How's life with 4 seats instead of 5?

[viren.89]

Hello all,


I haven't bought RS7 yet but I wonder how is life with having only 4 seats and a partition in the middle?

I have a german shepard and he's around 57-58kg (125 lbs) he takes up all the back seat and I wonder once I get this poor guy would have to uBer his way to me lol

Did you ever regret or think about "damn I should've gone with S7 instead of RS7 for more seating?"

As is sometimes I have to take my dad's suv due to space limitations in my E55 (7 vs 5 and not dog space or just little luggage)

Anyone with RS7 and 3 kids? how do you deal with it?

[bakedziti]

I don't have either, but I would guess that most with the concern of the 4 or 5 seats take a look at the S6 or the S8. Depending on which RS7 you're looking at, you're already in the ballpark for the S8 Plus, or even past the initial price point if you're looking at the RS7 Performance. The S6 has the full time 3 person rear seat, and is built on the same chassis platform as the S/RS7, but most say it is a little less roomy. The S8 will give you the flip down center console, which gives you the flexibility for your dog, because you can hide all of the controls for the rear seats that are on the flip down/up center section. Just my $0.02.

[janthony6]

I wonder what ruins the resale value of these cars more, dogs or smokers?

[Audibot]

Smokers, for sure. Dog hair can be cleaned, and if you get one of those seat covering things, you may not even notice. A good detail can get rid of pet hair as well. Smoke just... lingers and embeds itself in everything.

[seanentrust]

I have nothing to contribute but wanted to say I'm happy you are taking your dog into consideration for your next car purchase!

[RAF_S7]

The S7 only has 4 seats also.

I'm not sure if selecting comfort seats restores the rear to a 3 seater.

Oh, and dogs on leather seating, would be a no from me - mainly as their claws/nails will mark the leather, unless your going with some kind of custom doggy seat covers.

[agent47]

Smokers, for sure. Dog hair can be cleaned, and if you get one of those seat covering things, you may not even notice. A good detail can get rid of pet hair as well. Smoke just... lingers and embeds itself in everything.

+1. The smell of smoke just becomes a part of the interior after a while. Pet hair is pretty easy to remove- vacuum with a good brush attachment and its all clean. Heck most of the people wont even know of pets

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[Djpeaksd]

Yeah only A7 has 5 seats!

[MP4.2+6.0]

Actually, net, never again.

So, I had a A8L W12 for almost ten years and 100K. Four seater and infinitely more room than the already compromised back of an A7/S7/RS7. Over the years we went from two teens at home, and their friends riding along, to empty nester. Many times an issue w/ only four seats. Only time it worked well was two adult couples or family of 4 only. A kid friend was almost always the fifth that broke the equation of seats to bodies. And for me, The D3/4 body works for real adults of decent size, but not so much the 7 set up--both knees and headroom. Of course, as soon as you add a fifth--kids' friend, extra person along for the ride, something extra to carry, whatever, SOL. At least on a long body you have a bunch of space down at floor for stuff or a small dog (not a huge one). No go on 7. We would find ourselves taking the Q5 for nights out solely because of the fifth seat, even with the way plusher and generally roomier L W12.

Even as now empty nester, this time I systematically rejected any 4 seater W12 or A8 with the barcalounger four seat set up. Among the factors that brought me strongly to current D4 S8. And as empty nester, don't need all the seriously extra room back there, and even a SWB D body is more generous than an A6/S6 for all of knee, leg and shoulder room. But we still have friends, the adult kids with a boyfriend along, etc. From having gotten in back of an RS7 on showroom floor on way to S8 decision, I was out of there in like two seconds. At around 6'1" not even in the ballpark of do-able. S6 somewhat tight but manageable for real adults and easily for kids and teens. Had various C sedans for two dozen years pre- D bodies, many a time w/ 5 on board, and a (generous) full trunk. The one give up on a D body compared to a C sedan is the fold down seat; can't have a folded seat on a D body because that bulkhead is a key structural member. If cargo important (or folded seat for dog), might be a consideration.

