Thinking of growing up a bit and getting an S5

DickiePhitt · Oct 26, 2016

After 2 years of S3 ownership I'm ready for a change and see there are some rather good S5 leasing deals about at present. I'm finding the S3 a bit small and uncomfortable on long journeys. Also I'm not convinced about the usefulness of some of the tech.

The standard S5 Sportback looks to have most of the things that I find useful on my (heavily specced) S3 as well as sports seats and LED headlights.

Has anyone else though of defecting and considered the S5 Sportback?

Simon L · Oct 26, 2016

DickiePhitt said:
After 2 years of S3 ownership I'm ready for a change and see there are some rather good S5 leasing deals about at present. I'm finding the S3 a bit small and uncomfortable on long journeys. Also I'm not convinced about the usefulness of some of the tech.

The standard S5 Sportback looks to have most of the things that I find useful on my (heavily specced) S3 as well as sports seats and LED headlights.

Has anyone else though of defecting and considered the S5 Sportback?

Not the sportback but the coupe is still on me radar.......

Jassyo06 · Oct 26, 2016

Go for it mate the S5 is a nice upgrade...but a £51k upgrade, given you like your toys,also leave it for a few months, because l am sure there will be more paint choices available plus 20" alloys in the configurator

Jassyo06 · Oct 26, 2016

Simon L said:
Not the sportback but the coupe is still on me radar.......

Coupe has a higher GMFV.....A bag of sand roughly

DickiePhitt · Oct 26, 2016

Yeah the toys thing is a good point Jassy but 2 years in I reckon most are either standard in the S5 or, like the B&O and sign recognition, I can get along without.
Given the age of the people I transport, Simon (babes and pensioners) it has to be the 5 door I think.
Goes against the grain but I'd even consider speccing the solid black paint (£0) and put in a pano roof (£1250), rather than met paint (£650).

New VED rates in April '17 and falling pound makes it likely (IMHO) prices will rise, maybe substantially.

Jassyo06 · Oct 26, 2016

DickiePhitt said:
Yeah the toys thing is a good point Jassy but 2 years in I reckon most are either standard in the S5 or, like the B&O and sign recognition, I can get along without.
Given the age of the people I transport, Simon (babes and pensioners) it has to be the 5 door I think.
Goes against the grain but I'd even consider speccing the solid black paint (£0) and put in a pano roof (£1250), rather than met paint (£650).

New VED rates in April '17 and falling pound makes it likely (IMHO) prices will rise, maybe substantially.

Naw no flat paint...lol Pano-roof a must as is the light & Vision pack= virtual cockpit matrix...£750 bangers....flat bottom steering wheel.........ye dont need anymore,although l do love the Carbon Atlas Inlays...lol

Jassyo06 · Oct 26, 2016

Another thing the new Sportback looks far better than the old yin....very sleek

DrEskimo · Oct 26, 2016

Thankfully being/acting grown up isn't a prerequisite for driving an S5...I would of been screwed if it was

Simon L · Oct 26, 2016

DrEskimo said:
Thankfully being/acting grown up isn't a prerequisite for driving an S5...I would of been screwed if it was

lol ..............am sure there's no doubt about that, but agree with Dickie definitely attracts a slightly older fan base than S3

Jassyo06 · Oct 26, 2016

Simon L said:
lol ..............am sure there's no doubt about that, but agree with Dickie definitely attracts a slightly older fan base than S3

Yeah its Audi's version of a Ford Mustang Really.....70's thing....and now with the new yin

CarloS3 · Oct 26, 2016

Simon L said:
lol ..............am sure there's no doubt about that, but agree with Dickie definitely attracts a slightly older fan base than S3

Surely it only attracts a slightly older fan base because us younguns can't afford an S5?

Simon L · Oct 26, 2016

CarloS3 said:
Surely it only attracts a slightly older fan base because us younguns can't afford an S5?

You say that mate but I'm friggin amazed how many younguns can afford an S3, especially factoring in the insurance!! lol

Jassyo06 · Oct 26, 2016

CarloS3 said:
Surely it only attracts a slightly older fan base because us younguns can't afford an S5?

