Would you buy an RS5 right now? Dilemma!

[RacrX]

Hey guys,

I haven't been on the forum in a while, it's great to be back in here.

I'm a big Audi enthusiast and love a lot of different kinds of cars, the past year I've been driving a tuned 2014 335i with a few decent street & track mods. It's great for my 60-mile r/t commute and a few track days at Auto Club Speedway each year.

I really wanted an RS5 about 2+ years ago, but the prices were out of my range. They've finally come down to what I can afford and I have a lead on a really nice one with low mileage. Just went and took a look and it's still a beautiful car, but both the style and handling seem to have aged a bit (naturally) since I first looked at them, and since driving my newer design F30 for a year now. Of course, the RS is still not cheap but it's not crazy expensive.

Given the newer technologies out there and that the RS design is about 6 years old now, would you guys still drop $50k+ on one or wait it out another 1-2 years for the next thing?

I know this is an Audi forum...just looking for some opinions outside of my own. Thanks!

[Sweep]

Buy Nate's RS5!!

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[RacrX]

What's Nate buying???

[JoshDub]

Well since you asked, no. It's a nice car, but I'd rather have a S5 with a 6 speed, or something completely different.

[doug97gxe]

What's Nate buying???

GLE-63S

[HazeMyth]

I don't personally feel like the design of the S5 is dated. Sure, it's been around for a while now, but the design was so brilliant when it came out that it's one of those cars that I feel will always be good looking. E36/E46 M3, W204/205 C63 AMG, B5 S4, GC8 RS, GD STI, etc. There's some cars out there that I will just always find to be good looking.

Anyway, if you feel like the RS design is old and dated, maybe it's not the right car for you. I've said it before and I'll say it again... If you don't turn around and stare at your car after you park it, you're not driving the right car. The moment you stop turning around to stare at it is the moment you need to consider selling it.

[miked1978]

^^ so true. And only you can make this decision - regardless of what others say.

[DominoEdge]

I've been looking at the new AMG C63s coupe with some interest, but the RS5 still looks better imo. And the RS5 is far better looking than the M4. The RS5 design will look great 10 years from now.. the other cars in the class don't seem to have that longevity built into their current designs.

[SeaChiS4]

I have a '15 M4 DCT and a '14 S5 DSG - although I love the Quattro in the wet etc., the M4 is miles ahead in almost every other aspect - have you driven an M4? - the prices on 15's are definitely softening...

[Gonzoe11]

I just dropped $50k+ on a 2013 RS5 after trading in my 2011 S5. No regrets! Loving the high revving V8 and all weather drive-ability.

[audiiia5]

Cant go wrong at all with any model of the RS5


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[Beast]

I have a '15 M4 DCT and a '14 S5 DSG - although I love the Quattro in the wet etc., the M4 is miles ahead in almost every other aspect - have you driven an M4? - the prices on 15's are definitely softening...

Obviously S5 vs M4= M4 wins... I have driven many M4's IMO Rs5 vs M4 is apples to oranges. M4 has that amazing torque down low (which is more fun with the speed limits) while the RS5 has the high revving v8 that sounds amazing. It's a personal choice.

[Gonzoe11]

Buy Nate's RS5!!

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Oh yeah. ^this


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[zhclvn]

Buy my RS5 :D

[ssv22]

Buy the M4 if you love the sound of a lawn mower.

[boozeman27]

Buy the M4 if you love the sound of a lawn mower.

^^^hahaha!

[A4toRS4]

In the past I had an M3, S4, RS4 and the RS5 is hands down the best. I love the DSG. My car is a daily driver and it is nice to put it in auto when driving in traffic and switch over to dynamic mode manual when you want to have fun. I read an article that compared the M4 to the RS5.they stated that if you live somewhere warm where it never rains then go with the M4. They said if you live somewhere that has bad weather like I clearly do in Oregon, then go with the RS5 hands down. They stated it is the best car they have driven when it comes to bad weather cities. After driving an all wheel drive sports car, it's hard to go back to anything else.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[PedroRS5]

IMHO the RS5 is the ultimate all-weather, all-conditions "Gentleman's Express".

[jkownz]

IMHO the RS5 is the ultimate all-weather, all-conditions "Gentleman's Express".

Exactly

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[A4toRS4]

If you don't turn around and stare at your car after you park it, you're not driving the right car. The moment you stop turning around to stare at it is the moment you need to consider selling it.

I couldn't agree more. My wife made fun of me the other day because I turned around to look at it after we parked.

