Pre-FL vs FL: did Audi screw up the 5?

**Johnhanson** · 05-09-2016 09:15 AM

The B9 is right around the corner. I'll be honest though, I'm not too excited. I love my RS5, it's basically Lex Luger - the total package. Problem is recently I've been seeing too many pre-fl 5's on the street and on this forum and it's really bugging me.

They look better.

Those original LEDs that have now been copycatted to death for 10 years are still the best executed design out there. I think my car looks good, but I think it would probably look better with a B8 retrofit. I remember seeing a thread once with a B8 RS5 guy in Europe upset that Audi did a facelift after only one or two years after the RS release - I was thinking "man that car would be sweet".

Just a rambling thought. I certainly won't do a Retrofit at this point. But I think the 8.5s look a little "sciency" in the front while the 8s just have those timeless lines and they all start with the front lamps. Did Audi reach its styling peak with the the B8? Is the B9 going to suck?

Feel free to chime in or let this die.

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**burg3ngold** · 05-09-2016 09:18 AM

I prefer the FL but it's a personal preference

**Johnhanson** · 05-09-2016 09:22 AM

Would almost be interesting to do a 2x2 and see how many FL and preFL owners prefer the other look or their own.

Almost.

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**HazeMyth** · 05-09-2016 09:26 AM

I prefer facelift over pre-facelift looks.

**LordMagnet** · 05-09-2016 09:36 AM

I had a B8, then the B8.5 came out and I told myself the B8 looked much better. I then pulled the trigger on a B8.5 and now I think it looks much better than the B8. So FL gets my vote.

**ooA5oo** · 05-09-2016 10:23 AM

I like both but prefer the A5 and S5 in B8 form. I think the RS5 looks best in B8.5 form though.

I love my B8 going into my 7th month of ownership. I have loved the design since day one and remember seeing one pass me for the first time years ago. It was either brilliant or misano red, but those LEDs at dusk I will never forget.

**sm1287** · 05-09-2016 11:10 AM

When I first decided I wanted to buy an A/S 5 the B8 was out...when they announced the 8.5 I didn't like it as much...thought it lost some of it's aggressive looks...but when I was able to finally purchase I got the 8.5 and love it

**Yip** · 05-09-2016 11:49 AM

I prefer the 8.5. That's why I face lifted mine :)

**i1overice** · 05-09-2016 11:52 AM

@bknewtype

I prefer the v8. because v8 noize.

**HazeMyth** · 05-09-2016 11:53 AM

I prefer the rumble of a V8, too, but running NA at this altitude blows hard. Supercharger or Turbo is the only way to drive up here.

**bknewtype** · 05-09-2016 11:58 AM

OoA5oo said it best

Pre fl a/s5 looks better. But the rs5 works better with the facelift

The facelift bumper cover is weak. No aggression. Head light design is mediocre paired with the cover. Works much better with the rs5 cover

The pre fl a5 leds is what made the car. Low and wraps around the headlights, gives it an aggressive wide stance, esp when u look at the rear view mirror. Shit is sexy as fck

Of course this is just talkin about exterior. There are many things the fl that people would prefer, as would i. I love the fl rear end, and upgraded interior

My baby is here to stay, and can hold its own against cars that are way more expensive

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**Mops@Nemesis** · 05-09-2016 12:03 PM

@bknewtype

Pre-FL for me. Only the front cover and lamps. Cover looks more aggressive and has better lines. Prefer FL for everything else.

Obviously I am biased as it is the 5 I feel in love with, and a coupe that shat on coupes three times it price in the looks department. The FL was the typical Audi twist they must put out.

IMG_1737 by Audiyos, on Flickr

IMG_1998 by Audiyos, on Flickr

**bknewtype** · 05-09-2016 12:04 PM

^ beautiful example of a perfect pre fl

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**Slobo7x** · 05-09-2016 12:09 PM

I would have to agree with OP and two previous posts, the 2008-2009 headlight design is much better.. Now, I think the facelift rear-end looks better, the front is defiantly not.

RS5 is a good combination due to wider stance, but not the A5-S5 setup.

**Mops@Nemesis** · 05-09-2016 12:17 PM

I'd take the Pre RS5 over the the FL, but only because they never came to the US, so those that know, would have a fit like I did at SoWo last year when I saw an Avus Pre RS5. I'd have to fit it with the FL rear though.

Also - FL A/S with the Comp plus front cover... that is money!

**ooA5oo** · 05-09-2016 01:22 PM

I do like the FL tails, but I fell in love with the PFL LEDs even more when I first saw them.

**Vanimal** · 05-09-2016 01:33 PM

My stance as a B8 S5 Pre face lift owner.

I prefer the B8 pre "overall" because of v8 & noise. I don't have much room where i live with traffic to spirit drive, however i can pull up to lights rumbling and look good too

. Just a growl the 3.0T can't achieve.

BUT....

In RS5 form though i do kind of light the Face lift headlights because it matches the RS5's aggressive front & wide fenders if flows better than them on the B8.5 S5/A5.

Tail light wise i prefer the pre face lift because i see SO MANY cars on the road with the Tron like tail lights on the B8.5. From Hyundai's to Nissan they are all over. The LED tails on pre face lift i always think REALLY cool. I love coming out of the gym and night to unlock the car and seeing them light up in the dark. Its just a unique look.

So a mixed bag for me of different combos.

