Used RS5 or S6

[WsmataU]

I'm in the market and wanted to see if anyone had firsthand experience with both of these models.

I understand these are very different cars, and I don't want to go down the "naturally aspirated vs forced induction" rabbit hole. I'm just looking for a fun daily driver that I can haul a child around in. I don't anticipate tracking the car, but I do like to go out on spirited drives. If an RS6 were available in the US, I think I know what my answer would be. I have looked at the older RS4s, but the higher mileage cars make me shy away.

For now, I'd prefer keeping comparisons stock/stock. I could dress up the S6 with some new shoes and possibly an RS grill down the road, but we'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Pros on RS5 (As I see it)
More aggressive styling
Better sounding exhaust note
Better re-sale

Pros on S6 (As I see it)
I think the quilted seats on the S6 are gorgeous and wish they were offered throughout the whole line.
4 doors
Adults could ride in the back
Serious HP when tuned.

So, for ~$45k which car gets your vote? Feel free to school an Audi newb on any major points I've missed.

[shoe3k]

Getting kids in and out of a 2-door gets old quick, which is why a 4-door is a must. Personally, I love the fact that my 5-year old daughter can get in on her own with no assistance and I'm ready to go. The RS5 is a great car but it's not as passenger-friendly as the S6 would be. The fact you mentioned kids and hauling adults in the back makes this an easy decision.

[WsmataU]

The fact you mentioned kids and hauling adults in the back makes this an easy decision.

Yes, I think you are right. I haven't driven an RS5 but everything I've read says it is more engaging. BUT at the end of the day, the frustration of a 2 door may not be worth the effort.

[IowaRS7]

S6, the potential is there for everything you would want. With the RS5 you may end up wanting more you simply won’t get. The only thing you should consider is your budget. The S6 may be quite a bit more if you do start tinkering or need to replace parts.

[Ace22]

Coming from owning a RS5, it boils down to kids/passengers. If it does not matter on passengers, I would take the RS5 all day long. Mine had the Capristo exhaust and honestly sounded better than most R8's I have heard. There's nothing like a naturally aspirated V8 sound.
On the other side, I needed more room for passengers/kids, so the RS7 fit my bill. I would choose the S6 if that is your case.

[WsmataU]

S6, the potential is there for everything you would want. With the RS5 you may end up wanting more you simply won’t get. The only thing you should consider is your budget. The S6 may be quite a bit more if you do start tinkering or need to replace parts.

Yes, definitely. I would love to get crazy with wheels/wrap/bodykit but I know where that road leads. At the end of the day this is just a fun DD for me.

[WsmataU]

There's nothing like a naturally aspirated V8 sound.

Completely agree. With the price of the GT350 falling I'd love to have one, but NEED AWD in winter. Plus, I already have a weekend/toy Mustang [don't judge ;) ]

[brianup]

I’m in the same boat. Coming off b6 S4 and loving the note of the exhaust but underwhelmed with hp/tourque, I’m unsure if I should go rs5 or s6.

I’ve been toying with the idea of a low miles used s5 v8 from 2010-2012ish and then strapping in a jhm blower kit. So hard to decide.

In the end I think the RS5 is for me. I have a 12 year old who can ride up front so children in the backseat is not a concern.

Good luck with your choice and let us know which way you go.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DOCEVG]

The near uselessness of the RS5 backseat likely eliminates it for consideration if you're hauling small kid(s) around.
Although, as much as I liked the S6 during one test drive, I felt about 5 years older the second I sat in it!

[Phantom75]

RS5 looks better, is more exclusive and will feel much more like a sports car. It will also sound considerably better - that V8. Its probably not as daily friendly for family use, but you could figure it out if you needed to.

S6 is larger, more comfortable, more tech features, better seats, and probably about the same acceleration with better modding potential.

[wwhan]

At one point the 4.2L V8 B8 RS5 with the added SC sounded like a good idea, but I like the c7.5 S6 much more.

The new 2018 RS5 looks pretty good on paper, but the issue with passengersgetting into the back seat, may keep me in the S6.

