Audi S5 - any good?
Discussion
Blown2CV said:
MG511 said:
lovely interior.
for an audianyway tried an S5, lovely looks and interior, great kit and a very nice car - unfortunately Audi bottled it on the handling/steering front away from the great R8/RS4 to the previous more understeery traits (hopefully RS5 will sovle this)
very nice though and was tempted to swap but love my RS too much
I've got an S5 and I love it.
It's really a cruising car, its quick but its not a mega handler. As a day to day car its brilliant, does everything you could want, has plenty of toys and despite some not liking it I really do like the interior. Its very comfy and the MMI is dead easy to use which is a bonus. It will really shift when you want it to but generally I think its a pretty subtle car which on a day to day basis is fine. On full beans it does sound great!
But... I have driven both the manual and the auto and I certainly wouldnt even consider a manual, it doesn't suit the car. The throttle response on the manual is really odd, it revs up very quickly and then kind of dies away; drive it and see - it is just strange! The auto by comparison is fantastic, it is the gearbox that should have been launched with the car and just makes everything effortless. I will consider the RS5 when that arrives as I think that will be a great car, but the one thing that puts me off if the thought of going back to manual...
And... Don't underestimate fuel consumption, if I dive it like a total granny I can just (and I mean just) see 30MPG on a consistent motorway run but real world in traffic etc you are going to see teens with it raising to mid 20s on the motorway. it doesnt bother me at all, but do be aware, I know a few people who have been caught out by v8's when they start to use them!
It's really a cruising car, its quick but its not a mega handler. As a day to day car its brilliant, does everything you could want, has plenty of toys and despite some not liking it I really do like the interior. Its very comfy and the MMI is dead easy to use which is a bonus. It will really shift when you want it to but generally I think its a pretty subtle car which on a day to day basis is fine. On full beans it does sound great!
But... I have driven both the manual and the auto and I certainly wouldnt even consider a manual, it doesn't suit the car. The throttle response on the manual is really odd, it revs up very quickly and then kind of dies away; drive it and see - it is just strange! The auto by comparison is fantastic, it is the gearbox that should have been launched with the car and just makes everything effortless. I will consider the RS5 when that arrives as I think that will be a great car, but the one thing that puts me off if the thought of going back to manual...
And... Don't underestimate fuel consumption, if I dive it like a total granny I can just (and I mean just) see 30MPG on a consistent motorway run but real world in traffic etc you are going to see teens with it raising to mid 20s on the motorway. it doesnt bother me at all, but do be aware, I know a few people who have been caught out by v8's when they start to use them!
Blown2CV said:
Adam B said:
Blown2CV said:
MG511 said:
lovely interior.
for an audiEven if you're wreong :P
S5 is a really lovely bit of kit and very well rounded package. Goes, stops, looks, rides, steers and feels great. One of my favourite models, particularly so as a manual.
Only annoyance is the need to wear fairly narrow shoes as you'll clonk the clutch pedal if you have big trainers or boots on.
I've got an S5, in Phantom Black and Tarts Handbag ahem Magma red leather interior.
As previously stated the S5 is more of a cruiser GT than a sports car. It does shift though when you hustle it, but it is never really urgent more of a waft. However it is easy to get silly speeds rather quickly without noticing. Torque is mightly impressive. You can go 1st, 2nd, 6th and waft from there. Day to day usage as another poster has mentioned is excellent. The Cabin is a really nice place to be. Don't expect to get much more than Children in the back though. The manual does rev quickly to 4.5k and then revs slow down all the way to red-line, which can be a little odd. A remap solves this. Fuel consumption is pretty poor but then that's a V8 for you. I get about 250 miles per tank on average. Build quality is excellent. Ride is composed. Steering is a little wooly and it does lack feel. Boot is huge. MMI is excellent. I actually prefer it to the iDrive. The thing I like most about mine is the advanced key. Sounds silly but it makes all other keyed cars seem antiquated. Perhaps I am lazy
Cheers
As previously stated the S5 is more of a cruiser GT than a sports car. It does shift though when you hustle it, but it is never really urgent more of a waft. However it is easy to get silly speeds rather quickly without noticing. Torque is mightly impressive. You can go 1st, 2nd, 6th and waft from there. Day to day usage as another poster has mentioned is excellent. The Cabin is a really nice place to be. Don't expect to get much more than Children in the back though. The manual does rev quickly to 4.5k and then revs slow down all the way to red-line, which can be a little odd. A remap solves this. Fuel consumption is pretty poor but then that's a V8 for you. I get about 250 miles per tank on average. Build quality is excellent. Ride is composed. Steering is a little wooly and it does lack feel. Boot is huge. MMI is excellent. I actually prefer it to the iDrive. The thing I like most about mine is the advanced key. Sounds silly but it makes all other keyed cars seem antiquated. Perhaps I am lazy
Cheers
Adam B said:
Blown2CV said:
Adam B said:
Blown2CV said:
MG511 said:
lovely interior.
for an audiBlown2CV said:
They are a bit sedate and restrained for my liking. It's not like I am after tinsel, just something a bit more interesting would be good, and with a bit more differentiation between models. TBH A5 and above are not as bad, but A4 is deathly dull. A3 not bad for the price bracket. All very black plastic surfaces. TT is quite nice though. R8 does not look like a 100-bag interior to me.
I wouldn't disagree with some of your points, but you haven't given your alternative for the title - Merc? BMW? Volvo?These are volume manufacturers who are very aware adding "interest" could alienate more than it attracts.
The lack of differentiation between miodels is all about component-sharing and economies of scale as I am sure you know - shame but understandable
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