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Audi A5 Sportback

A hi-tech service at Audi’s flagship dealer has seen our Sportback restored to full fitness

Audi A5 Sportback

By James Disdale

May 2011

I’ve decided it’s time to kiss and make up with our Audi A5. After slamming the sleek German’s wayward handling in my last report (Issue 1,159), I thought it should be given the chance to redeem itself. 

And what better way to get the Sportback fighting fit again than with a bit of mechanical pampering? So, with the car’s service warning light encouraging me along, I booked the A5 into the flagship West London Audi dealership for a little bit of mechanical TLC.

If you’ve ever come into the capital along the M4, then you’ll be familiar with this incredible looking metal and glass structure that towers above the motorway. Spread over seven floors (five above ground, and two below), it opened around 18 months ago and is a one-stop-shop for all things Audi.

Once inside I was met by Sinead Readman, who was assigned as my service advisor for the duration of the A5’s stay. She explained that before the dealer’s technician’s laid a spanner on the Sportback, they would give it a free visual health check. Better still, thanks to a little hi-tech help, I could view the Audi being given the once-over by an expert eye.

So, while the A5 was whisked away to one of the site’s 32 subterranean service bays, I settled down in front of a computer screen. After a 
couple of minutes, the monitor flickered into life and I could see our car up on a ramp. 

Using a small camera and microphone mounted to his head, master technician Nick White was able to talk me through the inspection as well as answer any questions I had. Given it adds nothing to your bill and takes only around half an hour to complete, this handy extra brings some welcome peace of mind.

As expected, Nick spotted the worn front tyres and recommended that the A5’s tracking should be checked. Other than that, the Sportback passed with flying colours. With the health check completed, the Audi went off for its service.

This gave us the opportunity to look around the sprawling showroom. The first three floors are run by the Sytner franchise and contain almost every conceivable new and used Audi model, a café and children’s play area. However, it’s the top two storeys that will get enthusiasts’ hearts racing. Known as the Quattro Rooms, this area has a number of cutting-edge conference suites rented out to corporate clients. It’s also packed with a number of the firm’s historic models, from a Thirties Auto Union Wanderer through to a fearsome-looking Quattro S1 Group B rally car. 

Often the rooms are booked out to high-flying executives, but if it’s a quiet day then customers of the dealership can take alook around. As a result, I spent a happy half an hour drooling over the rare and exotic machines in the company of sales manager Justin Blythe.

After a fresh dose of oil and new filter, the A5 was ready to be collected. The total cost of the service was an eye-watering £874, although this figure included £539.50 for a pair of new 245/40 18 Bridgestone tyres – I guess this is the hefty price you pay for fashionable wheels. At least the Sportback had been cleaned inside and out.

We’ve only done a few miles with the reinvigorated A5, but already the handling feels more secure. There’s still the occasional wiggle from the front end, but it’s nowhere near as bad as before.

Only time will tell whether the new rubber and tweaked tracking have cured the car’s waywardness. Until then I’m just going to start enjoying the A5 again!

For an alternative review of the latest Audi A5 Sportback visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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3 Comments

Eye-watering service costs!!

No wonder they can afford a state-of-the-art dealership and service area if they're gonna charge idiotic prices to – dare I say it – idiotic owners like yourself.... £874 for 2 tyres and a fresh dose of oil and a new filter? You must be stark-raving mad to pay those prices. Obviously there are enough fools out there or why else would Audi be charging that and building such premises?

By ARI_Boy on 10 May, 2011, 11:49am

How many miles did they get out of those tyres !!
My Audi dealer will "price match" on tyres pehaps this one doesnt - as for the service cost £335 isnt to bad , perhaps ARI_Boy runs a Allegro and gets his service done under the Railway arches

By 38lucilla on 10 May, 2011, 12:19pm

There's no such thing as a free lunch

I creased at the point the reviewer, describing the talk-through of the inspection, said "Given it adds nothing to your bill ..."

Doh!!!

IT'S ALREADY IN YOUR BILL.

I have a Skoda Octavia 1.4 TSi which costs £180 - £200 to service, but at least I have the honesty to say that even that amount is a rip off!

The reviewer needs to consider diversifying into other money-making ventures, such as giving seminars on how to defend the indefensible.

By FloatingVoter on 26 May, 2011, 5:58pm

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Pictures

Audi A5 Sportback
Audi A5 Sportback interior
Audi A5 Sportback rear seats
Audi A5 Sportback boot
Audi A5 Sportback interior
Audi A5 Sportback window
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Audi A5 Sportback service

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Second Opinion

“It’s been a while since I’ve driven our A5, and while the new rubber and tracking adjustments seem to have transformed the experience, it’s the cabin that sticks in my mind. It feels special, and is incredibly well put together.”  
Graeme Lambert

Other Reports

REPORT

[+]
Despite its rakish coupé looks, the Sportback actually makes a surprisingly practical family car. The cabin is spacious with plenty of useful storage cubbies, while opening the hatchback tailgate reveals a well shaped 480-litre boot. Folding the rear bench flat increases the space to a useful 980 litres.
[-]
The A5’s four-seater-only layout really is inexplicable. For such a versatile machine, the omission of a fifth chair is a massive oversight. Given that VW now offers a five-seater version of its sleek Passat CC, it can’t be long before Audi follows suit with the Sportback.
On fleet since:June 2010
Price when new:£29,015
Mileage:18,404/ 44.0mpg
Engine / Power:2.0-litre 4cyl/ 168bhp
Options Fitted:Front sport seats (£485), Tech Pack (£1,995), 18-inch alloys (£665), auto dim mirror (£325), xenons (£1,130), high beam assist (£110), auto lights and wipers (£100)
Trade-in Value Now:£22,250
Insurance Group / Quote:22/ £1,315
Costs:Service and two new tyres (£874)
Any Problems?:Broken parcel shelf
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