Audi B8/8.5 S4 & S5 Buyer's Guide - Models, Engines, Options, And More! 

Picked up my b8 s5 (4.2, 6MT) a few months ago for $13,500 AFTER taxes/registration/emissions etc! Mid-high mileage but every single scheduled maintenance (and I mean EVERY scheduled maintenance) done and stamped by Audi dealers! One owner, came from Texas (I live in CT), fully loaded (nav, b&o, sport diff, carbon trim interior), bone stock (has an exhaust but that doesn’t rly count) without a single scratch on her! Great deals are out there, just gotta take your time and do your research

This is such an informative ass video. This platforms has been around for almost a decade now and these cars are still selling like crazy. Perfect time to get one considering the price performance and quality. Thanks for the content folks!

Learned SO much in this video then any other blog or POV driving videos.. cheers man.

This video is everything I needed!! Thank you so much, VERY informative. Will be buying a S4 soon and this definitely helped

Broooo thank you so much. My sound cuts out in my car and I had no idea and the fact you just threw in there it’s that amp literally helps me so much thank you

Excellent delivery! Full information from beginning to end. Clearly spoken and straight to the point. No annoying editing/cuts, great audio quality. This video was very satisfying to watch plus I learned so much!

I suddenly, unexpectedly find myself considering one of these very seriously. Good timing, the written article you guys did was also helpful!

Cool segment from a familiar face when it comes to Audi S models! 💯

Man this video is extremely informative! Great work!

Great stuff. Keep them coming! I am a FCP customer and love my Audi S4 B8. Thanks again!

What a great video!! Accurate information

Great info to tell the difference between the B8 and B8.5! Thanks!

Liked and subscribed once I realized this was my guy from Ignition Tube. Dude’s like the Google of Audi’s!

The only correction I would make is that leather/Alcantara seats were standard (as they are to this day); Fine Nappa leather (full leather) seats were optional, originally an extra $1,000. Great video! I loved my 2012 B8 S4 6MT; got it brand new as a lease. I've driven these cars with as many as 144k miles and they're still very solid!

Easy simple explanations. Thanks very much - loved it

Great info. Very helpful for someone looking into Audi.

This is really one of the better videos in quality of information I ever see Very good job

You guys should do one with the rs6 or audi c7 differences between older and newer generations and the packs they come in :) love the videos guys keep it up 👍

Great video man, informative for sure.

Good video. Didn't mention the adjustable suspension unless I missed it, which is something you may or may not want depending on what you want to do with the car. If you decide later you want coilovers with this, you might need to spend some extra money on a delete system to override the electronics.

Awesome video!!!! subscribed

Would love to see some videos coming out on going OEM plus, like B9 steering wheel, maybe some sound deadening exploration, would be cool!

I love these. Buyer's Guide videos.

Very impressive that so many of your employees drive the S4. I drive one also. I drive for a living and I can definitely attest that this is a driver's car.

Awesome video and insights on my dream car. Someday..

Shopping these right now at long last (I remember dreaming when the b8 first came out). This video hits the nail on the head. So informative. Another good way to tell if you have sport diff is to check the individual menu in drive select.

Nice Video Would like another video buyers guide for audi SUVs Q5,Q7,Q8 and SQ's 2.0t tfsi and other options Keep up the good work

Great video! Thank you!

Great video my guy i hope FCP Euro has the clutch in stock

Great video, only correction is that the Nappa Leather interior was the upgraded option. Alcantara came standard. With the alcantara, it had the standard door armrests and center console lid from an A4 (no stitching).

I just realized the s5 I’m looking at has the alu package 😳😳😳 even more excited cause I thought it was gonna be a slightly less specced one! Great video thank you.

excellent video very informitive!

When buying my A6 I wasn’t gonna settle for anything but the 3.0T and I love it. Got the honeycomb grill with led Audi badge installed

Solid info, thanks

in the process of getting a B8.5 now i cant wait

Wowowow This isn’t Ignition Tube! What a pleasant surprise to see Eli here

awesome vid didnt know this guy worked at FCP

Holy shit best break down of model ever, every car needs this kind of break down.

Love the info...tell you guys have one of these for Saabs

I was just looking to get into a b8 or b8.5 s4. It’s like you guys are inside my brain.

