Notes from the road - Audi A5
Discussion
MitchT said:
MorganP104 said:
W124 said:
The brakes? Grabbier than Pete Doherty in a crackhouse.
Having driven a number of Audis (I even owned a couple), and having familiarity with who Pete Doherty is, I wholeheartedly concur with this most evocative of statements. 
Drove a couple of A3s belonging to a mate... both with brakes so ridiculously over-sensitive that you'd have to be a 25kg fairy with advanced muscular atrophy to operate them in any kind of progressive manner.
For the avoidance of doubt, while I am powerfully built, shaven-headed and goateed, alas, I am not a company director.
greenarrow said:
Great review - honest and on the mark. I owned an Audi A3 from new in 2002 and build quality aside the drive was very disappointing. I never forget trying one of the early Skoda Octavia VRS' a year after buying my Audi and thinking it did almost everything better than my car, aside from MPG as the TDI A3 was very frugal.
In fact, I can hardly think of a single current Audi I would take over the equivalent VW or Skoda/Seat.
In fact it calls into question the integrity of car magazines these days, where every Audi is an automatic 4 star car. Where has the edge gone from the likes of CAR, who used to have their pity "Good Bad and Ugly" section.
It's an interesting one. I have access to virtually any of Volkswagen Group's cars on my car scheme, and the one I currently drive out of choice is a Skoda Superb L&K estate. In fact, I can hardly think of a single current Audi I would take over the equivalent VW or Skoda/Seat.
In fact it calls into question the integrity of car magazines these days, where every Audi is an automatic 4 star car. Where has the edge gone from the likes of CAR, who used to have their pity "Good Bad and Ugly" section.
This is despite having access to supposedly 'better' machinery including Audi S/RS models. The Superb doesn't pretend to be anything it's not, and it's an utterly brilliant family car, where much more thought has obviously gone into the design from the perspective of someone who lives with a car day-to-day rather than someone who's trying to impress others.
It helps too that it's a pretty anonymous car and doesn't seem to get any negative reaction from other road users, which is not something I can say about some of the Audis I've had, despite being driven in exactly the same manner.
legless said:
greenarrow said:
Great review - honest and on the mark. I owned an Audi A3 from new in 2002 and build quality aside the drive was very disappointing. I never forget trying one of the early Skoda Octavia VRS' a year after buying my Audi and thinking it did almost everything better than my car, aside from MPG as the TDI A3 was very frugal.
In fact, I can hardly think of a single current Audi I would take over the equivalent VW or Skoda/Seat.
In fact it calls into question the integrity of car magazines these days, where every Audi is an automatic 4 star car. Where has the edge gone from the likes of CAR, who used to have their pity "Good Bad and Ugly" section.
It's an interesting one. I have access to virtually any of Volkswagen Group's cars on my car scheme, and the one I currently drive out of choice is a Skoda Superb L&K estate. In fact, I can hardly think of a single current Audi I would take over the equivalent VW or Skoda/Seat.
In fact it calls into question the integrity of car magazines these days, where every Audi is an automatic 4 star car. Where has the edge gone from the likes of CAR, who used to have their pity "Good Bad and Ugly" section.
This is despite having access to supposedly 'better' machinery including Audi S/RS models. The Superb doesn't pretend to be anything it's not, and it's an utterly brilliant family car, where much more thought has obviously gone into the design from the perspective of someone who lives with a car day-to-day rather than someone who's trying to impress others.
It helps too that it's a pretty anonymous car and doesn't seem to get any negative reaction from other road users, which is not something I can say about some of the Audis I've had, despite being driven in exactly the same manner.
FiF said:
A question to the OP if I may.
If you do another review, are you going to tag it onto this thread or start another one? If the latter please pop in here and link to the new thread. Thanks in advance.
Will do. I'm off next week but might have the energy at some point soon to review the XF I drove yesterday. The exact opposite of the A5 in many ways. I don't want to overdo it though. It'll get even more dull than it already is. I alternately quite like/hate the sound of my own voice. Mainly due to colossal character flaws I can't control. If you do another review, are you going to tag it onto this thread or start another one? If the latter please pop in here and link to the new thread. Thanks in advance.