Ah...Young Carlos in a middle aged mans....saloon......come on....lol

Jassyo06 · Oct 26, 2016

Simon L said:
You say that mate but I'm friggin amazed how many younguns can afford an S3, especially factoring in the insurance!! lol

Best jump up then Elvis..........lol

Audi Bairn · Oct 26, 2016

jassyo06 said:
Another thing the new Sportback looks far better than the old yin....very sleek

Steady on big man, what ye mean it's better looking ha ha!

Audi Bairn · Oct 26, 2016

DrEskimo said:
Thankfully being/acting grown up isn't a prerequisite for driving an S5...I would of been screwed if it was

Totally agree Doc, the way I drove home on the back roads tonight I've got a lot of growing up to do.
Now I'm going the opposite way and ditching the S5 for an S3 lol

Flying Scotsman · Oct 26, 2016

I am an old fart....looked as the S5 prior to purchasing an S3....in Canada only available as 2 door coupe, really nice looking car. My negatives were too big, 2 huge doors and pricey. I understand the long journey comfort aspect but most of my journeys are 1 hour to 3 hours max and the occasional 6 to10 hour jaunt.
The jag XH, Mercedes C series and the Audi 4 series were also nixed on size issues for me.

CraigI · Oct 26, 2016

We've got a S5 Sportback and they are good cars.
Ours is the old one, took delivery in January and it's a great, comfortable cruiser, ideal as a family wagon.
The older one is perhaps a touch dated when it comes to interior touches, but always felt a nicer place to sit than the S3 such is the improved quality.

We'll get a new one too I think, that's how much we like the previous version and the new one is an improvement across the board.
Will be waiting for a Black Edition and sizeable discount though.

4K · Oct 26, 2016

jassyo06 said:
Go for it mate the S5 is a nice upgrade...but a £51k upgrade, given you like your toys,also leave it for a few months, because l am sure there will be more paint choices available plus 20" alloys in the configurator

51K upgrade????

4K · Oct 26, 2016

I like the S5, but I whenever I see someone in one, I just can't help but think poor mans RS5. Performance over price is poor compared to the S3 as well.

CraigI · Oct 26, 2016

4K said:
I like the S5, but I whenever I see someone in one, I just can't help but think poor mans RS5. Performance over price is poor compared to the S3 as well.

Had one of those for a while as well. Now that's a proper Audi!!!!

However doesn't come as a Sportback, so no use as a family wagon.

4K · Oct 26, 2016

CraigI said:
Had one of those for a while as well. Now that's a proper Audi!!!!

View attachment 108350

Fantastic. And IMO, the best colour to have it in.

Audi Bairn · Oct 26, 2016

CraigI said:
We've got a S5 Sportback and they are good cars.
Ours is the old one, took delivery in January and it's a great, comfortable cruiser, ideal as a family wagon.
The older one is perhaps a touch dated when it comes to interior touches, but always felt a nicer place to sit than the S3 such is the improved quality.

View attachment 108348

We'll get a new one too I think, that's how much we like the previous version and the new one is an improvement across the board.
Will be waiting for a Black Edition and sizeable discount though.

That's a nice example you have there Craig.
I have the same model as you, although not for much longer.
Absolute dream to dive.
My only reservations about the new model were the looks plus the change from supercharger to turbo combined with the change away from S-Tronic. But in saying that I've not driven one.

slinemfc · Oct 26, 2016

CraigI said:
Had one of those for a while as well. Now that's a proper Audi!!!!

View attachment 108350

However doesn't come as a Sportback, so no use as a family wagon.

What is it sat on?

DrEskimo · Oct 27, 2016

4K said:
I like the S5, but I whenever I see someone in one, I just can't help but think poor mans RS5. Performance over price is poor compared to the S3 as well.

Could say the same about the S3 vs RS3, or indeed any S vs RS?

And to be fair, if you are into modding, the 3.0TFSI V6 has the potential to massively out perform the RS5, for pretty small costs. I don't think the supercharger for the RS5 was ever fully developed, unlike the supercharger for the 4.2 V8 S5. But that is very silly money in comparison to a remap and pulley upgrade.

But I agree. I would have an RS5 over my S5 any day of the week...!

