Audi A5
V6 common-rail diesel with 140 kW. More economical than the 3.0 TDI, adequately powerful. Piezo injectors and timing chain are wear points to watch.
Refined multi-cylinder — relaxed cruising
190 hp 2.7L with a pleasant, refined character. Relaxed long-distance cruiser without sporting ambitions. Factor in the known weak points.
Engine Weaknesses 5
The timing chain of the 2.7 TDI V6 can stretch prematurely, especially with short-trip use and infrequent oil changes. Rattling at cold start is the warning sign. Full chain kit replacement costs €1,500–3,500.
Symptoms: Rattling or clattering right after cold start, engine management faults in memory, engine stalling in worst case
The EGR system on the 2.7 TDI V6 sits in the poorly accessible V-space between cylinder banks. Valve and cooler carbon up; the cooler can develop leaks and lose coolant.
Symptoms: Juddering and power loss, coolant loss without visible external leak, engine warning light with EGR fault code
The piezo injectors in the 2.7 TDI reach the end of their service life at very high mileages. Individual replacement is possible, but all 6 are often changed at the same time.
Symptoms: Rough running, elevated fuel consumption, smoke clouds at cold start, fault code for individual cylinders
Shutting off immediately after hard driving and insufficient oil warm-up at cold start accelerate turbocharger bearing wear. A failure leads to oil leaks and potentially total engine damage.
Symptoms: Whistling or grinding noise from the turbo area, bluish smoke, power loss, oil loss
The oil-to-water heat exchanger can develop leaks at high mileages, mixing coolant into the engine oil or passing oil into the cooling system. A relatively inexpensive replacement prevents engine damage.
Symptoms: Milky residue on the oil filler cap, coolant level drops without visible loss, oil looks milky-brown
Vehicle Weaknesses 8
The CVT Multitronic (0AW) tends to catastrophic failures around 100,000 km: juddering when pulling away, extreme rpm fluctuations and loss of reverse gear. Without regular gearbox oil changes, complete failure is likely.
A5 and Q5 models from 2008–2012 with a defective passenger airbag inflator. On deployment, uncontrolled gas pressure can release metal fragments.
Dampers and control arms wear noticeably from around 80,000 km, especially on Sport and S line suspension. A full control arm set costs €2,000–3,000; individual rear dampers around €1,000.
At the transitions between underbody sealant and paint, rust bubbles form on sills and wing bases. Dirt and moisture collect behind underbody covers.
The S tronic dual-clutch gearbox shows premature clutch wear in stop-and-go traffic and when towing. Juddering when pulling away and harsh gearshifts, often fixable by software update.
TÜV inspection reports flag brake hoses on the A5 8T twice as often as the class average. From around 10 years of age rubber hoses become porous.
The window regulator mechanism frequently breaks, especially on the Coupe. The window regulator module must then be replaced completely.
The AC compressor can fail at higher mileages, especially if the AC has not been used for extended periods.