2016 RS7 - Hesitation on Startup

[mtbiker731]

My 2016 RS7 recently started having this hesitation when starting up. Video for reference, you can hear the blip in the first 5 secs. This happens on cold and warm starts alike. The normal exhaust note on startup sounds like a burst of pressure, with some warms starts even letting out a crackle. Now I can only describe the startup as somewhat stifled / hesitant.

Car has 44k miles, oil strainer recall performed last spring. SRM intakes, Red Star high-flow cat downpipes, oem sport exhaust, DS1 stage 2.

Any ideas on what's causing this or a fix?

https://i.imgur.com/YCw8cNU.mp4

[Avantly]

When's the last time you changed the spark plugs?

[mtbiker731]

Those were done at the 35K maintenance a few years ago. Maintenance schedule says every 40K miles following or 6 years (which it hasn't been).

[mtbiker731]

Closing the loop on this. Replacing the battery solved my issue. I'm guessing I was getting poor cranking amps leading to a less than vivacious start.

[DelayedFlight]

Can I ask what the build date of your RS7 is? I also have a 2016 C7.5 with a 2015 build date. I was shopping batteries last night, coincidentally. What battery did you decide on? Even with 950CCA H9 batteries I'm seeing a variety of AH choices. 95-110.

[mtbiker731]

I ended up going with an OEM battery. Stupidly expensive. If I had more time on my hands and a vagcom I would've replaced it with an OEM equivalent to save half.

[DelayedFlight]

Yes, I just assumed that OEM from the dealer with labor would be absurdly overpriced. Just gonna DIY it and reprogram with VCDS.

[mtbiker731]

Oops, forgot build year - Aug 2015. Pretty happy I got 9 years out of the original battery. Ya, if you have the ability to reprogram the battery management that's the smartest play.

[DelayedFlight]

Oops, forgot build year - Aug 2015. Pretty happy I got 9 years out of the original battery. Ya, if you have the ability to reprogram the battery management that's the smartest play.

I'm at 10+ years on the original battery. I'm kind of wondering what wizardry went into it! I've never had a car battery last that long. I was at the dealer last year for interval maintenance, and they said the batter was still good. I searched "battery" threads, and some unlucky owners got 3 years!