**doug97gxe** · 05-09-2016 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by burg3ngold

I prefer the FL but it's a personal preference

I have both.. i prefer the FL

**Vanimal** · 05-09-2016 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by ooA5oo

I do like the FL tails, but I fell in love with the PFL LEDs even more when I first saw them.

Agreed the face lift tails I see on other cars on the road with VERY similar design when they are lit up. I think the PFL tails are really cool.

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**Endi** · 05-09-2016 02:20 PM

I love both to be honest.
I like both tail lights, but I love my FL :D.

with the way I feel about the b9 a4/s4....I don't think ill like the new style. That's if they continue that trend..

**ParadigmTony** · 05-09-2016 02:38 PM

Naturally I own a P-FL so I love it. Like the others there are some FL things I prefer as well. For me, its the distance under the FL headlamp and lower opening, the new notch in the headlamp just created a weird space. On the RS however its dead on and I love it. The Pre S5 front end is the epitome of the platforms lines and synergy. Just my opinion. I am 50/50 on the Pre and Post Led Tails. I like my LED's. Lets just be honest, whatever Audi does with the B9 is going to have to be awesome because I think the lines of this car are as timeless as a 911. Bold statement I know.

**Diamond Dog** · 05-09-2016 03:23 PM

Here is my previous face lift. Changing out the foglight grills really helped. I feel the PFL is more aggressive looking the the FL

Here it is before the fog light grill swap

And here is a link to my V8 rumble that is the main reason to have the PFL in my opinion

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-Pipe-My-Build

**Vanimal** · 05-09-2016 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by Diamond Dog

Here is my previous face lift. Changing out the foglight grills really helped. I feel the PFL is more aggressive looking the the FL

Damn, that looks complete with the fog grilles. I'm installing my USP RS5 grille probably tomorrow or Wednesday.

I've been looking ALL around for those fog inserts and for whatever reason they are CRAZY expensive on eBay. Like $300 which seems insane for aftermarket ebay fog grille inserts. A member in here gave me a guys email or has them & he still wanted $175. Does that sound right?

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**Diamond Dog** · 05-09-2016 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by Vanimal

Damn, that looks complete with the fog grilles. I'm installing my USP RS5 grille probably tomorrow or Wednesday.

I've been looking ALL around for those fog inserts and for whatever reason they are CRAZY expensive on eBay. Like $300 which seems insane for aftermarket ebay fog grille inserts. A member in here gave me a guys email or has them & he still wanted $175. Does that sound right?

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I bought it from the person that advertised it on a post on AZ, but then the thread got closed. They were around $150 or something like that as I recall

**Vanimal** · 05-09-2016 03:39 PM

Ah OK $150 seems fair. Wonder if i can track him down. They pop right in like the stock ones right without the bumper being removed right? Quality decent?

I would assume so, this way I can get them and add them on later without removing the bumper again.

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**Beast** · 05-09-2016 03:40 PM

I am a Pre FL fan 100% with the A5/S5 EXCEPT the facelift IMO looks like it was made for only the RS5.

**4RingRook** · 05-09-2016 03:46 PM

Like both. Prefer FL.

I don't like the "dots" in the Pre FL lights at all. Would prefer one beam. The tails look just as bad to me.

**PedroRS5** · 05-09-2016 03:50 PM

I like them all, but love mine.....mine, all mine....my precious...

**greenturbo** · 05-09-2016 03:58 PM

Pre-facelift is the way to go. i will not be exchanging this engine or design for a long long time unless i suddenly lose my wallet or job, or decide to move to North Korea

**yjypm** · 05-09-2016 04:50 PM

I like pre fl's headlights and fl's grill...

**Vicnumb7** · 05-09-2016 11:22 PM

Grill for FL is definitely better. I never liked the FL headlines tho.

**fasteddy91** · 05-10-2016 02:24 AM

I like both but prefer the facelift look.

**JamesRS5** · 05-10-2016 06:23 AM

I like both but I think the FL looks fresher and more modern, the square pre facelift headlights could be from any other Audi from 1990 onwards, the new angles Audi are introducing to their designs look great.

**greenturbo** · 05-10-2016 06:55 AM

random b8 this morning...A5 cab...menacing..agree to disagree!

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**greenturbo** · 05-10-2016 07:00 AM

Re:

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**greenturbo** · 05-10-2016 07:02 AM

Bonus

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**doug97gxe** · 05-10-2016 08:39 AM

oh those were Audi's? i thought they were lexus' for a min there

**doug97gxe** · 05-10-2016 08:49 AM

Yes I can't decide which one looks better

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**greenturbo** · 05-10-2016 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by doug97gxe

oh those were Audi's? i thought they were lexus' for a min there

The last pic is a face-lift...

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**Zonsolo** · 05-10-2016 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by ooA5oo

I do like the FL tails, but I fell in love with the PFL LEDs even more when I first saw them.

Yes, 1000x yes. Don't care for the new neon tube look that is on every dodge. PFL LED's are by far my favorite.

While I agree the box shape of the PFL headlights is looking dated, I'm not a fan of the squinting iron man look of the FL headlights either. For the front, they are pretty much tied to me.

I may be completely out in left field on this too, but I am not a fan of the chicken wire RS style grille. It just looks like one huge open hole when you see one on the road. Plus many low-end cars use the chicken wire, including a couple mini-vans in my neighborhood. For me, the black optics PFL S5 grille is where it's at. If I "had" to use an RS style grille it would have to have the full aluminum finish. And of the two, PFL grille shape is better to me than the ford-esque superman shaped FL grille.