Just brought my 2009 Manual S5 in for a very sluggish and sticking clutch pedal. Audi here said this is the 5th S5 this year they have seen with the same problem. Have overhauled the prior 4 and have not really identified the exact problem (band-aid jobs/temp fixes). They supposedly have a tie-in with Germany now and will keep the car for the next 4 days to determine what is going on with the clutch and how to remedy.
Anyone heard of this or had similar problems?

Hello welcome to Audi Forum,

Yes, this strange clutch issue is known in the S5's. I have come across few users with exactly the same issue. I think one of the problems for this problem is due to Throw-Out Bearings. Hope you get your car fixes soon.

Regards
R.B.N.J

Get the up date today. The boys in Germany called back. The said it is a significant problem on their radar and they have decided to redesign the clutch for the S5, since they can not determine whether it is one single component or a series of interacting components at root. They estimated 4-6 months for the redesign. In the meantime, they told the dealer to completely replace the clutch system (from the pedal all the way down) and that as soon as I noticed the problem again to replace it top to bottom again until they come out with the new clutch (it only took 1000 miles the first time to blow).
Needlesss to say, I'm steaming mad and wonder how a new clutch design is going to affect performance...I've only got 4500 miles on the car.

I can sense how frustrating it can get to face a major issue in a brand new car. Audi must fix this persistent clutch issue in the S5's fast. Hope you get your car completely fixed soon.

Regards
R.B.N.J

Picked up the car after 10 days. The replaced the clutch plate, etc. Test drove it for a few miles. Said it was fixed. I droved it for about 10 miles before the same problem came back. No different than before--very slow pedal rise leading to high revs and irregular shifting. Not sure what to do. Probably go to another dealer to see if they have more experience.

Oh that was indeed wired to hear, replacement again caused the same issue. Do keep us informed of what happens after your next check-up, this might help other users also.

Regards,
DILEEP

Thank you for sharing your experience thus far. My car is currently in the shop for the 3rd time for this issue. The first time, they replaced a clutch pedal spring (did not help), then they replaced the slave cylinder (did not help), and they are dropping the transmission to take a look as we speak. I hope they eventually (at least) come to the same conclusion that this is a defective part/design and give me a new clutch/promise an eventual solution!

Please keep us updated. Thank you again.

JW969, could I have the name/contact of the dealership you are working with so that I can give it to mine and they might be able to share their experiences with this problem? It may help (especially on my side) them come to a quicker conclusion... or at least not make me bring it in 10 more times before calling Germany. =)

Hey Glaive, welcome to Audi Forum,

Sad to know that you also experience the same issue with your Audi S5. Also, you could referring your dealer link to this thread and explain him that Audi HQ is already aware of this issue. So that your dealer would contact Audi HQ right away and take a decision, rather than wasting time. Hope you get your Audi S5 fixed soon

Best Regards
R.B.N.J

Hi All !

New to in the forum, so apologies if I repeat something.

Actually I have the exact same problem with my '08 S5.

Clutch stucks and is always incosistent.

The fun part is the following :

1st time it happened, I brought the car to AUDI here in Greece and they replaced (within guarantee) the clutch pumps (2 if I recal), springs etc + the disk...

2nd time... the same...

3rd time... I received a call from the importer with news about my problem ! It is actualy pretty simple... Somehow this problem now is normal ! After they read me a technical text about the operation of the clutch, the text (coming from AUDI) concluded that this is a normal thing to happen due to forces and that everything goes back to normal after the system cools down !!!!!!!!!!!

I specificaly asked if the sugestion of AUDI is to stop on teh side of the road and let the 'system' cool, but ofcourse nobody could say yes, cause tehn they would be in a lot of trouble.

Finaly, I have today requested a written reply, which I will translate and post as soon as I get it (if I ever do !)

So to all of us S5 lovers : GET AUTO !!!

C u all !