Used Audis to Avoid? (S4-S7, 2011-2018)

[oilerfan4lyfe]

I'm looking at getting a used Audi...S4/S5/S6/S7, anywhere from 2011 to 2018 (2016 max for the S7 because of $$). Anyone know of obvious years to avoid or cautions with a particular year/model hitting a certain amount of KMs? I'm hoping to keep the car until mid 2023 so I'd like to get 2 years out of it without it exploding on me. It's very unlikely that I'd keep the car into 2024. I'll only be putting about 25,000KM on it total.

The top of my list right now is the 2018 S5 sportback of which most are ~40,000km. If anyone knows of a potential problem with that, I'd greatly appreciate the advice before pulling the trigger.

Thanks in advance.

[Buster]

yes

[bjstare]

yes

This.

But if you're set on Audi, the lowest km, single owner example of an S4 or S5 that you can afford is best. The supercharged v6 and TT v8 both have problems, but the v6 ones come at higher km (timing chain tensioners) and are cheaper to fix. The ttv8 has some type of oiling issue that starves the turbos and is pretty hard to predict, and is obviously $$ to fix.

[2020]

Find one with a factory warranty that hasn’t been flagged yet. Drive the piss out of it and sell it before the 4yr 80,000km warranty expires.

[killramos]

Try to avoid the ones with rings in the logo

[finboy]

yes
Came here to post this

[Buster]

I don't understand why people have to have an Audi.

By far the least desirable of the Big 3 nazi sleds.

[zipdoa]

Huge fan of Audi.

Wouldn't drive any of those, lol.

Audi's best motors are indirect injection and 5V heads.

[Lex350]

Based on OP's user name, buying a used Audi still isn't the worst decision he's ever made. :)

[zipdoa]

You didn't ask, but these are the cars you should consider right now:

https://i.imgur.com/teZ5lQo.png
https://i.imgur.com/5EmrQaA.png
https://i.imgur.com/qI5myJv.png

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

That RS6 was on BaT and didn’t sell earlier this year.

[bjstare]

I don't understand why people have to have an Audi.

By far the least desirable of the Big 3 nazi sleds.

S7/RS7 are sort of in a class of their own. E53/E63 wagons are preferable, but if someone wanted the big hatchback thing and not a wagon, bmw/mb don’t really have a competitor. And don’t say the 5 series GT, that thing is comically ugly.

[oilerfan4lyfe]

Yikes I assumed they’d have some problems like MB/BMW but based on this thread Audi seems to be a class of their own. I’ll look into that e55 and the rs6…or I’ll just buy a used Camry instead. Thanks for the replies!

[Neil4Speed]

Are you hard set on an S-series? I would consider the A7 with the 3.0T or the TDI. S7 is pretty amazing, but the engine/turbo failures really makes it a concern for me. If you are able to buy an extended warranty on a used one from a dealer might be worth looking.

[killramos]

I have never seen the appeal of the A/S/RS/+7

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

I have never seen the appeal of the A/S/RS/+7

Same. It reminds me of a pancaked Aztec.

[sabad66]

Yikes I assumed they’d have some problems like MB/BMW but based on this thread Audi seems to be a class of their own. I’ll look into that e55 and the rs6…or I’ll just buy a used Camry instead. Thanks for the replies!

I don’t think they are any less reliable than used Mercedes/BMWs per se. sounds like these guys just don’t like the looks which is fine, to each their own. Personally I think mercs are the ugliest of the 3 German with Audi being first. It’s just personal preference.

Buy one if you like it after getting some real quality answers on reliability. Try posting this same question on audiforum.ca. That’s what I would do if I was looking at those performance models.

[oilerfan4lyfe]

Are you hard set on an S-series? I would consider the A7 with the 3.0T or the TDI. S7 is pretty amazing, but the engine/turbo failures really makes it a concern for me. If you are able to buy an extended warranty on a used one from a dealer might be worth looking.

Nope not dead set on the S series but finding non-S with decent options seems to be difficult. One of my biggest reasons for wanting Audi is the B&O sound system which I absolutely love. It’s easier to find in S series as I think all of the technik versions include it but I’m not even sure on this as their website is garbage.

