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Yes, I think you're right. I've seen mention of lower rear arms/bushes being prone due to the loading the receive, but without something like the ChassisEAR it's hard to know which arm/bush is the issue, and if some are ageing, likelihood is that they all are, and so while a chunk of cash, it's all making me think a complete front end refresh might be the best option to cure not only this creaking, but 'creaking to come'. It would be maddening to sort 'this creaking' out, just to have a repeat on different arms/bushing in a number of months time. My hope was to get a feeling form other A5 owners of what they had experienced and found to work/not work as a guide, i.e. sort 'this' and you'll be good, or 'Doing the odd arm' e.g. lower rear, will only cure that before others start. I can't be the only one to experience this ... or so I thought. Have asked Meyle about front end kits based on your helpful advice. Thanks for that 🙂

I started there, didn't find a lot and thought I'd ask here. Seemed a pretty reasonable place to ask this kind of question

Thanks for the pointer to Lemforder and Meyle. You'd discount TRW?

thanks Spartacus I’ll look into it

Following this topic with great interest as I am considering an imminent purchase of a new S5 Avant. @Francis007 I am really enjoying your regular updates on your new S5. I’m slightly nervous about my ability to cope with the new infotainment system having last driven an Audi in 2021 (a 19 plate leased S4 Avant). Di you have any further thoughts on your experience so far, and can I ask the spec of your car? Many thanks.

No idea regards OBD 11. Have you tried the above? Is that simply to have them activate via light sensor on mirror? VCDS should be able to do it via central electrics module. £220 or so for 3 VIN licence from Gendan and run on old laptop. Lifetime software updates, plus access to their forum. I know some VAG cars have Scandi setting so rear lights come on with front DRLs. Do your research before you part with cash. I think the DRLs are 80% intensity from factory, so there’s probably a way to adjust brightness levels too.

In worried it might be too late. I've done probably 30 miles of (genuinely) gentle driving, haven't driven it since I realised what was happening. I'm really hoping a good flush will be enough, the engine sounded normal last time I drove it. I'm going to book it in tomorrow and find what the actual damage is, mechanically and financially... I'll update tomorrow 😕

Hello Duane, All I would add to what has already been said is - I would strongly advise you not the use the car at all. If you do, you will end up with a wrecked engine in a short number of miles. Even renewing the oil would be fruitless since in 6 to 7 miles, you would have contaminated that oil with a litre or so of coolant. Regards, Gareth.

Hiya James So sorry to hear of your current problems with your A5 Avant. My take on it is the same as quite a few fellow owners here and as I believe you have stated yourself. My car, like yours, looks good in my opinion, is well screwed together , is comfortabe and drives well. BUT.....software, software, software !!!!! seem to be the overiding bugbear at the moment. Compared to yours, mine has had relatively limited problems. I occasionally receive a flash up on the front screen at start up to indicate that some systems are unavailable or have failed. They barely hang around for milliseconds before they disappear and the car starts up and is fine. The A5 range was I believe brought into the UK in late 2024 so yours is a relatively newish example. And because of that , may be it suffers from early software production problems ? I presume your Dealership has confirmed that you have the latest updated software ? Also , I do understand your discontent with the car. The software should have been sorted before the car was available and Audi have some questions to answer here as it seems this problem prevails in other models. Take a look at Martin Innes current problem with his new Q3 on that Forum. Think I have already mentioned this a few times so I hope I'm not being boring here but I came to the S5 from owning 2 Q8's owned over a 6 year period. Had zilch problems , software or mechanical in either car. Both felt robust and well sorted but the MMI and software was much simpler than the stuff we have on our A/ S 5's. It's technology and the future I'm afraid and aint it grand ! Hope you get your car sorted and you can enjoy it's undoubted driveability again

If it matters to you whether other folk have had this problem then a search of the relevant A5 forum should reveal some answers.

Petrol, diesel, or hybrid power?

Weybridge Vehicle Consultants in Surrey. Bought my current Audi from them. They ship cars all over the UK. They also do servicing on site. Can’t fault them.

You’re running a 3.0TDI V6 up front, so you’re dealing with a heavy engine. It’s not just age, it’s how the car is driven and the reality of British roads. We’re not suggesting to completely refresh the suspension, but unfortunately this is the reality with multi link suspension. If you were renewing lower front arms, do both, front and rear arms. As suggested, these are usually hydrabushes, difficult to tell if they’ve failed unless you see a leak, or get in with a pry bar. I’ve read snake oil remedies about silicone sprays on bushes to remove squeaks. That will be short lived and probably age the bush given it’s petroleum based. The only grease you can use with rubber is red grease. Similar to brake rebuilds. You could try on some of the ARB bushes as it’s a relatively cheap fix, but does mean a little bit of work if your spanner handy.

I purchased a new Audi A5 Avant in May 2025. I think it's a beautiful looking vehicle and a pleasure to drive BUT I have already faced three significant problems. Firstly constant failures with the software, secondly, a windscreen/wiper combination that created severe, dangerous smearing problems on the screen in moderate rainfall. Both these issues were fixed successfully by the dealer in December 2025. However, this month after leaving the car unused for just two weeks, it refused to start and required a call out. The dealer has identified a problem with the Battery Management System and a replacement part is required. After owning two previous Audis (Q5, A4 Avant) that had no reliability issues, I am very disappointed and disillusioned with the Audi brand. Has anyone else had similar problems with the new A5?

Hi all, can anyone tell me how to code Lithuanian Injectors to a UK car. Stupidly it seems, I bought a complete fuel system fromLithuania. When trying to code using the 7 digit code from the injector VCDS tells me it the wrong country code and I know have FFFFFFF. Is there a possible workaround. I jad just replaced the HP fuel pump. Easy enough but a lot of work as im sure many of you are aware. Any advice even telling me ive wasted £900 buying the complete fuel system. Thanks in advance

You'll not get a reply Mandhir. The vendor has left the forum.

Well, this is my point. Is other people's experience that A5 suspension bushes 'age' and need replacement after ~8 years? It's not typical IMHO and I've not experienced it on other Audi and non-Audi models, but the experience here might be that this is indeed to be expected of an A5. None of us can diagnose the actual vehicle, but there may be collective knowledge here that others have found the same creaks at the same age and it's just a 'regular' service item on these vehicles

Great, I’ll sort my travel times etc & let you know once the canoe club responds. Thanks Steve.

Bless ya. Hope you have fun! Yea I can make the 14th work.

Still for sale, or sold now?

What about Car Window Regulators for parts? For the Audi A4 they are like £28. A5 is nearer £70 to £90 dependent on vehicle model. https://carwindowregs.co.uk/audi/

I know a private guy near Slough, Berkshire?

Well it was never going to get better on its own. One or more bushes has perished, as Richard has said, and if it can not be identified you will need to change them all. Comparison with other cars is pointless because you don't know the composition of the rubber or the loads that have been imposed on it.

Yes I did wonder about water in the oil, fairly sure that's not good. I'm used to building engines and stuff, but this is a level of uncertainty I'm not comfortable with, and the potential consequences of getting ot wrong are dire. I've just spent £1000 on a major service etc, so I'm rinsed and mildly miffed.

We're back in France and the creaking is back ... (slighter) warmer temps, small, bending and bumpy roads. Would you expect suspension bushes to start to give up after 8 to 9 years? It's certainly not mileage and it's not rallied, so I'm surprised to be getting this. Can't remember changing bushes on previous cars, including Audi 100, A4, and A3, and BMW 530d (which did something like 230k miles)