jhale

I'm considering adding a '10 Audi S5 with the 4.2 motor to the stable. I know they recently discontinued this motor for their SC V6. I have not driven the V6 but I'm curious if there are any other owners that could provide guidance on specific years (better/worse) or engine options (V8/V6).

Thanks,

Jon

CorrdoBrit

One of the best interiors I've had the pleasure to sit in. Great seats. It feels really heavy at slow parking lot speeds, but once the revs are up all those sensations of portliness melt away. I loved it.

AOW162435

Gorgeous car.


Andreas

skl2

gorgeous car. I had an S4 with the 4.2 and it was one of the best all around cars I have ever had....just be prepared that is gets terrible mileage.

MartinC2S

I have an S4 Avant with the 4.2. Great motor, great sound, great car but the fuel economy is almost as bad as my Touareg. One of the best sleeper cars out there. I'd still buy the V8 over the V6 if I had a choice though.

Jabberwocky

Just sold 2010 S5 4.2. As noted above, great interior, meh mileage. Bought the V8 after testing the V6 in an A5. No comparison, especially on highway (amazing passing power). All in all, fantastic car with classy look.

Only issue were back seats; makes the one's I have in the 993 feel roomy.

pkrasusky

That 4.2 is legendary, tried and true. Near bulletproof. Failures include timing chain tensioners (rear of motor, a colossal PITA to do).

That's about it. The neu s/c V6 is supposed to be pretty sweet, but the 4.2 in the //S5 is very torquey, very hot-rodish.

I sold my //S8 @ 172k after nearly 100k worth of day in day out 7200rpm WOT shifts and basically just added a qt/1000 or so (more toward the end, maybe 7-800). I replaced one tensioner (belt vs. chain back then), waterpump & tstat, and a PCV valve - that is IT engine-wise.

The 4.2 offers a sonorous soundtrack, an addictive allure.

As was mentioned, world class interior and seductive styling overall.

I dug the one I tried, very much - and - could see adding one to the fleet one day down the road when I don't need 3 across the back anymore (not anytime soon d'oh).

You won't be disappointed. Fabulous car.

Maybe Ben'll chime in with his //S8 4.2 experiences as well 8-).

Good luck, HTH...

Paul
CT
past: '87 930 | '58 TR3A | '01 //S8 | '95 //S6 6spd | '88 ///M5 | '87 190E 2.3-16 |

jhale

Thank you all for the great feedback. I am going to drive the 2013 this week to compare the V8 to their supercharged V6. I have heard great things on the reliability of the 4.2 motor and I absolutely love the styling, interior and exterior. Agreed, great sound and only secondary to the RS4 pitch.

I wish I reached out to everyone sooner on this car.

XR4Tim

I've driven and worked on both. The 4.2 is a solid motor, with timing chain tensioners being one of the few failure points, as Paul mentioned. Aside from that, they're known for oil leaks (filter housings, valve covers, etc.), and they don't leave you much room to work with when fixing them. I personally prefer the supercharged V6, although it only really sounds good at WOT, whereas the V8 sounds good all the time. The supercharged 3.0 is a very capable motor, not hard to work on, and gets significantly better mileage. You'll even find it in the Cayenne Hybrid.

BradB

You can't go wrong either way, but I have a V8 in my S4 and would choose it again in a minute. Love the sound. And I don't just mean the exhaust note. The mechanical noise is awesome. Sounds powerful even backing down the driveway! I love the S5 and am seriously considering it as an eventual replacement for my S4. But it will have to be a V8.

nycarrera

Seriously, if you can find a good one....RS4 is the way to go. I have a 2012 S4 and it simply has no soul. The higher liter V8 RS4 is amazing sounding, quick and has plenty of soul.

skl2

The RS4 has the same displacement as the S4, but that is about where the similarities end

nile13

I worked for Audi in 2004 and drove everything they made at the time including A6, A8 and new S4 with that 4,2 engine. Like the engine quite a lot. Didn't like how nose-heavy it made the B6 S4 compared to B5 S4.

S5 being a "personal coupe" and a cruiser rather than a sports car... I think the 4.2 would be at home there. Not my personal cup of tee as I don't see a point of a large car with 2 doors and no useful back seat, but if that's what you are looking for you should be happy with 4.2 engine in it.

I'm lazily looking at possibly picking yup 2005-2006 or so A8 with the very same engine.

LimeyBoy

+++ on the 4.2 motor, it is epic and 18 mpg is well worth it. Mine is about to come out for the tensioners, not a cheap job.

doberdog

Get the V8, much better sounding and the sc v6 can eat just as much gas . The 8 will have better resale as it isn't available any longer. This is a big car, don't expect it to handle likes a Porsche. Look for an RS4 too, now that is a bad *** car.