Dilemma - S5?

[ThatOneDude]

Yah I was gonna say... why all the comparison from S3 to S5. Makes far more sense to compare S3 to S4 imo. Personally I really like all 3 cars for separate reasons, but while the S5 looks sublime, the S4 has the practicality aspect with basically all the same awesomeness of speed/refinement/interior/options... well, I can't help but think that the S4 would just "feel" like a less selfish choice and be seen as more of a family car. I only have one little one (3 yo) still in carseat, and I know he'd fit just fine in the back of an S5 (and actually my wife drives a new CR-V, so we always chose her car for family outings, never mine) but I still have this nagging worry that my closest people would think it a terribly selfish move to go off and bag a schnazzy grand sports coupe over a "practical" family sedan. Seems like the S4 is more of the ninja play. Then I have my moments when I get all like "What!?? If someone has a problem with whatever car I want to drive... then Eff em! It's not their life." lol. But I dunno. I go back and forth.

 

[ThatOneDude]

Good Lord! A shiny white devil of a sedan passed me like I was going to the other way last night and he had to stop at a light way up ahead. I came upon it from the next lane over thinking it was an S4. Turns out as I got closer I saw it had the popup NAV and looked slightly larger than an S4 but was debadged so at first I had a hard time knowing what it was. Then I saw the silver V6T emblem on the front fender and knew then that it was the supercharged A6 which has the same 3.0 engine as the S4/S5.

He took off from the light and I gotta be honest, I was drop jaw. No tire squeal. No lag. Just immediate brute force. That thing launched with a Hulk-ish pull that I have not seen in a really long time.

Curb weight on those is estimated at 4100 pounds and S4 about 200 lbs lighter.

So yah.. I think I can handle an S4 "family sedan" for my daily

 

[GTDezza]

Like dis???

 

[ThatOneDude]

Exactly... except the guy's last night had the dark grey 5 spoke blades like what some S4/S5 have. so it really fooled me for a second. but yes that's the one. I've watched my fair share of youtube videos on S4/S5 but I gotta say... seeing that supercharged A6 take off like that in person was a truly pleasurable sight (and sound) to behold. I was like this...

 

[TheFiftheElement]

@ThatOneDude - I go through the same arguments in my head. I have a 13 year old from a previous marriage that I get (thankfully) about 50% of the time, but usually there's only ever 2 people in my car either me and Hannah (daughter) or me and the missus.

There's the very odd occasion where I'm 4 up, so the S5 realistically would have been perfectly OK for my needs. My wife has a Q5, so if we had a larger group or we're taking the smelly mutt out somewhere it's her car we take.

So why the S4 when the S5 is obviously more bling, and I would suggest for most people, the better looking car? It's a bit of an odd one really. Something just didn't feel right .. my S3 is Sepang, and although a beautiful colour, I wish I'd gone Daytona or something a bit more under the radar.

I was finding it very hard to choose a colour for an S5. There's also a slabby section over the rear arch that doesn't sit right with me somehow. It's where the bodyline starts to sweep downwards. I spent 2 days looking at all the images online of S5's, ruled out Sepang (have one), red (too much on a big car), black (down want the hassle of upkeep) so that really left greys,silver and white. I wanted the black pack as I don't like the chrome grill, so that ruled the grey's out, grey's look better with chrome.

So that's me down to silver and white. Out of those 2 white looks the best, so I was all set on Ibis (I've seen Ibis and Glacier right next to each other and I don't think it's worth paying the extra).

Trouble is, a white S5 is not understated .. so what's similar to an S5 in terms of interior, driving experience, performance and noise but a bit more errrm discreet?

I pictured myself walking up to my new car in a car park somewhere, and for some inexplicable reason my stomach settles when it's an S4, and I feel a bit nervous and uncomfortable when it's an S5.
Of course there are days where I wish I owned a bright red Ferrari convertible but they would be outweighed by the days I took out the grey 911 .. there's something satisfying about owing a discreet performance car

 

[ThatOneDude]

@ThatOneDude
So that's me down to silver and white. Out of those 2 white looks the best, so I was all set on Ibis (I've seen Ibis and Glacier right next to each other and I don't think it's worth paying the extra).

Trouble is, a white S5 is not understated .. so what's similar to an S5 in terms of interior, driving experience, performance and noise but a bit more errrm discreet?

I pictured myself walking up to my new car in a car park somewhere, and for some inexplicable reason my stomach settles when it's an S4, and I feel a bit nervous and uncomfortable when it's an S5.
Of course there are days where I wish I owned a bright red Ferrari convertible but they would be outweighed by the days I took out the grey 911 .. there's something satisfying about owing a discreet performance car

Yah I know what you mean. I'm currently shopping 5 cars and only these 5 cars:

Audi S3
Audi S4
Audi S5
Lexus IS 200T (2016)
Lexus RC 200T (2016)

They all have their really strong points and I could make a snap decision for any one of them and probably be ok with my decision. Of course with the Lexus cars all I can do is research the 350 editions and just believe that the 4T variants will be more or less the same just with the new 2.0T powerplant.

