B9 S5 Ownership (2017)

[gldy_b]

I have placed an order recently for the new S5 Sportback. Build date 19.06.17.

Navarra blue
Privacy glass
LED Matrix lights
Interior LED package
Virtual cockpit
Rear view camera
Folding mirrors
Flat bottom steering wheel

This is the first Audi that I am going to own my previous two car were BMW's E60 520d and F10 535d. I was going for the new BMW 5 but fancied a change so I went with the S5.

For those of you lucky enough to already got your new whips I was wondering how you are finding the S5.

[ensignia]

As the owner of an original S5 in V8 guise, Audi offered me a 48 hour extended test drive in one of these.

I expected to not like it as I'm a bit of a purist (aren't we all on PH?), but honestly, it was excellent.

Things I liked:

Power - it felt much, much faster than my 2007 model. Part of this was probably down to the gearbox which changes instantly, but the engine felt far more lively and there was no lag at all.

Interior - Getting back into my car after two days in the B9 was sobering. The virtual cockpit was genuinely useful and not a gimmick as I had originally thought. Build quality and materials were, as you'd expect, top notch.

Ride/handling - Ride was obviously fairly firm being a sporty Audi, but a marked improvement from old S/RS models. It even handled fairly competently, although feedback from the wheel felt very limited. It all felt a bit sterile though, as with a lot of cars these days I suspect.

Headlights - Being a demo, the car came with all the goodies including the matrix lights with the assist thingy. Worked seamlessly and lit up the road like nothing I've experienced before.

Things I didn't like:

- The looks - subjective, sure, but the clean lines are gone in favour of some OTT creases and sweeps. Not a fan; thought the original looked miles better proportioned. The car was Navarra blue which looked good though and helped hide the sharpness somewhat.

- The cost - More specifically the cost incurred having to spec options which really should be standard at this level. The £100 charge for the flat bottomed wheel is a little cheeky, I think. Oh, and electrically folding mirrors aren't standard, neither are heated seats, or hill hold assist. And don't get me started on the "storage pack"...

- The noise - Just sounded really flat and artificial. Very similar to that of my Golf R which is a four pot.

- Economy - Over the course of the two days in mixed driving and 160 miles, I averaged low 20s mpg (a few mpg better than my antiquated 4.2 V8). Fine. I don't care about this. But don't advertise it as getting 38mpg on the combined cycle. I'm sure it's probably doable, but most people will be getting the same sort of economy as me and will be pretty miffed.

All in all, I was very impressed with the overall package - it's a great all rounder and there's not a whole lot more out there at circa £50k which is markedly better.

You should be very happy with your new purchase, it's certainly given me some food for thought.

[gldy_b]

ensignia said:

As the owner of an original S5 in V8 guise, Audi offered me a 48 hour extended test drive in one of these.

I expected to not like it as I'm a bit of a purist (aren't we all on PH?), but honestly, it was excellent.

Things I liked:

Power - it felt much, much faster than my 2007 model. Part of this was probably down to the gearbox which changes instantly, but the engine felt far more lively and there was no lag at all.

Interior - Getting back into my car after two days in the B9 was sobering. The virtual cockpit was genuinely useful and not a gimmick as I had originally thought. Build quality and materials were, as you'd expect, top notch.

Ride/handling - Ride was obviously fairly firm being a sporty Audi, but a marked improvement from old S/RS models. It even handled fairly competently, although feedback from the wheel felt very limited. It all felt a bit sterile though, as with a lot of cars these days I suspect.

Headlights - Being a demo, the car came with all the goodies including the matrix lights with the assist thingy. Worked seamlessly and lit up the road like nothing I've experienced before.

Things I didn't like:

- The looks - subjective, sure, but the clean lines are gone in favour of some OTT creases and sweeps. Not a fan; thought the original looked miles better proportioned. The car was Navarra blue which looked good though and helped hide the sharpness somewhat.

- The cost - More specifically the cost incurred having to spec options which really should be standard at this level. The £100 charge for the flat bottomed wheel is a little cheeky, I think. Oh, and electrically folding mirrors aren't standard, neither are heated seats, or hill hold assist. And don't get me started on the "storage pack"...

- The noise - Just sounded really flat and artificial. Very similar to that of my Golf R which is a four pot.

- Economy - Over the course of the two days in mixed driving and 160 miles, I averaged low 20s mpg (a few mpg better than my antiquated 4.2 V8). Fine. I don't care about this. But don't advertise it as getting 38mpg on the combined cycle. I'm sure it's probably doable, but most people will be getting the same sort of economy as me and will be pretty miffed.

All in all, I was very impressed with the overall package - it's a great all rounder and there's not a whole lot more out there at circa £50k which is markedly better.

You should be very happy with your new purchase, it's certainly given me some food for thought.

Well written review thanks. I've been watching videos on YouTube (like you do) ever since I placed my order. On the subject of sound the exhaust sound seems to be louder with the crackle and pop when in dynamic mode. Did you experience this. From what I've read up. The Audi's tend to open up when they have a few 100 miles on them.

