2018 S5 Tips & Tricks

[S5man]

Loving the car! Ridiculously so haha

Seem to be finally getting somewhere. Have found the correct oage through a link on the audi site. But via google not having it!

But yes a serious pain in the arse....

[jabadwy]

Yup that's normal behaviour, it was same in Golf R, even in Dynamic (aka Race) after restart the gearbox went back into 'normal' D mode until you selected Dynamic again. I am considering disconnecting valves to keep them open all time but not sure of effect on fuel economy and also fault codes.
The single best thing of S5 over Golf R IMO is the sound - its not quiet but more would be better.
FWIW the 2 things that annoy me are the steering compared to Golf R feels woefully disconnected with no feedback and road noise from tyres is terrible - i have continental's

[TomScrut]

jabadwy said:

Yup that's normal behaviour, it was same in Golf R, even in Dynamic (aka Race) after restart the gearbox went back into 'normal' D mode until you selected Dynamic again. I am considering disconnecting valves to keep them open all time but not sure of effect on fuel economy and also fault codes.
The single best thing of S5 over Golf R IMO is the sound - its not quiet but more would be better.
FWIW the 2 things that annoy me are the steering compared to Golf R feels woefully disconnected with no feedback and road noise from tyres is terrible - i have continental's

I agree with most of this other than I find the tyre noise (Hankooks) way better than I got on the Golf. Just how quiet it is in general apart from engine is great in comparison.

[IJB1959]

TomScrut said:

I agree with most of this other than I find the tyre noise (Hankooks) way better than I got on the Golf. Just how quiet it is in general apart from engine is great in comparison.

I agree with Tom, having driven one with Continentals, Hankooks are much quieter. Mine came with Hankooks, but there is still far better out there IMO.

[TomScrut]

IJB1959 said:

I agree with Tom, having driven one with Continentals, Hankooks are much quieter. Mine came with Hankooks, but there is still far better out there IMO.

Yeah depending on when I need some Ill be going to PS4s I think

[simonwhite2000]

Car goes in Monday to hopefully get a rattle fixed in my coupe that comes from the rear passenger side 3/4 area. Once done I can finally get a tuning box sorted.
Anyone gone for a dtuk one? Those with a tdi tuning box is everything still all good?

[IJB1959]

simonwhite2000 said:

Car goes in Monday to hopefully get a rattle fixed in my coupe that comes from the rear passenger side 3/4 area. Once done I can finally get a tuning box sorted.
Anyone gone for a dtuk one? Those with a tdi tuning box is everything still all good?

All still very good with mine!

[Frankstar123]

How do,

So i've had my S5 since March now and I'm afraid to say it but I'm getting a bit bored of it. I think someone mentioned it on here but it does feel a bit like driving it on a PS4. I don't feel that excited about it any more. Yes the car is quick but it feels the same if you're doing 20mph compared to 120mph. I find it understeers quite a lot and its not that nimble. Anyone on here tried accelerating hard in 1st then braking for a roundabout? The keeps accelerating, I presume because of the auto box. I.e if you accelerate hard in 1st on a manual an lift off you feel the car slow but the S5 continues to try an accelerate. I had more fun in my BMW 120d. Don't get me wrong, its a lovely car and i need a bigger one for my family but..... I dunno whats wrong with me. I feel a bit down about it to be honest.... Tell me i'm wrong...

[IJB1959]

Frankstar123 said:

How do,

So i've had my S5 since March now and I'm afraid to say it but I'm getting a bit bored of it. I think someone mentioned it on here but it does feel a bit like driving it on a PS4. I don't feel that excited about it any more. Yes the car is quick but it feels the same if you're doing 20mph compared to 120mph. I find it understeers quite a lot and its not that nimble. Anyone on here tried accelerating hard in 1st then braking for a roundabout? The keeps accelerating, I presume because of the auto box. I.e if you accelerate hard in 1st on a manual an lift off you feel the car slow but the S5 continues to try an accelerate. I had more fun in my BMW 120d. Don't get me wrong, its a lovely car and i need a bigger one for my family but..... I dunno whats wrong with me. I feel a bit down about it to be honest.... Tell me i'm wrong...

