then drove it 1400kms where he lives and the next service was in 2020 with 20,481. Has been garage stored under a cover with battery tender and comes out the odd sunny weekend apparently. Pics look mint and went over it over facetime, but yeah.. seems really low.

Ok, didn't have the piece of the puzzle that the current owner bought it with 17500. Good luck on you trip. An 8 hour road trip is quite a haul for a car that hasn't been driven much at all since 2020. I'd definitely have AAA (Or I guess CAA since you're in Canada).

[hahnmgh63]

I'm down to a commute now that is less than 2mi a day for low mileage. Short trips and low mileage can be worse than longer trips and higher mileage due to fuel dilution. I try to get my car up to full operating temperature at least once a week and now change my oil at 3k instead of 6k.

[03TLSinCO]

An 8 hour road trip is quite a haul for a car that hasn't been driven much at all since 2020. I'd definitely have AAA (Or I guess CAA since you're in Canada).

A little less than 2 years ago I bought a 2013 Q5 with 11,850 miles on it. It also hadn't been driven much in the past year. It was in Albuquerque, about 5+ hours away from me. Drove it home without issues. It was, however, bought from an Audi dealership, so it had been gone through. Belts inspected and changed, fluids changed, new tires, etc. As long as the car has had recent maintenance, there shouldn't be any issues with an 8 hour drive.

[feelgood]

Super low mileage vehicles are out there, for sure. I have a 2015 with 17k miles on it. It was more of a weekend daily for a long time and then I didn't need it for that anymore. Now I maybe put 500 miles a year on it, been that way for several years. Could be a similar situation. Check everything and if in doubt, have a ppi done on it.

Yep. I have a 2011 S5 with 24k miles. I've also bought, owned, and sold many other ultra low mileage "weekend" cars that were 10yr, 20yr, + yrs old. In addition to the Carfax and service history of the car, some of the key things I look at to validate mileage include seat bolster wear, wear on the pedals, steering wheel, shift knob, audio controls, situation with the tires, undercarriage, etc. My best advice would be "buy the seller".

[John@Nemesis]

Yep. I have a 2011 S5 with 24k miles. I've also bought, owned, and sold many other ultra low mileage "weekend" cars that were 10yr, 20yr, + yrs old. In addition to the Carfax and service history of the car, some of the key things I look at to validate mileage include seat bolster wear, wear on the pedals, steering wheel, shift knob, audio controls, situation with the tires, undercarriage, etc. My best advice would be "buy the seller".

Exactly. Just have to pay attention to the little things. My 911 had 2300 miles on it when I bought it. CPO, so wasn't concerned. People have different uses for their cars than daily drivers. Hell, all mine sit in the garage the majority of the time. My wife and I both have work trucks, 95% of the time we're in the work truck.

OP, post some pics when you get it home.

[Mrads]

Exactly. Just have to pay attention to the little things. My 911 had 2300 miles on it when I bought it. CPO, so wasn't concerned. People have different uses for their cars than daily drivers. Hell, all mine sit in the garage the majority of the time. My wife and I both have work trucks, 95% of the time we're in the work truck.

OP, post some pics when you get it home.

Funny, my 911 had ~2300 miles (3800kms) on it when I bought it 2 weeks ago. Also a CPO car.

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[John@Nemesis]

Funny, my 911 had ~2300 miles (3800kms) on it when I bought it 2 weeks ago. Also a CPO car.

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Mine had passed through a few more owners than I would care for. But it is PTS and slick top with a manual...couldn't pass it up. If you get the itch to modify it, give me a shout. Enjoy the car. They're meant to get driven.

[eskimo0101]

Well @dsmp any updates?

[dsmp]

Going to pick it up Monday! Stay tuned.


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[dsmp]

Picked her up today. She drove like a dream. Seems fully legit. The guy is an RCMP officer as well.


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[Mrads]

Congrats


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[dsmp]

Here is what I’m thinking for a start for tasteful mods

Rims/tires. Keeping stock height and size
Tint
Roof rack maybe? My son and I mtb a ton
Single pulley.

