Discussion
Looking to change car later in the year and looking at potential options.
Currently I have a 911 but due to forward planning I am looking for my next purchase to be a bit more practical but I don't want to sacrifice performance.
I have been keeping a look out for S5 and M3's and would be appreciate some owners feedback on the S5.
What is it like to drive?
Any major issues to look out for buying second hand?
What extras are a must?
Which transmission - is the tiptronic with paddle shift any good?
Currently I have a 911 but due to forward planning I am looking for my next purchase to be a bit more practical but I don't want to sacrifice performance.
I have been keeping a look out for S5 and M3's and would be appreciate some owners feedback on the S5.
What is it like to drive?
Any major issues to look out for buying second hand?
What extras are a must?
Which transmission - is the tiptronic with paddle shift any good?
Are you looking at the V8 S5 or the newer V6?
Performance wise they are are both quick, but handling wise they are certainly no 911!
I too looked at M3's and went for the Audi instead, due to much newer car for the same money.
S5 is really more of a BMW 335 rival, albeit with a bit more cache... M3 is probably closer to the RS5, although I believe the BMW handles better.
Performance wise they are are both quick, but handling wise they are certainly no 911!
I too looked at M3's and went for the Audi instead, due to much newer car for the same money.
S5 is really more of a BMW 335 rival, albeit with a bit more cache... M3 is probably closer to the RS5, although I believe the BMW handles better.
RammyMP said:
When you say practical, do you want back seats? I've got an A5 and I'm 6 foot, there is not much room behind my seat when it's in position. My 4 year old moans on when she's sat behind me.
The boot is a decent size though!
Yes back seats and a bigger boot so the car is more practical for when kids enter the equation!! The boot is a decent size though!
BAHN-STORMA said:
Are you looking at the V8 S5 or the newer V6?
Performance wise they are are both quick, but handling wise they are certainly no 911!
I too looked at M3's and went for the Audi instead, due to much newer car for the same money.
S5 is really more of a BMW 335 rival, albeit with a bit more cache... M3 is probably closer to the RS5, although I believe the BMW handles better.
Looking at the v8 version 08/09 . Performance wise they are are both quick, but handling wise they are certainly no 911!
I too looked at M3's and went for the Audi instead, due to much newer car for the same money.
S5 is really more of a BMW 335 rival, albeit with a bit more cache... M3 is probably closer to the RS5, although I believe the BMW handles better.
I do like the rs5 correct me if I am wrong but they are a bit out of budget as I think they started making them a bit later?
I think I need to resign myself to the fact that whatever I choose next I don't think it is going to have the same excitement the 911 does, it is just difficult to come to terms with at the moment!!
Bought a 09 plate S5 v8 a month ago. Went up to scotland with wife and 2 kids (3 & 4) on ISOFIX stage 1 seats and it was great. The boot is plenty big enough for 2 suitcases and other bags and the rear seats are "adequate". Im 6' and had to slide the seat forwards slightly but it was still fine. I think if your kids are slightly older and into normal booster seats they would get even more leg room.
The cars more of a GT than sport car. It wafts beautifully and has a great turn of speed when you wind it up. Mines got the Auto box which is great for me, but i think it would be sportier on the manual, but if you treated it like a sports car it wouldnt be what its best at.
What is it like to drive?
GT not sports car. Lovely cruiser with great turn of speed. Excellent grip and 4WD is a bonus for the winter.
Any major issues to look out for buying second hand?
Coking on the V8 at around 60k is mentioned on the net, other than that i think they are a reliable car. The v6's have some more reports of problems but still nothing significant.
What extras are a must?
B&O, Panoramic roof, DAB, nav etc. TBH most S5 have a pretty good spec
Which transmission - is the tiptronic with paddle shift any good?
I think it suits the car better. its a GT car and the auto is a good one from ZF (6 speed). The box has an S mode too which keeps it in gear up to redline. I think the manual would be more involved but ultimately its not a sport car.
The cars more of a GT than sport car. It wafts beautifully and has a great turn of speed when you wind it up. Mines got the Auto box which is great for me, but i think it would be sportier on the manual, but if you treated it like a sports car it wouldnt be what its best at.
What is it like to drive?
GT not sports car. Lovely cruiser with great turn of speed. Excellent grip and 4WD is a bonus for the winter.
Any major issues to look out for buying second hand?
Coking on the V8 at around 60k is mentioned on the net, other than that i think they are a reliable car. The v6's have some more reports of problems but still nothing significant.
What extras are a must?
B&O, Panoramic roof, DAB, nav etc. TBH most S5 have a pretty good spec
Which transmission - is the tiptronic with paddle shift any good?
I think it suits the car better. its a GT car and the auto is a good one from ZF (6 speed). The box has an S mode too which keeps it in gear up to redline. I think the manual would be more involved but ultimately its not a sport car.
