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Having had an S4 Avant 10 years from new (B8), I was waiting for Audi to get over its diesel S4 period, so welcomed the launch of the new S5 Avant. I found a dealer willing to sell me one of the first available cars (they had one more arriving than they were required to hold by Audi for showroom/demo) - and took delivery in November '24. If I had just placed an order for one I was told it would be delivered in April/May '25. It is the fully loaded ‘Launch Edition’. I have now done 4,500 miles, so possibly the most experience of this model in the UK. My overall impression is of a car that is highly loaded with clever features, but the software development is far from complete! There are many software issues and, so far, I have seen little interest from dealers or Audi in sorting them. Many are annoying and reduce the use of features (I have turned them off), but one stopped the car totally. Here are a few examples:- - The ‘speed nanny’ (beeps when you exceed the speed limit) very often gets the speed limit wrong. It miss-reads signs or misses them altogether and seems to work both from map information and camera recognition of signs. For example, on a 70 limit dual carriageway (non-motorway) it most often thinks the limit is 60, then passing under a bridge it will change its idea of the speed limit to 30 mph. I turn it off every time I start the car (useful to be able to programme a steering wheel button to do this). - The ‘cross traffic’ detection when reversing will suddenly apply the brakes to stop the car if it thinks there is cross traffic (so sudden it feels like you hit something). It took me a while to work out what was causing the braking. There was no cross traffic. It thinks my hedge, my wife’s parked car, my daughters gate, etc. are cross traffic!! When I took delivery, the salesman commented that it suddenly braked when he backed it into the showroom … I have switched this feature off. - Driving past an exit slip road on the inside lane of a dual carriageway it gets confused by the white line marking (hatches etc.) and applies the brakes – not what you want at 70mph. - The infotainment system’s behaviour seems inconsistent (there may be a logic, but I haven’t found it!). - The worst case was when I parked one day then came back to the car – it unlocked, but then was totally dead, nothing on the displays, it would not start, the brakes could not be released, nor the steering lock and I couldn’t open the rear door or lock the car again. It took Audi recovery 3 days to recover the car to the local Audi dealer and 2 days for the dealer to fix. It was apparently a ‘known’ software problem and fixed with an update – I was not notified of any recall. Needless to say the update did not fix the other issues. Other non-software thoughts? - The car is significantly bigger than the B8 A4/S4 with less room inside, feels more like an A6/S6 to drive. Disappointing. - Storage space is more limited – there is no room for a spare wheel and the emergency tyre re-inflation kit does not fit the dedicated space under the floor. The first aid kit has no home, so these things rattle about the luggage space. - Performance is of course good, but the supercharger (combined with gearbox set-up) of my old car gave better rev/torque characteristics than the new one. - The hybrid operation/performance is good and well refined. - The 20 inch wheels on my car give relatively poor ride – take the 19 inch if you can. - In my personal view the styling is poor, messy and more bling than I prefer. What would I recommend? It is a good, but not exceptionally good car – but I would suggest giving Audi another year to finish the development … so don’t buy yet.

Hello, @cliffcoggin@spartacus 68 Thank you for your previous responses, and apologies for the delay in getting back to you—I was unable to access my account until today. Regarding the issue with the vehicle, the dealer has repeatedly claimed that the problem is due to general wear and tear, that the car is safe to drive, and therefore they are not responsible for any repairs. He also stated that each bush costs around £6–£7 and expected me to replace all the bushes myself. I informed him that this is not acceptable or legal, considering the condition of the vehicle when sold. He provided the contact information for the MOT tester who originally inspected the vehicle, and I have since booked an appointment with them for the 30th of April. Our conversation has been recorded via WhatsApp messages for reference. The tester has agreed to inspect the vehicle and take appropriate action if necessary. My expectations are straightforward: I expect the issue to be repaired and the car made fully MOT compliant. If the necessary repairs are not carried out, I will be seeking a partial refund. Failing that, I will be forced to escalate the matter to the DVLA. While individual bushes may be inexpensive, the labour involved in replacing each one is considerable. Most qualified mechanics would opt to replace the entire suspension component rather than individual bushings due to the complexity and time required. It’s worth noting that the MOT history shows only one advisory: "Underbody and suspension components undersealed." This raises further concerns regarding the accuracy and thoroughness of the inspection conducted.

Final reply from Audi… I suspect the broadcasters tweaked the frequency as Audi are clueless. Thank you again for contacting Audi UK regarding your experience with your Audi A6 DAB radio. I have now liaised with our internal Technical Team here at Audi UK, they are unable to confirm why there has been an error with your DAB radio as your vehicle does not have access to over-the-air updates. I am sorry for any disappointment that this may cause. If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me on the details below.

Do you have an update for us Mark?

So much for the pre-delivery inspection then.

