BlakeV

Oldest S5 must be approching 6 years old.

I have a 36mo lease due this year and it should be close to 22000 miles at term. Residual is CA$40500 (US$30300). Even I wouldn't keep it, I would attempt to resell it privately like I did with my 2019. This time I am considering keeping it 2-3 more years. If I do so, my maintenance won't be done at the dealer. What to expect cost-wise to bring it at 50000 miles? New 20" tires, brakes/rotors at the 4 corners and then some come to mind. Maybe 5K? That wouldn't be too bad.

But knowing Audi of the past it can go ugly quickly.

Here are common repairs done on Audi S5 according to
https://repairpal.com/cars/audi/s5/2022
although many are probabty happening at way more than 50K miles.


This site is encouraging.
https://caredge.com/audi/s5/maintenance

So long termers, what did you have to pay on your 2018 S5 and what mileage.

rocko76

2018 S5, delivered Aug 2017. Not including standard wear items like brakes/rotors, etc.... Done at an Indy.

5y/40k
Oil Filter Housing (leaking, common) - ~$550
Control Arms (common for worn bushings)- ~$1600

6y/48k
Water pump, thermostat (leaking coolant - common) - ~$2300

While I wouldn't exactly call it "planned obsolescence" I'm increasingly aware that there seems to be many things that commonly fail not-to-far after the warranty period that would either be avoidable or much less costly to fix were they designed a bit differently, w/ little-to-no additional cost on audi's part. As an example... I don't understand euro mfg's allergy to canister oil filters where there is no (plastic) housing to crack and the gasket against the hot engine block is changed w/ each oil change. I didn't actually NEED controller arms, just the rubber bushings, etc. The thermostat issue has been a problem for years across multiple models, even w/o the water pump I believe it's a ~$1500 job as most of it is labor.

But you are aware of the rocker arm bearing issue on the 2018s? That's the 800lb gorilla if you are affected - 8-10k to pull the engine and replace the bearings if you act proactively. And even understanding if you NEED to act proactively is challenging, as I don't think you can hit all the cylinders w/ a borescope with the engine still in. If it grenades.... of course it's a engine replacement.

If not, here is one of the threads on this forum - https://www.audiworld.com/forums/aud...5-sq5-3043102/. I believe there are similar ones on the S4 and SQ5 forums here, as well as other Audi boards.

If you are leasing, honestly I'd count yourself lucky and walk (run?) away. The issue seems to be getting more attention as time goes on and more occurrences, it's bound to impact resale value.

2019RS5Sportback

2019 RS-5 Sportback with approximately 50k. Spend-to-date, other than routine fluids/filters:

Brake rotors, pads, sensors all 4 corners: $5k
Tune-up (plugs) $582
Driver side window regulator: Warranty
Tires: Countless $ (thanks NJ/NY potholes)

BlakeV

Yike... this is on the high side!... 5K of nonsense repairs + 5K for tires/brakes & regular maintenance just to get to 50K miles.

Unbelievable that the Germans can't build a proper & lasting water pump, not supposed to be rocket science.

rocko76

Yeah... while maybe I was unlucky to have both happen within a year, neither appears to be especially uncommon. Just some quick searching:

Oil Filter housing.... someone actually just posted a DIY replacement threat a few days ago - https://www.audiworld.com/forums/aud...grade-3065401/

Thermostat/Water Pump issues:

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/aud...ience-3055352/

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/aud...9-rs5-3062800/

Not the 6cyl unfortunately, but there was a successful class action suit for many models - https://www.audiworld.com/forums/aud...fects-3035983/

But it's the rocker arm bearing issue that scares the bejeezus out to me.

My rear brakes only lasted ~20k from the factory, fronts just changed at ~48k when I did the water pump. I was told that non-aggressive braking is programmed to favor the rear for comfort (minimize nose-diving), but strangely the replacement OEM set still has a couple mm to go w/ 28k before they'll need replacement.

bpd

If you own an Audi, there is a premium to own one. If you are fortunate to have little to none problems, you should be happy. Look around folks, you don't see many OLD Audi's driving around. I sure don't in the Seattle area. I really like Audi's, Im on my 3rd one. But I only keep them till the warranty is over.

CKinLA

I have a 2018 S5 SB that I bought 2.5 years ago with 27k miles on it. I just passed the 60k mile mark. I have had all 3 of these issues as well - stuck open thermostat / replaced solenoid at around the 45k mark, and then just last month, I had an oil leak that ended up being the cracked Oil Filter Housing, which I had to get replaced. As part of that, my indy mechanic mentioned my control arm bushings are starting to get worn and need to replaced soon'ish. I also just replaced my brake rotors / pads in all 4-corners over the last 12 months (did the rears first last year, then just did the fronts).

The prices that rocko76 quoted are about right.

The rocker arm issue, as others have said, is the elephant in the room. This really only affects the MY2018 and some MY2019s. Not sure what model year yours is or whether that's a factor for you. For a bunch of reasons, I've decided I am going to keep this car and look to take it to 100k+ miles. But that's because I own it. If I were leasing like you, I would almost certainly give it back and get another one / something else.

Trade_it_all_4_more

2018 S5 purchased in March of 2018 has 52,200 miles on it.

I replaced the thermostat about 1 month after the factory warranty expired.

So far... That's it!

m444

2019 RS5, after 4 years and 20k miles

Maintenance costs;
Audicare $999
Girodisc front/rear brake rotors $2607
Carbotech brake pads $650
New Brake Bolts $68
2 - CR2032 batteries (remote) $4
=====
$4328

Random acts of criminals and nature;
Pothole damaged tire $363 (paid for by the county road)

Criminal Break-in, replace rear quarter glass $902
Rock chip repair windshield $60
========
$962

Preference change;
Change wheels to 19x8.5, ET20 $1862
Change tires to 245/40/19, Michelin A/S 3+ $1274
ECS dipstick $70
Sun shade $84
3M Crystaline 90 window tint $1000
=========
$4288

Aftermarket stereo equipment;
Kicker 43CWRT102 Subwoofer $175
Kicker 47KEY500.1 Subwoofer Amplifier $250
Basser Subwoofer box $238
2-Dash speakers FaitalPRO 3FE22 3" $74
1-Dash speakers FaitalPRO 4FE32 4" $46
============
$783

Nikon1

2018 S5 Prestige Trim / 67 months old, 32,000 miles

Replacement Audi Battery — $452 Installed (after $75 service coupon) 2/2023

Audi replacement windshield blades — $21.50 (after $50 service coupon) 12/2023

Replacement rear Pads & Rotors expected in late summer.

That’s it outside of tires & upgrades, due to Audi pre-paid service.

— John