OP, would the current A6 fall into the same category as you describe this A5 like?
I have succumbed to the fact im looking into leasing something diesel and boring for a year or 2, i had fancied an A6 Black Edition (yes, silly big wheels etc) but inside looked rather plush so far, interested to hear your view?
Alternative would be balls to the wall and buy a Jag XF-S 12-14 plate instead, like the look of these and drove a new XF not so long ago, nice place to be
I have succumbed to the fact im looking into leasing something diesel and boring for a year or 2, i had fancied an A6 Black Edition (yes, silly big wheels etc) but inside looked rather plush so far, interested to hear your view?
Alternative would be balls to the wall and buy a Jag XF-S 12-14 plate instead, like the look of these and drove a new XF not so long ago, nice place to be
The A6 is a good car. Old school Audi - not long for this world in the current shape. You don't need the black edition. Just the basic car is fine. Has to be auto. Small wheels.
Could you not lease a current shape XF for roughly the same money? As you say - excellent cars. The ingenium diesel is a bit rough, granted.
I drive one the other day that was absolutely standard except for full dark brown leather and a pano roof. It was a really, really nice car. I'm not sure but I think you can extend the leather to the dash etc. The standard tech is a bit dated but it works well enough to use when you need it.
I always think that mark of a decent car is how much of a pleasure it is to drive slowly. Pottering round the M25 was bearable in that car.
That's about the highest recommendation I can think of.
But, as to the A6 - not like the A5 at all. Sober suited, rational, usable.
Could you not lease a current shape XF for roughly the same money? As you say - excellent cars. The ingenium diesel is a bit rough, granted.
I drive one the other day that was absolutely standard except for full dark brown leather and a pano roof. It was a really, really nice car. I'm not sure but I think you can extend the leather to the dash etc. The standard tech is a bit dated but it works well enough to use when you need it.
I always think that mark of a decent car is how much of a pleasure it is to drive slowly. Pottering round the M25 was bearable in that car.
That's about the highest recommendation I can think of.
But, as to the A6 - not like the A5 at all. Sober suited, rational, usable.
W124 said:
The A6 is a good car. Old school Audi - not long for this world in the current shape. You don't need the black edition. Just the basic car is fine. Has to be auto. Small wheels.
Could you not lease a current shape XF for roughly the same money? As you say - excellent cars. The ingenium diesel is a bit rough, granted.
I drive one the other day that was absolutely standard except for full dark brown leather and a pano roof. It was a really, really nice car. I'm not sure but I think you can extend the leather to the dash etc. The standard tech is a bit dated but it works well enough to use when you need it.
I always think that mark of a decent car is how much of a pleasure it is to drive slowly. Pottering round the M25 was bearable in that car.
That's about the highest recommendation I can think of.
But, as to the A6 - not like the A5 at all. Sober suited, rational, usable.
Perfect, thanks for the inputCould you not lease a current shape XF for roughly the same money? As you say - excellent cars. The ingenium diesel is a bit rough, granted.
I drive one the other day that was absolutely standard except for full dark brown leather and a pano roof. It was a really, really nice car. I'm not sure but I think you can extend the leather to the dash etc. The standard tech is a bit dated but it works well enough to use when you need it.
I always think that mark of a decent car is how much of a pleasure it is to drive slowly. Pottering round the M25 was bearable in that car.
That's about the highest recommendation I can think of.
But, as to the A6 - not like the A5 at all. Sober suited, rational, usable.
Like you say, the Jag tech isnt anything fancy or that, but everything does what i need it to, im a man of simple (albeit lots of gadgets) pleasures in a car
I would have to look into the XF lease pricing, i know the A6 was better around this time last year, hopefully is similar
Oh, and original review was fantastic, small chortle at bits, im not brand loyal but good to get somebodies point of view who drives various cars, will look out for your others
Edited by foxmeister on Saturday 15th July 15:32
RogueTrooper said:
MitchT said:
MorganP104 said:
W124 said:
The brakes? Grabbier than Pete Doherty in a crackhouse.