It's easy enough to measure wear with a cheap tread depth guage. If it shows more wear at both shoulders than at the centre line the pressure is too low, and vice versa. If the inner shoulder is worn more than the outer, the toe in is too small, and vice versa. The tracking needs to be adjusted. I suggest you get the tyres and the tracking checked.

Ah, Torx had not occurred to me. I don't know its location though the low profile suggests somewhere with very little clearance above it.

That does indeed sound ouch to me John. £800 for oil and kit surprises. Does anyone else on here have experience of cost of this? Kind regards, Gareth.

Does indeed now sound like an alternator issue. Beware of replacement aftermarket alternators - as opposed to getting yours repaired. Kind regards, Gareth.

Yes Alan.

I have moved to a new Pixel 9a, and it seems to suffer the same poor Android Auto connectivity issues with my S3. Generally (but not always) will connect when "cold", and will only connect when "warm" about 50% of the time. As with my S23 toggling bluetooth generally sorts it out. What a faff!

Definitely a screw. It has a T30 torx head. thanks Andrew

I thought it might be, but I was just hoping someone might know as it was the only one like it that I had removed. Definitely more organisation needed in future! Thanks for your reply Andrew

You would hope that this is not a deliberate act by the dealer to save costs. When we bought our car, new in July 2024, I checked the fluids. The oil needed a litre to take it up to the maximum level on the stick, the car was level and engine off for some hours before, the oil filler cap was on so tightly that I don't think it had been touched, the screenwash bottle was also empty. I may be being picky but I suspect that there are more than a few people who don't check such things on a new car.

Believe it’s a multifunctional relay for main and dipped beam, I would look behind the fuse box on drivers side as relays hidden back there

Hi all New to the website but looking for some help please I have a 2011 Audi a4 s-line black edition. Had her for over 2 years now and not had a problem with the audio system until recently. Over the last few months its decided it doesnt want to play any of my cds at all and no matter what type of cd i try and play it just says 'unreadable'. Sometimes it wont even play my ipod that is connected and says 'audi audio interface is not recognised' so that only leaves me with the DAB radio option. But even that seems to be having issues and even though i have tried to re scan radio stations i have lost loads of local ones likes Kiss FM and i cant see how when its DAB, Does anyone have any ideas on why it says my cds are unreadable and how i can fix this please?

This doing my head in. So I get on my cluster display screen. Active light fault, followed by left and right highbeams faulty. So changed both bulbs with correct bulbs. Put the lights on. Running led lights working. Dipped beams working but still no high beams on both lights and still the same error on cluster screen. Checked all fuses they are fine. Checked the operating stalk that to is working. Weird how both highbeams have gone together. Is there a relay for these lights. If so where is it located? What am I missing? Thanks

Evening Gareth - none to date as I've been away on a few trips. Car is running normally but I will replace the battery before Autumn / Winter. I did have a follow up question - is it likely a local independent VW/Audi/Skoda garage could replace/recode the battery, rather than going back to the dealership (Edinburgh Audi)? Thanks

If you get your slave cyclinder from Audi double check that it comes fitted with the seals, I’ve had to order them seperate for B9’s, also didnt come with the elbow that has the bleed nipple on it. the LUK slave that comes in the clutch kit comes with the seals and elbow already fitted. Il attach a picture of the fax that Audi use for the slave Incase it helps

Hello, It's interesting you mention that because several garages mentioned this regarding the lisence so I thought this was the case, but when I spoke to LUK directly they said this wasn't true and that in fact the lisence had been released the clutch was just on back order. Not sure what to believe but that's what they've told me. Think either way I'm just going to have to go manufacture at this point for the clutch kit. Thanks

Apologies for the ambiguity Gareth... I did indeed mean engine running when I said engine on. I'm no fan of Halfords but I have messaged a local independent mechanic, who I've used in the past and had positive experiences with, to book the car in for him to look at. I note Cliff's point about having the battery coded to the car and will ensure if I do end up needing a new battery I will make sure it is somewhere that can code it to the car. Really appreciate your notes on a potential belt or alternator Davey. Handy to have a few potential causes in mind when the mechanic gives their opinion.

Hi Gareth Have had 2 quotes now from independents, both about the same on parts - oil about £500, pan, filter and gaskets about £300, + labour One quote was from a gearbox specialist, he also quoted a further £300 ish for diff and transfer oil change at the same time! That quote was coming in at about £1500 - ouch!

I think it might be the tyres! they are starting to look a bit worn - even though they have a fair bit of tread I think the inner edges of the front are causing it. this guy explains it pretty well:-

He would see a voltage drop with the ignition energised but with the engine not running when compared to an at rest reading.

Is it really a threaded screw rather than a ribbed press stud? I ask because I see no slot or shape to the head by which to drive it.