Potential A5 buyer- few questions.

[Adomas G]

Hello all! I am a current 2006 A3 2.0 TDi owner and am looking to upgrade to something sportier and quicker in the near future. While my choice was between C6 A6 Avant and A5 coupe, I chose A5- it looks inarguably sportier, plus there will always be a time for Avant once I have a family

It's worth noting I am in my 20s so insurance was a deciding factor in choosing an engine size until I compared the quotes. I was amazed that there was a laughable 5% increase in premium from 2.0 TDi to 2.7 TDi and a relatively small 25% increase from 2.0 TDi to 3.0 TDi (surprised they were even quoting me)!

For the sake of comprehension I'll compare the premiums in percent, not actual prices since I am a young driver still.

Anyways, after months of comparing insurance, browsing every bit of Wikipedia and Parkers, here are my thoughts so far on the diesel side of A5:

2.0 TDi
Pros:
-Easy on fuel
-Cheapest to insure
-Optional Quattro

Cons:
-Weakest of the bunch
-4 pot diesel is the absolute worst sounding engine imho
-Most expensive to buy (Quattros tends to start at £6k)

2.7 TDi
Pros:
-Easy on insurance (a mere 5% increase in premium)
-V6 diesel sounds great
-Beefier than 2.0
-Inexpensive one to buy (starts at low-mid £5k region)

Cons:
-FWD-only
-Multitronic-only (heard it's a problematic one, correct me if I'm wrong)
-Near-identical MPG values as 3.0 TDi
-Not a massive hp/torque increase over 2.0 TDi

3.0 TDi
Pros:
-Beefiest of the bunch
-Quattro
-Abundance of gearboxen available
-Kicks *** in general
-Seems to be the cheapest one to buy (starts at low-mid £4k)

Cons:
-Slightly costier to insure
-Drinks a little more

What are your thoughts? If you have an A5 please tell me what engine/gearbox you have and what are they like? Any options I should be on the lookout for/any I should avoid?

The main reason why I'm looking a V6 is not because of speed and thrill (past the boi racer stage now haha) but rather safe overtaking as I am doing about 500 miles each week to uni and half of them are single carriageways.

Please keep in mind I am looking at it from a long-term point of view, I mean whether it's gonna be a £500 higher premium on a car that's £1000 cheaper or a £200 smaller premium on a car that's £2000 dearer, as far as I have looked, not counting the fuel, it'll work out cheaper to buy either a 2.7 or 3.0.

Sorry for long post and many thanks

 

[arad85]

What are your thoughts? If you have an A5 please tell me what engine/gearbox you have and what are they like? Any options I should be on the lookout for/any I should avoid?

The main reason why I'm looking a V6 is not because of speed and thrill (past the boi racer stage now haha) but rather safe overtaking as I am doing about 500 miles each week to uni and half of them are single carriageways.

For the number of miles you do (I thought I was relatively high mileage at 12k a year) I would put safety above everything else. I think the best thing that Audi do is quattro - so much so that I don't think I'd entertain a car without it now. That would remove the 2.7 from my list. After that, you'll have way more fun in the 3.0 than the 2.0

 

[Randomage]

Likewise, I went from an A3 to an A5. Plumped for the 3.0, and I have zero regrets!! 2 years in, average 3mpg mixed driving (40+ on a motorway run) and I still get a buzz out of the way that engine kicks you in the back of the head, from anywhere above 2k rpm, at any speed.... In terms of insurance, have a look at performance specialists, adrian flux etc. I'm 28 now, renewed last week for just under £600. 8 yrs no claims protected, but not the best area - bordering several council estates. Last but not least, make sure you test drive a few, and try out manual and auto boxes. I went manual but (like you) this was my last big hurrah before she starts popping out kids. Next car will most likely be a B8 A4 Avant 3.0tdi (I love the engine that much!!!), possibly auto.

 

[DAN@ADRIAN FLUX]

Hi,
If you need any help with insurance at all for any model you're looking at then please feel free to give us a try.
Regards,
Dan.

 

[The Jargen]

3.0 TDI, I've had two and never looked back since. More reliable than the 2.0 TDI too.

 

[Adomas G]

Thanks for the input everyone!
On that note, 2.0TDi is definitely out of the list.
Thanks, Dan, I've actually tried Flux but their "best" quote for a 3.0TDi was £3600 while Admiral were able to offer £1400, and both are fully comp.
Meanwhile, does anyone know if the window mechanism that opens the window ever so slightly if a door is opened is indeed very prone to failure as I have heard a right few people comment on these.

 

[V6Tom]

How many years noclaims do you have?
I have 2 years and my A5 3.0 tdi 2012 quattro se was 1100 a year on the insurance with admiral and that's with 20k miles allowance, The 3.0 tdi is a awesome engine tons of power and tourq, and a really nice comfortable ride and the fule is not bad at all.

 

[Adomas G]

1 year ncb (and 2 years of named experience prior to that), just re-ran the quotes today and it came up £1300 which is cheap for my details I'd say... even Axa, my current insurer who would always give the best price weren't able to match that. Spoke to a rep in the local Axa branch and apparently they have a massive load of nonsensical surcharges just about for any situation... in my situation a 50% surcharge on top of original quote due to age, car insurance group, ncb's and other

 

[DrEskimo]

does anyone know if the window mechanism that opens the window ever so slightly if a door is opened is indeed very prone to failure

Pre-FL B8 (2008-2011), yes. A very common fault. Not just the opening and closing of the door, the whole mechanism fails and you cannot operate the window at all...

FL B8.5 (2012-2016), not that I know of.

In fact, late 2015-2016 B8.5 models seem to be pretty reliable all round....

 

[V6Tom]

1 year ncb (and 2 years of named experience prior to that), just re-ran the quotes today and it came up £1300 which is cheap for my details I'd say... even Axa, my current insurer who would always give the best price weren't able to match that. Spoke to a rep in the local Axa branch and apparently they have a massive load of nonsensical surcharges just about for any situation... in my situation a 50% surcharge on top of original quote due to age, car insurance group, ncb's and other

That's a great quote, What year A5 are you looking at getting?

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[Adomas G]

It's not bad, was surprised myself... seems like it was yesterday that I took out a 1.5 Megane on my name for £1100/yr Was looking at 2007-2010 models as they seem to be quite affordable, especially three-litres (makes you wonder, you'd think higher performing engines would be dearer), although I'll have to do a bit of research now as DrEskimo pointed out the fault with pre-face cars.

 

[V6Tom]

It's not bad, was surprised myself... seems like it was yesterday that I took out a 1.5 Megane on my name for £1100/yr Was looking at 2007-2010 models as they seem to be quite affordable, especially three-litres (makes you wonder, you'd think higher performing engines would be dearer), although I'll have to do a bit of research now as DrEskimo pointed out the fault with pre-face cars.

I started off wanting a pre 2012, there all good imo but the facelift is for me. they ironed alot of small issues out, go for the quattro and a stronic gearbox, im not sure if there around pre 2012 if not the next best thing is the tiptronic. avoid multitronics, all i hear are horror stories. I had a corsa c and i paid 2600 for my first year in that tin can lol