S5 spec

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ChrisH370

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I'm about to order a pre-built S5. Only problem is the only Sportbacks are launch spec which means 56k so the Coupe's are the only choice for stock cars.
I got into checking some of the options to use with Head up display as it seems at first glance to be a nice driver aid, they are hugely expensive. Park Assist (1,350) to get the side assist amber lights in the mirrors or Drivers Assistance pack (1,250) to get the traffic warnings. So anyone got any views if Head up is with speccing if you dont add these as well? Makes 3,500 all up with Head up.
Another option is "Quattro with Sports diff." does it mean what it says or just that you get the sports diff. as I thought and video says S5s are Quattro (Torsen that is).
Ive found a basic car with VCP, B&O, FBW, Carbon inlays and rear view camera - will I be disappointed with that spec?
Would I be better off speccing up a factory build car probably a Sportback and waiting for it and suffer the 1k tax rise come 1st April?
 
Just my opinion, but if you are spending a lot on a car the surely it is best to get exactly what you want? Is it worth the risk of regretting the options list later for the sake of saving some cash?

Audi have been rather unhelpful with their descriptions of quattro recently. The S5 definitely comes with the crown (based on Torsen) centre diff as standard. If you spec the "quattro with sports diff" then the standard rear diff will be replaced by their active limited slip diff. If you like to drive a car near the limits of handling then I'd recommend the sports diff.
 
Well a lot of the options are a bit gimmicky IMO. I drove a launch spec car and found the amber side assist lights useful but then the dealer told me that is part of the Park Assist Pack option (1,350) that I don't need. Whereas the Head up display is not gimmicky but seems some of the warnings you dont get unless you specify the Driver Assistance pack.
There is a car with HUD and Drivers Assist. pack available, maybe thats the best compromise.
Thanks
 
I'm with @Dippy on the spec. Make sure you don't miss anything that you really want.

Have you tried CarWow to see what is available pre-built? When I looked at mine, they showed that there was something like 50-60 cars available for "immediate purchase" . Many were basic spec and others were launch spec. but I then contacted the dealers that were showing good discounts and one managed to source a near ideal spec. car for me.
 
The car spec you mention looks good but only if you don't want HUD or Park/Drive Assist?!

For me a lot of the options are expensive and can quickly add up. HUD looks good but isn't essential. Neither are the Park or Drive Assist. But, if you've got the urge and the cash then tick the options boxes!

The extra £310 per year tax in the scheme of things is a small price to get the car you want - I had resigned myself to paying this until the above car became available for March registration.
 
The extra £310 per year tax in the scheme of things is a small price to get the car you want - I had resigned myself to paying this until the above car became available for March registration.[/QUOTE said:
I thought it was 1k extra on the OTR charges for cars over 40k total including options as from 1st April?

Buck said:
I'm with @Dippy on the spec. Make sure you don't miss anything that you really want.

Have you tried CarWow to see what is available pre-built? When I looked at mine, they showed that there was something like 50-60 cars available for "immediate purchase" . Many were basic spec and others were launch spec. but I then contacted the dealers that were showing good discounts and one managed to source a near ideal spec. car for me.
Click to expand...

Yes, this is where these other cars are coming from, all the dealers can see all the cars in the UK and the have to agree a swap with the sourcing dealer but it costs extra to get the car transported and is not certain unless the car is within the same group.
Click to expand...
 
There are two changes to tax: -

in year 2, all cars will be taxed at £140 per year.

in years 1-5 all cars with a ROTR price of £40k or more including options; delivery charges etc. will pay an extra £310 per year.
 
IIRC the S5 is £500 per year currently so in real terms, no major change. Well, £50 per year in your pocket!
 
Buck said:
IIRC the S5 is £500 per year currently so in real terms, no major change. Well, £50 per year in your pocket!
Click to expand...

Yes, that's the annual tax and you guys must be right as on the Audi website it says £310 more as from 1st April. In
the overall scheme of things its best to spec the car the way I want it unless there are better deals going for March.
 
