New RS5 arrived today
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 3:25 pm
So, dropped of the old RS5 this morning (MY11) and picked up the new one. So far I haven't done many miles but thought I'd post on some of the more obvious differences:
SatNav - At last Audi have seen fit to gift us the full complement of digits when entering a post code, won't be regarded as significant by some but probably not too much to ask considering this day and age.
Audi Connect - Probably a good piece of kit if you have a phone that allows rSAP, as an iPhone user it still rankles that Apple haven't incorporated this yet. Alternative option is to buy a data only sim and use BT over the iPhone for the voice services so I'll probably go down that path.
Handling/Steering - Old car had the full drive select with dynamic steering and suspension (DRC) whereas new doesn't, it has the standard electro-mechanical steering, LSD, sports suspension and a sports exhaust. Initial impression is that there is more feel through the steering wheel and suspension which is fine for my needs - firm enough for some spirited driving but not too much so that uneven roads rattle your fillings out. The dynamic setting for suspension on the old model was unusable unless on a track like surface - on normal roads at times it was like riding a bucking bronco. I did have some DRC issues with the old car which eventually saw a damper replaced but it never ever felt right from day one and the knocking when going over certain road surfaces was ever present - so far no knocking noticed from the standard sports suspension.
Gearbox - Not sure if the box fitted to the new car is different from old or the software is different but whatever it is it has certainly improved the experience. In auto the gear changes in feel slicker, and the car doesn't dwell in gear when you put the foot down. Might be a placebo effect or an issue with the previous car's box (had it in a couple of times with the result being the pressure plate pack was replaced which made some improvement) so time will tell.
Other than some minor design/functionality improvements not a lot else to say at this stage so once I've put a few more miles on it I'll have a better handle on the pros and cons of DRC versus standard shocks etc.
SatNav - At last Audi have seen fit to gift us the full complement of digits when entering a post code, won't be regarded as significant by some but probably not too much to ask considering this day and age.
Audi Connect - Probably a good piece of kit if you have a phone that allows rSAP, as an iPhone user it still rankles that Apple haven't incorporated this yet. Alternative option is to buy a data only sim and use BT over the iPhone for the voice services so I'll probably go down that path.
Handling/Steering - Old car had the full drive select with dynamic steering and suspension (DRC) whereas new doesn't, it has the standard electro-mechanical steering, LSD, sports suspension and a sports exhaust. Initial impression is that there is more feel through the steering wheel and suspension which is fine for my needs - firm enough for some spirited driving but not too much so that uneven roads rattle your fillings out. The dynamic setting for suspension on the old model was unusable unless on a track like surface - on normal roads at times it was like riding a bucking bronco. I did have some DRC issues with the old car which eventually saw a damper replaced but it never ever felt right from day one and the knocking when going over certain road surfaces was ever present - so far no knocking noticed from the standard sports suspension.
Gearbox - Not sure if the box fitted to the new car is different from old or the software is different but whatever it is it has certainly improved the experience. In auto the gear changes in feel slicker, and the car doesn't dwell in gear when you put the foot down. Might be a placebo effect or an issue with the previous car's box (had it in a couple of times with the result being the pressure plate pack was replaced which made some improvement) so time will tell.
Other than some minor design/functionality improvements not a lot else to say at this stage so once I've put a few more miles on it I'll have a better handle on the pros and cons of DRC versus standard shocks etc.
showing my age now 
