Audi S5 - is it a PH worthy car?

[DanX5]

Got to decide on whether to lease an Audi S5 Coupe Black Edition (2012 facelift, will be 62 reg) to replace my VW Scirocco asap. Very good deal on the table but due to it being the new 3.0 TFSi model rather than 4.2 V8 not been able to see a physical car let alone test drive.

My gut feeling says from pics that it looks a little dull. Been promising myself a 'proper' car this time around, something like Merc C63 AMG. But the deal to get into a new S5 is very tempting (£299+VAT on 6+23). So including the VAT, just over £10k to get into a brand new £45k+ car for 2 years.

So what are opinions on the S5 - stats seem OK at 333 bhp and 4.9s 0-60 but I have a thing in my mind (possibly Clarkson or even PH influenced) that as a modern Audi it will be a soul-less corporate box of a car. Comes with lots of kit, would probably only add pearl paint, 20" wheels and tech pack.

As an alternative I can turn down this option and take a monetary alternative to sort myself out with a personal car - which then brings in the prospect of a used C63 or M5 (and the ruinous costs that these may bring).

So over to PH, either talk me into or out of placing an order for the S5 tomorrow!

PS - would it be a PH crime to secretly like one in white?

[roystinho]

I was blasting about in a V8 version the other weekend, and though it was fast and made a good noise was a bit lacking in feel for me. Especially if it was your exciting car. I jumped into my £1500 clio 172 and was grinning from ear to ear - far more fun.

If you want a fastish, reasonably comfortable car then they're fine, but not much character is what I'd say though this may change with the new one(?)

C63 however - hooligan with an amazing soundtrack. This would be my choice

[Number 5]

Any car is a worthy PH Car......well most of them

[R300will]

My uncle's got an S5 after having an S4 with the 4.2 V8 and he says its got more torque than the S4 had and certianly feels quicker. Although as its not a full on RS it will lose money quickly so beware of that and it's not as economical as you would think with it being a V6

[Fun Bus]

Is the deal you're looking at the £299 per month deal that's been discussed elsewhere in GG?

[JayTee94]

I like them - I would love to own one at some point, in a nice blue.

[DanX5]

Fun Bus said:

Is the deal you're looking at the £299 per month deal that's been discussed elsewhere in GG?

Not sure but if in the last few days then probably the same. Offered by multiple contract hire companies but in limited numbers.

[benzito]

I test drove an rs5 and it was a hoot to drive! Sounded incredible esp on downshifts. I would much prefer the v8 s5 if given the option. There is no denying that the A5's in general are superb all round cars. Whether you could call them 'fun' I'm not so sure...

[DanX5]

benzito said:

I test drove an rs5 and it was a hoot to drive! Sounded incredible esp on downshifts. I would much prefer the v8 s5 if given the option. There is no denying that the A5's in general are superb all round cars. Whether you could call them 'fun' I'm not so sure...

Yeah, that's my dilemma. My colleague at work has an A5 cabriolet 2.0 TFSi having all options you could want, but it does leave me a little cold. I think it was £40k when new in 2009 which was silly. But hoping that the S5 would add a little more to the package perhaps?

[davepoth]

It's not a PH car in this circumstance.

My reasoning? You want a C63, but you are trying to talk yourself into something more sensible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULKRZXo8nnU&fea...

The noise.

The. Noise.

DEAR GOD MAN! THE NOISE!

[R300will]

davepoth said:

It's not a PH car in this circumstance.

My reasoning? You want a C63, but you are trying to talk yourself into something more sensible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULKRZXo8nnU&fea...

The noise.

The. Noise.

DEAR GOD MAN! THE NOISE!

I'm not sure a C63 is very PH either i mean the noise is very nice don't get me wrong. But as a car it is a bit st. Point and squirt, then you have to drop the speed right down to take any kind of bend because they just can't handle it. And given that an MX-5 is the PH yard stick then the C63, or any Merc for that matter, is the opposite end of the scale completely.