Personally I would spec the car you really want. It's an S5, not a Ford Fiesta, so in real terms (at least in my view) the extra tax is a pain, but not a reason to change what I'm planning. 3-4 years with the car and I don't want to spend that time wishing I'm added an option I don't have. For what's its worth I think the Driver Assistance - Tour pack is good value for money, given that you get adaptive cruise, basically allows the car to drive itself up to 40mph but also comes with turn assist, collision avoidance, pre-sense etc. But to each their own on options, no one can tell you what best suits you, only you will know. Personally, having had adaptive cruise on my S3 for 3 years, I couldn't live without it, but then I commute around the M25. Equally I couldn't do without B&O, Virtual cockpit (because it will look **** without it), hill hold assist (why it is not standard with autos is beyond me). Everything else I've specced is less essential but I wanted it anyway (memory seats etc). If I was spending less money on a econo-box from Ford or Mazda etc then who cares, but this is my pride and joy, so I want to get it right


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Joetidman said:
Personally I would spec the car you really want. It's an S5, not a Ford Fiesta, so in real terms (at least in my view) the extra tax is a pain, but not a reason to change what I'm planning. 3-4 years with the car and I don't want to spend that time wishing I'm added an option I don't have. For what's its worth I think the Driver Assistance - Tour pack is good value for money, given that you get adaptive cruise, basically allows the car to drive itself up to 40mph but also comes with turn assist, collision avoidance, pre-sense etc. But to each their own on options, no one can tell you what best suits you, only you will know. Personally, having had adaptive cruise on my S3 for 3 years, I couldn't live without it, but then I commute around the M25. Equally I couldn't do without B&O, Virtual cockpit (because it will look **** without it), hill hold assist (why it is not standard with autos is beyond me). Everything else I've specced is less essential but I wanted it anyway (memory seats etc). If I was spending less money on a econo-box from Ford or Mazda etc then who cares, but this is my pride and joy, so I want to get it right


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Click to expand...

I tend to agree with you as it will be my main car, any thoughts about Head up display as some of the warnings from Driver assistance -tour get displayed on the Head-up as well as speed and sat nav route directions? Also VC, B&O and carbon trim are part of my minimum spec.

I do find the DVLA website confusing as it says " the amount you pay for the first 12 months as from 1st April will be based on CO2 emissions" so for S5 with CO2 of 170, thats £500 and then next section says £310 per year more as its >40k. So what is the amount you pay if you register before 1st April, is it less than £500 or same?
 
I have the side assist on my B8.5 and have found it useful. In the past I have been less than perfect at checking my mirrors before changing lanes and although I have never had an accident it felt like some of the 'incidents' were close. Since the sportback has less rear visibility than my S4 avant did, I decided to spec the lane assist. But in the last 2 years I can't think of one occasion where I was about to move but didn't due to the warning light. Maybe I am just a better driver now. So for me its just a 'comforting-to-have' driver aid which I could easily do without.

If I got a B9 then for sure I'd get the HUD. However I had aftermarket HUD on my B5 and I'll be honest it became no more than a toy as I stopped looking at it. If it doesn't contain the sort of data that you really need to see without glancing at the dash or ugly-tablet-stuck-on-the-dash, then maybe it will just be an expensive toy?
 
Dippy said:
I have the side assist on my B8.5 and have found it useful. In the past I have been less than perfect at checking my mirrors before changing lanes and although I have never had an accident it felt like some of the 'incidents' were close. Since the sportback has less rear visibility than my S4 avant did, I decided to spec the lane assist. But in the last 2 years I can't think of one occasion where I was about to move but didn't due to the warning light. Maybe I am just a better driver now. So for me its just a 'comforting-to-have' driver aid which I could easily do without.

If I got a B9 then for sure I'd get the HUD. However I had aftermarket HUD on my B5 and I'll be honest it became no more than a toy as I stopped looking at it. If it doesn't contain the sort of data that you really need to see without glancing at the dash or ugly-tablet-stuck-on-the-dash, then maybe it will just be an expensive toy?
Click to expand...

I believe you get Lane assist as standard as it was on the TT I used to have. Thats is the two lines showing on the VC dsiplay and the wheel tugs if you stray our of lane. But in order to get Side Assist for the maker lights in the mirrors on an S5 you have to spec. Parking Assist Pack advanced that is 1,350 option. Interesting that you would go for HUD its £900, and as I said then you need Driver Assist. pack.
Thanks.
 
Buying a car is so important to me that don't like to have any regrets. When I bought my B8.5 I literally started with all boxes ticked (apart from trim which I really don't care about) and then only unticked a few when I thought about it and decided that I really didn't want or need it. So I lost the sunroof, TV tuner and towbar. I'd do the same with the B9 and it'd end up costing me more, although maybe I'd untick a few more because IIRC there are a few more 'useless bling' things available (like being able to change the colour of the interior lights?). Academic though because the only B9 I am in danger of buying is an RS5 sportback and now that my S5 is already at a similar performance level, (if the rumours about the Audi/Porsche 2.9 biturbo engine are true) that lure will be much less.
 
