Regrets? Do overs?

[th3hawaiian]

Im a new S5 owner and mine is currently a blank canvas. Ive done nothing to it at all.. (tint, but that doesn't count). Having said that, if you were in the same boat, are there any mods, brands, directions that you went with your car that you wished you hadn't gone? Anything you could sit here now and go... yea, I should have done x,y,z instead of 1,2,3. Conversely, if there are any that you can say "yea, good on me for going that route" Id like to hear about those as well.

Oh, and for what its worth, I'm not new to modding cars, I started with Toyotas, then Honda, then Infiniti, and now here but I'm completely new to Euro cars.... back in those days I had more time on my hands to tinker than I do now. Anyway, Im interested in hearing all of your experiences (good and bad).

[Strong Man]

Congrats Man .
You can start from http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ifications-***

[th3hawaiian]

I guess by new, I should have said its just not modded. Ive had it since july of last year and have been a member of this forum since august of last year (lurked for about a month as a guest).

[mopaNi]

In order I would...

Do the mount inserts (034/ECS), rear sway bar (034), any of the intakes to hear the whine (Roc/ECS/CTS/etc), drop.

Next would be upgraded rotors/pads/fluids/maybe even calipers and better tires.

Also warranty aside...a tune.

[b8audis4]

I would say the best mods I did to my car were Michelin PSS Tires, I know it isn't a mod, but to me that made a huge handling difference, and also doing an exhaust. I am one of the few that prefers an exhaust over an intake, so I would wait for an intake, and I also wouldn't do stainless lines, unless you are going to do a full big brake kit. Pads make a difference when it comes to dust.

[4RingRook]

Welcome and enjoy!

Suspension (coilovers, sway bars, strut bars) > Exhaust > Intake > Wheels

[mopaNi]

Cost factors in here a lot IMO...

You can do all of the first four things that I mentioned for under $1000. About the same or below the cost of an exhaust.

[Omegahare]

First thing I did was the stance. H&R Street Coils and 15/20 spacers. I would do that first again. It was really the reason I fell in love with this car. Without the stance I woulda probably bought something else entirely but I saw an S5 with a moderate drop (not slammed) in real life and was immediately hooked. Personal preference. If I bought a pre-faclift V8 I might have done the exhaust earlier in the priority than some other things. But V6T it's not a big deal Imo.

[4RingRook]

First thing I did was the stance. H&R Street Coils and 15/20 spacers. I would do that first again. It was really the reason I fell in love with this car. Without the stance I woulda probably bought something else entirely but I saw an S5 with a moderate drop (not slammed) in real life and was immediately hooked. Personal preference. If I bought a pre-faclift V8 I might have done the exhaust earlier in the priority than some other things. But V6T it's not a big deal Imo.

Yep.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Yep.

I'm with that too.

034 mounts, brace and rear bar are huge mods as well.

[0000_S5]

I'm with that too.

034 mounts, brace and rear bar are huge mods as well.

Any recommended products for these?


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[Twotonicnite]

My '15 S5 is fast approaching 1 year of ownership for me. So far I've installed the 034 trans mount, rear swaybar and endlinks, ECS intake, and some badging & lighting mods. I was lucky that the car came with a Milltek exhaust, I just switched tips. The rear sway bar was a huge improvement, especially for the cost. Coming up this Spring for me will be coilovers, wheels, and rotors/pads. Eventually, I will explore a tune but I'm still on the fence with regards to the warranty.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Any recommended products for these?

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034 Motorsports....

Drivetrain mount insert pack
X-brace
Rear sway
Rear sway endlinks
Rear diff carrier mount pack

They're huge mods. Part of round 1 for sure. I always do all offered 034MS mounts. If you only wanted some, the tranny mount, rear bar and rear links.

[doug97gxe]

Stage 2 .. totally different car from stock .. everytime i flash back to stock for service (500 mile prior) i can't imagine ever driving this car stock

[AudiYes]

Sell it and get an Rs5.

Almost no other mods needed, maybe spacers to make wheels flush and that's it

[Game]

Sell it and get an Rs5.

Almost no other mods needed, maybe spacers to make wheels flush and that's it

Don't be that guy...

[Game]

Anyways OP, I'm in just about the same boat as you. Have modded all my cars and now have a stock S5.

My first mod will be an AWE track exhaust. The tax refund sale was too good to pass up. Next I'm likely going ECS/Roc intake, H&R sport springs, spacers, tint, vinyl the chrome trim, blades, mirrors, in no particular order. I think that'll hold me over for most of 2017.

