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

[bjstare]

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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

[riander5]

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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]

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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:



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



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]

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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]

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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]

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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...

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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]

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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]

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

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

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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]

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

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

[Neil4Speed]

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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.

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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]

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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

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]

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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]

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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