Worst thing you can ever do is visit an owners forum. The horror stories on there seriously have me reconsidering if I want to return to Audi... At least when you have an Alfa and it goes wrong you don't need to rob a bank to fix it.

Still taking the A5 3.0 TDi Quattro out today but I am now having serious doubts

A bit of a wild card but what about a Lexus IS ? Lots of choice within budget and some good engines.

Too late....

I HAVE BOUGHT AN AUDI A5

3.0 Tdi Quattro, Auto, S-line Special edition in black. Loads of extras too including MMI-3g+, DAB radio, Bluetooth, Electric seats, Auto dimming mirrors (All) and dark tint rear windows.

That's me skint now then!

Weather was perfect for taking out a Quattro. The grip is epic and the torque from that V6 engine is just stunning.

Lol, well done Bob

Fab! Hope you love it for years to come.

Well done Bob.

I love the sound of a V6 diesel. My mate has the 2.5Tdi.

Enjoy the Haldex in the snow !!

Feels odd buying from a dealer, not done that for a long time. I am reasonably happy with the deal but the car will be booked in with the specialist to see if I've missed anything. If all is ok then a full service with all oils & filters will follow.

Advertised my Alfa 156 on a facebook selling page last night and it was gone by 09:30 this morning. I'm not even in the slightest bit upset to see it gone. It served me well really, other than coil packs, but I have hated the 156 since the day I bought it, over two years ago Its only saving grace has been that it was cheap to buy and didn't really owe me anything.

I have to say I was happy with the facebook selling page, quick, easy and local. I will list the 17 inch summer wheels and all the remaining Alfa 166 stuff I still have taking up room - Time for a complete Alfa separation.

Well done Bob!!

Looking forward to seeing some pictures of the beast.

Congrats on the new car, Bob. I'm also looking forward to the pics.

Which Facebook selling page did you use out of curiosity?

I used Facebook. It was just a cars for sale locally page.

collected the car today, will try and get some decent pictures up this week.

When I test drove this Audi I was impressed with its smoothness. There was a nice sound from the V6 and the Automatic gearbox (7 Speed DSG) seemed a perfect match to the engine. I could feel that there was some power but I never really exploited it. Overall I was very happy with the car and the package. I thought the Diesel could save me a few £££'s on the annual fuel bill, the specification was sweet and the Coupé looked really nice too.

A few days of ownership has though shocked me, and burst a few of my bubbles.

Bubble 1 (Diesels aren't fast).
Yes I remember seeing that top gear thing where J.C said that the 330d was almost as quick as the M5 but I had conveniently forgotten I had seen it! Well... the Audi 3.0 V6 is just as impressive. The acceleration of this thing is mind numbing. This week has been very wet but this Quattro just grips and goes. Standing starts are nothing less than impressive, my Coupe wouldn't touch it
But the most impressive aspect of this car is not the 0-60 of sub 6 seconds it is the in gear acceleration. The DSG probably helps here but when you want to accelerate this car just goes

Bubble 2 (Diesels ace economical)
Erm... I think this needs some perspective. For a car that is currently performing like my Coupé "On Boost" then yes it is somewhat economical. I would never see anything above 20mpg from the Coupé in that situation. However, even when driven sensibly I feel that late 30's mpg will be optimistic for the Audi

Bubble 3 (I don't miss owning Audi's)
I think I have been deluding myself. After just a few days I already feel like I am home. My last Audi was a 1992 2.8 V6 80 Quattro. I had kept it for years and didn't progress to the then A4 as I really didn't like it. It could just be the honeymoon period, but almost every aspect of this car has me wondering why I haven't bought one sooner

Yesterday I had the car checked out at an independent Audi Specialist and the car was given a clean bill of health, other than needing tyres. I am currently chasing down a set of smaller wheels, 17's with winter tyres. These 19 inch Y spokes are sweet but they seem rather venerable and you can't easily see potholes when it's dark!

So, my new affair continues There are no plans to sell the Coupé though I do wory that it may not feel so special when I get it out next summer

Erm yes, about that...... I spent just over £16K

But I sold the 156 .... really cheap

Really glad you like it Bob. Well worth the wait. Seems your homework paid off.