[amelen]

My 2012 A7 had 4 seats and it was kind of annoying. A couple of times I had to have someone sit on the plastic piece in the middle. Then again, I'm considering a 911 for my next car which will have even less back seat space than that.

[VeryBadman]

I buy a car I want regardless of how many seats it has and for anybody who wants to complain that they are not comfortable sitting on the plastic tray when I even allow them to sit there at the first place, they are more than welcome to take Uber or whatever public transportation of their choice.

As for dog, they don't complain anyway.

[agent47]

I buy a car I want regardless of how many seats it has and for anybody who wants to complain that they are not comfortable sitting on the plastic tray when I even allow them to sit there at the first place, they are more than welcome to take Uber or whatever public transportation of their choice.

As for dog, they don't complain anyway.

Naild it! Haha. I said the same thing to a buddy's girlfriend who drives an SUV saying my A6 is cramped. I offered to call a cab for her. Never met her again after thay . We use a cover for the whole rear half when our pooch rides there. Most of the time he likes to sit in the front footwell in front of my wife . And surprisingly he is extremely smart- steps straight into the footwell/on the mats. Never landed a paw on the rocker panel/door sill region.

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[Chris Morales]

I buy a car I want regardless of how many seats it has and for anybody who wants to complain that they are not comfortable sitting on the plastic tray when I even allow them to sit there at the first place, they are more than welcome to take Uber or whatever public transportation of their choice.

As for dog, they don't complain anyway.

Got kids?

By the way (to everyone)--don't dogs (especially big ones) impart a smell in the car as well?

[s4avanter]

Got kids?

By the way (to everyone)--don't dogs (especially big ones) impart a smell in the car as well?

Can't you buy and install the 3 seat option? It just won't have the quilted option all the way through.
I've been researching A/S 7's and have seen the 3 seat bench pop up on ebay now and then. Also spoke with some dealers and they said you could have it installed in an a7..why not an s or rs7?

[CanuckRS]

Hello all,


I haven't bought RS7 yet but I wonder how is life with having only 4 seats and a partition in the middle?

I have a german shepard and he's around 57-58kg (125 lbs) he takes up all the back seat and I wonder once I get this poor guy would have to uBer his way to me lol

Did you ever regret or think about "damn I should've gone with S7 instead of RS7 for more seating?"

As is sometimes I have to take my dad's suv due to space limitations in my E55 (7 vs 5 and not dog space or just little luggage)

Anyone with RS7 and 3 kids? how do you deal with it?

I wouldn't recommend the RS7 if you want/need generous rear seating. Buy it as a great all-rounder, but more for the power/performance than anything else.

For more room, consider the E63 AMG Wagon instead.

I tend to agree with badman & agent, anyone complaining about backseat room can take the bus. :)

Cheers

[HeelBuff]

I've got two teenaged sons over 6' tall and they don't complain when they ride in my RS7. I've got two dogs and they have never been allowed in that car. I've got either a Q7 or a Silverado to haul dogs around.

[CASoxFan]

Our dog (also a German Shepherd) is not allowed in my S6, as he is taken anywhere in the SQ5. We have a great blanket that goes over the back seat and have no issue with seat damage or smell.

[agent47]

Got kids?

By the way (to everyone)--don't dogs (especially big ones) impart a smell in the car as well?

Not really. Unless someone doesn't bathe their dogs at all.

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[HeelBuff]

My issue with dogs in my car is solely due to the effect dog talons have on soft valcona leather. I don't want to screw around with putting little booties on my dogs and I don't trust any sort of cover or blanket to be foolproof.

[Chris Morales]

For more room, consider the E63 AMG Wagon instead.

Overlooking the S8? Or just thinking about a cargo area for the dog instead of a back seat?

