A5 vs. S5 - Daily Driver

[jarborra]

I was driving a 2006 A8 with the 3.2 FSI engine that came with the facelift. Once my wife upgraded from a 2001 MB A190 (don't ask) to a 2013 VW Tiguan with all the trimmings, the A8 felt kinda superfluous and I wanted something to have more fun with. I was very close to buying the new MB SL 350 convertible but sensibly realised that a two seater for a family of four was kind of a d*ck move, so started looking for performance 4-seater convertibles instead. I loved my A8 and everything about it (MMI, quattro, quality build etc) so the A5/S5 quickly established itself as a frontrunner ahead of MB E-class convertible or BMW 3/4-series convertible. Once I test-drove the S5 though...that was all she wrote. I had to have one. Have had my pre-FL 2011 S5 convertible for three weeks now and I can agree with everything that's been said above. It simply is a magical car - everything feels right: power, transmission, suspension, sound, looks.

Newbie question though: GSS5 above said

you get much improved throttle response and soundtrack (as fake as it may be)

Is the exhaust/engine sound on the S5 artifically augmented?

[bknewtype]

since the OP has the time to make an account and ask az for opinions, im sure he has the time to research and learn. plus u dont come on to AZ and not play the modding game.

[bknewtype]

Newbie question though: GSS5 above said Is the exhaust/engine sound on the S5 artifically augmented?

believe its only true on the FL cars. i dont think yours has it

[Mops@Nemesis]

I drove a peasant TT model for a few years too and felt no need for a TTS/RS until I drove a ttrs then all rationality went out the window.

Some guys can talk about x-money saved for getting the base model and use that money toward modding, but let's interject some perspective here. Not everyone wants to roll the dice by taking their car to a tuner shop and have the car messed with. Not everyone can afford the time to research parts and find reputable performance shops and if you live far away from either of those places, you don't have much of an outlet. It's also all about the OPPORTUNITY COST playing the modding game... some people have other passion and lives outside of modding and it's not worth the time and money to have a car being in the shop for a tune/mod on a 2-ton car.

If you have all the hookups in the world then of course it would make sense to go with the base, but realistically everyone on this forum is a car "fan" with a selected few being "gear heads", so really we all enjoy the cars immensely but for different reasons.

Oh yea, I agree with all of that. I was really only trolling for my own entertainment :P The 3.0 is awesome. I have beat on a few different 3.0 S4's and a cab. Gave an RS a good work-out recently as well. I actually put in an order for a '13 Lava S5 a while back, but decided not to. I love my car too much, and have too much invested to sell right now. Maybe a motor swap one day, or even a better car, but Avus will stay with me forever. In the end its all situational/what makes you happy. I'm trying to spread my monies over a few toys, and house stuff, so even if I wanted another 5, I'm not going to afford.

I added nothing. You're welcome

[BladesBravo]

The artifically augmented sound generated by the 'soundaktor' is only on the FL cars and it's only for the inside passengers(think of it as a subworfer bolted onto your firewall). When my friends drive next to me they don't hear much on a stock exhaust.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ndaktor-Add-On

[AirmattRS5]

Funny enough, the RS5 is taking a back seat to RC planes at the moment lol. My pops (former VN war pilot) is now in his retirement age so I'm going to be spending a lot time at hobby people hah.

[Marce318]

i drive about 400-500 miles a week. I had an A5 and its nice on gas mileage, but i wanted a sportier car so I got the '13 S5. Im very happy with the choice. I don't think its a big gas guzzler at all and the performance difference is incredible. Go S5 IMO, its worth it for the driving experience.

[talkinghamster]

If i had the money i would buy an S5 with the 3.0T

i test drove a V8 S5 and my god it sounded heavenly..

but it was kind of rat bagged (woman driver) and too be honest it didnt feel a whole hell of a lot faster then my A5 with chip and intake.

dont get me wrong, it was faster but it wasnt ten grand worth faster.

but back to my original comment, if you have the money, look into the 3.0t. if i had the cash i would get one in a heart beat.

maybe when i am done university!!

things i like about the 2.0T is its unbelievably good on fuel, which helps since im a student and do a lot of city driving


that being said i am still happy with my A5 even though i wish i had the S5

[coolwater]

If you have the money get the S5.
Loved the 3.0 motor on my old S4.
Extra fuel cost is like $100 a month or something.

Stage 1 tune is minimum for some fun in the A5.
I guess if you don't mind going back to the tuner to flash back to stock that is an option.

-cW

[Gspothit]

2008-2012 A5/S5/RS5 is best looking coupe out there, any powertrain you will be happy unless you live in Germany and your daily commute involves the autoban.

[Ms.S4]

Had both A5 and S5. Both amazing vehicles for the money.

Honestly the best and unanticipated upgrade (to me) with the S5 are the seats! I had a non s-line A, and felt that the seats were unsupportive and flat. Obviously the S5 seat has a sportier design, but I was really surprised at how much they change the driving experience.

[GlazierGlaze]

4.2L S5. The V8 is a cherry popper.