Any other suggestions?


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[Mrads]

I could write you a book on the things you can do to the B8.5 platform.

Nothing wrong with your list as a starting point. But IMO a 20" wheel and tire combo fit this car better. 275/30/20 square on a 10" or 10.5" wheel with an ET of ~25 looks awesome on this car.

If going single pulley stage 1+/2 tune you should tackle the exhaust to make it breathe a little more freely. H-pipe and a center resonator delete would yield decent results and not be too spendy.

I could go on and on. DTS, transmission and diff inserts, intake, adjustable sway bars...

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[dsmp]

Sweet thanks. I had a 2015 S4 back in 2015-18 but it was a lease and I didn't feel like modding something I wasnt going to keep. I used to stay up to speed on what everyone was doing but I lost track and there is so much info on here it's hard to sift through it all.

I am stuck on a wheel I like, but they only come in 20x9 25ET - perhaps that would look a little better than the 19x8.5 stock option....

https://wheelwiz.ca/fr/products/r318...Dl_xc3nbDDJQ5m

[Mrads]

Sweet thanks. I had a 2015 S4 back in 2015-18 but it was a lease and I didn't feel like modding something I wasnt going to keep. I used to stay up to speed on what everyone was doing but I lost track and there is so much info on here it's hard to sift through it all.

I am stuck on a wheel I like, but they only come in 20x9 25ET - perhaps that would look a little better than the 19x8.5 stock option....

https://wheelwiz.ca/fr/products/r318...Dl_xc3nbDDJQ5m

If you are looking for a flush fitment, you will need to run spacers with those wheels. I avoid spacers at all costs but that is a personal preference since they can introduce vibration, but more importantly, they add unsprung weight.

I just put 2 and 2 together and realized you are a fellow Canadian. Where are you located?


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[dsmp]

Calgary... you? Unfortunately, I am on a bit of a timeline to find wheels/tires as I need an out of province inspection before I can register the car, and the tires on the originals and they're cracking so wont pass.

I've been to two tire/wheel shops both said hard no in Calgary on 20s as the roads are too shitty. I def don't want spacers...

[Mrads]

Calgary... you? Unfortunately, I am on a bit of a timeline to find wheels/tires as I need an out of province inspection before I can register the car, and the tires on the originals and they're cracking so wont pass.

I've been to two tire/wheel shops both said hard no in Calgary on 20s as the roads are too shitty. I def don't want spacers...

I am in Vancouver. My son lives in Calgary.

Yeah, 20's with low profile tires isn't ideal in Calgary for a daily driver.

Since 19's are the sweet spot for you just get the OE 255/35/19 tires so you can pass OOPI and continue your search for wheels until you find "the ones.". You're only be out the cost of mounting and balancing but worth it to find the right wheels.

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[dsmp]

I am in Vancouver. My son lives in Calgary.

Yeah, 20's with low profile tires isn't ideal in Calgary for a daily driver.

Since 19's are the sweet spot for you just get the OE 255/35/19 tires so you can pass OOPI and continue your search for wheels until you find "the ones.". You're only be out the cost of mounting and balancing but worth it to find the right wheels.

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Took your advice to get rolling and wheels and tune go in Tuesday! Thanks.

What would you say is more important, intake or exhaust? I will eventually do both but I’m leaning towards exhaust first just trying to spread out my spending.


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[Mrads]

Took your advice to get rolling and wheels and tune go in Tuesday! Thanks.

What would you say is more important, intake or exhaust? I will eventually do both but I’m leaning towards exhaust first just trying to spread out my spending.


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Well, that depends but typically both are important as they allow the motor to suck and blow better.

The stock airbox is decent if you change the filter to one that is less restrictive. The in engine bay intakes are often called Hot Air Intakes because they will suck hot air from the engine bay which is the last thing you want. This might not be an issue if you are only going occasionally go for a spirited drive, but ideally you want an intake that draws cold air from outside. APR, 034 and others make enclosed intakes that draw air from outside the engine bay.

I would go with an exhaust first since you also get the enjoyment of better noises.

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