Psyman79 · Oct 27, 2016

I'd thought about an A/S5 but was waiting to see what they did for the new one. Once i saw the Mondeo front end bolted on i decided to stick with S3

Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk

Jassyo06 · Oct 27, 2016

I can't seem to fathom out guys that think the S3 is nicer looking than the new S5 coupe or sportback, when no one has seen one in the metal nevermind driving one or have they.....l haven't, but l still think it's the best looking Audi yet barring the R8

Simon L · Oct 27, 2016

jassyo06 said:
I can't seem to fathom out guys that think the S3 is nicer looking than the new S5 coupe or sportback, when no one has seen one in the metal nevermind driving one or have they.....l haven't, but l still think it's the best looking Audi yet barring the R8

I think it definitely has potential mate but need to see it in more colours. Also I'm with Psyman79 really not sure about the bonnet design??

As for second best looking Audi.......TTRS for me .......there I've said it and may I be damned for all eternity lol RS7 close behind but too big and ridiculously expensive

Jassyo06 · Oct 27, 2016

Simon L said:
I think it definitely has potential mate but need to see it in more colours. Also I'm with Psyman79 really not sure about the bonnet design??

As for second best looking Audi.......TTRS for me .......there I've said it and may I be damned for all eternity lol RS7 close behind but too big and ridiculously expensive

Damn a forgot about that uber hairdressers brief.... lol yeah that's better looking

Simon L · Oct 27, 2016

jassyo06 said:
Damn a forgot about that uber hairdressers brief.... lol yeah that's better looking

jeez man, where's yer heed at?? First you dunno yer blues from yer number 2's and now this?!! lol

DrEskimo · Oct 27, 2016

jassyo06 said:
I can't seem to fathom out guys that think the S3 is nicer looking than the new S5 coupe or sportback, when no one has seen one in the metal nevermind driving one or have they.....l haven't, but l still think it's the best looking Audi yet barring the R8

I think they have made it worse. Mainly the front end.

The switch to turbocharged rather than supercharged, and the switch to Haldex 'ultra' rather than permanent Torsen quattro (unless you spec sports diff) mean that the only advantage is does have is a V6. I guess the preference to supercharged is personal, but I much prefer it for better non-LC starts.

They have also moved to tiptronic over S tronic but I don't know if that's bad or good (or neither?)?

Interior is updated but that stuck on tablet looks daft and the smaller airbag looks odd on the big car. Looks alright on the S3.

Deciding between them now is interesting. S3 hatch is arguably even more practical, especially with the massive wide doors on the 5s. Getting out of tight parking is a pita.

I'm convincing myself more and more that a FL S3 is a better prospect compared to a B9 S5.....

Simon L · Oct 27, 2016

DrEskimo said:
I think they have made it worse. Mainly the front end.

The switch to turbocharged rather than supercharged, and the switch to Haldex 'ultra' rather than permanent Torsen quattro (unless you spec sports diff) mean that the only advantage is does have is a V6. I guess the preference to supercharged is personal, but I much prefer it for better non-LC starts.

They have also moved to tiptronic over S tronic but I don't know if that's bad or good (or neither?)?

Interior is updated but that stuck on tablet looks daft and the smaller airbag looks odd on the big car. Looks alright on the S3.

Deciding between them now is interesting. S3 hatch is arguably even more practical, especially with the massive wide doors on the 5s. Getting out of tight parking is a pita.

I'm convincing myself more and more that a FL S3 is a better prospect compared to a B9 S5.....

Totally agree mate. Although the turbo is meant to be very good it's definitely no supercharger substitute.

A4B9 · Oct 27, 2016

Has anyone been able to build an S5 Sportsback on the Audi website?

Interior is updated but that stuck on tablet looks daft

I still can't get my head around people complaining about the screen. The new interior on the B9s are a different class to the old B8s, you'll be hard pressed to find a better interior on any other car

CarloS3 · Oct 27, 2016

jassyo06 said:
Ah...Young Carlos in a middle aged mans....saloon......come on....lol

Less middle aged, more "classiness" mate, classiness. haha.

jassyo06 said:
I can't seem to fathom out guys that think the S3 is nicer looking than the new S5 coupe or sportback, when no one has seen one in the metal nevermind driving one or have they.....l haven't, but l still think it's the best looking Audi yet barring the R8

Have to say I wasn't too keen when I saw the new S5 in the metal at Goodwood FOS this year. Can't figure out if it's just because it's new and it looks a bit weird so early on until you get used to it, or if i genuinely just don't like it.