Having driven a number of Audis (I even owned a couple), and having familiarity with who Pete Doherty is, I wholeheartedly concur with this most evocative of statements. Drove a couple of A3s belonging to a mate... both with brakes so ridiculously over-sensitive that you'd have to be a 25kg fairy with advanced muscular atrophy to operate them in any kind of progressive manner.
For the avoidance of doubt, while I am powerfully built, shaven-headed and goateed, alas, I am not a company director.
The brakes are uniformly over servo`ed making them almost impossible to drive smoothly.
I have had no issues driving cars from several other marques eg ford, vauxhall, hyundai, BMW and Jaguar
W124 said:
Could you not lease a current shape XF for roughly the same money? As you say - excellent cars. The ingenium diesel is a bit rough, granted.
For me the diesel engine was the only good point about the current gen XF. I recently rented one and put several thousand miles on it - the engine was excellent and incredibly fuel efficient, the rest of the car fell somewhat short - from the suspect quality plastics seemingly everywhere right through to the awful touchscreen system that appeared to be running IGo Primo?!Not on here often, but it sounds like you possibly review many cars?
If so, what were you really expecting here?
We actually have one of these which my wife uses every day to run into work on A roads and in town. It's also used for ferrying our daughter back and forth to nursery.
We've also used it to take a trip with our daughter around Scotland.
For family runs it does a good job. Comfortable to drive, very well kitted out (despite the tablet on the dash being a bit last minute thought looking, the interior in the new Audi's is very good, moving things on I feel, and is well laid out and ideal for a lazy drive). Options are subjective though, what's important to some isn't for others. The one thing that the dual screen gives you is the ability to use Apple Car Play and still have the Nav screen on the virtual cockpit.
Looks pretty good too I think, not spellboundingly gorgeous, but more modern than the outgoing version.
If you drive one of these expecting it to be a dynamic, driving machine then you'll be very much let down.
However, load your family up into it for a day out, long weekend away or a week of travelling, then it's ideal.
Again, I ask, if you are as knowledgable as you seem, what you were expecting?
Some of Audi's S and RS cars give a feeling of numbness after not a huge amount of miles, so expecting a 190 tdi S-line to excite seems like a far fetched nonsense.
If so, what were you really expecting here?
We actually have one of these which my wife uses every day to run into work on A roads and in town. It's also used for ferrying our daughter back and forth to nursery.
We've also used it to take a trip with our daughter around Scotland.
For family runs it does a good job. Comfortable to drive, very well kitted out (despite the tablet on the dash being a bit last minute thought looking, the interior in the new Audi's is very good, moving things on I feel, and is well laid out and ideal for a lazy drive). Options are subjective though, what's important to some isn't for others. The one thing that the dual screen gives you is the ability to use Apple Car Play and still have the Nav screen on the virtual cockpit.
Looks pretty good too I think, not spellboundingly gorgeous, but more modern than the outgoing version.
If you drive one of these expecting it to be a dynamic, driving machine then you'll be very much let down.
However, load your family up into it for a day out, long weekend away or a week of travelling, then it's ideal.
Again, I ask, if you are as knowledgable as you seem, what you were expecting?
Some of Audi's S and RS cars give a feeling of numbness after not a huge amount of miles, so expecting a 190 tdi S-line to excite seems like a far fetched nonsense.
Edited by CraigV6 on Sunday 16th July 17:10
Edited by CraigV6 on Sunday 16th July 17:11
Just had a look at the A5 on the Audi website, liking the stuck on tablet on the dash, very stylish, the the one in the C4 Cactus. Do they get them from Argos? I saw this picture https://www.audi.co.uk/new-cars/a5/a5-coupe.html?s... and noticed it said P OFF, that's not very nice, is it?
They also seem to fit 200hp cars with the fuel tank from a ride on lawn mower.
They also seem to fit 200hp cars with the fuel tank from a ride on lawn mower.
CraigV6 said:
Not on here often, but it sounds like you possibly review many cars?
If so, what were you really expecting here?
We actually have one of these which my wife uses every day to run into work on A roads and in town. It's also used for ferrying our daughter back and forth to nursery.
We've also used it to take a trip with our daughter around Scotland.