I guess esthetics vary person to person. The RS7 is one of my dream cars…absolutely love the way it looks. After watching Rich Rebuilds though, I’ll probably never get one.

I think if I go with Audi I’ll make sure I can extend warranty to cover the important parts. The person at royal oak said ‘18 models have warranty until ‘22 and adding an extra year is about $1,500. Seems worth it if it’s a $45,000 S5 that I assume will become useless if it has turbo/engine issues. Hopefully their warranty covers these types of things.

[killramos]

Has Audi ever made an engine that didn’t have a serious documented issue after ~80-120k km?

[Sentry]

I would get so many stunting tickets in that AMG wagon boiling the tires off from every light.

[bjstare]

I don’t think they are any less reliable than used Mercedes/BMWs per se. sounds like these guys just don’t like the looks which is fine, to each their own. Personally I think mercs are the ugliest of the 3 German with Audi being first. It’s just personal preference.

Buy one if you like it after getting some real quality answers on reliability. Try posting this same question on audiforum.ca. That’s what I would do if I was looking at those performance models.

I'm a big fan of the a/s/rs7, and I've owned an S4 (and learned first hand about the pros/cons/reliability). I shopped seriously for a while for an S7 as well. My comments on reliability are a summary of stuff I dug up from various audi forums :dunno:

[riander5]

I don't understand why people have to have an Audi.

By far the least desirable of the Big 3 nazi sleds.

Here's reasoning from my side -

Mid 2010's era SUV's

Audi - Q5 Decent looks, decent mileage, nice interior and handling, good price (got ours pre pandemic pricing thank christ), and no tensioner issues documented on our years 2.0T
BMW - X3's are ugly, dont need 300 width tire X5 either, plus X5's were more pricey
Mercedes - Didn't start making decent looking smaller SUV's till later 2010's

As for the cars, that's a different story

[killramos]

The Q5 seems to live in a sweet spot where it’s a consideration yes. My wife really wants one…

I don’t consider that a glowing review of Audi as a brand or reliable manufacturer though.

[riander5]

It's not. Ours was low mileage (80k on 2015 model 2014 manufacture) and in great shape, full service records from Audi. I do like it, wish i had an SQ5 but its a nice little package. Hopefully it doesn't blow up on me.

Ill be getting rid of it in 3-4 years and getting one of those new Yukons if I have my way, I really like the look of them and I'm sure we'll need the extra space by then.

Edit: One option we didn't go for was splurging a bit on a 2018 (new gen) I believe that already had 100k on it, but likely could have CPO'd it or whatever Audi's program is. That was another option if the older Audi's worry you.

[zipdoa]

Has Audi ever made an engine that didnÂ’t have a serious documented issue after ~80-120k km?

I don't care about cars newer than 15-years, but anything 90's and early 2000's is bulletproof. I've heard newer motors are a nightmare, but I think that's true for all ze german shit (C63 has cam issues? well documented issues on BMW's N63, Audi's 2.0t isn't great either). Complexity is the enemy of reliability.

Sure, some motors need more maintenance than others (VCG's on APB/BEL/AZR, 45k TB interval on BCY) but these motors don't have any documented issues that cause motor failure. You can find a lot of them modified to produce 2-3x factory output on stock blocks, with many owners nearing 400-500k KM's. This is likely true for most BMW's and Merc's from their era as well. I know the M50 from the 325 can handle a lot of boost, and recently discussed the m114 with rage2 being one of the most bulletproof merc motors of all time.

Highlight reel Audi products:

AAN/3B/ABY - Inline-5 4V Turbo motors that often get modified to produce 2x factory output on stock bottom end. This motor holds the record for fastest sedan in the world:

jiAxVZK5-2g

APB/BEL/AZR - 2.7L V6 5V Turbo motors, current records are nearly triple factory output on stock block

cjpCpBVFjRo

AQH/AVP/AYS/BCS - 4.2L V8 5V N/A motors, plenty of high mileage examples, as used in the D2 S8 and C5 S6 (There's a dude on quattroworld with a mint D2 S8 apporaching 600k km)
BCY - 4.2L V8 5V Turbo - as used in the C5 RS6

[Tik-Tok]

Those are all fine and dandy for people wanting to build a top end and replace turbos. Having a strong block doesn't help the daily reliability for the average person.