For Audi S3, I literally love almost everything about it. I love the exterior styling. It looks super Hulky with those hard edged lines and the stance looks aggressive and just really great. The 2.0T is plenty for me and I would probably just leave it fully stock. But there are 2 things that do not settle well with me on the S3.

#1 - I am not big on the standard sport seats. I want the SSS (BUT!) I absolutely do not want an all black interior. (see my fancy schmancy workmanship in my SSS thread here ). I want an exciting and inviting interior and to me the S3 lacks in this area at the moment because of the faux leather seats (I mean cmon... 50G and I can't get some real hide.. wth ).

#2 - I wish Audi would have added a bit more creative panache to the passenger side dash area. Seems sorta plain and for a luxury performance sedan, I like some kind of badging and/or wrap that looks more inviting than an empty, open dash.

That's about it. I could handle living with #2 but I cannot picture myself being happy with dropping a gripload of cheddar while #1 still nags.

S4 - LOVE the car. Especially love the interior. I just wish it had more 2015-ish fuel economy and wasn't such a porker in the curb weight department.

S5 - Same as S4 plus I am unsure about the choice to live with a 2 door coupe.

And for Lexus I'm just waiting...

Right now... if I was forced at gunpoint to decide, I would feel most comfortable going with Audi S4.

 

[Jassyo06]

Personally speaking any medium/large 4 door saloonA4/A5/A6 in white......reminds of wedding cars,white paint is not suited to large cars in general.

S5 ALL THE WAY....If you dont carry 4 adults frequently? no brainer

 

[ThatOneDude]

nah. White all the way. I love the look of a white S4 with red leather and carbon fiber trim.

For me:
White: 90% probability
Red: 10% chance
Any other color: 0% chance

 

[Jassyo06]

Obviously you have aspirations to start a wedding limo business.............both red and white just dont compute to large Saloons in the UK anyways,but hey ho "different strokes for different folks" as they say

 

[ThatOneDude]

No clue what you are talking about. I think red and white S4 looks sleek, refined, and sexy. It is a larger sedan than some but it ain't the largest. S4 next to full size Benz / BMW 5 and 7 series / Audi A7 and A8 / Big Lexus sedans / blah blah... I think you're kinda over exaggerating the size of the S4.

 

[TheFiftheElement]

Totally disagree with you @jassyo06 .. It all depends on the shape of a car, some suit white, some don't .. I think a 7 series BMW would be horrible and pretty wedding car like .. However an Audi A7 would look pretty cool ..

A'body has opinions though, which we're entitled to .. I'm quite happy with my choice of Ibis for my S4 saloon, if u happen to see me and think I'm off to a wedding then that's cool with me lol ..

 

[Shrek5]

Choice of colour is ultimately personal but ibis on my old A5 SB was more of a head turner than the Estoril blue on the S5 coupe.

Ibis on the '5 works, sure it will look cracking on the S4 to.

 

[Bristle Hound]

A'body has opinions though, which we're entitled to .. I'm quite happy with my choice of Ibis for my S4 saloon, if u happen to see me and think I'm off to a wedding then that's cool with me lol ..

As you know @TheFiftheElement I had an ibis white B8 A4 saloon ( http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/thread...udi-a4-2-0-tfsi-quattro-s-line-saloon.225569/ ) for 5 1/2 years & didn't once get confused with a wedding car

Plenty of people used to get out of the way on motorway's tho'. Obviously a quick glance in the mirror and they thought my A4 was a Police Car

Did help when 'making progress' mind

 

[Jassyo06]

Totally disagree with you @jassyo06 .. It all depends on the shape of a car, some suit white, some don't .. I think a 7 series BMW would be horrible and pretty wedding car like .. However an Audi A7 would look pretty cool ..

A'body has opinions though, which we're entitled to .. I'm quite happy with my choice of Ibis for my S4 saloon, if u happen to see me and think I'm off to a wedding then that's cool with me lol ..

Maybe its me having 2 white cars in a row "Thats White Washed me out"
Enjoy

 

[GTDezza]

As I posted on another forum, when it's a 4x4 I think pikey.... But a car, apologies, give me this vision.

And these....

 

[TheFiftheElement]

Ooooh loving the Bentley .. space in the back for the bridesmaids too

 

[Shrek5]

In fairness though... colour is irrelevant - they'd look hideous what ever their colour!

 

[ThatOneDude]

for real. anybody can make any color car look super rugby. how about these schnazzy white rigs.

 

[Bristle Hound]

As I posted on another forum, when it's a 4x4 I think pikey.... But a car, apologies, give me this vision.

And these....

@GTDezza - ^ Some nice cars you've had there buddy!

 

[GTDezza]

for real. anybody can make any color car look super rugby. how about these schnazzy white rigs.

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And I sure they all come with a shell suit and sovereign ring in the glove box!!!

 

[GTDezza]

In fairness though... colour is irrelevant - they'd look hideous what ever their colour!

To be fair you have caught me I did used to have one of these..... 20 years ago!!!! Std with Avez A alloys like this one...