I'm the opposite with mine...still loving it. I do think that you need to know what your buying with a decent test drive first, as the disconnection with the steering and road is not to everybody's taste, and also the S5 was always known for understeer but this has improved a lot with the B9. There is no comparison with a smaller rear wheel drive 120d which you can 'chuck about' a bit, so if that's preferred then best to have a Golf R instead. I do take your point about a 'sticking' 1st gear though which only happens (with me) in auto dynamic S mode. If I want to drive 'enthusiastically' I now use the steering paddles in manual S mode and so do not have this issue. You can also quickly drop out of 1st using the paddles even in auto mode if this happens.

[simonwhite2000]

IJB1959 said:

Frankstar123 said:

How do,

So i've had my S5 since March now and I'm afraid to say it but I'm getting a bit bored of it. I think someone mentioned it on here but it does feel a bit like driving it on a PS4. I don't feel that excited about it any more. Yes the car is quick but it feels the same if you're doing 20mph compared to 120mph. I find it understeers quite a lot and its not that nimble. Anyone on here tried accelerating hard in 1st then braking for a roundabout? The keeps accelerating, I presume because of the auto box. I.e if you accelerate hard in 1st on a manual an lift off you feel the car slow but the S5 continues to try an accelerate. I had more fun in my BMW 120d. Don't get me wrong, its a lovely car and i need a bigger one for my family but..... I dunno whats wrong with me. I feel a bit down about it to be honest.... Tell me i'm wrong...

I'm the opposite with mine...still loving it. I do think that you need to know what your buying with a decent test drive first, as the disconnection with the steering and road is not to everybody's taste, and also the S5 was always known for understeer but this has improved a lot with the B9. There is no comparison with a smaller rear wheel drive 120d which you can 'chuck about' a bit, so if that's preferred then best to have a Golf R instead. I do take your point about a 'sticking' 1st gear though which only happens (with me) in auto dynamic S mode. If I want to drive 'enthusiastically' I now use the steering paddles in manual S mode and so do not have this issue. You can also quickly drop out of 1st using the paddles even in auto mode if this happens.

I still love mine but I did prefer the Golf R I had previously. What I would say is I am still glad I took the S5 to experience something different and enjoy a more luxurious interior. I expected the steering to be like it is so no major gripes there but the gearbox is easily confused and although not as bad as I feared it is still the black mark so to speak. The paddles do fix the situation though as mentioned above.
I would look to get back in a Golf R again after this S5 and preferably an estate one. Stick a JB4 on it and it would be around 350/360bhp. Depends what leasing deals are around in 12 months time though when i start considering the next car order.

[IJB1959]

simonwhite2000 said:

I still love mine but I did prefer the Golf R I had previously. What I would say is I am still glad I took the S5 to experience something different and enjoy a more luxurious interior. I expected the steering to be like it is so no major gripes there but the gearbox is easily confused and although not as bad as I feared it is still the black mark so to speak. The paddles do fix the situation though as mentioned above.
I would look to get back in a Golf R again after this S5 and preferably an estate one. Stick a JB4 on it and it would be around 350/360bhp. Depends what leasing deals are around in 12 months time though when i start considering the next car order.

I would bet you end up looking at another Audi (maybe not another S5 though)

[TomScrut]

simonwhite2000 said:

IJB1959 said:

Frankstar123 said:

How do,

So i've had my S5 since March now and I'm afraid to say it but I'm getting a bit bored of it. I think someone mentioned it on here but it does feel a bit like driving it on a PS4. I don't feel that excited about it any more. Yes the car is quick but it feels the same if you're doing 20mph compared to 120mph. I find it understeers quite a lot and its not that nimble. Anyone on here tried accelerating hard in 1st then braking for a roundabout? The keeps accelerating, I presume because of the auto box. I.e if you accelerate hard in 1st on a manual an lift off you feel the car slow but the S5 continues to try an accelerate. I had more fun in my BMW 120d. Don't get me wrong, its a lovely car and i need a bigger one for my family but..... I dunno whats wrong with me. I feel a bit down about it to be honest.... Tell me i'm wrong...

