RS4 vs RS5

[Cicatrix]

Anyone have experience with driving/owning both?

Would love to hear opinions.

Thanks

[DOCEVG]

I have both, and highly recommend driving/owning both! They are both worth the price of admission, both a lot of fun, but very different vehicles. At the risk of being obvious, there is a big difference in technology between '13-'15, and '07-'08, and I miss some of that (especially the drive select function) in the 4. I got my RS5 before getting my RS4s. I missed having the 6MT; as good as the DSG is in the 5, there is nothing like rowing the gears. For my taste, an RS5 with 6mt (and a bit more torque) would be a near perfect car.
In terms of performance, the V8 in the 5 revs noticeably faster than that in the 4. Stock to stock the 5 feels like it has more than 30 more bhp than the 4, and the 5 kills the stock 4 in 0-60 and 0-100, but I think the tuned (JHM) 4 is quicker to 60 and probably even to 100.
Both cars are too nose heavy. Both, in their own ways, are among the sexiest in appearance on the road, although the 5 seems to attract more female attention, if that matters!
As someone on another forum put it, the 5 is for cruising and the 4 for canyons.

[Cicatrix]

I have both, and highly recommend driving/owning both!

Unfortunately I would have to give up the RS4 for the RS5.

I would miss the 6mt, but the 5 is just so sexy

Tough choice...

[S4V8]

I have owned both...currently own an RS5. The RS4 is a GREAT car, I found no faults with it. Loved the fact it had 4 door's.

The RS5 is a beautiful car. Plenty of space with power to boot. The interior on the RS5 is nicer however, the RS4 is still pretty advanced compared to other '14/'15 model year cars out there.

[vacsimile]

I haven't owned either but I driven them both quite a bit. The RS4 may not be as quick but it is so much more engaging and visceral, mostly due to the transmission. The DRC suspension in the RS4 is just awesome. The RS5 is too refined for my tastes... It's so smooth, so solid, and so isolating that I have to be doing 100+ before I start having fun. The RS4 thrills me every time. I still think the RS4 is one of the finest cars Audi has ever made, and I've driven them all.

[JamesRS5]

I haven't owned either but I driven them both quite a bit. The RS4 may not be as quick but it is so much more engaging and visceral, mostly due to the transmission. The DRC suspension in the RS4 is just awesome. The RS5 is too refined for my tastes... It's so smooth, so solid, and so isolating that I have to be doing 100+ before I start having fun. The RS4 thrills me every time. I still think the RS4 is one of the finest cars Audi has ever made, and I've driven them all.

Drive an RS5 with DRC and I think your opinion would be swung towards the 5, such a shame you guys don't get it over there.

[Cicatrix]

I had a chance to open up the RS4 yesterday on a clean stretch of freeway...first time in a few weeks I've been able to do that...and it truly is so much fun. Mine is completely stock except for BBS wheels and even without any modifications, it's fast and nimble.

I think the appeal of the 5 is the bulky look, the sleek refinement, the newer interior.

[jkownz]

Never driven or sat in a 4. I am in love with my 5 and like everything about it. But when I see a 4 it has that classic timeless look like dam...I still would want one of those. I think regardless of what you step into, if it has the silver rings you will enjoy every minute you sit and turn/push the ignition.

[chrissurfr]

It is amazing how the RS4 still looks better than 90% of the sedans on the road. My goal is to get one in addition to the Rs5 in the upcoming year.

Chris

[SeattleGrey]

Maybe you just don't drive your canyons fast enough? :) This car feels great from 90-140mph. It weighs two tons so it needs speed to feel light in the hands. It is a Super GT class car, a sport tourer. It's not a race car. I have always felt that the comparo should be the M6 vs RS5 vs S-class. I have never understood the M3/M4 comparo. Why not compare it to a 911 as well? It has two doors...

[jkownz]

It is amazing how the RS4 still looks better than 90% of the sedans on the road. My goal is to get one in addition to the Rs5 in the upcoming year.

Chris

Wish I had the space to put a 4 and have the $ for it and make it a project car. Hopefully in the future! I agree tho it does look better then alot of other sedans out there now.

[HBspeed]

After driving each on only a handful of occasions, I can say they are both epic! I really want one of each haha

[Cicatrix]

After driving each on only a handful of occasions, I can say they are both epic! I really want one of each haha

Exactly what I'm struggling with right now!

[GotRS?]

OP, you are choosing one or the other to purchase I assume? Cost aside, although I would have kept my 4 if I had garage space, I do prefer the 5. They've done a lot to work around the nose-heavy bit with the fancy diff action and the S-tronic is pretty impressive even if you're a MT person from your very first car. The engine seems quicker revving, it's difficult to say smoother because the 4 was amazingly smooth too. Four doors might be an advantage to you, the coupe is embarrassing to insert and retrieve passengers from the rear.

[PEM]

the coupe is embarrassing to insert and retrieve passengers from the rear.

LMAO well said. Sometimes you really do have to insert and retrieve them.