[mcbuck]

Don't be that guy...

^^^^^^this, and I drive an RS5

For me it would be tune, stance, wheels, then start fine tuning with the inserts, sway bars, etc
And exhaust in there somewhere....helluva lotta help, aren't I?



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[toastsauce]

H and R does not recommend their springs on stock struts FYI. That's what led me to the B12 pro kit. Don't forget the grocery hooks!

[RVJ]

034 Motorsports....

Drivetrain mount insert pack
X-brace
Rear sway
Rear sway endlinks
Rear diff carrier mount pack

They're huge mods. Part of round 1 for sure. I always do all offered 034MS mounts. If you only wanted some, the tranny mount, rear bar and rear links.

Mops, tell me more here....

Trying to figure out what to do this Spring. Funds for the car are a bit lower than expected. (Smaller tax return than expected and a bunch of new furniture for the wife...last year it was blinds.../sigh)


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[th3hawaiian]

These are great responses, thank you. It looks like suspension upgrades seem to be the recommended route. I'll have to look into that 034 motorsports deal. For intake, I've got my eye on that apr carbonio one. Exhaust... no clue yet, theres so many choices there. Then i also have my eye on the apr stage 1 tune, but im not too keen on shipping out my ecu AND im worried about warranty since im still well within mine.

Oh and, i know its not the normal route, but im seriously considering going with the oem rs grille. I keep seeing people who went after market and then end up selling it soon after.

To the dude that said go rs, lol, i considered that.

[fasteddy91]

The tune is done through the OBD port, so you wouldn't have to remove the ECU. I'm pretty sure there are several APR tuners locally to you.

[0000_S5]

034 Motorsports....

Drivetrain mount insert pack
X-brace
Rear sway
Rear sway endlinks
Rear diff carrier mount pack

They're huge mods. Part of round 1 for sure. I always do all offered 034MS mounts. If you only wanted some, the tranny mount, rear bar and rear links.

Thanks, Mops


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[th3hawaiian]

The tune is done through the OBD port, so you wouldn't have to remove the ECU. I'm pretty sure there are several APR tuners locally to you.

Really? I was reading on the ecs site they want the ecu sent to them for modification. I assumed that meant chipping was involved or something.

As for apr tuners, yes there are a few. But again, with it still being under warranty I'm hesitant to mess with that.

[Rshane]

I didn't read all the responses because everyone has a different opinion on it. However, when you do decide you want to go with a mod, take your time, ask questions and do your research and you'll have no regerts.

[CG3D]

Just clicked over 40k on my ownership of my S5 and getting a little restless myself.
Lowered mine within 3 months and currently running BBS-CHR's.

My next 'must have's' are probably exhaust. Mine came with an exhaust (kinda 'meh' Stasis) so definitely doing an AWE track probably next.
Probably next after that is brakes. Feel on the OE setup is best described as 'dull'. Works but always felt lacking.
Some love the B&o audio - some are indifferent. I'm in the latter camp. It's 'fine' too, but could for sure be better. Possible upgrade down the line too.

I don't know I have may 'regrets' about this car. It's been a champ as a daily. There are things I for sure wish were better, but given the decent platform, they seem easily attained.
I miss the torque of my old E55 so more power would make it an all round hero. Mount upgrades are probably a great and reasonably priced upgrade for the 'feel' of the car.

Big brake kits look amazing with 20's on this car. Def on my list. IMHO drilled and slotted OE sized rotors look cheap and 'wannabe' so i'd stick to the OE setup with good pads and fluid until you can do a legit 385mm rotor and caliper.

[doug97gxe]

Really? I was reading on the ecs site they want the ecu sent to them for modification. I assumed that meant chipping was involved or something.

As for apr tuners, yes there are a few. But again, with it still being under warranty I'm hesitant to mess with that.

yes its done through the ODBII Port .. also don't get a tune under warranty if you're not prepared to flash back to stock before every service visit .. for APR/GIAC/Revo/034 that involves going to the dealer and paying a fee to flash each time .. for EPL and Uni that means doing it from your laptop/tablet for free

for more performance information and mod info read the B8 S4 forum.. it has loads more info and it basically the same car without the extra doors

[Mops@Nemesis]

My next 'must have's' are probably exhaust. Mine came with an exhaust (kinda 'meh' Stasis) so definitely doing an AWE track probably next.

15% and free ship through EOD tomorrow 😎

Agreed on OE brake mods and B+O.

