My 2013 RS5 (7 speed DSG) just started making expensive noises under the hood. I am REALLY hoping that they are not “inside the block” noises like a dropped valve or spun bearing / rod knock… but it is difficult to tell for certain. It is not directly correlated to RPM (I have - unfortunately - heard rod knock before on a 4.2 V8 and this is not it) but comes and goes in certain “sweet spots” of RPM and generally gets worse with more throttle.

I have heard of flywheels cracking, springs failing, and teeth shearing off of flexplates on these platforms, especially at increased HP levels. Anyone have video/audio of a failed/failing vehicle so I could compare to what I’m hearing?

Cross-posting here as I believe some B8 S4s have the same transmission, and I know there are plenty of folks running higher-than-stock HP.

Thanks,
-Jon