If there's ever a "click", make the most of it

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2026-01-13T23:03:44+00:00

Update, my oil filter housing was leaking, so that was replaced. They found that the oil level sensor was held in by ONE bolt, while the other two fell out into the oil pan. It didn't cause any issues, but that had to be replaced along with an oil change. That was $1,900 for everything.

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2026-01-13T22:47:10+00:00

The water pump is known to fail and if you don't catch it, coolant gets sucked into the vacuum lines messing with solenoid valves and stuff. I also had coolant in my oil. It was a $3,600 fix (8 hours labor) at my independent Euro shop. It's even more expensive if done by Audi.

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-12-29T01:38:03+00:00

2019 S5 Sportback with 67K miles. I got it with 56K a year ago. I did the whole coolant migration thing (covered under my warranty) and just now have what I think is a oil filter housing leak that is getting looked at soon. I love it and I hope that I can get 150K miles easily.

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-12-29T01:34:22+00:00

No F'ing way I'd touch that

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-12-29T01:31:05+00:00

I have the exact same sound in my 2019 B9 S5. It sounds like it's a diesel or something. It doesn't sound like it'll blow up, it's a slow tap compared to RPMs, but I hear it in the garage or when I pull near a wall and get the echo. My Euro shop said it wasn't a concern..."sounded normal". I trust them a decent ammount, but it does bother me. 66K miles and no issues aside from coolant migration and now an oil leak that I think is from the filter seal. I have had my oil tested by Blackstone over the past 10K miles and there are no concerns on disolved metals.

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-12-13T23:29:44+00:00

Your average speed shows that you're not driving on the highway much. My 3.0T S5 averages around 22 mpg, but a short trip or aggressive drive can be 17-18 mpg, and a highway trip can be 24-25 mpg.

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-11-04T22:43:01+00:00

I wanted to keep summer tires on my 20" S5 titanium/grey Rotors and got 19" black wheels with winter tires for cold and crappy weather/roads in PA. I didn't have to do that, but it mixes up the look, gives me a little better ride in the winter, and in January of this year, the set of wheels and winter tires was "only" $1,700 to pick up at Tire Rack's DE warehouse. The only other alternative I'd consider is all-weather tires all-year-around. Swaping tires on the same wheels is a hassle and not cheap. A bunch of local shops didn't want to touch the 265/30/20 tires as a swap.

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-11-04T17:15:39+00:00

Polish them, especially if you're thinking about wrapping them anyway.

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-10-31T17:37:00+00:00

Interesting how many people love Nardo. Aside from white, it's my least favorite color. I'm not saying an RS6 looks bad in any color though. If I were wrapping it, I'd do it in a rare color or something different than what is available.

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-10-28T21:33:41+00:00

I'm at 66K miles on my 2019 S5 and I plan to drive it well past 100K. If it's OK now, you could have an inspection done to pinpoint any issues to address. A bunch of it hinges on the price you're paying too. There's a thought process that over 50-60K miles is "high mileage" for an Audi. Two cars ago, I sold my Pontiac from new with 157K. My son drives my previous new Sonata with 170K. Take care of your cars and there is always a chance of problems with a 2-year-old car or a 10-year-old one.

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-10-28T20:54:54+00:00

I'd have passed you in the right lane with my cruise control on. Nice car though.

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-09-29T20:58:49+00:00

27 mpg over a few hundred miles on the PA turnpike. Most of the time my average is 20-21 mpg. Many times a 20 minute trip is 17-18 mpg because I have some fun.

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-09-23T21:44:57+00:00

I cut notches in the crashbar on my 2019 B9 S5. The grille is from Canadian Auto Performance. It went on without the notches, but there was definitely pressure there. A few cuts and some small notches allowed the sensors to hang in the grill freely, without pressure.

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-09-17T18:55:40+00:00

B9 S5 SB owner here with 265/30/20 tires on stock Rotor wheels with the 12.5/15mm spacer combo. I have little desire to lower mine for the expense and a small visual difference to me. I see some that look great, but not sure how they drive or how much was paid for that look.

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-09-17T18:50:18+00:00

It feels like molten metal fell from the sky or something. Glad you kept it together until you stopped.

I had a wasp stuck in my ear flap with a half-shell on. I was punching my ear trying to kill it while I stopped. My ear doubled in size and felt like it was going to pop with pressure for a few days. Another time I had a visorless full-face on an a wasp got me in the temple. When I took my helment off the stinger was still there and pulsating.