That’s crazy I started looking for a b8 s4 yesterday and then BAM this comes out! Couldn’t have been better timing 🤘🏻

Nicely done. Thanx. 👍🏻👍🏻

Thanks for the review. Red S4 for the win !!!

Dude ur explaining really good

Yo Eli, I'm going to get one of these, but you know I'm cheap so I'll definitely be spending some time on FCP to get everything to tidy it up!

GREAT VIDEO

Great job kid!

Great video

Thank you for that well presented and comprehensive explanation of the Audi build levels. I am planning on acquiring an used S4 in the near future and I think after hearing this, I will confine myself to a B8.5. However, you did not touch upon the Audi timing chain issues.The 3.0T motor has a very complicated timing chain in the rear of the engine with plastic guides and hydraulic tensioner‘s. There is a failure record with these and the motor has to be removed to repair the timing chain; that is very expensive. I don’t want to buy a used S4 to save money and then have to pay $6000-$8000 to have the timing chain repaired. So any comment on that would be appreciated. I also hope they really did solve the DSG issues in the B8.5 build as there were a lot of problems in 2010 and 2011. Models. DSG issues seems to be less in the 2012 models but I really am not sure, the blogs are all over the place. They replaced the supercharged motor with a true turbo motor in 2017 as well as changing to the ZF8 transmission that probably is a much better overall package but still quite expensive.

I recently got my 2013 b8.5 S4. Best car I have ever owned. I installed a carplay module and now I have an updated entertainment system that connects to my phone wireless. I learned I have the Alu-Optics version, and I always wondered why my car said "supercharged" while others said V6T. I also got the Alcantara seats, they look sharp but are a bit of a pain to keep clean. I love this car!

My boy ignition tube !!!

Y’all couldn’t of made a better video.. thank you

Should we go out there and spread some positivity?

Just got one and lucked out. Had no clue between the difference and got the b8.5 !

I so want me a B8 6spd. I’m an ex B5 S4 owner and I miss her so much. Current car is a MKV GTI. Which the white rabbit 🐇 is definitely fun but I want fun and fast. This video is awesome 👏🏾 and helped me make my mind. Thanks FCP. Keep up the great work 👍🏾

great video

Great video, doing one for the B9 S4 as well?

You’re very knowledgeable!

Awesome video! Great production and narration)

Terrific content! Can you please do a buyer's guide for the B7 gen and look at both s4/s5 and rs4?

Love the video, can you do a6/s6 ?

Is it worth it to save money and get a B8 A4 with mods instead of the S4? Find out: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-VojAADEN5Cg.html

I have a 2011 Audi B8 S4 with the aluminum trim and the Audi exclusive blue and gray!!!! She is my Baby!!!!

Can you guys make a DIY video on how to replace the front and rear wheel bearings for the S4 whether it's B8 or B8.5? Thanks! love the videos!

Just sold my B8.5 S4 Avant today. Kick ass engine ... whole package. Just want three pedals ... and something trackable

Great video, gave me a lot of info. Just got a B8.5 S5

Literally just looking at buying one of these cars. You guys come out with the guides at the perfect time! Not to mention the guides at absolutely amazing!!!

Hey Eli, thanks for the thorough research. What do you recommend to use bluetooth audio streaming in the B8 MMI models? Thanks

very good vid

Video on R+R the two SC intercoolers. But more importantly, diagnosing coolant loss through them into the intake runners. And differences in the intercooler options out there. Also, changing the SC oil while doing this..

Great vidéo thank you for creating it. I have a 2013 b8.5, I did an upgrade with revo 1+. Is there a way to further increase the power and make the car even faster. I appreciate your insights.

Starting my search and this is a great video. Is there a VIN decoder to decipher options on a particular car?

I got mine around two months ago, b8.5 2015. Amazing machine! Also will you do the same style video for the b9 models? Excellent video!!

Great informative video. I will be buying a S5 very shortly. I had two questions. Can someone tell me how the Alcantara leather holds up for a daily driver. Also autotrader shows a black optic and black optic plus package. Is there a difference?

Eli's GOATed.

I have a B8.5 Audi S5 and I love it! Has been really reliable and it's just an all-around blast.