[superswiss]

Haven't owned an RS4, but a 2007 S4. Same drivetrain as the RS4, but different suspension obviously. Frankly, the drivetrain of the 5 blows the 4 away. I'm sure the DRC helps the RS4 a bit over the S4, but the 5 is just so agile in the canyons despite its weight. More eager to oversteer than understeer if you know what you are doing. It just whips around corners with the rear diff action and the brake based torque vectoring applying a braking torque to the inner front and rear wheels.

I just came back from a 300 mile canyon run today and the handling of the 5 is just at a different level. If you go slow the 5 is definitely refined, isolated and less involving than the 4, but that all goes out the window if you take it on a fun road, put it in dynamic, ESP in sport mode and A/C off and let the dogs out. So much more fun with the fast shifting S-tronic compared to the clunky MT, too, IMO.

[vacsimile]

Haven't owned an RS4, but a 2007 S4. Same drivetrain as the RS4, but different suspension obviously. Frankly, the drivetrain of the 5 blows the 4 away. I'm sure the DRC helps the RS4 a bit over the S4, but the 5 is just so agile in the canyons despite its weight. More eager to oversteer than understeer if you know what you are doing. It just whips around corners with the rear diff action and the brake based torque vectoring applying a braking torque to the inner front and rear wheels.

I just came back from a 300 mile canyon run today and the handling of the 5 is just at a different level. If you go slow the 5 is definitely refined, isolated and less involving than the 4, but that all goes out the window if you take it on a fun road, put it in dynamic, ESP in sport mode and A/C off and let the dogs out. So much more fun with the fast shifting S-tronic compared to the clunky MT, too, IMO.

There's a night and day difference between the RS4 and the S4, so there's really no comparison between between a B7 S4 and an RS5. The RS4's drivetrain is radically different than the S4's, despite them both having a displacement of 4.2 liters. I think you are underestimating how great the DRC suspension is, too.

[doug97gxe]

Unfortunately I would have to give up the RS4 for the RS5.

I would miss the 6mt, but the 5 is just so sexy

Tough choice...

so get an S5

[superswiss]

There's a night and day difference between the RS4 and the S4, so there's really no comparison between between a B7 S4 and an RS5. The RS4's drivetrain is radically different than the S4's, despite them both having a displacement of 4.2 liters. I think you are underestimating how great the DRC suspension is, too.

No, the drivetrain is the same. You are talking about the powertrain. The drivetrain doesn't include the engine. I'm purely talking about the capabilities of the torsen 40:60 quattro system, that's exactly the same in the S4 and RS4 vs the next gen crown gear quattro system with sport diff and brake based torque vectoring. That alone makes a major difference in my opinion. The 5 is a tail happy beast compared to the 4.

[Pilfer]

Haven't owned an RS4, but a 2007 S4. Same drivetrain as the RS4, but different suspension obviously. Frankly, the drivetrain of the 5 blows the 4 away. I'm sure the DRC helps the RS4 a bit over the S4, but the 5 is just so agile in the canyons despite its weight. More eager to oversteer than understeer if you know what you are doing. It just whips around corners with the rear diff action and the brake based torque vectoring applying a braking torque to the inner front and rear wheels.

I just came back from a 300 mile canyon run today and the handling of the 5 is just at a different level. If you go slow the 5 is definitely refined, isolated and less involving than the 4, but that all goes out the window if you take it on a fun road, put it in dynamic, ESP in sport mode and A/C off and let the dogs out. So much more fun with the fast shifting S-tronic compared to the clunky MT, too, IMO.

Details on canyon run? After your ojai recommendation I'd like to check out another interesting drive

[superswiss]

Details on canyon run? After your ojai recommendation I'd like to check out another interesting drive

Glad you liked Ojai. I did Skaggs Spring Rd this time. From 101 over to Stewards Point and then down Hwy 1 for lunch at Fisherman's Cove in Bodega Bay. Then you can either drive back to the Bay Area via Point Reyes, or as I did go back up Hwy 1 and do Skaggs Spring Rd the other direction and then back down 101 to the Bay Area. Great vistas along Hwy 1 unless it's a foggy day as it was on Saturday and you'll get stuck behind tourists going 25 mph when the speed limit is 55 mph, but there are some opportunities to pass and if you are lucky they pull over and let you go by. When I do this run I like to leave the Bay Area at around 8am, which gets me to Bodega Bay just around lunch time and traffic is generally light. Skaggs Spring Rd is fairly deserted, but not Hwy 1.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/38.7...d38.329642!3e0

[dazed1]

Glad you liked Ojai. I did Skaggs Spring Rd this time. From 101 over to Stewards Point and then down Hwy 1 for lunch at Fisherman's Cove in Bodega Bay. Then you can either drive back to the Bay Area via Point Reyes, or as I did go back up Hwy 1 and do Skaggs Spring Rd the other direction and then back down 101 to the Bay Area. Great vistas along Hwy 1 unless it's a foggy day as it was on Saturday and you'll get stuck behind tourists going 25 mph when the speed limit is 55 mph, but there are some opportunities to pass and if you are lucky they pull over and let you go by. When I do this run I like to leave the Bay Area at around 8am, which gets me to Bodega Bay just around lunch time and traffic is generally light. Skaggs Spring Rd is fairly deserted, but not Hwy 1.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/38.7...d38.329642!3e0