What did you think of the navarra blue? Although I've place my order I can't make my mind up 100% if to get navarra blue or black

[ensignia]

I've always had a preference for blue cars, so I'd pick Navarra blue over black any day of the week. The blue also stands out compared to black.

In terms of the sound, I had it in dynamic mode at all times but the crackle and pop would definitely get irritating after a while. Sounds too much like a Focus RS or something, in my view. I just think a turbo 6 cylinder will never sound as good a V8 or even an N/A 6 cylinder engine.

[audia530tdi]

ensignia said:

As the owner of an original S5 in V8 guise, Audi offered me a 48 hour extended test drive in one of these.

I expected to not like it as I'm a bit of a purist (aren't we all on PH?), but honestly, it was excellent.

Things I liked:

Power - it felt much, much faster than my 2007 model. Part of this was probably down to the gearbox which changes instantly, but the engine felt far more lively and there was no lag at all.

Interior - Getting back into my car after two days in the B9 was sobering. The virtual cockpit was genuinely useful and not a gimmick as I had originally thought. Build quality and materials were, as you'd expect, top notch.

Ride/handling - Ride was obviously fairly firm being a sporty Audi, but a marked improvement from old S/RS models. It even handled fairly competently, although feedback from the wheel felt very limited. It all felt a bit sterile though, as with a lot of cars these days I suspect.

Headlights - Being a demo, the car came with all the goodies including the matrix lights with the assist thingy. Worked seamlessly and lit up the road like nothing I've experienced before.

Things I didn't like:

- The looks - subjective, sure, but the clean lines are gone in favour of some OTT creases and sweeps. Not a fan; thought the original looked miles better proportioned. The car was Navarra blue which looked good though and helped hide the sharpness somewhat.

- The cost - More specifically the cost incurred having to spec options which really should be standard at this level. The £100 charge for the flat bottomed wheel is a little cheeky, I think. Oh, and electrically folding mirrors aren't standard, neither are heated seats, or hill hold assist. And don't get me started on the "storage pack"...

- The noise - Just sounded really flat and artificial. Very similar to that of my Golf R which is a four pot.

- Economy - Over the course of the two days in mixed driving and 160 miles, I averaged low 20s mpg (a few mpg better than my antiquated 4.2 V8). Fine. I don't care about this. But don't advertise it as getting 38mpg on the combined cycle. I'm sure it's probably doable, but most people will be getting the same sort of economy as me and will be pretty miffed.

All in all, I was very impressed with the overall package - it's a great all rounder and there's not a whole lot more out there at circa £50k which is markedly better.

You should be very happy with your new purchase, it's certainly given me some food for thought.

Thanks for the review. Just to clarify though, heated seats and electronic folding mirrors are standard.

[Philvrs]

audia530tdi said:

Thanks for the review. Just to clarify though, heated seats and electronic folding mirrors are standard.

I thought Electronic folding mirrors are £225 extra?

[gldy_b]

Philvrs said:

audia530tdi said:

Thanks for the review. Just to clarify though, heated seats and electronic folding mirrors are standard.

I thought Electronic folding mirrors are £225 extra?

Yes it's an extra. I've been charged. Heated Leather seats are standard in the front only if you want the rear then again that's an extra.

[gldy_b]

Has anybody got a real life picture(s) of the S5 Sportback in Mythos Black. Can you post please. Not too keen on the front chrome grille would much rather prefer the RS5 grille or if one was available just a standard black S5 one

[IJB1959]

gldy_b said:

Has anybody got a real life picture(s) of the S5 Sportback in Mythos Black. Can you post please. Not too keen on the front chrome grille would much rather prefer the RS5 grille or if one was available just a standard black S5 one

Here is a link to my S5 SB which is Mythos black. Looks great when clean, but spend most of my life keeping it that way. Black is hard work.
http://thumbsnap.com/f/aZjktIsr

[audia530tdi]

gldy_b said:

Yes it's an extra. I've been charged. Heated Leather seats are standard in the front only if you want the rear then again that's an extra.

Ok that's interesting. Audi Manchester told me that electronic folding mirrors are standard! I'm sure i asked the question on the S5 lease thread a while back and the general responses were that it's standard. I get my car delivered on Monday (after a 5 month wait) so will know for sure then.

[gldy_b]

audia530tdi said:

gldy_b said:

Yes it's an extra. I've been charged. Heated Leather seats are standard in the front only if you want the rear then again that's an extra.

Ok that's interesting. Audi Manchester told me that electronic folding mirrors are standard! I'm sure i asked the question on the S5 lease thread a while back and the general responses were that it's standard. I get my car delivered on Monday (after a 5 month wait) so will know for sure then.

I have placed my order at Audi Manchester and they told me it was an option. It also appears on the options list on the car configuration

[audia530tdi]

gldy_b said:

I have placed my order at Audi Manchester and they told me it was an option. It also appears on the options list on the car configuration

Thanks, then I stand corrected! I guess it's no biggie, although I may struggle to fit it in my garage (which is a double made up of 2 singles - pointless to have 2 single garages if each isnt wide enough for a car!).

[gldy_b]

After almost 4 months the time had come. I'm collecting my sb S5 tomorrow can't wait!