New Audi RS5 - options and views

[Gio G]

So my A5 Coupe is soon to be returned and have been considering a new RS5 as an option. From what I can see, they are not massively popular and very few online users discussing them.. As I am not coming from the B8 RS5, with the mighty V8, my view may not be as prejudiced. Would like to know what sort of discounts people are getting on these new? I have a few car wow quotes and wanted to compare..

Also, from a specification perspective, what extras would people suggest enhance the car, for example, is the Sports Exhaust worth having, as many describe the noise as sub standard even with the upgrade. Also the dynamic ride control appears to divide journalists opinion. The 19" alloys come as standard, are they worth having? as I am not entirely sure on the 20" option, however understand they are lighter?

I am not expecting many replies, however know there are few owners out there...

Thanks
G

Edited by Gio G on Monday 16th April 10:39

[Gio G]

So no new RS5 owners out there... Noticed only 196 cars were registered in the UK during 2017..

G

[anonymous-user]

Most people seem to have gone for new RS4.

[Dr G]

B8 generation was a similar pattern with the estate being the more desirable of the two cars.

[ABZ RS6]

I used to have the V8 RS5 a few years back and loved it.

Took a new version for a test spin a few weeks ago and thought it was shyte to to be honest. Not a patch on the previous model.

Just going to have to stick with the RS6 until the new model is released early next year (hopefully).

[Gio G]

Dr G said:

B8 generation was a similar pattern with the estate being the more desirable of the two cars.

Seems that way Dr G... Been following a few journalists who have had their RS5 under their long term fleet and they seem to be changing their minds from their initial opinions. It would appear that these cars get under your skin when living with them..

Trying to line up a test drive, looks like I may have to wait weeks for that.. When I took out the new RS4, they had a car within days.. Just not sure I want an Avant..

G

[anonymous-user]

Gio G said:

Been following a few journalists who have had their RS5 under their long term fleet and they seem to be changing their minds from their initial opinions. It would appear that these cars get under your skin when living with them..

EVO have one on their Fast Fleet and they certainly seem to rate it. As you say, the indication is that it kind of fails to flatter when exposed to it for a limited time, then makes a lot more sense the more time you spend with it.

[Terminator X]

When I asked Audi (who were trying to sell me a car) if DRC was worth it they said only if you regularly go on track. Afaik DRC is dogged with problems on various old models too so perhaps worth avoiding just for that. I have a B9 RS4 no DRC and it rides very well imho.

TX.

[Gio G]

andrewparker said:

EVO have one on their Fast Fleet and they certainly seem to rate it. As you say, the indication is that it kind of fails to flatter when exposed to it for a limited time, then makes a lot more sense the more time you spend with it.

You put it so much better than I could!! I am quite happy with that situation, as this potentially means bigger discounts for new cars.. I don't have the V8 to compare it too..

G

[Gio G]

Terminator X said:

When I asked Audi (who were trying to sell me a car) if DRC was worth it they said only if you regularly go on track. Afaik DRC is dogged with problems on various old models too so perhaps worth avoiding just for that. I have a B9 RS4 no DRC and it rides very well imho.

TX.

Good to know, I had the Sports suspension plus with DRC within my spec.. You think it is a waste of time?

G

[MrwReckless]

To the best of my knowledge, I think it's worth nothing that the B7 models "DRC" was a 1st gen. hydraulic system, great when it worked, expensive to repair.

The new stuff is either a MUCH more modern magnetorehological system as used by manufacturers with great success as well or an electronically controlled valve within the shock body. Don't mix the early 1st gen system with the latter.

As for worth it, it's up to you, but if you're buying new it's under warranty anyways so I certainly wouldn't be worried about whether it's going to fail or be costly to fix.

Regards

[Chuck328]

Just this minute in the door after driving my friends new RS5. Wow, as a lowly S3 owner this was an experience.

One thing we did note, the ride (std suspension) was a little on the firm side. My pal wished he'd gone for the adaptive set up (or DRC or whatever it's called).

Cracking car though. I will move up from my S3 at some point in the future, RS3, 4 or 5, Hmmmm......

( oh and that launch control, it's not GTR brutal but damn, it's a giggle.)

[graeme4130]

From a B9 Rs4 point of view: The DRC depends on how you drive the car. If you cover a lot of miles, like I do, you really need the DRC for the comfort setting. The dynamic setting in the DRC is harder than the standard suspension, but a the standard suspension is a little too hard if you're doing anything other than just pushing on or just using the car for sporty drives on a sunday morning.
I was lucky enough to be able to drive both to get a comparison, and had the DRC on my B8.
I accept that the DRC system is prone to faults, but that's what your warranty's for
I drove the new Rs5 back to back with the new Rs4, and although it's hard to pinpoint exact differences, the Rs4 just seems to do everything that little bit better.
There's some good deals on Rs5's at the moment though, but that's more a reflection of the poor sales figures.
I've had my B9 RS4 for a week or so now, and am smitten by it:

[anonymous-user]

MrwReckless said:

To the best of my knowledge, I think it's worth nothing that the B7 models "DRC" was a 1st gen. hydraulic system, great when it worked, expensive to repair.

