2009 Audi S5: Lights Out!

I would HATE to see/foot the cost of replacing one the headlights . . . they are drop dead gorgeous though and I agree that no one is doing more the design of headlights than Audi.

Probably the license plate lights.. If it has them.

@half_ton FYI - The headlights for my '04 Mazda3, just the HID bulb...$250 for one. Had a parts guy look it up for me. Thank god they last 6+ years.

To tell you the truth I don't think I have ever changed an exterior light on that car ever and I run all the lights when ever I am in the car. 71K on the car and no lights changed. Go me.

All Audis have beautiful lights.

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/tribeca/tribeca06headlight1.JPG

The link is my favorite head light cluster, but the lights are just halogens. So the Audi wins because it had HIDs and LEDs.

love the audi headlights right now. agree 100%

I frequently see an A5 on my commute to work making a left turn going the opposite direction in front of me. While the turn signal is on, those string of LEDs under the headlight turn off so it looks a little strange with one side of the LED lit while the other side is off.
Why would it be engineered as such?

@marcvill
Glad to hear you've had good luck with your vehicle lights. I can also relate to the replacement costs. My last car was a 2000 Lincoln LS and it had a non-HID headlight (driver side I think) that had condensation inside the unit. A replacement would've run in the neighborhood of $300-$350 each . . . I ended up buying another car instead!

@plateface,

I wonder if it is due to certain regulations and the distinction between the front turn signal and the LED daytime running lights might not be enough. I think there is a VAG-COM setting that allows one to change that behavior.

I too think it's a little odd as well.

re: lights out

When a light bulb goes out in my A4, the information display between the gauges will say which bulb is out. It would be an odd regression if the S5 (with or without Navigation Plus) wouldn't alert and list which light is out.

I'm surprised the S5 doesn't alert you as to which bulb is out considering my 2006 Jetta alerts you to exactly which bulb is out on the MID

To Plateface: Does a corner light come on? On my ride when I turn within city limits (not going fast) a light comes on to light up that corner & when I go straight it dims out. Really great feature if you want to miss your neighbor's cat when it's pitch black:-) Saw my sister's Mercedes do this when following me - I noticed the turning front side blinker go out when the corner light came on. Don't know if my ride does this too. I have Bi-Xenon Follow-Me headlights and those puppies are also way expensive.

To Karl: Totally agree. Audi has the best looking headlights around. Thinking they started it all with the A8. They are really "Bitc.ing"!!

If I may add, they do indeed have the best eye makeup on the market. Great functional styling.

I have seen so many Audis and VWs with the driver's side headlight out dead. 90%+ time it is the driver's side. It makes me wonder why that is...

In one of the Audi forums, someone posted pics of their S5 Sportback and one that I think is the money shot is:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_iwwOWwgRFHU/S9VCMB4s7aI/AAAAAAAAACc/hpY3gcufIfw/s800/P1030671.JPG

Also, I think the 2006 S6 was the first one to get the LED daytime running lights.

Disagree on the headlights, the LED eyeliner is tacky. BMW corona rings are much more elegant. The best is the HID headlight cluster on the CTS, with the light pipes and multi-lens turn signal lamps:

http://image.motortrend.com/f/9512136+w750/112_0801_04z+2008_cadillac_CTS+headlight.jpg

Personally, I prefer the A5/S5 and R8 LED eyeliner, next would definitely be the BMW halo/corona rings, then the classic Challenger lights. So the Bee is in the Beauty of the Eyeholder.

The main lamp in the CTS light cluster picture reminds me of the "eye" from "The Flight of the Navigator". :)

Most of you won't agree but here's a nice headlight

http://www.flickr.com/photos/halfbyte/3367662142/

"While the turn signal is on, those string of LEDs under the headlight turn off so it looks a little strange with one side of the LED lit while the other side is off.
Why would it be engineered as such?"

I've heard reason is NHTSA which had concerns with the setup. In Europe supposedly the lights stay on. That said I think the in the latest Audi models especially the A6 those LED strings are way too bright and thick. They should tone it down or make leds smaller. It looks fine from the side as shown above but straight ahead it's pretty bright.

be sure to pay attention when you first turn the car on. my gti tells me which light is out, but the msg is only on the screen for a few seconds. my dealer only charged me a buck or 2 for taillight bulbs. The amber bulb won't be expensive, just change it yourself.

I have to disagree as well on the string of LED lights that are used as 'eye-liner'. I quite like the style of the Audi 'faces' in recent years, but the string of LED lights -- those I could do without. A bit overdone and garish imo.

Typical audi. That would be covered if you had a BMW. With an Audi...they may change it for free but more likely they'll tell you it's a wear and tear item.

I am surprised your turn indicator didn't blink faster because one of the lights was out. Perhaps Audi designed their turn signals to not do that? Or perhaps you guys don't use your turn signals much? =) Seems like a pretty good way to help notify the driver that one of the turn signal bulbs is out.

With regards to the LED's turning off when the signal light is on, that is how they are programmed from the factory. Safety issues probably. However, the LED's can be programmed to NOT turn off if you ask your dealer nicely or better yet go to an independent Audi shop. This is the first mod that some owners do to their rides.