Audi A5
Audi 3.0 V6 TFSI with 272 PS (200 kW) in the A5 8T. Supercharged V6 with Roots blower. Solid sports engine, but prone to carbon build-up in the intake and plastic cooling system parts. Plastic water pump often fails after 100,000 km.
V6 entry-level without the final bite
The CDMD with 272 hp is the quieter sibling of the 333 hp version: refined and smooth, but in the elegant A5 8T you miss that last kick. Perfect for relaxed cruising, but the sensible choice, not the exciting one.
Engine Weaknesses 7
The integrated intercooler in the Eaton supercharger can develop coolant leaks into the intake path due to thermal fatigue. Risk of hydraulic lock.
Symptoms: Coolant loss without external leakage, white exhaust smoke, misfires, power loss.
EA837-typical: chain tensioners lose oil pressure, brief rattle on cold start. CDMD (200 kW, A5 8T) shares the block with CAKA and is equally affected.
Symptoms: Metallic rattle immediately after cold start for 1–2 seconds.
Coolant pump and thermostat fail at high mileages. In A5 Cabriolet operation, the cooling system is under greater thermal stress from open-top driving.
Symptoms: Overheating warning, coolant loss, erratic temperature gauge.
Premature wear of the Eaton supercharger nose bearing. In the A5 Coupe/Cabriolet 3.0 TFSI driven hard, this becomes noticeable earlier.
Symptoms: Whistling noise from the supercharger area, proportional to engine speed.
The supercharger drive belt must be replaced every 60,000 km. The A5 8T 3.0 TFSI is often driven hard, increasing belt load.
Symptoms: Squealing noises, power loss, immediate boost loss on belt failure.
Oil carbon deposits on intake valves typical of direct injection. In the A5 Coupe/Cabriolet with sporty use, deposits often appear earlier.
Symptoms: Hesitation, power loss, poor cold-start behaviour.
Failed membrane in the oil separator causes elevated oil consumption and false air fault codes.
Symptoms: Whistling noise under load, elevated oil consumption, fault codes, rough idle.
Vehicle Weaknesses 9
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.
The soft-top mechanism hydraulic hoses become brittle and leak. Hydraulic oil collects under the trim in the boot and can saturate the exhaust heat shield.
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.