Drove S5 today

[RS4john]

Erm................. well felt more like the A8 than anything, huge bonnet, no room for 6 footers in the rear seats, boot not quite as big as the RS4, no where near as powerfull as the RS4, just felt huge to drive.
Not for me.

[stimmers]

RS4john said:

Erm................. well felt more like the A8 than anything, huge bonnet, no room for 6 footers in the rear seats, boot not quite as big as the RS4, no where near as powerfull as the RS4, just felt huge to drive.
Not for me.

Its a coupe, so rear seats are not going to be huge
Boot is big, much bigger than my old M3's - i certainly wouldn't need one any bigger.
Personally think the RS4 only feels marginally quicker, thats after driving them back to back.
Doesn't drive anything like an A8
It is a bigger car than i thought, but i love the way it looks

Personally think its a very very good car. I hope people will soon realise that is an S 5 not an RS 5 !

[ljdnc]

yeah iam buying an s5 in 6 months to a year once the have lost a good chunk of the price test drove one the day and compared to my a4 3.0 quattro sport it goes like s**t of a shovel

[Chemical Ali]

Have driven the S5 and must say it is a really good car. It does feel a little sedate and disconnected and the rear seat are small, but for the price, especially the 3 litre diesel, seems good value. As for driving like an A8, its more like a big TT than an oversized luxury tourer.

However, to say the RS4 is only marginally quicker - what are you talking about? The RS4 feels twice as fast as an S5, and faster than a carrera 4s for that matter.

I really like the S5. I just wish they would put a proper suspension set up, maybee magnetic ride with lowered springs, and a bigger engine in it. They could call it an RS5 and I could forget the name Porsche and save myself a lot of cash.

Edited by Chemical Ali on Monday 23 July 01:32

[RS4john]

I did NOT say it "Drives" like an A8, it "FEELS whilst driving" like being in an A8, and as for it being close to the RS4 for performance, well you must have driven a dog RS4, mine will eat the S5.

Edited by RS4john on Monday 23 July 10:01

[stimmers]

Well for me the RS4 vs S5 in a straight line, not a huge amount in it. In the bends and twisty's, i agree thats where the RS4 would gain the significant advantage.
Besides, something i think a lot of people and the mag's are missing is that this is a different car to the RS4. Its not supposed to do what the RS4 does.
I pick my S5 up on Thursday, pretty much fully loaded for around £45k, for what im going to be using it for i think that its an excellent car at a pretty good price and im really looking forward to it. From the limited time i have had in the seat so far, i think its a more than a capable car. I drove an RS4as that was the car i was originally going to replace my M3 with, but i very happy with the decision not to buy the RS4 and go for the S5 instead.

I have an order down for the RS5 when they decide to make that, when that does come out, i think it will be fair to start comparing it to the RS4, The New M3 etc. Until then i find these comparisons mildly interesting, if not a little pointless.

Edited by stimmers on Monday 23 July 11:52

[mel]

RS4john said:

and as for it being close to the RS4 for performance, well you must have driven a dog RS4, mine will eat the S5.

I will confess straight away that I haven't yet drive an S5 so I may be speaking out of turn, however I have spent a fair amount of time behind the wheel of a B7 RS4 Avant and use a B6 S4 Avant as a daily driver so I do have some knowledge of the cars and the engines. IMO I think you are stretching the point a little in the last sentace of "mine will eat the S5" if the S5 is anything like the S4 and there's no reason to suspect otherwise I would suggest that while yes your RS4 is quicker, tighter and more focused the S4 is damm near 9/10 of the same car. I certainly feel that the S cars are a little overlooked because of their RS relatives, I think a closer comparison would be S4/S5=M3 RS4/RS5=M3CSL the S4/5 is certainly no shrinking violet and to suggest otherwise does it an injustice.

[stimmers]

mel said:

RS4john said:

and as for it being close to the RS4 for performance, well you must have driven a dog RS4, mine will eat the S5.

I will confess straight away that I haven't yet drive an S5 so I may be speaking out of turn, however I have spent a fair amount of time behind the wheel of a B7 RS4 Avant and use a B6 S4 Avant as a daily driver so I do have some knowledge of the cars and the engines. IMO I think you are stretching the point a little in the last sentace of "mine will eat the S5" if the S5 is anything like the S4 and there's no reason to suspect otherwise I would suggest that while yes your RS4 is quicker, tighter and more focused the S4 is damm near 9/10 of the same car. I certainly feel that the S cars are a little overlooked because of their RS relatives, I think a closer comparison would be S4/S5=M3 RS4/RS5=M3CSL the S4/5 is certainly no shrinking violet and to suggest otherwise does it an injustice.

