Things I did not know but I'm not sure it matters if I didn't know, know now, or would never know.

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
12/27/2019 at 20:40 • Filed to: the low kwality content will continue

You may have known they sold the first S5 with the 4.2 V8, and a manual was an option. But you know that from 2013 -2017, the S5 had shifted to the 3.0T — also available with a manual? INDEED!

You see, the RS5 debuted the same year in ‘Murica (2012ish/ 2013 ) , but had the old (though updated) 4.2. Now, while the RS5 has upgraded this and that and suspension stuffs whatever, electric steering ( BOOOOO! ), basically Audi moved their existing S5 upmarket and charged more for it. Even more annoying, there are zero 2012-2018 RS5s with a stick sale, implying perhaps... it was not even an option in the US? Reminiscent of their treatment of the TT-RS (no manual).

But anyway, what’s the downside to the 2013 -2017 manual Audi S5? Well for one thing, it’s an Audi. Even a reliable-ish one costs dollars to keep on the road. J ust read !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , as he struggled to find a clutch job at a reasonable price for his 3.0T S4:

The cost of entry is also still high: $25k-40k depending on year, miles, etc:

If you want a color that isn’t black, expect a premium on that as well.

Sooooooooooooooo good!

I haven’t crossed it off the List of Meaninglessness™, as it remains cheaper than the Chevy SS, farrrrr more common than the E500 wagon (although probably reliable), and still more accessible than a 2011+ IS-F that hasn’t been trashed.

Oh screw it, I give up. I’m buying another death trap Tercel.

DISCUSSION (26)

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/27/2019 at 20:50

I like that your only two options are either something incredibly cheap (Toyota Tercel) or something incredibly expensive like an Audi

CB > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
12/27/2019 at 20:53

You ever met those people who either have no confidence or think they are the greatest thing since sliced bread? This is the automotive version of that.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
12/27/2019 at 20:55

It’s not my fault my brain is glossing over 1987-2010.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/27/2019 at 21:00

Based on the amount of self-flagellation in this post, I feel like you should just commit and buy a 2003 Range Rover with the imploding BMW 4.4l engine.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
12/27/2019 at 21:08

Kinja'd!!!

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/27/2019 at 21:19

Eh, I can't blame you. Lots of garbage produced in that era.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/27/2019 at 21:24

My friend just bought the same gen S4 with the DSG and uum yeah, its pretty amazing....that supercharger scream is worth everything

CompactLuxuryFan > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/27/2019 at 21:28

Easiest thing to do is to go for a 435i instead. They’re slightly less reliable (allegedly?), leading to far lower resale (also not personally verified). Easier to find with a stick and better to drive (marginally?). The 3.0T has nothing on an N55.

DipodomysDeserti > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/27/2019 at 21:33

$1k for a flywheel on that Audi? That’s insane. You can buy BMW flywheels for $300.

I’ll be replacing the flywheel, clutch, pilot bearing, TOB and RMS on my Jeep next week. Parts cost me $300 with shipping.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CompactLuxuryFan
12/27/2019 at 21:38

I’d rather the 430i GC, but if I’m going Bimmer, I’d sooner overpay for a facelifted E91 RWD manual than a 4-series.

Discerning > CompactLuxuryFan
12/27/2019 at 21:49

As underwhelming as the 3.0t is, I don’t know I’d I would call the N55 better. They’re both pretty disappointing.

The new Audi 3.0 and the b58 are a different story.

Also, Audi isn't afraid to fit their cars with an lsd.

Discerning > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/27/2019 at 21:55

Dealers quote a lot because the easiest way to do it is to drop the engine and transmission together. Something about the flywheel and the half shafts for the front. I don’t recall.

The idea that replacing the transmission would be easier makes no sense. The transmission is strong and the clutch is serviceable when you get to it.

Is it possible they had t he dual clutch and the clutches had worn? As strong as those are , that would be a major overhaul if it started to slip bad.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Discerning
12/27/2019 at 21:57

I think it’s more possible that that particular Audi dealer was composed of shady assholes who wanted to swindle $9k out of someone.

fintail > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/27/2019 at 22:32

Think how many Tercels you could buy for the maintenance on one of these.

Discerning > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/27/2019 at 22:32

Sounds about right. 100 0 in parts and 8000 in labor. Classic dealer move.

Spaceball-Two > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/27/2019 at 22:34

No.

What about the Scion im hatch?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Spaceball-Two
12/27/2019 at 22:37

I already own the 11-year old version of that car.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > fintail
12/27/2019 at 22:39

About 1.35 Paseo’s worth of exceptional Tercels.

WilliamsSW > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/28/2019 at 01:18

and now for some bad news - even these are now subject to the Bring a Trailer premium:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1985-toyota-tercel-4wd-sr5-wagon-2/

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > WilliamsSW
12/28/2019 at 01:25

Why do I even get out of bed anymore...

CompactLuxuryFan > Discerning
12/28/2019 at 02:02

I said they were pretty much equal, and they were easily the best ‘ mainstream‘ engines of their time. What else?

Audi isn’t afraid to fit their cars with terminal understeer, either.

Discerning > CompactLuxuryFan
12/28/2019 at 03:41

I didn’t see that anywhere. Only read your opinion that the “3.0T has nothing on an N55," which isn't exactly true.

Neither car is known for having a stellar chassis or great handling unfortunately.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/28/2019 at 09:06

My neighbor across the street has an old S4 in V8 Manaul. It sounds pretty mean when he starts it up - can’t be the stock exhaust.

Meanwhile it’s my birthday and I’ve never managed to get posting privileges so post Jaguars, e28s, SAABs and 240s

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Discerning
12/28/2019 at 10:15

Even an APR stage 1 adds like 100hp on the old 3.0T though. Stage 2 is like 480hp.

Discerning > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/28/2019 at 10:28

The 3.0t is a good engine. So is the N55. They just don't have the same level of potential as some of the more modern engines.

DC3 LS, Fuck Hyundai, now and forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/28/2019 at 12:04

Ya know...