Hello - new s5 owner

[Phil3103]

Hi All

Having had a B7 RS4 for nearly a year I decided I wanted something a little tamer as a daily drive but still wanted the v8 that came with the RS4. So I've traded the RS4 in for a beautiful Sprint Blue S5 with B&O, Sat Nav, 19", BT and the Silver Nappa interior. I must say I'm loving every single minute of it. Everyone who's had a ride in it so far have said they prefer it in every way to the RS4 (I know the performance isn't quite there) but I've actually found it a more exciting drive than the RS as you can really throw it around and it deals with everything superbly.

Anyway, I thought I'd just say hi. This forum is clearly a lot quieter than the B7 RS4 (a great bunch btw) but I'll post up any thoughts I have and pictures once the Swissvax stuff has arrived to give it a proper clean.

[Baggins]

Hi All

Having had a B7 RS4 for nearly a year I decided I wanted something a little tamer as a daily drive but still wanted the v8 that came with the RS4. So I've traded the RS4 in for a beautiful Sprint Blue S5 with B&O, Sat Nav, 19", BT and the Silver Nappa interior. I must say I'm loving every single minute of it. Everyone who's had a ride in it so far have said they prefer it in every way to the RS4 (I know the performance isn't quite there) but I've actually found it a more exciting drive than the RS as you can really throw it around and it deals with everything superbly.

Anyway, I thought I'd just say hi. This forum is clearly a lot quieter than the B7 RS4 (a great bunch btw) but I'll post up any thoughts I have and pictures once the Swissvax stuff has arrived to give it a proper clean.

Nice. Manual or Auto?

[Phil3103]

Tiptronic. It's a lovely feeling. Massive difference between Drive and Sports mode. Just stick it in Drive most of the time and then into sport for the short trip on the motorway up to work. Loving every minute of it. Must say too, I get more looks in this than I ever did in the RS4. Maybe something to do with the blue sticking out more than the black RS but also I think it looks a bit more unusual. I suppose most people don't really know what an RS4 is though.

How about you? How long have you had it? Any issues? Any advice etc?

[OliverJW]

Hi Phil

could you please explain the main differences between the s5 and the rs4 ?
I'm looking to buy in next couple of months , can't decide , weekend car , no track use.

Thx

Oliver

[Phil3103]

I've got the Coupe. I wanted to keep the v8 4.2 rumble. Not had it Milteked yet but it's on the cards. Just enjoying it in standard form at the moment. P_G you're right, you get a nice rumble from it. I've got the S-tronic gearbox which is a joy. Stick it in sport mode (or manual on the paddles) though and you can drive it as aggressively as you like. There's an obvious difference in the revving characteristics of the two cars though. I'd say that itself make the S5 an easier day-to-day drive than the RS simply because it's quite happy to just poodle along in traffic whereas I always found the revvy RS wanted to go forwards (which was also part of it's charm). But I'm spending far more time sat in traffic these days so it was like trying to take a horny bull on a walk through a field of cows every morning if you know what I mean. There's not much in it on fuel consumption though. The 5 obviously is just ahead but not by much.

I had the SS+ on the RS and I must say the ride on the S5 is a lot smoother. And of course there's no DRC on the S5!

The interior was one of things that attracted me to the 5 too. It really is lovely. The reversing camera is a bit of fun. The markers you get on the screen really do work. I've never been much cop at parallel parking yet with the camera it's a doddle. I've got the B&O stereo. It's a lot crisper than the Bose set-up in the RS at lower volumes but doesn't quite have the punch of the Bose system. Each to their own I guess. From what I've seen of the few that I looked at, the seats seem to wear a bit better (I know the bolsters aren't quite as big as the RS but it's the same leather). Maybe Audi have finally had a think about it. Rear leg room behind the driver (if the driver is more than 5ft tall) is a bit of a squash. Not much different than the RS really. Boot space is good - I can get a full set of clubs in. Much the same as the RS really.

Having been in the 5 for a while now I must say it still brings a smile to my face every time I look at it. And people are far more complimentary of the 5 than they ever were about the RS (although most don't really know the difference and are just going off shape and colour). But still it's a very nice car to have and wouldn't swap it (well, other than for an RS5).

Going down the RS route, I'd say definitely get someone who really knows them to check anything you think of buying. There's all the known issues but even so spending a bit on someone who knows will probably pay dividends in terms of hassle.

Best of luck finding a car. If you've got any more questions just fire away. I'm praying you go for the 5 because then at least they'll be two of us talking on this forum. The S5 really is a great car so I don't understand why more owners aren't on here raving about them!!!

PS - The RS lot are a fantastic lot too so go and introduce yourself there if you've not already done so and they'll be falling over themselves to tell you about the RS too. I say again, you'll do well whichever you choose.

Phil