2019 S5 a diesel ???!!!

[KIZZYP]

Hi all 

Panic post here !...back in July we placed a deposit on a factory order s5 sportback with the 3.0tfsi engine. We were told then current production was suspended due to the wltp emissions tests.We were further informed factory orders will be placed at the end of December with a view to a delivery date of March 2019...agonising wait but ok with this for our dream car.

I have just made an enquiry with our local Audi salesman  for any updates, he has informed us that the 2019  S5 is being changed to a diesel engine and due to this delay deliveries are now pushed back to quarter 3 of 2019 !!!

Somebody please tell me he has got himself confused and is talking about the SQ5......I do not want an S5 diesel !!!!!!!!!!

 

[Steve Q]

He must be confused. If it is true I believe you have the right to cancel with a full refund because it's not the car you originally ordered. 

Cheers

Steve

[Magnet]

Hello Paul,

As Steve says, there shouldn't be/isn't, any problem associated with cancelling your order and having your full deposit refunded, since they appear to be unable to complete the contact they set up with you - within a reasonable timescale.

You question whether the salesman's reply to your verbal? question is correct, and I would say there is a possibility (just a possibility) that his reply has been moderated by wishing to now complete a deal with you as soon as possible, rather than run the risk of you walking away. Of course, he may be correct, and the only way to get a more reliable/correct? update on this situation, is to write to Audi. I say write, (e-mail should do)  rather than telephone since you are more likely to receive a considered and more accurate response. 

I seems Paul, that you too have been got at, in terms of the adverse publicity against diesels - and I can accept that it you have strong views on airborne pollution ( while we continue to burn literally 100s of thousands of aviation fuel per day without comment). The question I would ask is that if you were offered an engine which produces the same power output, has the capability of lasting at least 1.5 times as long as a petrol engine, and gives you an improved fuel consumption of approx. X 1.5, would you turn it down? The 'automatic' answer appears to be Yes. 

If it's an A5 petrol engined car you want, and if the salesman's response is correct, then the simple answer is you can't have one. Personally, I cannot see why a similar output diesel - which should be available - is so far out of the question as to result in not having the model at all. OK, the depreciation on the diesel is likely to be greater due to this adverse publicity, but if the purchase is going to be via. a PCP ( as most seem to be now) then how much does it matter since the future 'sale' of the car will be guaranteed? 

Anyway Paul, apologies for rambling, but if it were me, I would be writing to Audi. 

Kind regards,

Gareth.

[KIZZYP]

I checked back with the salesman who confirmed his manager had spoken with Audi uk. The S5 will indeed be a diesel is still the party line. Audi in Maidstone were fantastic about it and gave me the option of continuing with the order , having my deposit back or doing a great deal on another car. We have already owned 3xA8 and 1xA6 all 3.0 v6 diesels and just wanted something a little special this time . The S5 sportback , red leather seats,carbon trim, quad exhausts and lovely sounding v6 petrol ticked all the boxes. Its not a diesel or petrol issue for us , its just about the right car. We looked at the new A7 and A8 but we just fancied something different. We have no doubt a twin turbo v6 diesel would be just as fast as the petrol but its just not the right fit for a sports car. Even the Audi salesman couldn't argue that it sounds like a stop gap measure until a new petrol engine is developed that meets the WLTP emissions regulations. If we bought a diesel one now, in 3 years we could be left holding the ugly baby that nobody wants ...resale taking a massive hit.

I was also told the S4 is going the same way. interestingly the S4/S5 and RS5 have now vanished from Audis online configurator altogether !

After much deliberation and the fact that we were unable to wait for the new anticipated delivery date possibly September (already waited since July `18 fer a delivery in March `19) We decided to take the plunge on a twin turbo V6 Diesel anyway....only in a range Rover Velar. Delivery mid March `19. (Audi gave us our deposit back without quibble)

Am really saddened to be leaving Audi as we have nothing but praise for their cars and have enjoyed every one of them immensely. I hope to return to the Audi fold again one day 

[Steve Q]

I am amazed at this and I'm glad Audi refunded you. Sorry to hear you're leaving the brand but I do admit the velar is a nice motor. Just be weary of jaguar landrovers financial situation! They have production lines closed due to financial issues.

Cheers

Steve

[KIZZYP]

Looking across a number of  brands quite a few V6 3.0 litre  petrol engines have been withdrawn due to WLTP compliance issues including the one in the Velar. Yeah land rover shut its production lines late last year and will do so again the first week in April due to any brexit issues. LR financial problems mainly due to 20% downturn in the Chinese market and movement away from diesels which makes up 70% of their range. Ours is due to be delivered mid March hopefully .....if any more delays or hiccups im just giving up trying to buy a new car !!!

Regards

Paul

 

 

[Steve Q]

Good luck with it Paul hope it does come in time 🙂

[KIZZYP]

Thanks steve ......niggling doubts about land rover reliability vs the superb reliability we had with Audi, but hey will get to drive the rest of the range when its in the shop !!!🤣

[Steve Q]

On 2/5/2019 at 8:56 PM, KIZZYP said:

Thanks steve ......niggling doubts about land rover reliability vs the superb reliability we had with Audi, but hey will get to drive the rest of the range when its in the shop !!!🤣

Yea land rovers reliability has always been an issue. It's ok whilst it's under warranty but once it's not the bills get expensive! 

[KIZZYP]

Absolutely right , I have always been a Land Rover guy at heart and currently own a Defender 90 and Disco 2 v8, I have  also restored numerous series 1,2 and 3 land rovers over the years . When we were first in a financial position to afford a nice family car we had the choice between a new Range Rover or Audi A8 . My Land rover heart said Range Rover , but my sensible head said A8. The other deciding factor at the time was that Land Rover charged a far higher APR % rate on the PCP finance than Audi . Audi has its own VW Bank who can offer better deals rather than Land Rover who basically uses Lloyds bank ....a much smaller operation than VW !  The difference was about £150 a month for the same value of car. We remained with Audi ever since having two more new A8s and an A6.

Driving the A8s introduced us to a whole new level of motoring, and to be honest has spoiled us as to what we then moved on to . The S5 was to be a little last hoorah to youth slipping bye, and we are really saddened that it didn't come to pass.

We are really looking forward to the Velar though now , But will certainly not be keeping it outside of the warranty period ...im a life long Land Rover fan, but not a blinkered fan boy  ....or stupidly rich either !!

[Steve Q]

Ironically a family friend has now bought a velar abd it is a truly exceptional motor. You're definitely right not keeping it after the warranty period in my opinion. We've had defender 90 abd series landys in the past, they were cracking vehicles 🙂

[KIZZYP]

ha ha brilliant ....strange the places you find old defender/ series fans ...we are secretly everywhere !!