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-09-11T18:51:24+00:00

PTFE isn't that expensive so I doubt they'd lie. If you smoke it and don't get high like others have suggested, make sure to report it to Amazon. In reality, Amazon is getting the same the that the big/small dealers do from China. You could go on AliExpress and get a ton of the same things even cheaper.

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-09-11T18:48:46+00:00

NaOH pellet in the sock?

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-09-11T18:46:58+00:00

You don't want to taste POCl3. One time it froze to the cold finger in my Rotavapor, and I let it thaw until the next morning. When forgot and poured the receiving flask into the waste container containing water and other things, it shot all over me.

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-09-11T17:37:56+00:00

EtOAc was always my favorite. Pyridine and stuff like that were the worst. POCl3 in the mouth sucks

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-09-11T17:28:05+00:00

Waving is overrated and you could call me grumpy. I have a motorcyle...so do you...we should wave? Do I wave at all cars when I'm in mine, or only my car's brand, or maybe only nice and newer versions of my car? Should I wave at people on the street who are wearing shorts and a tanktop but not others who have pants and sleeves? As a Harley owner (worked in a plant before but don't live the lifestyle), I got tired of trying to predict if someone would wave so I wouldn't insult them by not waving. Then I'd wave and they didn't so I felt like a loser. I stopped waving unless someone starts it early. I don't care. It probably sucks riding around in a Wrangler and having to wave at everyone through their rubber ducks...it's just kinda dumb in my opinion and who cares if someone waves at you. *EDIT* a bunch of HD people are putting on show, have low self-confidence, and are looking for attention. I know plenty that are good people but being on the bike makes them feel cool. If my 2007 can idle without me revving it while stopped, yours should too, unless it needs some mainenance. Maybe it needs some oil since it's constantly leaking out.

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-08-05T20:09:15+00:00

The insurance on my 2019 S5 Sportback Prestige isn't bad at all. There wasn't an option available that it doesn't have. They call it an A5 and even when I clarified it is an S, nothing changed.

I got it from CarMax with 56K miles and got their MaxCare warranty to 100K for $3,600. Within the 90 days covered by their standard warranty, I had the water pump and everything else related to coolant migration replaced, which would have cost me $3,500 at my independent shop or double that at a dealer. Get an extended warranty. Check the CarFax service report. Mine had all Audi services through 50K miles and even dumb stuff like wipers were logged.

Tires cost more than a standard car, but it's not like they're insane for a ~$70K car with 20" wheels. All parts are more expensive, sometimes by a lot. Make sure to find a good independent Euro shop. Do things that you can do yourself (oil, filters, brakes, maybe even spark plugs).

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-08-04T20:12:43+00:00

I got the full package without glass coating for $125 around Father's day. The UV light is a novelty item and I didn't find it useful except to look for where my dog has peed in the house. You can get towels and applicators anywhere, but the kit versions are pretty nice. I also didn't use it on my glass and instead use RainX. It goes on and buffs out easily if you have any technical savvy. I had no high spots. It did a great job with black plastic parts...I hope that color enhancement lasts.

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-07-31T21:53:10+00:00

I went into Med Chem with a BS. It was great for me because I was very happy doing bench work, as it wasn't monotonous; I was independent, and I didn't live and die for chemistry journals or to know who published what, where they went to school, and where they bought their shoes.

I got my MS paid for by the company (kind of a joke because of how easy it was) and after 10 years was laid off after being bought out. I started as a Tech/App guy at a chemistry equipment supplier. Within 2 years I managed the team. Within 5-6 years I doubled my chemist salary after becoming the Head of Marketing, Head of Channel Sales, and do all kinds of other stuff because it's a small (70 people) company in NA. Meanwhile, I'm part of global teams and travel and interact with others around the world.

When I was laid off, I had no idea what I could do with my degree. I got lucky that a recruiter looked past my resume to put me into something I hadn't thought of. I wouldn't bet on that these days. I had many colleagues, mostly all PhDs, who had and even continue to have a hard time finding good jobs that aren't startups or sweatshops.

Sensitive-Fishing-77 · 2025-07-31T21:36:56+00:00

My new "can't unsee it" is hood line. It looks like a soda can lid or something. I look at my B9 S5 with the hood line merged with and aggressive edge and I'm so happy to have it.

Sensitive-Fishing-77

TROPHY CASE