Audi A5 Sportback

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!

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