DrEskimo said:
I think they have made it worse. Mainly the front end.

I think that's exactly the problem for me, the front end. Inside it's a beauty, but that front end is what I can't figure out whether I hate or it's just because it's new.

CraigI · Oct 27, 2016

DrEskimo said:
I think they have made it worse. Mainly the front end.

The switch to turbocharged rather than supercharged, and the switch to Haldex 'ultra' rather than permanent Torsen quattro (unless you spec sports diff) mean that the only advantage is does have is a V6. I guess the preference to supercharged is personal, but I much prefer it for better non-LC starts.

They have also moved to tiptronic over S tronic but I don't know if that's bad or good (or neither?)?

Interior is updated but that stuck on tablet looks daft and the smaller airbag looks odd on the big car. Looks alright on the S3.

Deciding between them now is interesting. S3 hatch is arguably even more practical, especially with the massive wide doors on the 5s. Getting out of tight parking is a pita.

I'm convincing myself more and more that a FL S3 is a better prospect compared to a B9 S5.....

Disagree with most of that.
It's evolved nicely, not even the Haldex bothers me as it's never a car you want to throw about too much, RS5 yes, as the suspension is far better set up for it, but S5 no as it's not really set up for that - it's a comfortable cruiser with great straight line speed, not something you want to throw into a corner.
I'm personally struggling to see any reason to prefer a FL S3 over the new S5 other than finances (which is a pretty compelling reason I'll acknowledge).

Jassyo06 · Oct 27, 2016

CarloS3 said:
Less middle aged, more "classiness" mate, classiness. haha.

Have to say I wasn't too keen when I saw the new S5 in the metal at Goodwood FOS this year. Can't figure out if it's just because it's new and it looks a bit weird so early on until you get used to it, or if i genuinely just don't like it.

I think that's exactly the problem for me, the front end. Inside it's a beauty, but that front end is what I can't figure out whether I hate or it's just because it's new.

Nah Carlito am not havin any of that classiness Thang mate....its a corporate/rep mobile.....lol

CraigI · Oct 27, 2016

slinemfc said:
What is it sat on?

That's a lift that the detailer (Polished Bliss) uses to make sure he doesn't miss a spot and can give every inch of the car the same treatment.

DrEskimo · Oct 27, 2016

CraigI said:
Disagree with most of that.
It's evolved nicely, not even the Haldex bothers me as it's never a car you want to throw about too much, RS5 yes, as the suspension is far better set up for it, but S5 no as it's not really set up for that - it's a comfortable cruiser with great straight line speed, not something you want to throw into a corner.
I'm personally struggling to see any reason to prefer a FL S3 over the new S5 other than finances (which is a pretty compelling reason I'll acknowledge).

Guess my post was less an argument about why the S3 is a better option, and more about why I dislike the B9 compared to the B8.5.

The S3 has all of those negatives (bar the S-Tronic), but is, as you say, much kinder on the wallet in terms of price and running costs (marginally...).

Point about haldex and suspension is a bit moot as I understood that quattro does nothing for handling (i.e. it improves traction, not grip.). Videos racing the RS5 vs. the M4 shows how the RS still understeers like a pig... In any case, I don't think any Audi performs well in handling, and would only get one in the knowledge that it is straight line performance that it excels at. To that end, improved traction from a permanent quattro is important....

Dan_G · Oct 27, 2016

Friend who is a motoring journo has just spent a couple of days back to back, R8, Q5 and S5.

He said the new S5 is one of the best cars he's ever driven.

And, to be honest, he's not a huge Audi fan.

MattSedg · Oct 27, 2016

jassyo06 said:
I can't seem to fathom out guys that think the S3 is nicer looking than the new S5 coupe or sportback, when no one has seen one in the metal nevermind driving one or have they.....l haven't, but l still think it's the best looking Audi yet barring the R8

I saw the new S5 coupe driving about in the grounds of the Ingolstadt factory, I was stuck on the bus mid tour as it went past, but it looks great. :yes:

Thinking of growing up a bit and getting an S5

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