Well said, good post !!!!

[stimmers]

RS4john said:

I, mine will eat the S5.

Edited by RS4john on Monday 23 July 10:01

Maybe you drove 'a dog' S5 ?

[Nipper1]

I've got a B7 RS4 Avant and my wife is swapping her MkI TT for an S5. It's due to arrive at the dealers this week but we're not taking delivery until 1st Sept due to hols. I'm expecting that the S5 will only be a tad slower than the RS4, but obviously not as chuckable, however compared to the TT that it replaces it'll be far better.

The S5 is after all a grown up TT, and shouldn't be compared to the RS4. The RS4 is obviously a more focused car, (we all know that!!).

I'll let you know how they compare when we have ours.

[John Carter]

I went to one of the A/S5 launch events in Surrey the weekend before last, and drove (amongst others) an S5 and an RS4 Avant. The test drive was an out and back route consisting of a twisty 'B' road followed by a few miles of undulating dual carriageway. On the latter part during my spell in the RS4, one of the other testers was behind me in an S5, and after the turn he was all over the back of me while I waited for traffic ahead to move over. Once the road was clear I was able to open up the RS4, and whilst I started to put some distance between it and the S5, I had to work it fairly hard to do so. By the time I had to brake again, he wasn't too far behind. Yes, the RS4 is faster - but it's not a 'night and day' difference.

I had two passengers in the car, and the S5 driver had one.

I later went out in the S5, and found it to be very capable and enjoyable to drive, very similar to my S4 saloon but noticeably better in terms of handling (as much as a brief test drive can demonstrate anyway).

[stimmers]

John Carter said:

I went to one of the A/S5 launch events in Surrey the weekend before last, and drove (amongst others) an S5 and an RS4 Avant. The test drive was an out and back route consisting of a twisty 'B' road followed by a few miles of undulating dual carriageway. On the latter part during my spell in the RS4, one of the other testers was behind me in an S5, and after the turn he was all over the back of me while I waited for traffic ahead to move over. Once the road was clear I was able to open up the RS4, and whilst I started to put some distance between it and the S5, I had to work it fairly hard to do so. By the time I had to brake again, he wasn't too far behind. Yes, the RS4 is faster - but it's not a 'night and day' difference.

I had two passengers in the car, and the S5 driver had one.

I later went out in the S5, and found it to be very capable and enjoyable to drive, very similar to my S4 saloon but noticeably better in terms of handling (as much as a brief test drive can demonstrate anyway).

Thats exactly how i thought the two cars would differ. Thanks for posting ! Looking forward to the RS5 !!!!

[drybeer]

S5 for some reason has got some less that favourable press reports...

I can't for the life of me figure out why...

It's sharper by a country mile than my B6 S4 Avant to drive...

The S4 feels just older to throw around in comparison...

All the above comments are good...

I agree an RS4 is a faster more focussed car, but the newer chassis technology in the A5 really does move the game on. And lets not forget the £10000 price difference!

Although it's not MEANT to have A4 levels of rear seat room, as someone very eloquently put before, it is primarily a coupe, so I don't see families buying it with that in mind.

S4 will suit them more.

I don't think S5 needs different suspension - I think the world has moved on, and even the new V8 M3 will have a softer feel to people who drive the E46. Mind you they'll also wish 300 days of the year that they had quattro in their M3, so I'd still rather have the Audi!

[John Carter]

drybeer said:

S5 for some reason has got some less than favourable press reports...

I can't for the life of me figure out why...

Perhaps because it doesn't have a blue and white propeller anywhere on it?

Seriously though, they're entitled to criticise the car if the manufacturer states in the press release that it's a 'sports car' but then it ultimately falls short in the real world and lacks true sporting intent. With that said, Audi has completely hit the mark with the A5; I myself was misled by all the early preconceptions that it was intended to be a 'sports car' but never once, anywhere in any of Audi's PR material do they refer to the A5 as such. It was meant to be more of a 'GT', more 'easy going' than highly strung track athlete, and some of these hardcore supercar/sports car freaks in the British automotive media have been incredibly unfair in grading the A/S5 against such standards IMO.

I remember hearing a while back that the cars that went to press were early pre-production examples, and it's interesting to note that more positive reviews are starting to appear now that cars with finalised UK suspension set up are with us.

[drybeer]

John Carter said:

I remember hearing a while back that the cars that went to press were early pre-production examples, and it's interesting to note that more positive reviews are starting to appear now that cars with finalised UK suspension set up are with us.