[B8 S FOR]

C63s AMG Please!

[Tifosi]

No, because I am not a fan of DSG transmission.

[RacrX]

Details please! I've found one that I like but there's still some time...

[PedroRS5]

No, because I am not a fan of DSG transmission.

Please do tell as to why. I have always had manual gearboxes but there's no way I can shift as quickly. The transmission feels very fluid, it's easy to keep the car on the sweet-spot rev-wise, and the shifts are fast and sure.

[Ms.S4]

I personally would not. I thought I wanted one a couple of years ago, but I wouldn't buy anything that is naturally aspirated especially in that price range anymore.

[superswiss]

I probably would if my bank account prevented me from buying one back in 2013 and I still wanted to own the ultimate GT under $100k with a high-revving motorsport inspired engine.

[Tifosi]

Please do tell as to why. I have always had manual gearboxes but there's no way I can shift as quickly. The transmission feels very fluid, it's easy to keep the car on the sweet-spot rev-wise, and the shifts are fast and sure.

I have been using one since 2010 and yes, it is faster but it still has its flaws. During stop and go driving, it can get caught in between shifts thus cause hesitation and potential dangerous situations. This is not isolated to just Audi/VW DSG but has been reported widely with all dual clutch systems. However, more aggressive software seems to minimize or maybe even eliminated this problem. This would be consistent with the discussion Superswiss and I had a couple of years ago about the differences between S5 and RS5 DSG. He also believe that there were hardware difference which I don't think we ever did came to an conclusion on.

Anyway, it comes down to personal preference. I have always owned and liked manual transmission on sports cars/sedans and DSG systems just doesn't do it for me.

[dalmation53]

I'm going to be honest I can't afford an RS5 now but if I could i wouldn't because it isn't that fast of a car. i mean i drove one and expected to be holy shit and it's almost the same an S5. Yeah it sounds amazing and looks very well indeed but it isn't mind blowing. I would get an S5 and tune it and i'd be happy. i don' think another 25k for an R badge is resonable but that's my opinion.

[superswiss]

I have been using one since 2010 and yes, it is faster but it still has its flaws. During stop and go driving, it can get caught in between shifts thus cause hesitation and potential dangerous situations. This is not isolated to just Audi/VW DSG but has been reported widely with all dual clutch systems. However, more aggressive software seems to minimize or maybe even eliminated this problem. This would be consistent with the discussion Superswiss and I had a couple of years ago about the differences between S5 and RS5 DSG. He also believe that there were hardware difference which I don't think we ever did came to an conclusion on.

Anyway, it comes down to personal preference. I have always owned and liked manual transmission on sports cars/sedans and DSG systems just doesn't do it for me.

There's quite a difference between the DSG in the RS5 and the DSG in the S4/5, on top of that yours is an early model if you still have that 2010. I didn't realize just how big the difference is until I had an S4 DSG loaner recently while coincidentally my DSG software was being updated and it made it only better. I've never experienced the DSG in the RS5 getting caught in between gears. The only delay to watch out for is if you are cruising along in D and the transmission is in a high gear and then you go WOT and expect the car to go, which it doesn't as it takes some time to downshift this many gears. However, I've said this before and it's worth repeating, a dual-clutch transmission has more in common with a manual transmission than with an automatic transmission and you will enjoy it more if you drive it like a manual transmission and minimize the use of the fully automatic modes. They are simply just for convenience.

[Tifosi]

There's quite a difference between the DSG in the RS5 and the DSG in the S4/5, on top of that yours is an early model if you still have that 2010. I didn't realize just how big the difference is until I had an S4 DSG loaner recently while coincidentally my DSG software was being updated and it made it only better. I've never experienced the DSG in the RS5 getting caught in between gears. The only delay to watch out for is if you are cruising along in D and the transmission is in a high gear and then you go WOT and expect the car to go, which it doesn't as it takes some time to downshift this many gears. However, I've said this before and it's worth repeating, a dual-clutch transmission has more in common with a manual transmission than with an automatic transmission and you will enjoy it more if you drive it like a manual transmission and minimize the use of the fully automatic modes. They are simply just for convenience.

I know how much you love your RS5 DSG, which is cool and I can respect that.

With that being said, the "delay" is not isolated to the "early" models, they have also been reported on the later models as well and that it can happen in both modes and by the way, I drive it exclusively in manual mode only as I have had one too many close calls already in auto mode.

