Quite the Deal (RS) - Concerns. What are your thoughts?

[spense5]

I've been eyeing this for the last 3 months

Car became a LOANER in October when it was listed for sale as the dealership had low inventory. The car, according to the associates, was a courtesy vehicle to VIP members or those who possess ownership of RS/R8 models. The car has had around 280mi put on it by those who used it as a loaner.

I'm new to the B9 platform, I was told that rocker arms are a concern in MY18, ideally I would be looking to snag a 2019 later this year but with an extended warranty and good PPI, wouldnt this be quite the play?

What else would be your thoughts or conerns? Should I personally wait for a MY19 at least when I'm ready and not have it in the back of my mind that a handful of others have been behind the wheel of this vehicle?

It's loaded -

[JohnEnglish]

Should I personally wait for a MY19 at least when I'm ready and not have it in the back of my mind that a handful of others have been behind the wheel of this vehicle?

Unless you're buying new, there will always have been a "handful of others...behind the wheel".

[spense5]

Unless you're buying new, there will always have been a "handful of others...behind the wheel".

I understand the idea of 1 vs 2 owner and perhaps someone driving under that supervision but putting an RS out as a loaner vehicle is a bit different. Especially without anyone watching, regardless of the service the car goes through when it returns.

Knowing used cars will drop at least 10% from current by mid year, looking to just postpone for a 2019 with similar build but this price and their eagerness to sell is still on my mind. Someone had mentioned rocker arms in 2018 models being an 'issue' - just dont know to what extent that means, warranty or not.

[B6_Dolphin]

Always good to do a history check:

https://badvin.org/v/WUAPWAF51JA9022...-audi-rs-5-1aa

I know there are free VIN history checkers, but this site has been good to me in the past for avoiding problem cars. You'll need to buy the report access.

[spense5]

Always good to do a history check:

https://badvin.org/v/WUAPWAF51JA9022...-audi-rs-5-1aa

I know there are free VIN history checkers, but this site has been good to me in the past for avoiding problem cars. You'll need to buy the report access.

Checked it with Carfax, nothing denotes worry anywhere. Thermostat replaced and a loaner vehicle for 300mi. I've watched it drop $8-10k in 80 days

[itsmatt33]

I made the decision a long time ago to never buy a loaner vehicle. Even if they come with extra warranty. I think about how i drive loaners and how other less experienced thrill seekers drive them and it is just not worth the headache long term

[spense5]

I made the decision a long time ago to never buy a loaner vehicle. Even if they come with extra warranty. I think about how i drive loaners and how other less experienced thrill seekers drive them and it is just not worth the headache long term

thats where my heads at. universe is testing my patience. I think I have good chances to find a <30k mileage 2019 later this year with a similar build sheet.

[LYKUNO]

I made the decision a long time ago to never buy a loaner vehicle. Even if they come with extra warranty. I think about how i drive loaners and how other less experienced thrill seekers drive them and it is just not worth the headache long term

Totally agree with this perspective. Way back in 1990, we bought a new Acura Legend Coupe that had supposedly only been driven by the owner of the dealership's personal family from Ohio to Florida for a vacation. I always felt that the clutch in that car never felt right, and was an annoyance that lasted as long as we had the car. Later, it developed rust around the rear wheel wells, around the fuel filler door, on the edge of the windshield cowl and even around the "LEGEND" letters on the trunk, despite the care it was given. That was our last non-German car, and the last car that had been used before we took delivery.

[ShiftyWolf]

My 2018 RS coupe had two owners before me, and I bought it in 2020 as a CPO. The price was very good and low miles, and the added warranty gave me peace of mind.

I have had a few issues here and there, all fixed under warranty. Nothing major has gone wrong with mine. Despite the rocker arm issue, I plan to keep my car after the CPO runs out and purchase the Audi warranty extension. The price of the extension is reasonable for me (about $1000 per year of coverage) and the only concession is that I've decided I will never put a tune on my car.