In 2001, I looked at the new GM Holdon GTO (at the time), but access to the back seat kept me out of that car.

[pez81]

At one point the 4.2L V8 B8 RS5 with the added SC sounded like a good idea, but I like the c7.5 S6 much more.

The new 2018 RS5 looks pretty good on paper, but the issue with passengersgetting into the back seat, may keep me in the S6.

In 2001, I looked at the new GM Holdon GTO (at the time), but access to the back seat kept me out of that car.

I thought the same thing. The RS4 b8 with a supercharger might be might perfect car. After owning an S4 I gotta say I love blower wine

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[digdah]

DO NOT force anyone to sit the the back of an RS5/S5/A5. If you have humans that need to be hauled get the S6. It is fine and dandy sitting in the front seats but getting in/out and even just sitting at the back sucks hard. You will hate yourself really quick having to get kids in and out of that back seat repeatedly.

[JoshDub]

I'm 6'3 and I can fit in the back of my S5 no problem. It's really not that small.

[WsmataU]

At one point the 4.2L V8 B8 RS5 with the added SC sounded like a good idea, but I like the c7.5 S6 much more.

Yes, I initially considered a modified v8 s5, but this car has to be 100% reliable and I just wasn't confident going down the aftermarket road.

[Barritia]

I'm 6'3 and I can fit in the back of my S5 no problem. It's really not that small.

Yeah with making the person you are sitting behind eat dashboard and knees to their chest lol.

Im six foot and have to move the front seats forward a lot to be comfortable. The kids seat making its impossible to have anyone in front of the S6 who’s 6ft or more so would think there’s even less room in the front of the S5 with seat fordward enough to fit kids seat.

[digdah]

I'm 6'3 and I can fit in the back of my S5 no problem. It's really not that small.

With the seat far forward it is not that bad. Most of the issue is getting in and out of that darn thing. Sucks horribly.

[JoshDub]

There is tons of front leg room in the a5 chassis. Obviously the front seats need to move forward, but not to much that people can't fit comfortably. I use the S5 for ski trips with 3 people, two of us are over 6 foot. There is no shortage of space.

Getting into the back isn't as easy as a 4 door, but thats only a small aspect.

[brad65ford]

Looks rs5, performance mod capabilities then s6. Imo 4.0 is a better motor to mod.

[MikeDwerks]

I had been thinking about going to a 2 door car on my next vehicle after the S6. Thinking it would not be that big of a deal now that my boy is 5yrs old and can buckle himself in his booster

But then my car was in for repair for a few weeks and got a new A5 as a loaner... a 2 door is too much of a hassle with a young kid. He does not even ride with me all that much, I take him to school 2-3 times a week.

One detail thing that you would not realize until you owned the car is that the rear belt buckle distance is pretty narrow compared to the S6. My sons booster sat on top of the buckle, so even though he is capable of buckling himself in general, it was impossible because the seat was sitting right on top of it. I had to reach back and do it for him every time

And those doors on the A5 are just so long and heavy, it is annoying. Bugged me everytime I got in the car, especially if I had things in my hands


No two door for me in the near future

[WsmataU]

I had been thinking about going to a 2 door car on my next vehicle after the S6. Thinking it would not be that big of a deal now that my boy is 5yrs old and can buckle himself in his booster

But then my car was in for repair for a few weeks and got a new A5 as a loaner... a 2 door is too much of a hassle with a young kid. He does not even ride with me all that much, I take him to school 2-3 times a week.

One detail thing that you would not realize until you owned the car is that the rear belt buckle distance is pretty narrow compared to the S6. My sons booster sat on top of the buckle, so even though he is capable of buckling himself in general, it was impossible because the seat was sitting right on top of it. I had to reach back and do it for him every time

And those doors on the A5 are just so long and heavy, it is annoying. Bugged me everytime I got in the car, especially if I had things in my hands


No two door for me in the near future

Very informative on the "things you'd wish you'd have known." Thanks!!!