Thanks for the video that definitely answered some questions I am normally an American vehicle guy mustangs and GM LS motors, recently got a 335i BMW which I'm getting rid of the S5 seems to be the best option I'm looking at a v8 car with a 6-speed and I'm just looking for some opinions and real options to make more power with this car. Any advice or input is greatly appreciated

You didnt mention some of the the other options like adaptive (radar) cruise control, electronically adjustable suspension and dynamic steering. Otherwise great video and cool to see you have joined FCP. Get out there and spread some positivity.

You talk a bit about badges, specifically S4 and S5 badges. Now - I know us Europeans have a thing with de-badging our cars, but especially for something like the S4/5, I really think it makes sense. It's such a sleeper and you can easily get upwards of 500 hp from them and keep them looking stock. That sleeper value I think is kinda lost with all the badges. In the end, the people who know what the badges mean would be able to identify it anyway :)

you forgot about the timing chain tensioners issue. There are so numerous cases of cold start rattle, which is a very very costly fix. here in Germany you should expect prices upwards of 5500€ to have your car repaired.

Loves!!!

I am currently shopping for a B8 S4 with sport diff and manual transmission. I think it's best bang for your buck configuration.

Would love it if you guys made a C7 generation video too. A6, A7, S and RS

Make a test pipe install video! Y’all ain’t down!

would these be more or less reliable than an N55 335i? especially cars with higher mileage

I have the 2008 B8 S5 with the V8. Just a side note, the V8 in the S5 is a detuned B8 RS4 engine. It does not have the chain stretch or chain guide problems like the 4.2ltr V8 in the B8 S4.

I knew Eli mentioned he was a marketing manager on his channel, but like everyone else never knew he was at FCP. Minor correction/specific on the "supercharged" badge. It was available as an individual option without the full package; on my 2014 S4's window sticker it was $145 for the badge by itself. Only worth it because the "V6T" badge is pointless and ugly.

I am looking at a after market Can Bus PKE system for the Q5 2010 model. Would appreciate your advice on this on the downside.

I love s5,rs5 best car for my taste

great video. I am planning to buy an S5 2013, many owners say that drinks oil. Something like 1 kg each 1200 km. Do you have informations about that? Thanks

I bought my 2016 s5 a month ago and didnt really know much about it but it turns out i have the sport diff, dark options package and slip on pulley. It has the dsg and only with 8k miles on it! i was wondering why the car was so neutral in the corners

What is the expected cost of a transmission failure for the B8 as you mentioned as a possible pitfall compared to a B8.5? What is the probability of a failure, is it always going to fail in which case you can deduct that from the purchase of the older version. Does these tfsi engines have the same problems as the 1.8/2.0 versions? Here in sweden some second hand dealers refused to trade in cars with these engines in 2015 due to the massive costs associated.

I really liked this video it was so informative. I ended up getting the 3.0t in a A7. I needed the practicality of a hatchback. In listing all the models the 3.0t lives in you forgot that it lives in a Porsche as well.

Had a daily 8.5 and that thing was a beaut. 20 mpg if I drove cautiously and in comfort. 9 mpg if I drove it the way it was intended to be driven. Beautiful machines.

is there a certain package that you get a heads up display on the windshield like in the a7 c7 with the 3.0t?

Hey awesome video! I have a question about my car, its a 2012 Audi S5 Sportback, it says B8 whenever i put my registration to websites, but it has the b8.5 look with hood, headlights, fog lights and tail lights. So my question is really, is it a b8 or b8.5 taken consideration the look? It came like this from factory.

What's your opinion on b8. 5 s4 or a4? Is it reliable? N How's the maintenance? Is it reliable with the latest generation? Thanks!

Really informative! I’m hoping you may answer my question about my ‘11 A4 Avant Quattro 2.0T receiving a heart transplant via 2010-2012 S5 6spd Coupe donor. Is this a straightforward swap or am I looking for headaches? I love the Avants. This is my 3rd. It has less than 60K and I’m the 2nd owner. Also, it was a California car originally, if that may play into this upgrade. Thanks in advance! Subscribed

B8 starts at 2008. Im looking for a s5 now alot of 2009 so im confused by your year start date for the b8

Did I miss the issues with the 2013+ regarding the steering? If it was not mentioned can you address that.