RE: Audi S5: Spotted

Wednesday 14th March 2018

Audi S5: Spotted

£10k(ish) for a stylish Audi coupe with a manual and that V8? Tempting...



V8s are on their way out. You know that, we know that, the motoring world knows that. Electrification hopefully means their extinction can be staved off for a little longer, but the days of eight naturally aspirated cylinders in fairly normal road cars are certainly behind us.

Arguably nobody has embraced the downsizing of the V8 like Audi (although BMW would be close behind), with the only one currently still available to our knowledge being the RS6. And the SQ7, yes, but that's a diesel. Those that used to feature V8s now run turbo V6s and, while the cars are certainly more rounded as a result, when you're looking for something to cherish and admire secondhand then a V8 has substantial appeal.


Look no further for proof of that than this Audi S5. The 'S' models of the A4 and A5 surrendered their V8s sooner than the RS flagships, and the pre-facelift Coupe of the last S5 kept it the longest. Remember when the Sportback and cabrio arrived - plus the S4 as well - they had the supercharged V6 instead. So there's a very narrow window, in fact, of sporty, stylish, understated Audis with a stonking great V8 in them.

Particularly so with a manual gearbox. When the V6 'S' cars of this generation went on sale, they came solely with a seven-speed dual-clutch setup; as, of course, did the V8 RS models, and that continues into the current cars. So the honour that the original S5 holds, jointly with the first R8s as far as we can tell, is of being the last manual, V8 Audi offered on sale. Which is pretty cool.

Furthermore, this S5 is a quarter of the price of an R8. There is no doubting the additional dynamic appeal (and power) of the mid-engined sports car, obviously, though that shouldn't detract from the appeal of V8 value for money. This S5 is nicely specced, with red leather and aluminium brightening up the interior, runs on four new Michelin tyres, has 11 month's MOT and also comes with a recent service including box fresh Brembo discs and pads. It's been with the current owner for four years - so more than a third of its life - and is only being sold to fund a return to 911 ownership. And it's 10 grand! Alright, £10,995. But you get the point. A lot less than an R8, for sure.


It won't drive with as much vim as an M car, sure. To be honest, a new S5 would probably make it feel a bit flat. But a new S5 won't have a V8, it won't have a manual gearbox and it won't, though this point is more subjective, have quite the style of this car. For a model first previewed with the Nuvolari concept of 2003, this era of A5 is aging very nicely. Well, we think so.

What should hopefully be a less contentious point is what an alluring package this S5 represents. Some might not like the prospect of 100,000 miles looming, but the current tally is only around 8,500 miles a year. With sufficient budget for vital running liquids, this Audi looks like being a great fast GT. Get in a V8 while you still can.


SPECIFICATION - AUDI S5

Engine: 4,163cc, V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 354@7,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 325@3,500rpm
MPG: 22.8
CO2: 298g/km
First registered: 2007
Recorded mileage: 92,000
Price new: £39,825
Yours for: £10,995

See the original advert here.

Author
Discussion

Helicopter123

Original Poster:

8,831 posts

155 months

Wednesday 14th March 2018
quotequote all
Audi haters will surely hate, but that's a very compelling package.

The interior is bullet proof, and the design still very appealing.

I like this a lot.

Dale487

1,334 posts

122 months

Wednesday 14th March 2018
quotequote all

Oh! It's manual!

I think I prefer an S4 Avant manual but they're so far & few between beggars can't be choosers.

marcg

405 posts

194 months

Wednesday 14th March 2018
quotequote all
Does it have a V8?

2 GKC

1,884 posts

104 months

Wednesday 14th March 2018
quotequote all

There's something about these Audi interiors and the way they age. Seem to go a bit shiny, like some taxi that has been cleaned every month with some ropey old product.


culpz

4,881 posts

111 months

Wednesday 14th March 2018
quotequote all
I know the V6 S4 is quicker and more effective, but i really fancy one of these in V8 flavour. A really appealing car for the money for me. I believe around 10k will get you one? Seems like a bargain for the dosh tbh.

I'll have one in that lovely shade of blue, in coupe form, with sat-nav (not sure if standard or optional) and maybe the automatic gearbox. I think a manual in one these could be quite appealing though.

MrHooky

196 posts

141 months

Wednesday 14th March 2018
quotequote all
That’s a lot of car for the money. Only slight wrinkle surely has to be the massive annual tax bill.

Funny how the article mentions the looming 100k which is a bit of an irrelevance. The owner has clearly cherished and maintained properly, so if anything, any new owner is getting a nicely run in V8 which should be good for another 100k…

mwstewart

7,554 posts

187 months

Wednesday 14th March 2018
quotequote all
It certainly makes more sense at that price - actually it becomes interesting.

