Speculation on pricing and 1st models to arrive.........

[quattshot]

Well I know everyone has heard it all but I'd like to talk about it some more.
My buddy at the local dealer says the A5 V6 and S5 will arrive at the same time which should be December 07'. The V6 will start somewhere around $40,000.

I'd like to hear what you all think about the 1st models and price ranges coming to the U.S.

Thanks.

[Monizzle]

I think 40k is way too much. 36k is the MOST i'd be willing to pay for a base A5.

[PaperishPlastic]

a base 3.2 A4 is more then 36k how can the A5 be cheaper then that?

[A4TwoZeroT]

i vote for $38k for the A5 and $48k for the S5

[kceesar]

I just put a deposit on an S5 today. Dealer told me around October is when the first ones should be coming in. I'm going with his advice even though it's wishful thinking on my part. On Audi's website, pricing will start in September for the U.S.

[QuaTTrings]

With Audi saying they are releasing pricing in September, it would put delivery dates into December at the earliest. [down] - Hope they are being ultra conservative with that.

I have heard from a source that we may be able to order as early as next month possibly late this month [up] which would put delivery on track with what you mentioned above. Audi dealers have also mentioned that the fully optioned S5 (with Bang and Olufsen, NAV, etc) will come out around $60K with the base price starting at $55k (lease payments $900+) For that price, it's making more sense to purchase it outright...

[Dr Strangelove]

I, too, have been reading 55K for the base S5 and 60K fully optioned. A $900/month lease payment sounds about right.

At that price, I find the BMW 335i coupe to be a serious competitor. With the sport package it runs about 43K. I was also on the bmwusa.com website and a lease on the 335i coupe is estimated to about $575/month with 2.5K down. For a car that has been clocked in 4.8 seconds 0-60 it seems that one would have to at least consider the 335i coupe. Furthermore, in Roundel Magazine thery dynoed it and the horsepower was actually 330. They didn't mention the torque rating, however. The only downside to the 335i is its "banglesque" appearance. That front view is a real downer for me.

I currently drive a 2005 M3 Competition Coupe and was looking forward to the S5 but the price issue with the S5 will make me at least "look" at a 335i. I might be better off with an A5. I'm still waiting for an independent evaluation of the A5 and its actual 0-60 time. Audi says 6.1 but people who have driven it say that it's quicker than that. Who knows???

Strangelove

[QuaTTrings]

I agree the 335 does at least deserve a look. I took a great test drive in the 335 in the Space Grey exterior with Red interior and liked it a lot. I didn't care for the wood style, but aluminum can be special ordered in its place. I came really close to picking it up. I fully optioned it out with everything that matters to me for 48K [up]. In the end, I felt it was a very nice car but I had that nagging feeling that it didn't have that extra special edge that the S5 nameplate gets you. I felt that I was "settling" by buying the 335 instead of waiting for the S5. The Bang & Olufsen, MMI NAV, S Sport seats, S Body kit, 19" wheels, and that throaty V8 are the things that I really want. I would prefer that it had 380 - 400bhp but even still, if it can hit the 60 mark in 4.8 - 4.9 sec once the American magazines test it, I will be satisfied. I'm willing to spend $10k for the upgrades in those areas. A few sources have mentioned that the A5 will hit 60 in the high 5's once it's tested here.

[Dr Strangelove]

Quattrings,

Yes, you're right in that I was perhaps "settling" for the 335i coupe in lieu of the S5. In the long run I guess that I'd never be content with the 335i everytime I saw an S5 on the road.

The S5 is a very unique car with the S5 badging, B&O sound system, great looks, etc., So, I guess that I'm back on the S5 track. The extra 10K to be in a car you REALLY want is a lot but worth it in the final analysis.

I imagine that we'll just have to wait until US prices are formally announced in September.

[kceesar]

You guys must be in my head. My thoughts exactly. I was strongly looking at the 335i coupe myself, but was definitely settling if I did go for it. Not that there is nothing wrong with the 335i, but they are a just a little common here in Long Island. You see beemers everywhere. It will be worth the wait in my opinion.