[killramos]

Those are all fine and dandy for people wanting to build a top end and replace turbos. Having a strong block doesn't help the daily reliability for the average person.

Couldn’t have put it better myself.

No everyday commuter vehicle should need an engine out service to fix shitty poorly build auxiliary components every 4-5 years.

[LUV2REV]

Has Audi ever made an engine that didn’t have a serious documented issue after ~80-120k km?

I owned a 1985 Audi Coupe GT for 4 years (1994-1998) and it was bulletproof. It had 240K on it when I sold it and had no issues. The 2.2L I5 was a great motor in NA or turbocharged guise. The turbocharged S4/S6 of that era were also very reliable.

I also owned a 5 speed 1995 Audi 90 Quattro with the 2.8L V6 and it was super reliable as well. I always wanted a Coupe Quattro 20V but never had a chance to own one, they were scarce then and truly a unicorn now.

I have not owned a VW/Audi since 2003 and will likely never own another as the new stuff just does not appeal to me at all.

[danno]

I think you’ll find negative reviews on anything your willing to look for, the loudest person in the room isn’t always right. I’ve had good experiences owning my 2 rs4’s, had a fuel pump leaking last year I’ve owned them basically since 2012 they are both 2007’s

I say figure out exactly what you want look up known issues, understand there is a risk to owning all cars and trucks. I don’t know much about the ones your looking at other than I’ve heard the turbos have some issues in the s7 I’d assume s6 as well. My buddy just bought a rs3 I think they are pretty solid.

[zipdoa]

Those are all fine and dandy for people wanting to build a top end and replace turbos. Having a strong block doesn't help the daily reliability for the average person.

Don't think I was making the argument for daily reliability - if that's your pursuit, you're buying a toyota, not a german car haha. I was correcting Killramos in his assertation that motor failure was a concern. Even then, k03's often make it to 200k without issue. Owned several 2.7's on stock k03's with 250k+. None of those motors need a built top end, either. Stock block = stock heads...


Couldn’t have put it better myself.

No everyday commuter vehicle should need an engine out service to fix shitty poorly build auxiliary components every 4-5 years.

Agreed - that's why the commuter is a toyota, and the toys are german. Only engine out service there would be replacing turbos on a 2.7, lol. Otherwise everything is the sweet sweet service position.

[ThePenIsMightier]

Don't think I was making the argument for daily reliability - if that's your pursuit, you're buying a toyota, not a german car haha. I was correcting Killramos in his assertation that motor failure was a concern. None of those motors need a built top end, either. Stock block = stock heads...



Only engine out service there would be replacing turbos on a 2.7, lol. Otherwise everything is the sweet sweet service position.

They're speaking about the Audi brand, in general.

[zipdoa]

They're speaking about the Audi brand, in general.
I guess you missed that I was replying to this post?

Has Audi ever made an engine that didn’t have a serious documented issue after ~80-120k km?

[2020]

Audi and reliability do not go well together. Beige Corolla is what you want.

[ThePenIsMightier]

I guess you missed that I was replying to this post?

I am confused. The post you were replying to is in your reply:
100658

[Neil4Speed]

Nope not dead set on the S series but finding non-S with decent options seems to be difficult. One of my biggest reasons for wanting Audi is the B&O sound system which I absolutely love. It’s easier to find in S series as I think all of the technik versions include it but I’m not even sure on this as their website is garbage.

I guess esthetics vary person to person. The RS7 is one of my dream cars…absolutely love the way it looks. After watching Rich Rebuilds though, I’ll probably never get one.

I think if I go with Audi I’ll make sure I can extend warranty to cover the important parts. The person at royal oak said ‘18 models have warranty until ‘22 and adding an extra year is about $1,500. Seems worth it if it’s a $45,000 S5 that I assume will become useless if it has turbo/engine issues. Hopefully their warranty covers these types of things.

Agreed finding the right option set is hard. Have you heard the B&O System in the A7? I found it a bit underwhelming, I generally find the higher end stereo options in lower level cars to be lacking. I get the appeal of the '7''s though, lots of practicality with the hatch and tonnes of cargo room.