😉

MopsTE37-3756 by Audiyos, on Flickr

[th3hawaiian]

yes its done through the ODBII Port .. also don't get a tune under warranty if you're not prepared to flash back to stock before every service visit .. for APR/GIAC/Revo/034 that involves going to the dealer and paying a fee to flash each time .. for EPL and Uni that means doing it from your laptop/tablet for free

for more performance information and mod info read the B8 S4 forum.. it has loads more info and it basically the same car without the extra doors

Ah, ok good stuff, thanks for that. Oh, as for spacers, i was reading that about most folks do 20/25 front/rear. But then someone just said they did 15/25. Im curious about the 5mm difference in front. And this is on stock wheels right?

[new2s5]

I've dropped and spread my 09 V8. I also installed a used Akrapovic exhaust with 2 small resonators (replacing the X pipe) to cut back on the drone. At just over 30k it's time for it's first brake job. I'm using Brake Performance ( Audizine discount) dimpled/slotted rotors and stainless steel brake lines with Akebono ceramics. I just love this car and plan to keep it for a long time. Right now tho, It's playing second to my new Macan GTS. Two entirely different vehicles but equally fun to drive!

[Poppe]

Ah, ok good stuff, thanks for that. Oh, as for spacers, i was reading that about most folks do 20/25 front/rear. But then someone just said they did 15/25. Im curious about the 5mm difference in front. And this is on stock wheels right?

Buy one pair of 20's and experiment front and back as to the look your seeking then buy another pair of 15's or 25's. I went with 10 in front and 20 in rear which is not aggresssive but IMHO looks great. Personal choice.

[doug97gxe]

Buy one pair of 20's and experiment front and back as to the look your seeking then buy another pair of 15's or 25's. I went with 10 in front and 20 in rear which is not aggresssive but IMHO looks great. Personal choice.

great idea

[ians]

I was regret put on h&r spring in the beginning, the car being so bouncy when road is rough and it made the car feels like flying up the sky with at least 1 wheel up on the air. 1 year after, I switch out to H&R coilover and which will bottom out on pothole. So I endup switch to blistein PSS10 and happy till now. So If I can do it all over again, I should get PSS10 in the first place!

Another regret... cheap out and got a set of black RS caliper! should pay more and get the red one instead! Now black on black is so boring!

[Chris@EPL]

LMk and I can help ;)

I can help with a tune and we have a Roc-Euro intake in stock as well.

[bknewtype]

when i had my s5, here are some regrets and what I would do over if I could:

went with eibach springs cause I got a good deal on it: if I could do it again I would get KW HAS kit for the low.

went with a billy boat sport exhaust : if I could do it again I would get the AWE track w/ non res downpipes. the BB sport was a good deal, which is why I got it. but ultimately good deals doesn't always mean good product.

I would of done ecodes if I woulda known about it sooner

[th3hawaiian]

This is all great stuff to know. I had a feeling this would drum up some stuff from some of y'all. I haven't been into modding since my Infiniti G35 (its been awhile...lol; I went electric after that (volt) until last year), but I remember all to well how many changes I went through to finally land on setups that I was happy with. Almost always, I'd say 9 times outta 10, the choices that most regretted making were the cheap ones. However... sometimes thats not always the case... hence the post.

I'll definitely be busy for awhile looking into all of these recommendations.

[HMS]

Sell it and get an Rs5.

Almost no other mods needed, maybe spacers to make wheels flush and that's it

OP - I Own an RS5 - Still wouldn't recommend going this route. Doug knows what's up when it comes to fast S5s. Anyways, welcome!

Oh, obligatory- this thread is useless without pictures!! HAH! Enjoy the S!

[T_Glass_27]

Not to be a debbie downer, but I regret my car in general haha. Not enough power! Looking for a GTR now

[toastsauce]

I regret going with the rear bar only from 034 for my S5. My A5 had the full eurocode kit and when I drive that car after the S5 I can tell there is less body roll in the A5. That's what led me to purchase the B12 pro kit just to stiffen it up even more with a drop

[yjypm]

A lot of regrets... First the car itself. I should have gone with a black optics car at the first place. Second 034 sway bar, I should have gone with a pair instead of just the rear. Third 034 rear end links, a waste of money, should have gone with moog end links. Fourth rs5 380mm brakes, these calipers are so heavy and the pads cost so much, should have gone with Porsche calipers. Fifth, the most important, I should have bought a cpo 650i instead of a brand new s5...