Edited by mikeh501 on Tuesday 3rd September 17:17
Great value for money, to get a V8 plus the level of kit on a 4/5 year old car average mileage for circa £20k. equivalent M3 you're 10-20% higher.
Sportbacks are also dropping to mid/high 20's for a 3 yr old car, remember you lose the V8 though and is replaced with a 3.0 V6 Supercharged (badged V6T) but will give you back doors.
I took out extended warranty on mine (£1k) and after 2 B&O amps (1k each) plus other bits and pieces a total warranty claim of £2.5k for the year I'm glad I did.
In 2 years I've had it - 2 MOTs (£50 each), 1 service (£400), brakes all round (£400) and 2 tyres (£400 - these were the rears which had 25k+miles on them) fronts have 25k on them plus some k's left.
Not overly expensive to maintain.
Sportbacks are also dropping to mid/high 20's for a 3 yr old car, remember you lose the V8 though and is replaced with a 3.0 V6 Supercharged (badged V6T) but will give you back doors.
I took out extended warranty on mine (£1k) and after 2 B&O amps (1k each) plus other bits and pieces a total warranty claim of £2.5k for the year I'm glad I did.
In 2 years I've had it - 2 MOTs (£50 each), 1 service (£400), brakes all round (£400) and 2 tyres (£400 - these were the rears which had 25k+miles on them) fronts have 25k on them plus some k's left.
Not overly expensive to maintain.
I have a 2009 S5 V8 and have owned it for 2.5 years now.
There's four of us in our family. The kids are 4 months and 4 years. Its a comfortable car with plenty of space in the back for kids. Its a bit tight right now with the rear facing car seat but as soon as it goes forward facing its going to be a lot easier. Having said that putting the kids in and out of the back can be tricky. As you can see its a compromise however not a major issue.
Funny thing is I am thinking of getting a 911 as my next car. I was thinking of getting a roof rack for the day trips!
There's four of us in our family. The kids are 4 months and 4 years. Its a comfortable car with plenty of space in the back for kids. Its a bit tight right now with the rear facing car seat but as soon as it goes forward facing its going to be a lot easier. Having said that putting the kids in and out of the back can be tricky. As you can see its a compromise however not a major issue.
Funny thing is I am thinking of getting a 911 as my next car. I was thinking of getting a roof rack for the day trips!
If it's going to be used regularly for carrying rear seat passengers, the Sportback is well worth considering - it's on the S4 platform which is longer than the Coupe and virtually all the length goes into rear legroom. Worth considering that coupes are generally a pain to access the back unless you can swing the door right open. I'm not convinced you'd get an infant carrier through the gap without trim damage! Certainly wouldn't on the RS5 convertible with buckets we saw a while ago!
We were looking at 335i saloons and coupes, M3, S4, S5 in all forms plus other options like the XF-R. Some we ruled out due to running costs and VED in the top bracket.
We've ended up with a 2011 S5 Sportback with the V6 supercharged engine and 7 speed s-tronic (only engine/box option on the Sportback) and we're liking it so far
It is purely a 4 seater with no belt for the middle, but if you have kids you can never get 2 adults in with a child seat anyway so it's pretty academic!
Ours was as indicated above in price terms, but it's very high spec, 1 private owner and sensible miles and still under warranty.
The Sportback was a good bit more pricey than the S4 equivalent (£4-5k) but most of that is accounted for by the s-tronic box being standard and the super sports seats, also standard. That rarity helps with residuals - there's probably 4 times as many S4s about!
We were looking at 335i saloons and coupes, M3, S4, S5 in all forms plus other options like the XF-R. Some we ruled out due to running costs and VED in the top bracket.
We've ended up with a 2011 S5 Sportback with the V6 supercharged engine and 7 speed s-tronic (only engine/box option on the Sportback) and we're liking it so far
It is purely a 4 seater with no belt for the middle, but if you have kids you can never get 2 adults in with a child seat anyway so it's pretty academic!Ours was as indicated above in price terms, but it's very high spec, 1 private owner and sensible miles and still under warranty.
The Sportback was a good bit more pricey than the S4 equivalent (£4-5k) but most of that is accounted for by the s-tronic box being standard and the super sports seats, also standard. That rarity helps with residuals - there's probably 4 times as many S4s about!
I have an A5 as a loan car at the moment and the biggest thing I have noticed is the position of the foot rest relative to the clutch pedal, being able press the clutch down adequately I can't reach the footrest without stretching my leg and foot. Coming from a B7 A4 the ergonomics are from my experience awful.
Glad it is a loaner because I would not spend my money on one but it is better than walking. Try one and see what you think.
Glad it is a loaner because I would not spend my money on one but it is better than walking. Try one and see what you think.
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