[Dre325]

With kids, I'd take the S6. I have two little ones, ages 3 and 5, and I can't even imagine trying to get them into the back of a 2 door car. The S6 is my daily driver to work, and we usually take the family SUV on the weekend because the kids have more room for all their junk, but for the occasional rides with my kids I still can't recommend anything that doesn't have 4 doors. That will probably change a few years down the road. I don't feel like you're sacrificing that much with the S6 though with the 4.0 TT V8 platform to mod.

[scott99c2]

I had an S5 with kids while they were little. It was a total pain in the arse. If you don't need people to ride in the back, the RS5 is a better/sportier/more nimble ride. My biggest complain on the S7 is the handling, it's got way too much lean. The drivetrain is fantastic and I like it better than the RS5.

[aFOURstance]

I also contemplated the same decision actually, and in the end I have no regrets of going with the S6. Although as others have mentioned, S6 does require more maintenance as it is a twin turbo'd V8. So personally in terms of reliability I believe the RS5 wins this round, practicality S6 for sure.

[wwhan]

The all-new 2019 Audi RS 5 Sportback fall of 2018: https://media.audiusa.com/en-us/releases/235

The 2019 FOUR Door Audi RS 5 Sportback will be on sale in the second half of 2018.

[AUDIMAN33]

There is tons of front leg room in the a5 chassis. Obviously the front seats need to move forward, but not to much that people can't fit comfortably. I use the S5 for ski trips with 3 people, two of us are over 6 foot. There is no shortage of space.

Getting into the back isn't as easy as a 4 door, but thats only a small aspect.

I'd put money down that you don't have kids.

[WsmataU]

Still searching. The 2018+ S4 replaces the S6 because the S6 is just too big, but 4 doors is appealing.

So, exhaust note vs better interior ;) Any opinions?

[db12]

S6 is considerably faster...case closed (unless the styling of the s5 is a must)

[A6sport]

It all depends on what your needs are. If a personal car, RS5. It's a family car S6.

[wwhan]

Still searching. The 2018+ S4 replaces the S6 because the S6 is just too big, but 4 doors is appealing.

So, exhaust note vs better interior ;) Any opinions?

Audi RS5 sportback (four doors), lighter and more nimble than the S6.

https://www.audiusa.com/models/audi-rs5-sportback

[dudley123]

Do you want to go fast and haul kids? or do you want the factory car to sound "good"... :)

[EriCal]

I went from a 08 S6 to a 15 S5. I searched diligently to get all the performance parts. 6 mt, adaptive suspension, sport differential etc. It was a wonderful little car. Performance and handling were wonderful but it was a LITTLE car, [/U][/U]. I think I found it a bit clausterphobic. Because of the long doors, I couldn't get in and out of the car easily when it was in the garage. I drove the car for less than a year and replaced it with a S7 which I find wonderful. Children/passengers are not a concern. In fact, I don't think the back seat of the S7 has had anyone there in the 2 years plus I have had the car.

[WsmataU]

Audi RS5 sportback (four doors), lighter and more nimble than the S6.

https://www.audiusa.com/models/audi-rs5-sportback

Good alternative but well beyond my $40k budget.

[WsmataU]

I went from a 08 S6 to a 15 S5. I searched diligently to get all the performance parts. 6 mt, adaptive suspension, sport differential etc. It was a wonderful little car. Performance and handling were wonderful but it was a LITTLE car, [/U][/U]. I think I found it a bit clausterphobic. Because of the long doors, I couldn't get in and out of the car easily when it was in the garage. I drove the car for less than a year and replaced it with a S7 which I find wonderful. Children/passengers are not a concern. In fact, I don't think the back seat of the S7 has had anyone there in the 2 years plus I have had the car.

Great insight from experience. I do need to haul one kid (6 yrs old) so the 4 door is pulling my "practicality" senses harder than my lust for V8 auditory engagement. I strongly prefer the sedan to the fastback of an S7, but I really wish the S6 was more aggressive looking. I just can't justify dropping an additional $10k on RS6 styling cues to help the car scratch all my itches ;)