Speaking from real experience 'AudiJohn'

[Blade]

Ok firstly I dont believe you can judge a car fully on an initial test drive, particularly a car like the S5. It takes time to become familiar with its controls, power delivery and handling characteristics. My first drive in an RS4 left me wondering what all the fuss was about, the seat felt uncomfortable, certainly difficult to get into, the dash looked dated compared to my 6 series BM and it felt cramped. Despite its pumped up arches for me it didn't stand out physically from the masses of S'line A4's pounding our motorways. On the performance side, it hit the limiter too quickly in first and felt a handful in traffic. But that was just one test drive...and as with any car living with it is a different story. My brother went on to buy one and loves it with a passion and I have to say it grew on me too. I've used it several times for trips away and always smile at the performance and level of grip available from the Quattro system.

So when the time came to change my 650, I looked at all kinds, but high on the list was the S5, being larger than the RS4 and with a bit more width inside, it suited me well, plus it had a newer platform, more modern dash layout and smoother lines. My brother came with me on the initial test drive and despite what you may have read the performance differential between it and the RS4 was not that noticable in real world conditions, we were both pleasantly surprised. I subsequently purchased an S5 and have now taken delivery and covered around 3,500 miles. It doesn't feel like an A8, it is a bit cramped in the rear for 6 footers but still very comfortable, its not underpowered with 'just' 354 bhp and on a recent trip from Southern England to Scotland (lots of pics to support this) in convoy with my Bro's RS4 we never struggled to keep pace with him, infact a couple of times in the twisty stuff he had trouble keeping up with us. So I suggest you ignore the views of those on here who claim to have driven it (ooh for what a few miles and then declare its nowhere near as good as the RS4) go get yourselves a proper extended test drive and if possible drive one side by side with an RS4... the RS5 if it arrives will no doubt be superb and wipe the smile off the face of a new M3 owner. But until then the S5 will more than do and is quite unlike the car Audijohn descripes in the previous thread......

[ARSEY4]

I had one for a couple of hours and I really liked it. However the rs4 is just more exciting in that it has a litle extra, not masses but it does make the s5 seem as though its running out of breath. I loved how it drove and its a great fast tourer.
My only negative comments are on the looks. I love the lines but the wheels at the rear seem to get swallowed up by the wheel arches but aapart from that it looks good.

[GTMSpyder]

I guess until the S5 has done 10,000 miles the engine will still be relatively tight. In my experience any VAG engine goes better at 100,000 miles than at 5,000 - that why I cant understand people who change them at low mileages - they never get the best from them....I reckon that the S5 engine will be a lot more free-revving with a few miles on it, maybe not as sharp at the top end as an RS4 though, but better than a 2,000 mile old demo car.