For family runs it does a good job. Comfortable to drive, very well kitted out (despite the tablet on the dash being a bit last minute thought looking, the interior in the new Audi's is very good, moving things on I feel, and is well laid out and ideal for a lazy drive). Options are subjective though, what's important to some isn't for others. The one thing that the dual screen gives you is the ability to use Apple Car Play and still have the Nav screen on the virtual cockpit.
Looks pretty good too I think, not spellboundingly gorgeous, but more modern than the outgoing version.
If you drive one of these expecting it to be a dynamic, driving machine then you'll be very much let down.
However, load your family up into it for a day out, long weekend away or a week of travelling, then it's ideal.
Again, I ask, if you are as knowledgable as you seem, what you were expecting?
Some of Audi's S and RS cars give a feeling of numbness after not a huge amount of miles, so expecting a 190 tdi S-line to excite seems like a far fetched nonsense.
I respect your opinion but stand by mine. The A5 is a very poor car, in isolation and in relation to the competition. If so, what were you really expecting here?
We actually have one of these which my wife uses every day to run into work on A roads and in town. It's also used for ferrying our daughter back and forth to nursery.
We've also used it to take a trip with our daughter around Scotland.
For family runs it does a good job. Comfortable to drive, very well kitted out (despite the tablet on the dash being a bit last minute thought looking, the interior in the new Audi's is very good, moving things on I feel, and is well laid out and ideal for a lazy drive). Options are subjective though, what's important to some isn't for others. The one thing that the dual screen gives you is the ability to use Apple Car Play and still have the Nav screen on the virtual cockpit.
Looks pretty good too I think, not spellboundingly gorgeous, but more modern than the outgoing version.
If you drive one of these expecting it to be a dynamic, driving machine then you'll be very much let down.
However, load your family up into it for a day out, long weekend away or a week of travelling, then it's ideal.
Again, I ask, if you are as knowledgable as you seem, what you were expecting?
Some of Audi's S and RS cars give a feeling of numbness after not a huge amount of miles, so expecting a 190 tdi S-line to excite seems like a far fetched nonsense.
Edited by CraigV6 on Sunday 16th July 17:10
Edited by CraigV6 on Sunday 16th July 17:11
I wasn't expecting much. And I got less. I'm not anti Audi - the S3 is a great car, the TT in some specs is very good. The MLB cars I've driven are pretty poor.
As to car play - To me, yes, fine but surely how the the thing drives. How it moves - much more important no? The A5 is very cheap to lease because of the insanity of motor industry finance. That's it's Trump card.
Viewed as a product, it is dire. Let me put it to you like this. If I had a choice and could drive to Aberdeen in that exact A5 or my battered old Lexus, a car worth not far off 1% of the Audi's list price - I'd take the Lexus. Honestly.
Fox- said:
W124 said:
Could you not lease a current shape XF for roughly the same money? As you say - excellent cars. The ingenium diesel is a bit rough, granted.
For me the diesel engine was the only good point about the current gen XF. I recently rented one and put several thousand miles on it - the engine was excellent and incredibly fuel efficient, the rest of the car fell somewhat short - from the suspect quality plastics seemingly everywhere right through to the awful touchscreen system that appeared to be running IGo Primo?!RogueTrooper said:
MitchT said:
MorganP104 said:
W124 said:
The brakes? Grabbier than Pete Doherty in a crackhouse.
Having driven a number of Audis (I even owned a couple), and having familiarity with who Pete Doherty is, I wholeheartedly concur with this most evocative of statements. Drove a couple of A3s belonging to a mate... both with brakes so ridiculously over-sensitive that you'd have to be a 25kg fairy with advanced muscular atrophy to operate them in any kind of progressive manner.
For the avoidance of doubt, while I am powerfully built, shaven-headed and goateed, alas, I am not a company director.
t". These are the same brakes with calipers the size of the average man's forearm, discs the size of Ken Hom's favourite wok, and the ability to haul up a 3 ton beast in no time at all. Yes, there is a fair amount of travel on the pedal, but this means it's easy to modulate the braking force required. Anything from a gentle reduction in speed to hanging out of the seatbelts.I shouldn't have been surprised. My brother drives an Audi TT... S-Line.
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