I'm not following prices now but will say that if you think the price is a good value and go into the purchase with open eyes, don't let fear of the unknown keep you from buying what you want.

Best of luck in your decision.

[Diesel S5]

If it has a good balance of the factory warranty and it passes the eye test, I wouldn't be too concerned about it, IF the price is right...

[spense5]

My 2018 RS coupe had two owners before me, and I bought it in 2020 as a CPO. The price was very good and low miles, and the added warranty gave me peace of mind.

I have had a few issues here and there, all fixed under warranty. Nothing major has gone wrong with mine. Despite the rocker arm issue, I plan to keep my car after the CPO runs out and purchase the Audi warranty extension. The price of the extension is reasonable for me (about $1000 per year of coverage) and the only concession is that I've decided I will never put a tune on my car.

I'm not following prices now but will say that if you think the price is a good value and go into the purchase with open eyes, don't let fear of the unknown keep you from buying what you want.

Best of luck in your decision.

Can you go into a little detail on the rocker arm issue, what it felt like, what the cost could/wouldve been? I havent seen a lot of literature on it other than just the mention of the "rocker arms" with more specifically MY18 models and that its addressed in the '19+

[JohnEnglish]

Can you go into a little detail on the rocker arm issue, what it felt like, what the cost could/wouldve been? I havent seen a lot of literature on it other than just the mention of the "rocker arms" with more specifically MY18 models and that its addressed in the '19+

He hasn't experienced the rocker arm issue. Do a search as there are tons of threads on it here and on AW relating to the S4, S5, and RS5. In short, Audi revised the rocker arms. The newer ones have larger pin bearings. An early symptom of rocker arm failure is a ticking noise, not to be confused with the injectors operating. Proactively replacing them before failure is about $3000. In a worse case scenario, rocker arm failure can destroy the engine. It's very rare though, only a handful of people have experienced it.

[spense5]

He hasn't experienced the rocker arm issue. Do a search as there are tons of threads on it here and on AW relating to the S4, S5, and RS5. In short, Audi revised the rocker arms. The newer ones have larger pin bearings. An early symptom of rocker arm failure is a ticking noise, not to be confused with the injectors operating. Proactively replacing them before failure is about $3000. In a worse case scenario, rocker arm failure can destroy the engine. It's very rare though, only a handful of people have experienced it.

Gotcha, good to know! Was not aware of that cost for proactively replacing them..quick glance on AW, it seems models produced in the 2nd half of 2019 and on have the revised arms?

[JohnEnglish]

Gotcha, good to know! Was not aware of that cost for proactively replacing them..quick glance on AW, it seems models produced in the 2nd half of 2019 and on have the revised arms?

No one has been able to confirm that yet. Depending on who you ask it's either 2nd half of 2018 or 2019. In any case, all the failures seem to be up to early 2018 models.

[Lensch09]

I know Audi Monterey is up the hill a ways - But, you may want to check car didn't get damaged/flooded in this craziness we got over the past week.

-DL

[ShiftyWolf]

Can you go into a little detail on the rocker arm issue, what it felt like, what the cost could/wouldve been?

Correct, as JohnEnglish said, I haven't had that failure. Given the cost to preventatively upgrade my hardware (Audi usually warranties service repairs for 12 months) versus paying an extended warranty that covers the whole car 3-4 more years, and the relatively low failure rates even on the 2018s, I'm choosing to do the warranty instead.

[zztroyzz]

Anecdotal feedback from 034 on the rocker arm issue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNJoV4mEkNM
tldr; real issue, not common

[JohnEnglish]

Anecdotal feedback from 034 on the rocker arm issue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNJoV4mEkNM
tldr; real issue, not common

Thats a good summary. The original video where that guys in the UK said “don’t buy a 3.0T or 2.9TT powered Audi until this problem is fixed” was total click bait.

[B6_Dolphin]

FWIW, this advertised 2021 RS5 Coupe had a broken Cyl #3 valve spring fixed under warranty and is a buy-back:

https://www.deluxeautosales.com/used...8633e58cd3.htm