[CanuckRS]

Overlooking the S8? Or just thinking about a cargo area for the dog instead of a back seat?

Imo I wouldn't put a dog in the back seat of my 100k plus sports sedan, that's what a wagon is for :) The e63amg is a better sporty comparison to the RS7 as well although the S8 is also an epic cruise missile you can't go wrong with either. Any of them will be amazing.

[Brooklyn]

That extra seat in the middle comes in handy every now and again, particularly when I have two 9 year olds in the back and find myself having to fold down the single side of the seat to fit something in the trunk. If you're not worried about that scenario and you spend the bulk of your time with just the dog in the back or only two rear seat pax, the 7 should be fine. Wish Audi would bring the damn RS6 and be done with it.

[viren.89]

Thanks for all the responses.

Dog has been travelling in my current car 04 E55 AMG for over two years now and I vaccum every weekend. I also use a full rear seat cloth -it's made out of the same material that a waterproof/weather proof car cover cloths are made out of.

Obviously AMG isn't the same price as the RS7 -so people saying no I can understand your hesitation however, if you get in my car -you could never tell that I even have a dog unless ofcourse he's sitting on the back seat lol.

He always sits diagonally to me and takes just one spot-(passenger rear) but I make sure I drive carefully like i'm carrying precious cargo lol so he doesn't fly around in the cabin. I drive very smoothly/no harsh accelerations or stopping.


I really like the shape of RS7 and that would most likely be my next car unless CLS does an outstanding job in their next iteration. SO I wondered if there were like any after market solutions to this? albeit temporary? I understand I can get a cushion for the 5th person but it's the seat belt I'm wondering. In Canada everyone needs to be wearing a seat belt.

Or

I just need to sucker up n get on with 4 person seating if I want RS7 ? I've seen S8 plus n all but RS7 is just so beautiful.

Wait doesn't S8 also have a console in the back?

[hubris]

Imo I wouldn't put a dog in the back seat of my 100k plus sports sedan, that's what a wagon is for :) The e63amg is a better sporty comparison to the RS7 as well although the S8 is also an epic cruise missile you can't go wrong with either. Any of them will be amazing.

Actually CLS63 AMG S is a better comparison to RS7 (four door coupe body). E63 is still in their standard sedan class.

[bakedziti]

Wait doesn't S8 also have a console in the back?

It does, but it folds up with the middle cushion/armrest and is contained while closed. It's interesting that Audi's website doesn't seem to highlight the number of passengers; unless I just missed it.

http://www.caranddriver.com/audi/s8/specs

I seldom come across an S8, so I am a little partial, even though I love the RS7.

[MP4.2+6.0]

...

Or

I just need to sucker up n get on with 4 person seating if I want RS7 ? I've seen S8 plus n all but RS7 is just so beautiful.

Wait doesn't S8 also have a console in the back?

No console. Per another reply, just the fold down armrest like five seater A8's. Always short wheelbase on an S8 . Behind armrest is the ski/passthrough. D4 armrest all has the HVAC controls built into it for the back, but it all just folds w/ the simple movement. Only many/most W12's (or a special order one off) would typically have the bulky fixed center console like my D3 W12 did. Maybe the Barcalounger option too; would have to look, and that isn't sold with S8 or SWB anyway. The true four seaters with the fixed center console also don't have a center position seat belt, and likewise they are required in U.S. for all seating positions. In practice with a four seater what is done the few times you get stuck unplanned on a local ride is double buckle and drive more carefully. Seems to involve a kid most of the time--school pick up with some add on, last minute run to/from an event, etc.

[CanuckRS]

Actually CLS63 AMG S is a better comparison to RS7 (four door coupe body). E63 is still in their standard sedan class.

i guess so, i forgot about that one because i think it's so ugly. i meant the e63amg s wagon, not the sedan for comparison shopping. the e63 wagon is much more performance oriented for dynamic driving than the rs7.