And the White series one was class.....

OMG I'm a ned!?!?!? Lol

 

[Jassyo06]

My pride and joy at the time,its one of the best white paints, makes All Audi whites look off white...Fords Frozen white

 

[Jassyo06]

To be fair you have caught me I did used to have one of these..... 20 years ago!!!! Std with Avez A alloys like this one...

And the White series one was class.....

OMG I'm a ned!?!?!? Lol

The Escort RS Turbo was a awesome car when they came out easily 30 years ago

 

[Simon L]

The Escort RS Turbo was a awesome car when they came out easily 30 years ago

Oh man, that's a trip down memory lane. Those things had an exhaust the size of a small cannon!

 

[Bristle Hound]

Speaking of white cars owned ...

I had an all white Astra GTE 16v in the early 90's. Exactly like this one, even H reg. too

 

[Jassyo06]

My dad had 2 XR3I's one in Silver,the other was in Caspian Blue...Fully Loaded.. with central locking/electric front windys/sunroof/driving lamps...lolThe RS1600I was too hard core for him,but was the best model to have.

Oh l forgot it had Headlamp Pressure Jet Wash.................oh the memorys come flooding back

 

[Bristle Hound]

I suppose we are all going way off topic! lol

 

[Jassyo06]

Speaking of white cars owned ...

I had an all white Astra GTE 16v in the early 90's. Exactly like this one, even H reg. too

Digital Dashboard...the XR3's nemesis...lol

 

[Bristle Hound]

Digital Dashboard...the XR3's nemesis...lol

Yup, digi dash. Some of it was backlit my normal bulbs. How did I find out? One of the bulbs failed and it was a bastid to replace. Much skinned knuckles in the replacement thereof

Felt quick when I had it. All 150bhp of it

 

[Jassyo06]

Yup, digi dash. Some of it was backlit my normal bulbs. How did I find out? One of the bulbs failed and it was a bastid to replace. Much skinned knuckles in the replacement thereof

Felt quick when I had it. All 150bhp of it

lt was a very quick car

 

[Simon L]

Speaking of white cars owned ...

I had an all white Astra GTE 16v in the early 90's. Exactly like this one, even H reg. too

I had the mk1, much nicer than that little piggy!!

 

[Simon L]

Here's the interior of a 1984 GTE, same year as mine:

Still remember those Recaro seats!!

.....and check out that tape cassette holder!! Lol

Makes you realise just how good car interiors are now

 

[royalsteve68]

The V6 super's do sound incredible and the constant power through the entire rev range is appealing but I'm with A3_Rider, the RS5 is a whole new ballgame and unfortunately a whole new price bracket!

Personally I prefer smaller cars and although both S5 and RS5 look fantastic the extra size is a bit of a double edged sword. The extra space and comfort is great but despite being pretty decent at parking I think I'd be sh*tting bricks parking one of them!!

agreed I had an a5 diesel as a courtesy car and sure you get used to it but its massive and a nightmare to park

 

[GTDezza]

agreed I had an a5 diesel as a courtesy car and sure you get used to it but its massive and a nightmare to park

Seriously guys????? My wife has driven my estates for years.... 5 series estates, had an X5 last time and now a A6 Avant..... An A5 is hardly a big car??

 

[Simon L]

Seriously guys????? My wife has driven my estates for years.... 5 series estates, had an X5 last time and now a A6 Avant..... An A5 is hardly a big car??

Yeah Dezza, serious!!!!!!!!!!

With all due respect mate I'm not hugely bothered if your missus drives an HGV I personally prefer smaller cars

Not saying I couldn't drive a bigger car, dare say I could drive a Sherman tank with a big of practice but not my preference.

You diggin me fella?

 

[PrancingPanda]

I was watching a car restoration show on Discovery a few nights ago where they are restoring a 1980's Audi Quattro. Anyway, they also had a white RS5. I wouldn't say no to that! (though it wouldn't be my first choice of colour). Speaking of A/S5's, they're fine cars and the exterior shape has hardly dated. Of course the facelifts keep them fresh but they were certainly absolutely stunning cars when they were first launched. real head-turners. I'm a bit like the OP in that I rarely keep cars for more than a couple of years. Ageing cabin aside, the S5 is a stonking car!

 

[GTDezza]

You diggin me fella?

I guess if you are not used to driving big vehicles it could be daunting. I grew up in the country and learned in an old CSK Range Rover and moved Horse boxes (wagon & trailers) about in the yard so I guess I have a very different perspective on size. I too love smaller cars hence the move to a GTD.

Sorry for pushing this off topic.

 

[veeeight]

I think that A5/S5 shape is great

 

[veeeight]

and learned in an old CSK Range Rover

CSK eh? Those were limited in numbers and had a special plaque in them!

 

[GTDezza]

CSK eh? Those were limited in numbers and had a special plaque in them!

Apologies that car was actually an original 3dr, as that's what the originally came as. I say CSK so people understand, however my grandfather did have a CSK for a short period but sold (I think for a profit) it as he agree it was stupid as a 3dr.