I'm the opposite with mine...still loving it. I do think that you need to know what your buying with a decent test drive first, as the disconnection with the steering and road is not to everybody's taste, and also the S5 was always known for understeer but this has improved a lot with the B9. There is no comparison with a smaller rear wheel drive 120d which you can 'chuck about' a bit, so if that's preferred then best to have a Golf R instead. I do take your point about a 'sticking' 1st gear though which only happens (with me) in auto dynamic S mode. If I want to drive 'enthusiastically' I now use the steering paddles in manual S mode and so do not have this issue. You can also quickly drop out of 1st using the paddles even in auto mode if this happens.

I still love mine but I did prefer the Golf R I had previously. What I would say is I am still glad I took the S5 to experience something different and enjoy a more luxurious interior. I expected the steering to be like it is so no major gripes there but the gearbox is easily confused and although not as bad as I feared it is still the black mark so to speak. The paddles do fix the situation though as mentioned above.
I would look to get back in a Golf R again after this S5 and preferably an estate one. Stick a JB4 on it and it would be around 350/360bhp. Depends what leasing deals are around in 12 months time though when i start considering the next car order.

Having also come from an R, I don't entirely agree. I do prefer the S5, for me the interior, practicality, tech and sound make up for the steering handling and gearbox. But what I will look for in the future is highly dependent on cost. Current R deals are not worth it vs what the S5 was IMO. But if the Rs had been what they were 2 1/2 years ago that's what I would be driving now! That lease was incredible value.

[mackie1]

I find the gearbox frustrating at town speeds sometimes but when going swiftly it works well I think.

Steering wise it's not too bad. When it was new new it had a weird dead zone just off centre but this as gone now. Tyres bedding in at a guess. There's a LOT of front end grip from those big tyres and it's as accurate as you could expect from a comfy riding saloon. My main handling complaint is the it really feels it's weight in high speed transitions. The C63 by comparison had much better body control but that's a class above and and has an overall more taught chassis. I'm guessing the optional dampers would help with this. Brakes are great - nice to see manufacturers putting proper brakes on the not-the-fastest-in-the-range models these days. Again not quite C63 class (they'd happily take a track day and not break a sweat - seriously impressive for an 1800kg car doing 130mph+ stops) but really good.

[simonwhite2000]

TomScrut said:

simonwhite2000 said:

IJB1959 said:

Frankstar123 said:

How do,

So i've had my S5 since March now and I'm afraid to say it but I'm getting a bit bored of it. I think someone mentioned it on here but it does feel a bit like driving it on a PS4. I don't feel that excited about it any more. Yes the car is quick but it feels the same if you're doing 20mph compared to 120mph. I find it understeers quite a lot and its not that nimble. Anyone on here tried accelerating hard in 1st then braking for a roundabout? The keeps accelerating, I presume because of the auto box. I.e if you accelerate hard in 1st on a manual an lift off you feel the car slow but the S5 continues to try an accelerate. I had more fun in my BMW 120d. Don't get me wrong, its a lovely car and i need a bigger one for my family but..... I dunno whats wrong with me. I feel a bit down about it to be honest.... Tell me i'm wrong...

I'm the opposite with mine...still loving it. I do think that you need to know what your buying with a decent test drive first, as the disconnection with the steering and road is not to everybody's taste, and also the S5 was always known for understeer but this has improved a lot with the B9. There is no comparison with a smaller rear wheel drive 120d which you can 'chuck about' a bit, so if that's preferred then best to have a Golf R instead. I do take your point about a 'sticking' 1st gear though which only happens (with me) in auto dynamic S mode. If I want to drive 'enthusiastically' I now use the steering paddles in manual S mode and so do not have this issue. You can also quickly drop out of 1st using the paddles even in auto mode if this happens.