Nice! I've done something similar before. So much fun! We should get a small group of RS5's and do it :o
(Or, you could do Sonoma Sears point in July with HOD and a few of us :p )

[hawkinsmc]

Owned both and the rs5 is a better car. The rs5 is faster, better handling and nicer interior. The extra HP and engine does feel better, I didn't think it would feel that much better but it's noticeable. The Rs4 understeers really bad, there was no way I could induce oversteer on that car no matter how hard I tried. The rs5 will oversteer a bit and when traction breaks loose is much easier to maintain corner speeds as it predictively 4 wheel drifts. As opposed to the rs4 wanting to plow strait forcing you to lift. The interior and features of the rs5 feels like the luxury brand Audi is whereas the rs4 felt and looked like a VW (interior wise). We owned a Passat and the rs4 interior was honestly not much better. I really don't miss the 6mt, I ALWAYS drive in dynamic S mode and think this transmission is pretty incredible! That being said I do miss the size and 4drs of the rs4. The rs5 is bigger and feels it, and I like the convenience of the 4dr (along with the sleeper status). If Audi ever does bring the rs4 back to the U.S. I would probably get that again (if I don't jump to 911).


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[Reggie]

Owned both and the rs5 is a better car. The rs5 is faster, better handling and nicer interior. The extra HP and engine does feel better, I didn't think it would feel that much better but it's noticeable. The Rs4 understeers really bad, there was no way I could induce oversteer on that car no matter how hard I tried. The rs5 will oversteer a bit and when traction breaks loose is much easier to maintain corner speeds as it predictively 4 wheel drifts. As opposed to the rs4 wanting to plow strait forcing you to lift. The interior and features of the rs5 feels like the luxury brand Audi is whereas the rs4 felt and looked like a VW (interior wise). We owned a Passat and the rs4 interior was honestly not much better. I really don't miss the 6mt, I ALWAYS drive in dynamic S mode and think this transmission is pretty incredible! That being said I do miss the size and 4drs of the rs4. The rs5 is bigger and feels it, and I like the convenience of the 4dr (along with the sleeper status). If Audi ever does bring the rs4 back to the U.S. I would probably get that again (if I don't jump to 911).


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You summed up my thought exactly. Only have 500 miles on the RS5 and I notice the weight and size but the interior is better though four things I would have liked:
1. Two normal size cup holders. 2. A real sunroof. 3. Rear window power sundshade. 4. Folding side mirrors

I do like the V8 in the RS5 better and it seems quicker off the line in normal driving with the S-Tronic vs the manual (and my shifting)

[superswiss]

You summed up my thought exactly. Only have 500 miles on the RS5 and I notice the weight and size but the interior is better though four things I would have liked:
1. Two normal size cup holders. 2. A real sunroof. 3. Rear window power sundshade. 4. Folding side mirrors

I do like the V8 in the RS5 better and it seems quicker off the line in normal driving with the S-Tronic vs the manual (and my shifting)

The rear sunshade is an option, I have it.

[PEM]

Not with 2015 models

[GotRS?]

Not with 2015 models

Seriously? Wow that's an odd thing to take out for those peeps living in hot places, did they take it out of all of the 5 series?

@Reggie, it took me a while to just "drive" through the corner in the 5, the instinct in the 4 was to slow down more, it was very hard to carry speed through a corner, the understeer was too much.

[JamesRS5]

My 2015 has the power sunshade and folding side mirrors.

You guys really got shit on with your options list!

[PEM]

T.T

[sshah]

TINTS > Sunshade.

[JamesRS5]

To be honest, I have 35% tints fitted all around except for the front screen and the rear sunshade only gets used when the car is parked outside to try and keep the temps down. The rear vision isn't good enough to drive safely with the sunshade raised, not on these roads anyway.

[superswiss]

I only had tints once on a used Honda Accord when I was in college. Didn't like it. The visibility at night is terrible with the dark windows, so I prefer the sunshade, because I can lower it at night. I have no visibility issues during the day when it is up. I'm sure sunshade plus 35% tint is a different story, though. The other nice thing about the sunshade is I can put it up at dusk to block out the glare from the SUV and truck headlights, before the auto dimming feature of the rear view mirror steps into full action. Also, at certain times of the day the sun reflects off the spoiler and shines straight at the rear view mirror and living right by the Pacific means full glare from the sun at sunset. The sunshade does an excellent job at blocking all that excessive light.

[JamesRS5]

I only realised last week, if you select the sunshade to 'auto mode' in MMI, when you select reverse, the sunshade lowers.

I'd always wondered what the auto mode did, I expected it to close when it was sunny I guess.

[superswiss]

I only realised last week, if you select the sunshade to 'auto mode' in MMI, when you select reverse, the sunshade lowers.

I'd always wondered what the auto mode did, I expected it to close when it was sunny I guess.

Yep. Pretty useful for backing up. The only thing I wish it did is going back up automatically after you turn off the car. I often forget to put it up after parking.