Very true, well said.

The LHD pre production car I had in the showroom a few weeks ago had some dubious quality interior trim items also, which I'm glad to see didn't make the production version.

[Adam B]

drybeer said:

I agree an RS4 is a faster more focussed car, but the newer chassis technology in the A5 really does move the game on. And lets not forget the £10000 price difference!

not when specced up apparently, not to compare same spec for same spec and RS has more than S.

£45k for an S5 v £50k for an RS4 - not the trickiest of choice for me.

Hope S5 looks more svelte in real life, looked a bit slab-sided and barge-like in reviews (a la Conti GT) but I am sure its a nice car.

[drybeer]

Adam B said:

not when specced up apparently, not to compare same spec for same spec and RS has more than S.

£45k for an S5 v £50k for an RS4 - not the trickiest of choice for me.

I don't get that bit.

RS4 is £51,030 OTR. I admit it has Metallic, BOSE, Heated front seats and acoustic parking as standard over and above the S5 spec.

S5 has more or less the same spec as standard, albeit two doors less, at £39825, plus £600 metallic, £525 Bang & Olufsen, £250 heated front seats, £300 Audi parking system plus = £41,500 OTR.

Difference = £9,530.

I know I'm splitting hairs, but that's £10,000 to me!

[wizz72]

mel said:

RS4john said:

and as for it being close to the RS4 for performance, well you must have driven a dog RS4, mine will eat the S5.

I will confess straight away that I haven't yet drive an S5 so I may be speaking out of turn, however I have spent a fair amount of time behind the wheel of a B7 RS4 Avant and use a B6 S4 Avant as a daily driver so I do have some knowledge of the cars and the engines. IMO I think you are stretching the point a little in the last sentace of "mine will eat the S5" if the S5 is anything like the S4 and there's no reason to suspect otherwise I would suggest that while yes your RS4 is quicker, tighter and more focused the S4 is damm near 9/10 of the same car. I certainly feel that the S cars are a little overlooked because of their RS relatives, I think a closer comparison would be S4/S5=M3 RS4/RS5=M3CSL the S4/5 is certainly no shrinking violet and to suggest otherwise does it an injustice.

What a load of rubbish..the rs4 and rs5 cannot be compared to an M3 CSL..they r NOTHING alike..the csl is a stripped out lightweight rear wheel drive track day machine.A more realistic comparison would be against the new M3.

[RS4john]

wizz72 said:

mel said:

RS4john said:

and as for it being close to the RS4 for performance, well you must have driven a dog RS4, mine will eat the S5.

I will confess straight away that I haven't yet drive an S5 so I may be speaking out of turn, however I have spent a fair amount of time behind the wheel of a B7 RS4 Avant and use a B6 S4 Avant as a daily driver so I do have some knowledge of the cars and the engines. IMO I think you are stretching the point a little in the last sentace of "mine will eat the S5" if the S5 is anything like the S4 and there's no reason to suspect otherwise I would suggest that while yes your RS4 is quicker, tighter and more focused the S4 is damm near 9/10 of the same car. I certainly feel that the S cars are a little overlooked because of their RS relatives, I think a closer comparison would be S4/S5=M3 RS4/RS5=M3CSL the S4/5 is certainly no shrinking violet and to suggest otherwise does it an injustice.

What a load of rubbish..the rs4 and rs5 cannot be compared to an M3 CSL..they r NOTHING alike..the csl is a stripped out lightweight rear wheel drive track day machine.A more realistic comparison would be against the new M3.

Where was the S5 or RS4 compaired to the CSL?.

[Adam B]

drybeer said:

Adam B said:

not when specced up apparently, not to compare same spec for same spec and RS has more than S.

£45k for an S5 v £50k for an RS4 - not the trickiest of choice for me.

I don't get that bit.

RS4 is £51,030 OTR. I admit it has Metallic, BOSE, Heated front seats and acoustic parking as standard over and above the S5 spec.

S5 has more or less the same spec as standard, albeit two doors less, at £39825, plus £600 metallic, £525 Bang & Olufsen, £250 heated front seats, £300 Audi parking system plus = £41,500 OTR.

Difference = £9,530.

I know I'm splitting hairs, but that's £10,000 to me!

I was comparing the £45k (obviously high spec) S5 that stimmers is buying (see above) with my £50k (OK actually £51.4k) RS4 which came with tech pack, TV, sunroof and a few other bits (so probably as much spec as stimmers car)