[Dr Strangelove]

Kceesar,

I test drove a 335i today at the local BMW place. It was a 6 speed and I have to say that a 4.8 0-60 is certainly believable. I liked everything about it with the exception of some of the exterior. That front end is quite strange. I digress. Sorry.

The sales person said they can go under MSRP within reason which would take me into the low 40's. Therefore, a 335i would be about 15K less than an S5. Not 10K as I had originally estimated. Hey, 15K is a lot of money no matter how you cut it. Still, I think that you have it right when you said that the wait will be worth it for the S5.

BTW, about an hour after I got home guess who called. Yes, it was the BMW sales person. He gave me a bottom line price if I would close right then. I told him that I'm also waiting for the S5. Thought you might be interested in the price issue with the 335i.

[Dr Strangelove]

Just spoke with a guy from Audi North America. He said the S5 is scheduled to hit dealerships in November.

Of more importance he stated that pricing for a basic to moderately equiped S5 will be about 50K and "...possibly less." He stated that this is the information they have right now and it is subject to change but he felt that an S5 could be had for high 40's to low 50's. When I stated that I had read 55K to 60K he said he had read those statements too but only on "external" websites and blogs. He seemed to think that his information was the real deal. Furthermore, this is coming direct form Audi North America. Soo...

[quattshot]

Just spoke with a guy from Audi North America. He said the S5 is scheduled to hit dealerships in November.

Of more importance he stated that pricing for a basic to moderately equiped S5 will be about 50K and "...possibly less." He stated that this is the information they have right now and it is subject to change but he felt that an S5 could be had for high 40's to low 50's. When I stated that I had read 55K to 60K he said he had read those statements too but only on "external" websites and blogs. He seemed to think that his information was the real deal. Furthermore, this is coming direct form Audi North America. Soo...

I can see that considering that the V6 will start at around 38-40K.

[switchface]

The BMW dealer in San Diego is a PIA, they laugh when you ask to test drive either a n M3 or 335. They said, "no one test drives the m3 (this was for an e46 btw), its a special car, you know when you want one." FWIW, I pulled up in dress shirt & slacks, out of a clean s4...and I had just finished test driving a Cayman S (he didnt seem to care). Nevertheless, I'd love to test a 335, but they are a dime a dozen already in socal! Huge negative points to me.

As for the s5...im obsessed. I would guess that a new s5 would cost about 3-5k more than a new s4.

As much as I love the s5, my personality is such that I wouldnt be happy with one knowing the rs5 is coming out and was better...despite the fact I could never afford one.

[QuaTTrings]

Interesting, but I wonder if he had it confused with an A5. There are quotes from Audi execs quoting the $55k starting number in a few places, but you would think that AudiUSA would know when it's all said and done. The current S4 can run upwards of $55k USD with less equipment than the S5 and it's not even a coupe, that Audi has already prepped the public by saying that its an emotional purchase. With the level of equipment that the S5 is getting, it's very hard to picture it as costing less than the S4 but maybe Audi has something planned.

On another note, there are some rumors of a US Spec brochure available that mentions that the S5 will have the new torque vectoring Quattro, as well as some sort of active steering that allows the driver to dial in feedback. If true, those are definitely options that will make the S5 more expensive.

[Dr Strangelove]

Quattring,

I saw a new S4 on a lot here and MSRP was 55K with nav, special ground effects, etc. Like you I concluded (and still do) that an S5 would be more expensive being a new car and all. I sort of concluded that a base S5 would have to be 55K at a minimum and 60K with options.

So, I was rather surprised when the guy at Audi of America quoted high 40's to low 50's for a basic to moderately equipped S5. I also know for certain that we were talking S5 and not A4 because I mentioned that I had seen an S5 in Europe in May and he had all sorts of questions for me and by chance we had talked about the V8 engine. Soo...

[QuaTTrings]

Dr Strangelove,

Thanks for the update from AoA. To be able to purchase the S5 in the lower 50s rather than close to 60k would be a welcome number. Supposedly my local dealer will have the S5 later this month at some event they are having. I plan to be there and hopefully have a test drive and to acquire some more info about ordering/pricing.

