Questions regarding High Mileage B8 S5

[chargedsix]

Looking at picking up a 2008 S5 manual trans with 97K miles. Clean carfax and in excellent conditon. Not going to be a daily but more of a toy/ weekend car. I've done a lot of searching but cannot find definitive answers on the reliability. Found a couple threads across multiple websites on possible timing chain failures. How common is this? What other issues should I be concerned about? Never owned a s5 but have been a vw/ audi guy forever (also go by chargedsix on vortex). Currently have a 2013 allroad daily. Thanks in advance for any input.

[Jeff V.]

Unless I've made a horrible mistake, the timing chain failures are for the old design engines. The newer FSI (direct injection) engines don't have that problem. Hopefully.

In the time I've owned mine (2008 S5, 6-speed), I've had the following fail:

Keyless entry/ignition (door handle sensors)
Tire pressure sensor (leaky o-ring)
Electro-hydraulic motor mounts (required a tow)
Clutch master and slave cylinder (required a tow)

All of it was covered under warranty at CarMax. But still...that's a lot to go wrong for a car I've owned less than 2 years and ~14k miles. Bought it at 58k, and it's got almost 72 now.

There was a flaw in the clutch release components on the early S5s that likely contributed to my clutch hydraulics going out. See if the car you're looking at may have had that corrected back when it was under warranty. All the research I did before buying it didn't turn up any of this as 'common'. Maybe I'm just cursed when it comes to cars.

It's a wonderful car to drive. I wish it had more power, but it's certainly not slow. It's a great car, but just be prepared for the possibility of expensive repairs. Hopefully your luck will be better than mine has been.

[SFCRCOOP]

I just hit 80000mi with mine and I brought it with 43000. I've had it almost 4yrs and the only problems I've had were...
Right side engine mount
Right Headlamp bulb
Left taillamp

I've driven it from NY to Fl to MI and down to Tx. It's been good so far I hope it continues. I hope this helps you....

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[Hippiekiller]

If you can do a lot of the work on your own, I wouldn't shy away. That mileage is right where I am at. I have a warranty on mine until 100k. In the 25k I have owned it, the whole AC system has been replaced, power steering pump, the system that controls the unlocking-can't recall what exactly it was, but it was a computer, I have replaced both lines from the coolant overflow and the coolant overflow itself (they're plastic and they do break, coolant overflow cracks), the oil separator and a few other odds and ends I can't think of right now. It's also currently in the shop for the clutch line breaking. While it's there it's also getting a new clutch master and slave. All depends on how well the car was maintained previously. Mine, not so well it appears.

[NaiveTurtle]

Timing chains should not worry you at all. The FSI motors are not known to have this problem since they have a better tensioner guide design.

As Jeff V said, the early models seem to always end up having clutch issues. My pressure plate failed at 58k and then recently at 74k the line between the clutch master and slave started failing on me.

As Hippiekiller said, if you can do your own work then I wouldn't hesitate buying that car if it passes a PPI. You've passed the 75k Mark where it seems these cars tend to start "falling apart" so hopefully it will just be little stuff for you.

[Vanimal]

I'm getting close to 90k on mine, sure doesn't look it though how well I take care of it. It's my everyday DD and really has never let me down in any weather.

I've only gotten a check engine light once in the 20k miles I've put on it. The intake flap solenoid under the manifold failed. Would have been a roughly $600/$700 job to pop the manifold off and replace a $90 solenoid lol. Luckily my friend works for VW and we did it in his garage in a few hours.

Other than that I had to replace the battery recently, pretty sure it still had the stock one, my S5 is a 2010. Other than that just oils changes etc..

I'm deciding if I want to keep with it or move to a 3.0T B8.5 S4. If I keep the S5 I plan to do a coolant flush, brake fluid change and pads and power steering flush. That could go towards a newer CPO S4 as I won't touch a DSG without warranty. But whenever I think about trading it in for a newer toy I come out after work and it just puts a smile on my face. It's a damn nice car, especially with my 20" Vorsteiner wheels & H&R OE springs.


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[Benzo1133]

I say keep it. Unless you need 4door.