I still love mine but I did prefer the Golf R I had previously. What I would say is I am still glad I took the S5 to experience something different and enjoy a more luxurious interior. I expected the steering to be like it is so no major gripes there but the gearbox is easily confused and although not as bad as I feared it is still the black mark so to speak. The paddles do fix the situation though as mentioned above.
I would look to get back in a Golf R again after this S5 and preferably an estate one. Stick a JB4 on it and it would be around 350/360bhp. Depends what leasing deals are around in 12 months time though when i start considering the next car order.

Having also come from an R, I don't entirely agree. I do prefer the S5, for me the interior, practicality, tech and sound make up for the steering handling and gearbox. But what I will look for in the future is highly dependent on cost. Current R deals are not worth it vs what the S5 was IMO. But if the Rs had been what they were 2 1/2 years ago that's what I would be driving now! That lease was incredible value.

This is bang on - it will all depend on what lease offers are around in 12 months time. We have a Polo GTI for 134 a month and my Golf R was 207 a month with a few options but the glory days seem to be well gone really! This year there has only been Golf GTI offers and the S5/S4 that really stood out.

[IJB1959]

simonwhite2000 said:

TomScrut said:

simonwhite2000 said:

IJB1959 said:

Frankstar123 said:

How do,

So i've had my S5 since March now and I'm afraid to say it but I'm getting a bit bored of it. I think someone mentioned it on here but it does feel a bit like driving it on a PS4. I don't feel that excited about it any more. Yes the car is quick but it feels the same if you're doing 20mph compared to 120mph. I find it understeers quite a lot and its not that nimble. Anyone on here tried accelerating hard in 1st then braking for a roundabout? The keeps accelerating, I presume because of the auto box. I.e if you accelerate hard in 1st on a manual an lift off you feel the car slow but the S5 continues to try an accelerate. I had more fun in my BMW 120d. Don't get me wrong, its a lovely car and i need a bigger one for my family but..... I dunno whats wrong with me. I feel a bit down about it to be honest.... Tell me i'm wrong...

I'm the opposite with mine...still loving it. I do think that you need to know what your buying with a decent test drive first, as the disconnection with the steering and road is not to everybody's taste, and also the S5 was always known for understeer but this has improved a lot with the B9. There is no comparison with a smaller rear wheel drive 120d which you can 'chuck about' a bit, so if that's preferred then best to have a Golf R instead. I do take your point about a 'sticking' 1st gear though which only happens (with me) in auto dynamic S mode. If I want to drive 'enthusiastically' I now use the steering paddles in manual S mode and so do not have this issue. You can also quickly drop out of 1st using the paddles even in auto mode if this happens.

I still love mine but I did prefer the Golf R I had previously. What I would say is I am still glad I took the S5 to experience something different and enjoy a more luxurious interior. I expected the steering to be like it is so no major gripes there but the gearbox is easily confused and although not as bad as I feared it is still the black mark so to speak. The paddles do fix the situation though as mentioned above.
I would look to get back in a Golf R again after this S5 and preferably an estate one. Stick a JB4 on it and it would be around 350/360bhp. Depends what leasing deals are around in 12 months time though when i start considering the next car order.

Having also come from an R, I don't entirely agree. I do prefer the S5, for me the interior, practicality, tech and sound make up for the steering handling and gearbox. But what I will look for in the future is highly dependent on cost. Current R deals are not worth it vs what the S5 was IMO. But if the Rs had been what they were 2 1/2 years ago that's what I would be driving now! That lease was incredible value.