The new stuff is either a MUCH more modern magnetorehological system as used by manufacturers with great success as well or an electronically controlled valve within the shock body. Don't mix the early 1st gen system with the latter.

As for worth it, it's up to you, but if you're buying new it's under warranty anyways so I certainly wouldn't be worried about whether it's going to fail or be costly to fix.

Regards

Wrong. It is the same mechanical set up it has always been - hydraulic with two controlling valve units - just refined. https://www.audi-technology-portal.de/en/chassis/s...
You are thinking of variable damping which is part of the package now offered. I would not have a RS4/6 without DRC but each to their own. Failure is rare, noise (knocking) has been the problem with B8 and C7 versions. But revised dampers have fixed that - at least in my 6.

[Gio G]

graeme4130 said:

From a B9 Rs4 point of view: The DRC depends on how you drive the car. If you cover a lot of miles, like I do, you really need the DRC for the comfort setting. The dynamic setting in the DRC is harder than the standard suspension, but a the standard suspension is a little too hard if you're doing anything other than just pushing on or just using the car for sporty drives on a sunday morning.
I was lucky enough to be able to drive both to get a comparison, and had the DRC on my B8.
I accept that the DRC system is prone to faults, but that's what your warranty's for
I drove the new Rs5 back to back with the new Rs4, and although it's hard to pinpoint exact differences, the Rs4 just seems to do everything that little bit better.
There's some good deals on Rs5's at the moment though, but that's more a reflection of the poor sales figures.
I've had my B9 RS4 for a week or so now, and am smitten by it:

So if I am covering maybe 10k a year, 80% B-roads 20% motorway, would you suggest the DRC is worth having? I think it is a £2,000 option. Every Audi sales person I have spoken to has suggested I don't waste my money on it..

Any extras on your RS4 your glad you had, or certainly wished you ticked?

G

[Gio G]

Gio G said:

So if I am covering maybe 10k a year, 80% B-roads 20% motorway, would you suggest the DRC is worth having? I think it is a £2,000 option. Every Audi sales person I have spoken to has suggested I don't waste my money on it..

Any extras on your RS4 your glad you had, or certainly wished you ticked?

G

BTW lovely looking motor!

[Dr G]

Gio G said:

It would appear that these cars get under your skin when living with them..

Exactly what Audi have always been so good at; as a manufacturer they build the cars their customers want to live with every day (not the cars that look good in a 5 minute Youtube clip).

[Blue62]

I've had DRC on my B7, B8 and now my C7 RS6 and have never had a problem, though I don't doubt others have. I was in two minds when I specced up my current car but I can state with confidence that the car rides better than on the standard set up and with less body roll, very pleased I went for it and it's certainly not a 'track day only' option.

FWIW I would avoid dynamic steering, it adds weight but no feel so if you can spec the DRC on its own on the new RS4/5 (you can on the RS6) that would be my advice. You should register on RS246 for more informed advice and opinions.

[Gio G]

Blue62 said:

I've had DRC on my B7, B8 and now my C7 RS6 and have never had a problem, though I don't doubt others have. I was in two minds when I specced up my current car but I can state with confidence that the car rides better than on the standard set up and with less body roll, very pleased I went for it and it's certainly not a 'track day only' option.

FWIW I would avoid dynamic steering, it adds weight but no feel so if you can spec the DRC on its own on the new RS4/5 (you can on the RS6) that would be my advice. You should register on RS246 for more informed advice and opinions.

Thanks, yes, will avoid the dynamic steering.. There is very little info or discussion on the new RS5 on RS246 forum.. However A5OC members have been helpful..

G

[MrwReckless]

Discombobulate said:

MrwReckless said:

To the best of my knowledge, I think it's worth nothing that the B7 models "DRC" was a 1st gen. hydraulic system, great when it worked, expensive to repair.

The new stuff is either a MUCH more modern magnetorehological system as used by manufacturers with great success as well or an electronically controlled valve within the shock body. Don't mix the early 1st gen system with the latter.

As for worth it, it's up to you, but if you're buying new it's under warranty anyways so I certainly wouldn't be worried about whether it's going to fail or be costly to fix.

Regards

Wrong. It is the same mechanical set up it has always been - hydraulic with two controlling valve units - just refined. https://www.audi-technology-portal.de/en/chassis/s...
You are thinking of variable damping which is part of the package now offered. I would not have a RS4/6 without DRC but each to their own. Failure is rare, noise (knocking) has been the problem with B8 and C7 versions. But revised dampers have fixed that - at least in my 6.

Thanks for the info. I always thought Audi Drive Select (ADS) and DRC was the same thing. I even have the tell tale additional ADS oil cooler in the front. I've just been down in the shed and had a look at my OEM ADS dampers (B8) and couldn't find a hydraulic connection anywhere, but did find an electronic connector and I find it highly surprising Audi would develop 2 different systems for the same chassis.

Looking at this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80PI8d1dXdo I thought that was the basis of the 2nd generation variable damping but like you said I suppose there are different systems in use even across the same manufacturer.

Regards