Turbobanana

6,160 posts

200 months

Wednesday 14th March 2018
quotequote all
I don't particularly like the recent crop of Audis. (Dons bullet proof vest).

However, the lure of a manual V8 in black with a red leather interior is strong. My only real issue with this is the shape: I find it a bit unresolved, bland even. It looks like it can't decide whether to be a saloon or a coupe. The convertible looks OK to my eyes though.

MrHooky

196 posts

141 months

Wednesday 14th March 2018
quotequote all
2 GKC said:
There's something about these Audi interiors and the way they age. Seem to go a bit shiny, like some taxi that has been cleaned every month with some ropey old product.
As do most interiors of near 100k cars. Bit of gliptone liquid leather cleaner on seats and steering wheel will have it coming back nice and matte. Problem we had with our A5 was saggy drivers seat. This one seems to have avoided, perhaps because of the higher quality nappa leather in the 'S' model...?

TimeForAZafira

3,676 posts

103 months

Wednesday 14th March 2018
quotequote all
marcg said:
Does it have a V8?
Yes, it does.

Shiv_P

2,724 posts

104 months

Wednesday 14th March 2018
quotequote all
Turbobanana said:
I don't particularly like the recent crop of Audis. (Dons bullet proof vest).

However, the lure of a manual V8 in black with a red leather interior is strong. My only real issue with this is the shape: I find it a bit unresolved, bland even. It looks like it can't decide whether to be a saloon or a coupe. The convertible looks OK to my eyes though.
I think the facelift looks a lot better particularly from the front

TimeForAZafira

3,676 posts

103 months

Wednesday 14th March 2018
quotequote all
marcg said:
Does it have a V8?
Yes, it does.

bluesierra

146 posts

95 months

Wednesday 14th March 2018
quotequote all
Dale487 said:
I think I prefer an S4 Avant manual but they're so far & few between beggars can't be choosers.
Also, they have the chain tensioner issue (plastic chain guides that degrade) that need the entire front of the car to be removed and the engine out to repair. For some reason, the S5 doesn't.

I've got one of these, and it is a great cruiser. Understated on the outside, comfortable on the inside, and when you start it up, or drop down a gear or two on the road, it just puts a smile on your face.

ensignia

919 posts

234 months

Wednesday 14th March 2018
quotequote all
Had one of these for over 4 years, great all around package but ultimately underwhelming as a drivers car.

The handling was boat like, but it was quick enough and the standard exhaust note was nice and burbly without being too shouty or obnoxious.

The interior still looks ok for a 10 year old design and the body styling has aged really well in my opinion.

A great car for the money - was sad to see mine go.

willisit

2,141 posts

230 months

Wednesday 14th March 2018
quotequote all
ensignia said:
Had one of these for over 4 years, great all around package but ultimately underwhelming as a drivers car.

The handling was boat like, but it was quick enough and the standard exhaust note was nice and burbly without being too shouty or obnoxious.

The interior still looks ok for a 10 year old design and the body styling has aged really well in my opinion.

A great car for the money - was sad to see mine go.
Same here; we only sold ours as a baby arrived and those rear seats would have broken me trying to get a baby seat in them.

I miss it.

PS. It SHOULD be obvious, but the bork factor on these can be somewhat ruinous, financially.

craig r

217 posts

162 months

Wednesday 14th March 2018
quotequote all
I have an S4 with the (same?) V8 - lovely thing to potter about in. Makes a gorgeous noise if provoked.

I really should be selling it as I have a company car and an impending house purchase with no off-road parking, but I know as soon as I wave it off I will regret it!

bluemason

1,070 posts

122 months

Wednesday 14th March 2018
quotequote all
2 GKC said:
There's something about these Audi interiors and the way they age. Seem to go a bit shiny, like some taxi that has been cleaned every month with some ropey old product.
I clean my audi interior with mr sheen as that adds value.But back on topic as the s5 has such sophisticated presence minus the red seats.

culpz

4,881 posts

111 months

Wednesday 14th March 2018
quotequote all
The only issue i've got is that apparently the V8 noise is quite muted, probably by the factory exhaust. So, an aftermarket system definitely helps with the soundtrack.

A guy i know had a Milltek system fitted and the noise difference was night and day. He put up a video of the sound before and after as a comparison.

ensignia

919 posts

234 months

Wednesday 14th March 2018
quotequote all
I've never heard an exhaust I liked the sound of on these things.

Keep it standard.

WCZ

10,492 posts

193 months

Wednesday 14th March 2018
quotequote all
they drive awfully imo but great value for money at £10k