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With thanks to all on this thread for sharing their thoughts and experiences, but particularly to Frank for his engaging and descriptive posts, I have taken the plunge and bought a new S5. I collected it yesterday so this is a short note focused on my car history and the S5 buying process rather than a detailed review. My recent cars have been estates and SUVs: Skoda Octavia VRS (2L turbodiesel); Audi S4 Avant (3L petrol); Mercedes GLC AMG 43; and my current car a 2022 Subaru Outback. The GLC taught me that I prefer an estate to an SUV, and as much as I admire the Outback for its efficiency, ruggedness and sheer “go anywhere in any weather” nature, the performance is a little benign even for a very recent retiree. So my new car is an S5 Avant Black Edition with Tech Pack and red brake calipers in Mythos Black metallic with the black interior. As a post-Build Week 2/26 car it comes with the mid-model-year factory updates including the revised multifunction steering wheel with physical/tactile buttons and scroll wheel replacing the gloss-black haptic touch sliders; the updated chassis and software calibration featuring the rear-biased Dynamic+ Mode; and the updated driver assistance packages, including Adaptive Cruise Assist Pro with assisted lane changes. Happy to comment further on these changes if there is interest once I have fathomed them out! I bought the car brand new through the drivethedeal brokerage with a significant discount; it was listed on their website as a “Special Deal” which usually means there is only one car or a handful of cars available at the price. It clearly benefited not only from the Audi Finance contribution but also from favourable end Q2 support. Happy to share the price if anyone is interested (it was publically available on the drivethedeal website). I offered my local dealer the opportunity to match it to be told that they could not get within £8K. The car isn’t my ideal spec - I would have liked the clever glass roof and adaptive suspension but there were no Vorsprung available with similar financial incentives. And I know metallic black is a difficult colour to look after, but again that was the only colour available on an Avant with this discount. Beyond the initial contact, all my dealings including finance and payment were made direct with the supplying Audi main dealer. I don’t think I can name them, but they were extremely professional both before and during collection, and gave me the full handover experience including a reveal and detailed walkthrough of the car. I then drove 230 miles home on a range of roads. My very initial thoughts echo everything I have read here: very nice drive; feels like lots of power (I haven’t ventured there yet given a running in period), more compliant then expected ride; and lots and lots and lots (!) of tech to learn! Whilst significantly shorter than the Outback, with mirrors folded the S5 is slightly wider - which I will need to become comfortable with very quickly as my narrow allocated parking space is between two walls! I think the camera/parking aids will help here. So my Outback goes to its new owner on Friday and I will focus on learning and enjoying the S5. I plan to offer further thoughts on the forum as I gain more understanding of the car, and really look forward to reading your continued contributions.

As a new member does anyone know, and have experience of a B5 RS4 Specialist in the north east of England? I'm aware of Unit 20, but they are across near Liverpool and it would be useful if there is someone closer?

I think its going to be a long time untill its running, the new ecu has gone missing and demon tweeks are useless, i would never buy anything from them ever again. I was going to get everything needed to finish it off from them.

Not of any interest to anyone?

VCDS will pinpoint. Generally speaking, usually glovebox out to locate motor. Anyway cross that bridge once you get it scanned.

Salut ai mai rezolvat problema am si eu fix Asa problema mersi mult

It needs to be done using a decent code reader & diagnostic machine. If you don't have access to one, most garages and battery suppliers will be able to do it for you.

Yeah I will just change everything, from what I can see it look like it might be coming from the plastic flange bit that connects to the egr cooler, I think there is another plastic piece behind that aswell (back towards the inside of the car ) but not sure what that's called

Hi its obviously in its early stages, the reason it is slipping in higher gears is because of the torque load in higher gears, it used to be the old way of testing the clutch, find a nice hill and change up to early floor the throttle and if the clutch was good the engine would labour, if not it revved up, I would get it checked ASAP as when the clutch slips it creates a phenomenal increase in gearbox temps and cooks the rear crank seal which is a whole different story, having had it happen to me I can say its not a good day out. Steve.

Don. If you can smell the coolant it must be escaping somewhere, though at a mere 1500 miles per year the loss may be so small that you don't get a warning before the garage tops it up during annual servicing.

Thanks for the information which suggests that the old caliper was indeed at fault, even if nothing was visibly wrong with it.

That makes sense, and fits Audi's push for subscription services.

Hi yes but the new module would have to be coded to the car, try and find a local car audio specialist who will be able to offer a hybrid solution rather than get in to major removal of the existing unit. Steve.

Hi sounds like the Haldex unit in the rear diff is on its way out this would put the car in to limp as its controlled electronically by a module. Steve.

An impossible question to answer because you have not revealed the brand in question.

Thanks Scott. That's useful information.

Welcome Don, My first port of call would be to return the car to whoever carried out the front end bodywork. If both horns were working prior to this then it’s reasonable for you to expect them both to work now - unless one was damaged - at which point it should have been renewed. Believed each to be behind the spotlights (if fitted) or the plastic grilles if not. Regards, Gareth.

Happy to share further photos if required.

The vendor has not returned to the forum for three years so it may pay you to direct message him.

Thanks. Mine has heated seats but not the wheel.

If it’s an S7 TDI it will be an 8 speed Tiptronic box. These can easily handle the torque. I check it’s in dynamic mode, etc. ZF-8 boxes have a service kit, so I’d be inclined to do that first before you go anywhere near a remap. Audi will tell you it’s sealed for life, but do it 60-80k miles. I follow a few companies, so Decimal Tenths are Newcastle based, or Darkside Developments in Barnsley. Probably the only companies I’d entrust the work too. They are both VAG specialists. For the Tiptronic service, then Mackie Transmissions, Glasgow.

Hi no you have to change the whole unit.

In general, hybrids will try to maintain a high state of charge so that electric reserve power is always available, however many other factors can influence when or if the electric motor will run. Perhaps yours is behaving normally, and you had not previously met the conditions for petrol to override electric.

Welcome Nick, If we can help we will. Regards, Gareth.

Clifford Thanks yeah this the problem I am having I have had a look and I have to say unless it's a quattro they don't seem to be worth a lot not that I am sure I would be selling it but also getting body parts is proving really difficult but it seems a shame to break it for parts.thanks for your feedback.