New 2011 S5 v8 owner

[outback]

I picked up my car used about 2 months ago. I have been lurking on here for the past while learning from each of you. This weekend I changed the ATF, now I know why everyone else has someone do it. PITA beyond words that will get you banned. I prefer to do my own maintenance. My vag com cable came last week. I do have a question on what things should I be looking out for. I often read conflicting posts on carbon build up, tensioners, etc. That those issues were more prevalent in prior models etc. I value your opinion as I think yesterday I finally figured out what all the buttons do. I do love my car its white with red leather interior.

I thought about doing a photo post on how I changed the ATF, but I got so frustrated having to remove 1/2 of the car just to get the pan out it would not have been a pleasant posting.

Anyway I would love to hear your thoughts and experience on what I should be preparing for with this vehicle.

So far I have, changed the oil, replaced the battery, transmission fluid, brake fluid. Next weekend ill replace the brake pads (akebono euro's here I come).

Thanks for your help in advance.

PS: I keep telling myself its "Smiles per Gallon, not Miles per Gallon".

Mike

[DreDay]

Welcome! No pics of the car?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mops@Nemesis]

Welcome and congrats, Mike. Please do share some photos.

[outback]

I will Grab some Photos and get them posted.

[outback]

Photos of my baby

[new2s5]

If you ever get the urge to swap out wheels let me know, I need two.

[new2s5]

PS Nice ride! Looks really clean.

[Corners4kids]

Welcome friend. I have a 2011 S5 as well. I'd also recommend changing the power steering fluid (I wrote a DIY if you're handy) and coolant. I've had no major issues and love the car.
I did get the misfire codes at 60k. I changed plugs and ignition coils to solve. Also bought a can of Mass Airflow Sensor cleaner and did that. Solved the misfire issue and made the car run smoother.

Mods you will do as your own taste dictates. It's a car you're going to derive happiness from everyday you own it. Congrats.

[outback]

Thanks for the advice, that sounds like a good idea on the PS fluid. I plan on doing the coils and plugs at 55K. good idea on the MAF Cleaning.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Looks great! Ibis is the best looking B8 S5 :)

[outback]

Thanks Corners4Kids, I changed the PS fluid, it didnt look too bad. Did not touch the coolant yet, was going to research it more, the current coolant in it is pink. Not sure I want pink....haha.

[Corners4kids]

Gladly.

You will have pink coolant in these cars. Your S5 needs the Volkswagen/Audi G-12 coolant. That's just the way it is.

I got a better deal on it from a VW dealer. Funny how Audi dealers mark stuff up just a wee bit more.

Part #:
G 013 A8J1G (it comes undiluted). About $25 each. You need two.

[NaiveTurtle]

You can run G13 (purple-pink color) as well, it is backwards compatible for cars calling for G12.

Regarding the carbon buildup, you will likely need it done if your car has over say 50k miles. I did mine at 70k and it was terrible in there. It is definitely a doable DIY, it's not fun but it saved me ~$1600 in labor.

Other than that, these cars are pretty reliable. Just regular maintenance mostly.

For reference, here's what one of my intake runners looked like before and after my carbon cleaning.

[TenaciousT]

Congrats - I also have 2011. First thing I did was exhaust! Just threw on some yellow fogs this weekend:

[Jelski]

It is definitely a doable DIY, it's not fun but it saved me ~$1600 in labor.

How much did they charge for a complete carbon cleaning, if the labor alone was $1600.00? We do a complete walnut shell carbon cleaning with new intake gaskets for $925.00.

[NaiveTurtle]

How much did they charge for a complete carbon cleaning, if the labor alone was $1600.00? We do a complete walnut shell carbon cleaning with new intake gaskets for $925.00.

I did it myself. The local shops around here charge ~$100 an hour and it took me about 16 hours doing it by hand. I wish I had access to walnut blasting as that makes it way quicker.

[VMRWheels]

Congrats on the purchase, Mike!

This is definitely the route I would've gone - Ibis V8 S5, the red interior is the cherry on top.

Props for tackling the ATF job yourself

[outback]

Thanks you guys for the posts...I will probably do the carbon cleaning myself. And it will probably take me 16 hours also. But i will learn from it, and save the cash for something else. Thanks also for the pictures of your before and after which will help me when its time for mine. Has anyone had any luck using a borescope with a 90 to look into the cylinders and angle it back up a bit to see the intake values? can you see your carbon build up that way...or is it only by performance loss feeling that you know its time to clean her out. Im guessing berryman's or seafoam just don't cut it on this thick of carbon build up. Again thanks for your posts I learn something new each day I visit.

[NaiveTurtle]

Most people will use seafoam. Get the I take manifold off and then soak the closed valves in seafoam. I didn't have any so I used brake cleaner and a lot of rags and dental picks.