Audi S5 8T
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
354 PS
S5 · Benzin
Supercharged V6 in a coupé — the whine is addictive
Legendary!354 PS
4.2L FSI V8 Benzin
12 weaknesses
Stay Away!Body Variants
The Audi S5 8T is available as Coupé and Convertible and Hatchback — choose your body type for specific insurance data:
Generations
Engine Overview
The Audi S5 8T is available with 3 engine variants — from 333 to 354 hp. 1 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
The EA837 with Roots supercharger is one of the most characterful six-cylinders Audi ever built. Two four-lobe rotors spin at up to 23,000 rpm in the V between the cylinder banks — delivering instant boost from idle with zero lag. No turbo hole, no waiting: throttle means thrust. The rev curve pulls cleanly to just under 7,000 rpm, even though the supercharger runs into its physical limits up top — the punch lives in the midrange. Two maintenance items are often forgotten: the supercharger oil in the Roots housing needs regular changes, and the timing chain tends to rattle on cold starts with age. The water pump is another known weak point — plastic housing that ages with heat cycles. Get those sorted and you have an engine that delivers almost turbo-like shove off the line, yet sounds much closer to a naturally aspirated V6 — with a slight mechanical whine when the supercharger is working.
- !! Internal intercooler in supercharger leaking from 150,000 km
The intercooler integrated into the Eaton supercharger can develop leaks from thermal stress. Coolant enters the combustion chamber and can cause a hydrolock with total engine damage.
Symptoms: Coolant loss without visible external leak, misfires on cylinder 3, white exhaust smoke, power loss. - !! High-pressure pump failure with swarf distribution
Rare but catastrophic: if the high-pressure pump fails, metal swarf is distributed throughout the entire fuel system. All lines, injectors and the tank must be flushed or replaced.
Symptoms: Engine will no longer start, engine warning light with fault code 'rail pressure too low', rough running, sudden power loss. - !! Timing chain rattles on cold start from 80,000 km
Hydraulic chain tensioners lose oil pressure overnight. On cold start the chain rattles for 1–3 seconds until pressure builds. Persistent rattling indicates a stretched chain or defective tensioners.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start (1–3 seconds), disappears once warm. With advanced wear also persistent rattling and engine warning light.
+ 12 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
4.2-litre FSI V8 with 354 PS. Intake valve carbon build-up from direct injection documented from 40,000–60,000 km; walnut blasting recommended. Timing chain on gearbox side — replacement requires engine removal (very costly). Watch oil consumption and cold-start rattling as early warning signs of chain issues.
- !! Timing Chain: Guide Rail Breaks — Most Expensive V8 Repair from 80,000 km
Like all 4.2 FSI V8 engines, the upper timing chain guide rail breaks. In the S5 Coupe with its tighter bodywork equally labour-intensive as in the S4. Engine removal mandatory. Cost: 2,600–7,500 €.
Symptoms: Rattle on cold start, progressive rattle at operating temperature, limp mode, engine warning light - !! Camshaft Adjusters — Fault Codes and Limp Mode from 80,000 km
Four camshaft adjusters on the CGKD wear due to low oil or long change intervals. Rattling, fault codes and limp mode. Spirited S5 use increases wear.
Symptoms: Rattle on start, engine warning light, limp mode, power loss - !! Timing Chain Guide Rails Fracture from 130,000 km
The guide rails of the gearbox-side timing chain tend to fracture. Fragments collect in the oil pan. Chain replacement requires full engine removal — an extremely costly repair.
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start (1–3 seconds), metallic clicking at low rpm, engine warning light with camshaft correlation fault.
+ 9 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
4.2-litre FSI V8 with 354 PS. Intake valve carbon build-up from direct injection documented from 40,000–60,000 km; walnut blasting recommended. Timing chain on gearbox side — replacement requires engine removal (very costly). Watch oil consumption and cold-start rattling as early warning signs of chain issues.
- !! Timing Chain: Guide Rail Breaks — Most Expensive V8 Repair from 80,000 km
Like all 4.2 FSI V8 engines, the upper timing chain guide rail breaks. In the S5 Coupe with its tighter bodywork equally labour-intensive as in the S4. Engine removal mandatory. Cost: 2,600–7,500 €.
Symptoms: Rattle on cold start, progressive rattle at operating temperature, limp mode, engine warning light - !! Camshaft Adjusters — Fault Codes and Limp Mode from 80,000 km
Four camshaft adjusters on the CGKD wear due to low oil or long change intervals. Rattling, fault codes and limp mode. Spirited S5 use increases wear.