Anyway, I have driven various DSG and DSG-like systems that ranges from sports cars/sedans to exotics and they only made me appreciate manual transmission even more. Let's face it, there are folks like you that prefer DSG system and then there are still those dinosaurs like me and the trio at TopGear that still prefers a "proper" gearbox to operate with.

[superswiss]

I know how much you love your RS5 DSG, which is cool and I can respect that.

With that being said, the "delay" is not isolated to the "early" models, they have also been reported on the later models as well and that it can happen in both modes and by the way, I drive it exclusively in manual mode only as I have had one too many close calls already in auto mode.

Anyway, I have driven various DSG and DSG-like systems that ranges from sports cars/sedans to exotics and they only made me appreciate manual transmission even more. Let's face it, there are folks like you that prefer DSG system and then there are still those dinosaurs like me and the trio at TopGear that still prefers a "proper" gearbox to operate with.

Yeah, preference ultimately rules. I just wanted to post for the benefit of the OP, that some of us at least don't find themselves caught between gears or experience unpleasant delays for whatever reason. At least in the more recent models.

[01northernS4]

I bought a new S5 instead of a used RS5, at the same price point, for the same reasons you point out... I know the RS is something super special, no doubt, but for me to have chosen it over my S5 it would have had to have been forced induction and mind blowing.

That being said, I also came from a B7 S4 so wanted forced induction over a naturally aspirated 8 that I kind of already had, albeit much less hp.

I'm going to be honest I can't afford an RS5 now but if I could i wouldn't because it isn't that fast of a car. i mean i drove one and expected to be holy shit and it's almost the same an S5. Yeah it sounds amazing and looks very well indeed but it isn't mind blowing. I would get an S5 and tune it and i'd be happy. i don' think another 25k for an R badge is resonable but that's my opinion.

- - - Updated - - -

I personally would not. I thought I wanted one a couple of years ago, but I wouldn't buy anything that is naturally aspirated especially in that price range anymore.

+1

[patmusk]

Call me crazy, but I patiently waited and bought a used RS5 because it was naturally-aspirated. With the right exhaust and minor tweaks, nothing sounds (or looks) better in it's class IMO.

If you need to know you'll win a race, def go M4 or something else. But none of these other cars will produce the same reaction/effect when you downshift at a busy intersection and roll by.

[LimaSierra]

I'd personally keep your 335i. I'm sure it is a nice ride. If you want an RS, I'd save some $$ and wait till the B9 comes out.

Buy Nate's RS5!!

Ha! Thx Ken.. It is for sale somewhere down in Pasadena, TX. Even on ebay now....




--Nate

[Ms.S4]

+1

Now if they offer a forced induction V8, so I can have my FI and extra 2 cylinders, I will be the first one in line to snatch one up!!!

[01northernS4]

+2

Now if they offer a forced induction V8, so I can have my FI and extra 2 cylinders, I will be the first one in line to snatch one up!!!

[RacrX]

Thanks guys. Still torn- it's such a gorgeous car and one that I've wanted for a long time...need to decide soon or lose it!

[PEM]

Another angle you can look at is that the RS5 will probably depreciate slower than your 335i. Like others, I love my RS5 and would do it all over if I were given the chance. I used to love BMW M division, but lately the stuff they're coming out with have looked and sounded like garbage. When you have to pump synthetic engine audio into the cabin, you know you fucked up and are trying to make it up somehow. The RS5 is much more classy and the exhaust notes are just heavenly especially with an aftermarket exhaust. I almost always turn around to look at my car when I get out of it and it's my DD.

[PEM]

I'm going to be honest I can't afford an RS5 now but if I could i wouldn't because it isn't that fast of a car. i mean i drove one and expected to be holy shit and it's almost the same an S5. Yeah it sounds amazing and looks very well indeed but it isn't mind blowing. I would get an S5 and tune it and i'd be happy. i don' think another 25k for an R badge is resonable but that's my opinion.

Yes a stock S5 can almost keep up with the RS5, and tuned, an S5 is even faster in a straight line. But so what? If you want fast, buy some cheapo miata skeleton and stick a corvette engine in there and that'll blow the doors off both of these Audis without even trying. If you were to spec out an S5 to what the RS5 comes with standard, you'll find that you're only really paying another 10-15k for all the other goodies the RS5 comes with.

[RacrX]

Is anyone here taking their RS5 to the track? Not looking to win every race, but to have the occasional fun track day as well.

Are 2 doors an inconvenience at all?

Personally I like an NA engine...keeps me from spending too much on mods. :)