[Fox-]

299 quid+VAT for a brand new S5? Great deal, sure it's more dull than a C63 but you won't get a C63 for that sort of money. Heck you could just about get a C220 diesel for that money.

Thats bonkers cheap.

[benzito]

davepoth said:

It's not a PH car in this circumstance.

My reasoning? You want a C63, but you are trying to talk yourself into something more sensible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULKRZXo8nnU&fea...

The noise.

The. Noise.

DEAR GOD MAN! THE NOISE!

the description is interesting re: burning extra fuel to pass emissions regulations! This S5 sounds... ermm ..interesting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsNG-47Wg0k

i reckon its the v8 and cats+silencers removed

[DanX5]

Fox- said:

299 quid+VAT for a brand new S5? Great deal, sure it's more dull than a C63 but you won't get a C63 for that sort of money. Heck you could just about get a C220 diesel for that money.

Thats bonkers cheap.

Would be a used C63, 2/3 yrs old around the £30k mark which means out of warranty, etc.

Missed out on a 59 plate C63 with performance pack a month ago that was very well priced at a MB dealer - have kept looking but seems a lack of good ones around at the moment.

If I went for the used C63 or M5 option they would be estate versions (essentially to replace my X5 so need room for family hols / dog) and I would get something else for the Mrs to ruin day to day!

[davepoth]

R300will said:

I'm not sure a C63 is very PH either i mean the noise is very nice don't get me wrong. But as a car it is a bit st. Point and squirt, then you have to drop the speed right down to take any kind of bend because they just can't handle it. And given that an MX-5 is the PH yard stick then the C63, or any Merc for that matter, is the opposite end of the scale completely.

Our own Monkey rated it better than the new RS4 this week. He seemed to think it went round corners quite nicely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HYdVXmYA-w

[mocca]

Link(s) to said offer?

Having driven an s5 convertible, albeit a v8, it struck me as a fantastic all rounder. Sounded lovely and was swift and comfortable. Great to drive at 7 or 8 tenths but typical audi steering. I'd have one in a heartbeat, just not sure on the new engine.

[R300will]

davepoth said:

R300will said:

I'm not sure a C63 is very PH either i mean the noise is very nice don't get me wrong. But as a car it is a bit st. Point and squirt, then you have to drop the speed right down to take any kind of bend because they just can't handle it. And given that an MX-5 is the PH yard stick then the C63, or any Merc for that matter, is the opposite end of the scale completely.

Our own Monkey rated it better than the new RS4 this week. He seemed to think it went round corners quite nicely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HYdVXmYA-w

I'm sure it did but i bet it went round them a lot slower than the Audi. Also its such a lazy muscle car type of thing wheras the Audi you actually drive. Although The RS4 should have been a manual IMO.

[davepoth]

R300will said:

I'm sure it did but i bet it went round them a lot slower than the Audi. Also its such a lazy muscle car type of thing wheras the Audi you actually drive. Although The RS4 should have been a manual IMO.

You didn't actually watch the video did you?

[whoami]

DanX5 said:

Fun Bus said:

Is the deal you're looking at the £299 per month deal that's been discussed elsewhere in GG?

Not sure but if in the last few days then probably the same. Offered by multiple contract hire companies but in limited numbers.

Was it business users only?

[R300will]

davepoth said:

R300will said:

I'm sure it did but i bet it went round them a lot slower than the Audi. Also its such a lazy muscle car type of thing wheras the Audi you actually drive. Although The RS4 should have been a manual IMO.

You didn't actually watch the video did you?

Yeah most of it, i got to the bit when it came to the Merc and he said about the torque of it and how useable in everyday life it was before i'd seen enough. Personally i prefer Jason Plato's assessment of it on 5th gear, It is a muscle car that's only fast in a straight line and certainly not in the wet with a traction control that always kicks in. I still prefer the B7 to this model though.

Just watched the last couple of minutes and he said pretty much what i thought. The merc is a good modern car because it can be driven lazilly but if you want to make progress it will kick its arse out in any conditions. The B8 isn't the best RS4 though.

Edited by R300will on Friday 22 June 00:04