[Eskerman]

I would be very grateful for some advice before I commit to buying a 2009 A5 SE. (Dark Grey / Leather )

I have owned Audi cars before and kinda moved away from them into Merc and Volvo/Saab however my wife expressed interest in an A5 and as is the norm I have done some research including having a chat with my local Audi dealer for service advice/recommendations etc

The car I am considering buying is well presented - private sale and with 82,000miles (132,000km) only done 4000 miles since last MOT / well maintained serviced / I understand that 2.0ltr engine uses oil / no blue smoke when on motorway etc - to be honest I cant find anything to fault on the car ..

I have asked if the gearbox had oil and filter change at 120,000KM and await that data back from current owner - Audi will charge €290 for gearbox oil and filter change and I am ok with that.. as its an ATF box

Is there an thing else I need to look for --- or any guidelines before I put some money across the table

The car will only be used for light driving - and more then likely it will clock up less then 5000 miles in a year

Regards
Paul
Based in Ireland

 

[fred44nl]

I understand that 2.0ltr engine uses oil / no blue smoke when on motorway etc -

The engine can burn oil as much as 1 ltr. every 1.500 km and still you will not see any smoke.

my A5 did 1 ltr. on every 7-8.000 km until a mileage of 140.000 km
and than, out of the blue, the oil consumption went up and up.

So be carefull.

 

[Eskerman]

Thanks for that Fred .. we know engines use oil - I have owned Mercs that used oil and I always kept some on board - It seems the older 2.0 ltr petrol engines were "soft" and suffered problems with rings and Audi were supposed to address that problem from 2012 on

Its a gamble and I dont want to burn €6750 .. on a future oil burner

Oil consumption in any older engine doesn't phase me - however !!

Paul

 

[sayek]

I have owned 2009 2.0i TFSI for 2.5 years now. The obvious check piston rings issues been sorted and ask for evidence. Sellers will say its fine on oil but don't believe a word.
The window regulators fail. I have replaced the driver side recently and can hear the passenger side making noise so not far behind. Roll windows down all the way and up. Any strange sound and its due very soon.
Door locks fail..i have replaced the passenger side module.

I also replaced all 4 shocks..i would think if original shocks they are past their best.

 

[Eskerman]

I have owned 2009 2.0i TFSI for 2.5 years now. The obvious check piston rings issues been sorted and ask for evidence. Sellers will say its fine on oil but don't believe a word.
The window regulators fail. I have replaced the driver side recently and can hear the passenger side making noise so not far behind. Roll windows down all the way and up. Any strange sound and its due very soon.
Door locks fail..i have replaced the passenger side module.

I also replaced all 4 shocks..i would think if original shocks they are past their best.

Thanks for your advice and contribution and I did notice a 5ltr oil container in the boot (half full) so assume its being using some oil - I have no way to check if the engine had any major work done - and Its unlikely - that said it has a good service history - suppose at the milage on the car items like shocks will need to be done at some stage .. all the electrics seem fine and Windows working perfectly

I am sitting on the fence about this car.. my wife previously had a C Class Merc 2009 Petrol and it was very reliable and not too costly to look after

I fully accept older cars can be more expensive to look after -- and for the annual KMs we would do circa 6,000km tops - it might be worth taking a chance on the A5.. we like the car.
Is your car Auto or manual ?

Regards
Paul

 

[sayek]

Thanks for your advice and contribution and I did notice a 5ltr oil container in the boot (half full) so assume its being using some oil - I have no way to check if the engine had any major work done - and Its unlikely - that said it has a good service history - suppose at the milage on the car items like shocks will need to be done at some stage .. all the electrics seem fine and Windows working perfectly

I am sitting on the fence about this car.. my wife previously had a C Class Merc 2009 Petrol and it was very reliable and not too costly to look after

I fully accept older cars can be more expensive to look after -- and for the annual KMs we would do circa 6,000km tops - it might be worth taking a chance on the A5.. we like the car.
Is your car Auto or manual ?

Regards
Paul

Mine is manual..I avoid auto as 1 extra thing to worry about I do about 4k miles most city driving and its a decent drive with plenty of torque. I am quite happy with the car and will drive it few more years. The window and door issue are small issues and I repaired DIY. You also need to examine the front control arm. There are 2 small upper control arms and also 2 large lower arm. Examine the bushes on these 4 arms each side properly.

I think most cars have some issues. I owned a 2010 320i BMW for 5 year until it was stolen. That car has its fair share of engine fault with leaking injectors. Many of them BMW are being sold as scrap now in UK.

If it was a choice between the Audi and BMW I would point towards the Audi. But it all comes down to if the piston rings been sorted and if are able to take on some jobs DIY.

 

[Eskerman]

Mine is manual..I avoid auto as 1 extra thing to worry about I do about 4k miles most city driving and its a decent drive with plenty of torque. I am quite happy with the car and will drive it few more years. The window and door issue are small issues and I repaired DIY. You also need to examine the front control arm. There are 2 small upper control arms and also 2 large lower arm. Examine the bushes on these 4 arms each side properly.

I think most cars have some issues. I owned a 2010 320i BMW for 5 year until it was stolen. That car has its fair share of engine fault with leaking injectors. Many of them BMW are being sold as scrap now in UK.

If it was a choice between the Audi and BMW I would point towards the Audi. But it all comes down to if the piston rings been sorted and if are able to take on some jobs DIY.

Thanks again

I avoid modern BWMs - had a few E39s ago and they were very good cars .. Its either Merc / Volvo and the odd Saab is ok .. I did own an A4 1.8 petrol auto and I have to say it was fine .. some small niggly issues but nothing major

I did check local Audi dealer for a full diagnostics health check at €140 and might be worth the money for some peace of mind - but the Auto box is another money pit if it gives up...

There is risks in any older secondhand car and I generally try to drill down as far as possible to try and mitigate some of them

My wife will only drive an auto ..

Paul