I have to wait until March before I go shopping.

My budget is less than yours, I only have around £12k to play with. Current favourite is a diesel RCZ

It would appear I am not the ONLY one with a flexible budget

I actually looked over two of those at Marshall's in Cambridge.

One & Two

Both were Petrol They do look quite nice though.

Nice update Bob - it's great to hear such passion and enthusiasm about a car - any car! I hope by the time you get back in the Coupe, you'll remember why you love it, too.

Yes, like you I decided my initial budget wasn't going to get me something new enough. Your chap who said the DSG equipped TT was one to avoid made me look elsewhere with an increased bubget.

I'm going to test drive this RCZ tomorrow. I can't buy one yet but would like to see if they drive ok.

And yes, I know they're not everyone's cuppa tea.

Much as Pugs are nice to drive, I could never recommend them as a brand. I've had 2 from new (307 and 208) and both have had significant problems.

Makes my Coupe look totally reliable.

My 208 is currently in the main dealer having a slipping clutch looked at (20k miles from new !!!). Not to mention the replacement top mounts after 6k miles. And the suspension still rattles. Apparently, that's "normal." Oh and the paint is 0.000001 microns thick. I scratched it by sneezing the other day.

On the other hand, my wife has a 5008. She's had it for 4 years now, done 60k miles in it, and with 95k on the clock, it hasn't missed a beat. Original clutch and original exhaust. Even all the electrics work!

OK I know you've all been waiting so here are a few pictures. Winter does not do the car any favours, it's filthy

On the test drive


On the drive


I think having one of these during the summer may have influenced my decision?


2 door Coupé, Auto, Full Leather, Great sound and media system, lots of toys and no space in the back.

oh no it's a diseasel !

Fair point. I expect it's the same for many brands. It's a bit hit and miss. I do have a deep distrust for French cars though. A bit hypocritical for an Italian car owner I know !

That looks very nice Bob, congratulations!!

Congrats Barmybob
Elegant and powerfull (the Audi that is)

Audibob

Looks fab Bob, well done.

And tell Mrs BB to smile

That's a sweet ride Bob. What is its weight ?

I really like the A5. Stands out from the other Audi offerings at the moment. Perfect time to buy a quattro with this this weather

Quick update:

I saw a set of 17 inch wheels with nearly new winter tyres on E-bay the other day. £450 later and we are now on winters. The wheels look a bit uglier than the 19's but they are like new with good tyres too. The tyres with their large sidewalls should offer a bit more wheel protection and better winter grip too. Car still rides firm with the sports suspension pack but there is a bit more give than with the 19's. I am still loving the car hugely and would say it is one of the quickest point to point cars I've owned in many years, if not ever. Not since my old original Quattro have I driven anything that gives me as much confidence. That said the drivetrain has moved on significantly since the 80's. So whilst it may not be as nimble as the old car it seems to under-steer far less. But the real star of the show is this motor, it is just epic. I urge everyone to go and test drive one, it can make even the most devout petrol head smile.

There was also a bit of a scare this week.

I was looking through my emails and noticed that I had a couple of HPI checks left, so I ran one on the car. The result was a bit alarming! It came back showing the car as having Finance!! The HPI report gave the details so I made the call to VW finance. Yes they still had a financial interest in the car

I then called the trader who sold me the car as "HPI & Finance clear." He was genuinely shocked as I relayed the details. He urged me to give him time to find out what was going on and said he would call me back ASAP. Sure enough an hour later he called back - the poop had hit the fan. He told me that the Audi dealer, who they bought the car from, hadn't paid down the finance. He said he had been assured by them that it would be sorted the same day. Not that I didn't trust the guys story but I too decided to call Audi to check. Indeed the dealer had failed to pay the finance after they had accepted the car in part exchange. They assured me they had now made full payment.

Fortunately everything is now sorted and the finance company have confirmed they no longer have any claim on the vehicle, PHEW. Next week I am going to pop into the seller and push for a cheap DSG gearbox oil change, hopefully with some goodwill contribution element from the Audi dealer.