Symptoms: Rattle on start, engine warning light, limp mode, power loss - !! Timing Chain Guide Rails Fracture from 130,000 km
The guide rails of the gearbox-side timing chain tend to fracture. Fragments collect in the oil pan. Chain replacement requires full engine removal — an extremely costly repair.
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start (1–3 seconds), metallic clicking at low rpm, engine warning light with camshaft correlation fault.
+ 9 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The EA837 with Roots supercharger is one of the most characterful six-cylinders Audi ever built. Two four-lobe rotors spin at up to 23,000 rpm in the V between the cylinder banks — delivering instant boost from idle with zero lag. No turbo hole, no waiting: throttle means thrust. The rev curve pulls cleanly to just under 7,000 rpm, even though the supercharger runs into its physical limits up top — the punch lives in the midrange. Two maintenance items are often forgotten: the supercharger oil in the Roots housing needs regular changes, and the timing chain tends to rattle on cold starts with age. The water pump is another known weak point — plastic housing that ages with heat cycles. Get those sorted and you have an engine that delivers almost turbo-like shove off the line, yet sounds much closer to a naturally aspirated V6 — with a slight mechanical whine when the supercharger is working.
- !! Internal intercooler in supercharger leaking from 150,000 km
The intercooler integrated into the Eaton supercharger can develop leaks from thermal stress. Coolant enters the combustion chamber and can cause a hydrolock with total engine damage.
Symptoms: Coolant loss without visible external leak, misfires on cylinder 3, white exhaust smoke, power loss. - !! High-pressure pump failure with swarf distribution
Rare but catastrophic: if the high-pressure pump fails, metal swarf is distributed throughout the entire fuel system. All lines, injectors and the tank must be flushed or replaced.
Symptoms: Engine will no longer start, engine warning light with fault code 'rail pressure too low', rough running, sudden power loss. - !! Timing chain rattles on cold start from 80,000 km
Hydraulic chain tensioners lose oil pressure overnight. On cold start the chain rattles for 1–3 seconds until pressure builds. Persistent rattling indicates a stretched chain or defective tensioners.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start (1–3 seconds), disappears once warm. With advanced wear also persistent rattling and engine warning light.
+ 12 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| S-tronic DL501 mechatronic / clutch The 7-speed S-tronic DL501 is prone to judder when pulling away and when shifting, especially under load or at low temperatures. The cause is usually a worn dual-clutch pack or a faulty mechatronic valve block. Symptoms: Judder when pulling away (1st to 2nd gear), hesitant R-to-D shift, shift jolt at low speeds. from 90,000 km | High | |
| Sport differential driveshaft leaking On the optional sport differential the end caps of the driveshafts do not seal permanently. Heat build-up from the exhaust system creates internal pressure that overcomes the adhesive joint. Audi TPI 2025572/1 exists. Symptoms: Oil seepage at the sport differential or under the rear of the car, gear oil smell when the exhaust is warm. from 80,000 km | Medium | |
| Manual gearbox V8 clutch wears prematurely The S5 4.2 V8 with manual gearbox has a heavy clutch that wears prematurely under spirited use. The high torque overloads the clutch plate. Symptoms: Clutch heavy to operate, biting point migrates lower, slipping under high load or when warm. from 80,000 km | High |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 49 weaknesses have been documented for the Audi S5 8T (2007–2017) — 35 engine-related and 14 vehicle-related. One problem engine: CGKD (4.2L FSI V8). Typical issues affect Gearbox, Suspension, Body, Rust.
S5 (CGKD, 2006–2012) — Stay Away!: Timing Chain: Guide Rail Breaks — Most Expensive V8 Repair, Camshaft Adjusters — Fault Codes and Limp Mode, Timing Chain Guide Rails Fracture. Power: 354 PS.
S5 (CAKA, 2012–2016) — Be Careful: Internal intercooler in supercharger leaking, High-pressure pump failure with swarf distribution, Timing chain rattles on cold start. Power: 333 PS.
S5 (CWGD, 2016–2018) — Be Careful: Rocker Arm Roller Failure (GP0 Production), Water Pump Internal Failure with Coolant in Vacuum System, 48V Mild Hybrid System Fault (from 2019 Facelift). Power: 354 PS.
S5 (CWGD, 2016–2023) — Be Careful: Rocker Arm Roller Failure (GP0 Production), Water Pump Internal Failure with Coolant in Vacuum System, 48V Mild Hybrid System Fault (from 2019 Facelift). Power: 354 PS.
What to watch out for with the Audi S5? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee