Coming back to MB after a wasted year in an Audi S5?

[ShinyF1]

Something along these lines??....

2012 White MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS 3.5 E350 BlueEFFICIENCY Sport Edition 125 7G-Tronic Plus (s/s) 2dr for sale for £17500 in Southampton, Hampshire

Yes - I’m back in the ‘several autotrader saved searches running’ mode this week...

Can’t face a white car though


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[flowrider]

After a mostly enjoyable year in an Audi S5 Cabriolet, I’m not really sure it’s for me. It’s currently in an Audi workshop awaiting a gearbox fix (I hope) under warranty, but it has taken over a month so far (the fault appeared en route to the Goodwood FoS). It has been diagnosed as a faulty PCB in an electronic control unit within the gearbox, but needs a pile of work to access it. I knew the S-tronic DSG gearbox could be vulnerable but I thought I’d done my homework sourcing a late enough car to avoid the problems.

Anyhow it’s shaken my confidence a bit in the car and I’m debating whether to sell it and come back to the MB fold. Part of the problem I think is not being able to find a trusted mechanic to look after it, and the fear that the fault it currently has could be the thin end of the wedge. I have read horror stories of gearbox replacements in S5s - clearly my research was not as painstaking as I thought!

So chewing over my dilemma now. My original thought process was to get an R129 SL, but having got the opportunity to spend some proper time in one, rather than a quick test drive, it was just too small and too heavy to drive. Next target was a post 2012 E350CGI Cabriolet (straight DRLs rather that hockeystick DRLs), but these are rarer than hens’ teeth. Frustrated with that I ended up searching for any cabriolets that were:

Petrol
3.0 litre minimum engine size
Minimum 6 cylinders

That led me to BMW 3 and 6 series, some other random cars and the Audi S5. The Audi was the most interesting so I found what I thought was a good one. For a year it has been good - looks fantastic, very fast, great exhaust note, reasonable handling (and dire fuel consumption) - but not really great. I think it just hasn’t hooked me enough to see past its recent foible and have faith in it in the long term, and that isn’t helped by not having a trusted tech to look after it (in the way PCS did my old S210).

Anyway what do I do? Should I hang on to it and try and get some longer term value out of it and trust that this repair will do the trick, or chuck it in and resume the search for a 2012+ E350cgi / E400 Cabriolet?

As a further twist before I went off on this convertible wild goose chase I was looking for a later E350CGI S212 Estate (hens’ teeth again), but really liked the look of the CLS350 Shooting Brake, but they’re both only really available as a V6 diesel. The CLS would be great but not sure I can go back to diesel.

Any thoughts?

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2012 S5's could have the problematic s-tronic gearbox, to avoid issues you would have been better getting a 2014 car. Like you I was drawn to the S5 when looking for a 3.0l petrol engined car and MB had very little options at the time.

Something to bear in mind, the S5 3.0l V6 is a rapid car rivalling even an older gen C63 in performance and with a stage 1 ECU tune is a beast of a car.

 

[400ixl]

Very fair point. I think I need to weigh up what I lose offloading it against what I might lose if underlying gearbox issue gets worse.... rock and hard place

I have teenage girls and one thing the S5 does not have is ‘legroom in the back’, unless of course my wife is driving! That said it is a darn sight better than her Mini

Thankfully we only have the one, so can sit behind the passenger seat which doesn't need to be very far back. Couldn't drive for very long with anyone behind me in the A207, not much room there. A207 and S5 were similar in rear legroom, not much noticeable between the two from memory.

If the box is issue likely to return even if fixed this time, I guess bailing whilst its in the best shape would be the best option. If it is a known issue and fix which has proven to be a reliable fix then more to weigh up.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

I think that I'd stick with the Audi for a while, they're a sound car.

I wouldn't worry about reliability in an Audi any more than I would in a Mercedes who have hardly covered themselves in glory of late.

 

[MarkPGTS]

I have an Audi S5 and its been a dream to drive, it actually goes back in a weeks time and I will be really sad to see it go. I currently own a Mercedes GTS and what is sad I prefer to drive the S5 rather than the Mercedes due to obvious issues that have been raised on here.

 

[Blackhammer]

An early f12 6 series will in budget, 6 or 8 cylinders, lots of toys, head up display, parking cameras decent performance, it's a big car though

What I get for the Audi, plus the pennies my old 210 is worth - maybe £15k/£16k - which rather limits my options


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[RSTurbo50]

Something along these lines??....

2012 White MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS 3.5 E350 BlueEFFICIENCY Sport Edition 125 7G-Tronic Plus (s/s) 2dr for sale for £17500 in Southampton, Hampshire

That is about £5k overpriced

 

[fabes]

That E350 CGI has the same (better,) M276 engine that I have in the coupe

I disagree on £5k over though
I know the dealer (we bought our QQ from them) and prices are top end, but not over it
These are rare and they know that. There's some on it though I would agree PX wont be great though (based on several experiences of myself and friends)

White is better than black OP ......
That ticks several boxes......

 

[E53AMG]

That E350 CGI has the same (better,) M276 engine that I have in the coupe

I disagree on £5k over though
I know the dealer (we bought our QQ from them) and prices are top end, but not over it
These are rare and they know that. There's some on it though I would agree PX wont be great though (based on several experiences of myself and friends)

White is better than black OP ......
That ticks several boxes......

White has been the most popular colour for the last 7 years:-

White

White has been a top pick since the late ’90s, a time period also associated with the popularity of Apple products. White puts a fresh face to the world and embodies a modern, sleek look.
“You can handle a million details and are often asked to take on more than is expected of others,” Smith says of those who choose white. “Others see you as diligent, hardworking and someone whom they can depend on.”



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[JBD]

CLS400?


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[Mactech]

After loving my CLS a few years ago, I would jump at the CLS SB. The diesel engine really is no hardship and rarely needs to see a fuel station.
There is room in the back for a few teenage girls, luggage and/or other animals
The only reason I don't have one is my wife's desire to be able to see over hedges after time spent Range and Land Rovers....
Hence the rather taller GLE.

 

[Londonscottish]

Good luck chasing the Audi gearbox problem. A mate of mine recently ended up spending months and £1,000's unsuccessfully trying to get his DSG sorted. He didn't start with a specialist when it first went wrong and things just went from bad to worse.

As others have said an E Class 500 could be a good shout. Failing the TT the n/a 388bhp 5.5 is no slouch.

 

[Londonscottish]

Or an E500 saloon?

2011 Black MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS 5.5 E500 Sport Edition 125 7G-Tronic 4dr for sale for £16995 in Swindon, Wiltshire

 

[Abb]

That is about £5k overpriced

Wow! I appreciate it's a 6 year old car, but if that is the case it represents excellent VFM. As I am not in the market for one, I didn't realise they were THAT cheap!

 

[RSTurbo50]

Wow! I appreciate it's a 6 year old car, but if that is the case it represents excellent VFM. As I am not in the market for one, I didn't realise they were THAT cheap!

At the end of the day it’s a prefacelift model. The E350 CDi is just as quick and far better in juice and you could pick up a convertible, in white, same spec for 5 grand less...just saying.

 

[Abb]

At the end of the day it’s a prefacelift model. The E350 CDi is just as quick and far better in juice and you could pick up a convertible, in white, same spec for 5 grand less...just saying.

Ah ok, makes sense now, you are referring to the diesel version. OP was specifically wanting petrol, and I for one can see where he is coming from, a convertible diesel no matter how quick or better in fuel economy they may be, is a definite no no from me, obviously a very personal perspective.

I do agree with other comments, the 4.7 TT would be a nice balance in any colour but white

 

[ShinyF1]

An early f12 6 series will in budget, 6 or 8 cylinders, lots of toys, head up display, parking cameras decent performance, it's a big car though

I did consider that before I bought the S5, just couldn’t get to grips with how they looked


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[ShinyF1]

At the end of the day it’s a prefacelift model. The E350 CDi is just as quick and far better in juice and you could pick up a convertible, in white, same spec for 5 grand less...just saying.

There was a mini facelift in 2012 where they changed a few bits. Only subtle changes but enough to make a difference. This car is ‘mini facelifted’ - straight DRLs (although that particular change is evident on some ‘pre-mini facelift’ cars for some reason) and the newer steering wheel are the giveaway.

 

[RSTurbo50]

There was a mini facelift in 2012 where they changed a few bits. Only subtle changes but enough to make a difference. This car is ‘mini facelifted’ - straight DRLs (although that particular change is evident on some ‘pre-mini facelift’ cars for some reason) and the newer steering wheel are the giveaway.

Yep mine was a 2011 E350 CDi Sport coupe and did indeed have the straight DRLs and 265bhp Engine. It was mint but I wouldn’t buy another. They look quite dated now and the interior is nothing special. In fact I preferred my previous CLK 320 CDi sport, it drove better and the interior was a nicer place to be.

 

[ShinyF1]

Brief update as I have a few things to solve with the Audi before I can consider my next move. Some advice would be appreciated.

I bought the Audi used (a 2012 car) in June 2017 from a VW franchise branch within a national dealer group which has Audi franchise branches. It was bought with a 2 year group warranty which was confirmed in writing would cover any warranty work being carried out at the Audi branch. So far so good.

Car registered a gearbox malfunction fault on 13 July 2018 - after getting it going I drove it a short distance to somewhere safe and after taking their telephone advice (don’t drive it) it was recovered to the VW service centre of the Group I purchased it from on 14 July 2018.

Thereafter radio silence ensued (busy at work) until I spoke to the service centre later that week who were apparently having difficulty reading the fault codes. They were arranging to send the car to the Audi service centre but couldn’t book it in until 9 August 2018. Not the end of the world as I was about go away, but I then complained that as I was going to be without my car for a month, could they lend me a car. After much email dialogue they eventually lent me a car. I warned them not to drive the car to their Audi colleagues given their advice to me.

More radio silence ensued until I spoke to the Audi centre on 17 August 2018 (again busy at work and I did have a loan car). They were surprised their colleagues had not been in touch but confirmed the diagnosis of the fault according to the computer - a faulty gearbox electronic control unit requiring a partial strip down to access. They were just waiting clearance from their group colleagues authorising the repair. They asked me if I wanted the ATF fluid and filter changed when they do the work (more on this later).

Called for an update on Tuesday, but it has taken until today to speak to the Audi service chap. He confirmed they are still waiting for clearance from the group warranty company - apparently it has a VW group warranty rather than an Audi group warranty so they can’t proceed. It needs their group colleagues to resolve it. I hope to find out tomorrow what they plan to do next.

Now I am extremely frustrated. Confidence is dented because I’m not convinced the repair is any more than a temporary fix (dealing with the symptom - damaged electronic parts - rather than the cause - overheating in the gearbox). Also a bit pissed off about the ATF change question - why would you strip the ‘box to replace a part and refill it with the old ATF? That sounds like a try on.

Anyway what should I do now? Am I within my rights to effectively reject the car after 13 months and 4,000 miles (albeit with some consideration for the period in which I have ‘enjoyed full use of the car’)? I get that I need to give them the chance to fix it, but after over a month, they have failed to perform on that score at all. So is my approach over zealous or is there a better way to approach it? I have drafted a very pointed email to the sales manager of the supplying dealership, but am stuck on the conclusion. Do I preempt their next step and reject the car, proposing they take it back and give me a refund, or hold fire and just confirm my frustration awaiting their response?

Sorry for the jackanory but this place has always been good for practical advice on such topics.

I will of course also consult a solicitor, was just trying to get a heads up.

Thanks

Sean


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