Good luck finding the right car, I don't think the turbo issues are a 100% hit rate for the 4.0T... You could just roll the dice.


I owned a 1985 Audi Coupe GT for 4 years (1994-1998) and it was bulletproof. It had 240K on it when I sold it and had no issues.

Interesting, so did I! Dark blue on the tweed reccaro seats... nice car, actually bought it on beyond with a good friend of mine in High School (Member:Statick). Solid car and fun to learn manual on.

[sabad66]

I'm a big fan of the a/s/rs7, and I've owned an S4 (and learned first hand about the pros/cons/reliability). I shopped seriously for a while for an S7 as well. My comments on reliability are a summary of stuff I dug up from various audi forums :dunno:

Fair enough and if I’m honest it wasn’t your replies I was thinking of. It was just the comparisons with other German brands saying Audi is the worst by far that I don’t buy. Personally I think they are all similar for reliability based on what I’ve read and heard anecdotally from friends (comparing similar classes of cars of course).

[gwill]

A friend picked up an s4 a few years back and it ran into clutch & transmissions issues. Cost was a 15k repair as previous owner had sold just as the warranty was nearly done. Turns out when you ask people who have owned similar vehicles its a super common problem to run into.

Expensive issue to run into. He would have been better off buying new at that point.

[jabjab]

Common problem with German car owners is that they don't properly maintain their cars due to the cost and when they start to have problems they sell it off to someone else to inherit the problems to come. It's all about preventive maintenance. Buy it off an enthusiast and ask for records. Take it to specialist audi mechanic for an actual inspection. Due diligence is key.

[Misterman]

Nope not dead set on the S series but finding non-S with decent options seems to be difficult.

Well one thing Audi's are known to NOT have, is options. S or no S.

[flipstah]

I don't understand why people have to have an Audi.

By far the least desirable of the Big 3 nazi sleds.

Because I’m ashamed to say Volkswagen

- Audi Owner

[Buster]

Because I’m ashamed to say Volkswagen

- Audi Owner

Dont you have an S3/RS3?

Those are really cool. Each brand has highlights and lowlights in their portfolio. What I mean is why do people say they *have* to have an audi. I guess I'm not very brand loyal.

Lots and lots of MBs and Mercs that aren't appealing. My brother is shopping for A6s right now, and won't even looks at MB/BMW. At all.

- - - Updated - - -

Audis I would look at:

S3/RS3
RS5 sportback
RS6 wagon
maybe RSQ8

[flipstah]

Dont you have an S3/RS3?

Those are really cool. Each brand has highlights and lowlights in their portfolio. What I mean is why do people say they *have* to have an audi. I guess I'm not very brand loyal.

Lots and lots of MBs and Mercs that aren't appealing. My brother is shopping for A6s right now, and won't even looks at MB/BMW. At all.

The S3 has 155k at the moment and only issues I’mhaving right now are electrical (surprise surprise). Power is still there but I change the oil every 8k.

The rear view camera quit to become a lawyer.

I would never buy a 3.2 six cylinder or the V8. Four bangers are VAG bread and butter so it just works. I’m too poor for the 5 pot

For me, the Audi had the nicest interior layout (keyword: layout not looks).

BMW never changed their interior since 1952 so it works but iDrive is stupid with their parent/child clickymajiggy

Mercedes layout is second best but Audis MMI is too nice to say no.

This was based on 2010-2015 model range

[oilerfan4lyfe]

Agreed finding the right option set is hard. Have you heard the B&O System in the A7? I found it a bit underwhelming, I generally find the higher end stereo options in lower level cars to be lacking. I get the appeal of the '7''s though, lots of practicality with the hatch and tonnes of cargo room.

Good luck finding the right car, I don't think the turbo issues are a 100% hit rate for the 4.0T... You could just roll the dice.



Interesting, so did I! Dark blue on the tweed reccaro seats... nice car, actually bought it on beyond with a good friend of mine in High School (Member:Statick). Solid car and fun to learn manual on.

I haven’t heard the B&O in the A7, but I test drove the S5 a few years ago and thought it was the best “stock” system I’d heard in that price point. Having a dedicated subwoofer control was really nice to improve bass without turning the volume up too much.