[Dr Strangelove]

Quattrings,

Your local Audi dealer may have an S5 at the end of the month for some type of event? Wow. That would be nice. If this happens please keep us informed. Also, see if you can get some idea of pricing.

Best of luck,

Strangelove

[TonyBenino]

Dr Strangelove,

Thanks for the update from AoA. To be able to purchase the S5 in the lower 50s rather than close to 60k would be a welcome number. Supposedly my local dealer will have the S5 later this month at some event they are having. I plan to be there and hopefully have a test drive and to acquire some more info about ordering/pricing.

Uhhh in Orange County? Can anyone come [:D]? I'm only an hour away hahaha. I wanna see that car in person soooo badly.

[raulg_usa]

Quattrings,

Your local Audi dealer may have an S5 at the end of the month for some type of event? Wow. That would be nice. If this happens please keep us informed. Also, see if you can get some idea of pricing.

Best of luck,

Strangelove



I see you guys are in chicago... What dealer are u talking about? I would really like to actually see the A5/S5 in person.

[raulg_usa]

Ok, I am not sure if you guys know this or not, but the prices are already out in europe. And if Audi does as usual, they will just change the EURO sign into USD without changing the pricing too much. They have the same pricing for EURO or USD although there is a high difference in conversion.

The S5 in Europe looks like this:
Audi S5 Coupe 4.2 quattro / 260 kW (354 HP) / M6 EUR 48.500,-

With all the possible options the cars goes up to 60k euros or more (if u go for the extra expensive leather packages).

Anyway, I think the car will sell at about 48-55K USD here, which is quite a lot compared to the competition.
The 335i coupe starts at 41k msrp, so I see about 7-8,000$ difference.

On the other side, it's an S5, not a bimmer, not that a 335i is a bad thing at all. But I see 3 series everywhere all the time, I know it's a nice car but too many of them kinda make me look for something else.

[speedydragon]

there's going to be a lot of competition between the a4/s4 and a5/s5. People might start purchasing the 5's, and the 4's maybe discontinued! :[ same with the new a7 that's going to come out sooner or later

[switchface]

speedy - the 5 wont supplant the 4, different cars for different buyers, coupe vs sedan, etc...

quattrings (cool name btw) - is penske gonna be getting an s5 soon? who are you talking about, im up for a quick stint up the 5 for that!

anyone know in general how audi usually handles leasing a brand new model like this? I mean, do they usually run specials to create a buzz or do the stick to their guns because its a new (and thus highly coveted) model? just curious as my ride is about to fall out of warranty and im tossing the idea of an s5...wondering if i could afford payments.

[QuaTTrings]

Switchface, I'm not sure about Penske, although I may order my car through them when the time comes because I've had some really positive experiences there. I'm not sure if the dealer that will have the S5 will allow test drives but I'm keeping my finger's crossed. Supposedly the salesman mentioned that it will be near the end of the month but nothing's definite yet. They are still organizing the event so I'll wait to post the info on this board until he confirms with me next week. Hoping they pull through! I'll let you know soon as I know.

Audi Financial leases on new models are traditionally generally are not very favorable. They have no incentive to push the new models because demand is much higher than supply. You should be able to get $500 - $1000 off sticker though (never pay MSRP) but anything close to invoice is very unlikely. If the S5 can be had for $55k then I would estimate lease payments around 900mo (incl tax) or so. I checked out the 3.2 TT fully loaded at 52k and the best that the dealer could offer me was payments at 830mo. (incl tax)

[switchface]

Ouch, cant afford 900/month...and I dont suppose the price would drop a whole lot with 3-4k down. Man, I really want this car...I dont want to be swayed toward the 335 or the 135.

[BaLLzZz]

Ouch, cant afford 900/month...and I dont suppose the price would drop a whole lot with 3-4k down. Man, I really want this car...I dont want to be swayed toward the 335 or the 135.

i can afford it but i wont pay it you took the word right out of my mouth

[quattshot]

there's going to be a lot of competition between the a4/s4 and a5/s5. People might start purchasing the 5's, and the 4's maybe discontinued! :[ same with the new a7 that's going to come out sooner or later

A5's will never out sell A4's.
IT's Audi's "Camary", Low Profit, Bread & Butter model.