This is bang on - it will all depend on what lease offers are around in 12 months time. We have a Polo GTI for 134 a month and my Golf R was 207 a month with a few options but the glory days seem to be well gone really! This year there has only been Golf GTI offers and the S5/S4 that really stood out.

So you guys really rate the Golf R

Why in your opinion(s) would you lease one over a S4/5 apart from lease cost out of curiosity, and also what about an RS3 which is similar size?

[TomScrut]

IJB1959 said:

So you guys really rate the Golf R

Why in your opinion(s) would you lease one over a S4/5 apart from lease cost out of curiosity, and also what about an RS3 which is similar size?

The RS3 is hopeless on a lease IIRC (from when they made them, I looked), if the RS3 was available at a decent price when I ordered the S5 I would have considered it, although I aren't sure I would take the extra performance over the increased practicality and nicer interior for the same money. I could have had a CLA45 for the same money as the S5 (I got a quote) but I opted for the nicer car rather than the faster car.

The steering and handling were way better in the Golf than the S5 . The DSG box is better than the tiptronic in the S5 (although I don't think the box in the S5 is bad). Better MPG too. Its just a case of priorities I think. The Golf is a hot hatch the S5 is more of a fast cruiser IMO.

[jabadwy]

The Golf R was IMO the consummate hot hatch - it was an everyday car that you could also push hard with ease but not uncomfortable. The S5 is not comparable, its much more refined and in a diff sector and is friggin massive compared to Golf. As others have stated i too miss the Golf from a driving perspective but am happy with S5 and quite content poodling around with ear pleasing soundtrack. When I get bored of this i'll add a tuning box.

[TomScrut]

jabadwy said:

The Golf R was IMO the consummate hot hatch - it was an everyday car that you could also push hard with ease but not uncomfortable. The S5 is not comparable, its much more refined and in a diff sector and is friggin massive compared to Golf. As others have stated i too miss the Golf from a driving perspective but am happy with S5 and quite content poodling around with ear pleasing soundtrack. When I get bored of this i'll add a tuning box.

Yes that's it, 99% of the time the Audi is the better car, no contest. The 1% of the time when you can push on to the point that the Golf is better is not worth it vs the Audi if both were offered at the same price. Motorway miles are far far easier in the Audi, far quieter and more refined.

[IJB1959]

Want a better sounding exhaust note a slower speeds? found this little trick on the Audi-Sport forum site.

Apparently, EU legislation requires that the exhaust valves remain closed at speeds less than 40mph in an effort to reduce noise pollution, thus the S5 runs muffled on one of the two exhaust pipes below this speed as the valve is closed (don't quote me on this legislation bit, but this is what was said). With the valve closed at speeds under 40mph, the car is therefore quieter (muffled) even in dynamic S mode.

SO, apparently if you unplug the exhaust valve connectors, the valves remain open all the time, and on all four pipes (or two to be accurate).

Being the curious type and a two minute job, I unplugged them to see, and yes the exhaust does sound distinctively 'beefier' and therefore more sporty at slow and idle speeds, and in all drive modes.

To try it for yourself, turn off the car in dynamic & S mode, then remove the exhaust valve plug which is located just behind the rear silencer box on the passenger side at the top, and top of drivers side towards the rear. The plug has a clip on the top you need to press hard, then pull to release it. (it's a tight fit). If you want to leave it this way then make sure you tape up the plugs and sockets properly to stop water and dirt getting in. Don't forget to tie up the loose cables out of the way as well.

See what you all recon on this......I quite like it TBH. It won't make it sound like a Milltech/APR pipe, but does sound better IMO.

Edited by IJB1959 on Friday 16th June 14:39

[jabadwy]

I did give this a quick try recently but struggled to disconnect easily and i didn't want to damage anything so gave up pretty quickly.
Do you have to push down from top and pull apart at same time to disconnect?
Also, granted i know nothing about exhaust mods does anyone know if using 4 pipes permanently would mean more petrol is consumed or its same as 2 just less pressure?
Thanks in advance