Thank you to everyone for the replies. If I go Audi I’ll make sure it has warranty to cover me. It means having to buy CPO from a dealer but after reading this thread I don’t want to chance the car blowing up on me.

[flipstah]

I haven’t heard the B&O in the A7, but I test drove the S5 a few years ago and thought it was the best “stock” system I’d heard in that price point. Having a dedicated subwoofer control was really nice to improve bass without turning the volume up too much.

Thank you to everyone for the replies. If I go Audi I’ll make sure it has warranty to cover me. It means having to buy CPO from a dealer but after reading this thread I don’t want to chance the car blowing up on me.

The Audi B and O system sounds better than Mercedes Harman Kardon equivalent .

If you can try and definitely get CPO from an Audi dealer with Audicare. The fluid changes for either the DSG or the diff will pay off the Audicare and then it becomes free oil changes

[danno]

My buddy has the B and O in his rs3, destroyed my Bose in my rs4 but I’m redoing it anyway.
I’d say it’s not the much better than the fender in my golf alltrack, I’d need some more time in it to actually know.

[Neil4Speed]

My buddy has the B and O in his rs3, destroyed my Bose in my rs4 but I’m redoing it anyway.
I’d say it’s not the much better than the fender in my golf alltrack, I’d need some more time in it to actually know.

Bose is all over the map (but generally poor), in my Cayenne its 6-7/10, maybe 8 on a certain track. Listened to it on a 2002 SL500... unbelievable, I didn't want to get out of the car!

[tcon]

Damn that RS6 is wicked, but 30k for an 18 year old high maintenance vehicle.. yikes

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

My parents have Bose in their Porsche and it’s not great, probably a 6/10 for me. The individual audio in my 09 335d is probably on par or better.

[flipstah]

That RS6 is slow tranny central. The Merc would be better proposition.

[RX_EVOLV]

My parents have Bose in their Porsche and it’s not great, probably a 6/10 for me. The individual audio in my 09 335d is probably on par or better.

The sound system is my Cayenne is terrible. The worst system in all the cars I've owned. Only other system I've heard that's worst is the one in the Model 3

[zipdoa]

That RS6 is slow tranny central. The Merc would be better proposition.

Yeah the 5hp24a kinda sucks. They're sort of reliable once tozo'd, but I imagine the e55 auto is way more durable.

Thaaaaat being said... C5 RS6 is a straightforward manual swap! e55 not so much...

_nfEd9FTG0E

[JustinL]

I had a 2013 S4 and it was a decent car. Excellent year rounder as it does great in snow and the interior is fantastic. I do 95% of my own wrenching, but I got stumped on a DCT fluid leak and brought it to an indy shop. They got stumped too and turned it back over to me. Eventually I found and fixed the leak, but right after that my central electrics died on me at an intersection. I always carry my OBDII tool and reset the computer and was able to carry on, but as it's a daily driver for our family, I can't have my wife driving a car that behaves like that. By that point I was plenty fed up with the car and traded it in for a car with no transmission and a warranty. I joke that I had more range anxiety with the S4 than I do with the Model 3.

[Misterman]

Yeah the 5hp24a kinda sucks. They're sort of reliable once tozo'd, but I imagine the e55 auto is way more durable.

Thaaaaat being said... C5 RS6 is a straightforward manual swap! e55 not so much...

_nfEd9FTG0E

A shop in Ontario does make a full swap kit for the E55 now. Just sayin.......

[heavyD]

Has Audi ever made an engine that didn’t have a serious documented issue after ~80-120k km?

My brother owned a 2006 A3 hatchback with the VR6 from almost new for over a decade and had barely any issues with the engine or DSG so it's possible but he's an outlier. Audi's long term are probably the least reliable mainstream vehicle out there as they don't age well at all.

[JohnnyHockey13]

My brother owned a 2006 A3 hatchback with the VR6 from almost new for over a decade and had barely any issues with the engine or DSG so it's possible but he's an outlier. Audi's long term are probably the least reliable mainstream vehicle out there as they don't age well at all.

That's the only engine I heard that's reliable...and DSG's only run into problems if the new, earlier, reccommended fluid changes aren't done.