Personally I wouldn't change lanes without looking over my shoulder, and wouldn't rely on the tech instead, but then I've had near misses before I started doing that and had a woman drive into me in the S3 when she didn't check her blind spot. On the heads up display I must say I wasn't that fussed, it feels like a gimmick to me, and glancing down very now and then doesn't feel (for me at least) a chore worth paying out to avoid. But that is the thing with options, other people might swear by it. Also I don't find parking very difficult, and as long as I have dipping left side mirror and rear sensors I'm fine, but everyone is different in that regard (my wife hates reverse parking)


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Joetidman said:
Personally I wouldn't change lanes without looking over my shoulder, and wouldn't rely on the tech instead, but then I've had near misses before I started doing that and had a woman drive into me in the S3 when she didn't check her blind spot. On the heads up display I must say I wasn't that fussed, it feels like a gimmick to me, and glancing down very now and then doesn't feel (for me at least) a chore worth paying out to avoid. But that is the thing with options, other people might swear by it. Also I don't find parking very difficult, and as long as I have dipping left side mirror and rear sensors I'm fine, but everyone is different in that regard (my wife hates reverse parking)


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Click to expand...

I tend to agree about Side assist. I had a test-drive with a launch spec Sportback and this was quite a cool feature but then I noticed it stopped working as it only comes on above 10mph, I think, so in queuing traffic its not foul proof.
If there is anyone on here who has got HUD with Driver Assist Pack and likes it or dislikes it, let's be hearing from you.
 
Apparently the only Sportbacks in stock are hi /probably launch spec with Sports diff. Drivers Assist. Pano roof, Light & Vision, Dynamic Steering and Adap. dampers = 7k.
What about lead-times on a Sportback factory order?
As said £310 Road Tax hike is peanuts v's buying an over specced stock car - you never get your money back come resale time.
 
Totally agree. Every A5 I looked at regardless of spec had the same GFV ! Quite sobering from a financial perspective.

Having said that, if we wanted economy and we're watching the £££, we wouldn't be speccing these cars would we?! :D
 
Buck said:
Totally agree. Every A5 I looked at regardless of spec had the same GFV ! Quite sobering from a financial perspective.

Having said that, if we wanted economy and we're watching the £££, we wouldn't be speccing these cars would we?! :D
Click to expand...

Exactly , I never worry about GTV :)
 
What's the concensus on Sportsback v's Coupe?
I'm going for the Sportback as I prefer the looks, its more versatile and its residuals are better my dealer says.
Is it me or is it better looking, like a smaller S7?
 
ChrisH370 said:
What's the concensus on Sportsback v's Coupe?
I'm going for the Sportback as I prefer the looks, its more versatile and its residuals are better my dealer says.
Is it me or is it better looking, like a smaller S7?
Click to expand...

Chris

I like the coupé but I think the Sportback wins as it has a more flowing design(the coupe back quarterlight looks a little "boxy" to me) and the practicality of the Sportback trumps it for me.

The previous Sportback wasn't as nice a design as the previous coupé. This time I think it's reversed.

For both, the photos don't do them justice, they need to be seen in the flesh to appreciate their design (like most cars I guess)

If it was only me and Mrs Buck then I think the coupé might win - but as we have two teenage boys, the rear doors and the hatchback / cavernous boot combined with the sleek design make it the winner.
 
Buck,
I think you summed it up - the new Sportback looks better than the Coupe, those rear quarters look like a drug dealing wagon especially with privacy glass. Ive just been to the dealer and actually the coupe is 1% beer than the Sportback on residuals but they said they would rather resell the Sportback due to its wider appeal. I don't need the extra rear seat space - the electric boot is so cool!
Im going for white but cant decide if red seats works as Audi don't change the black dash and carpets.
 
Yes, residuals are pretty much evens.

I think red leather with black still works especially on a white car.

I'm sure I've seen a photo or YouTube of one. If I can find it I'll post in here.
 
Yes, that would be useful.
Is it 310 extra road tax on the OTR charge as from 1 April as I need to factor that into the price?
 
audi upgrades
Hi all, I went for the sportback as it is so much easier to get in and out for rear passengers, and saves ruining your door sills and rubber seal with shoes. VC is a must in IMO as you can still see the nav map whilst viewing MMI options. Flat bottomed steering wheel is a neat option for £100, and makes better legroom difference getting in and out of the drivers seat. Lots of other toys to choose from but you have to ask yourself 'do I REALLY need them?' Like the post says above, would you just rely on the mirror LED before you changed lanes?, I would habitually always look over my shoulder whilst checking mirrors anyway. HUD looks cool, but again for the price of it a digital speedo will happily suffice! Also if you are purchasing, most of the options fitted can make little or no difference to the residual value if you trade it in later, so any options are purely a costly and personal thing whilst you have it, and a great free benefit to any lucky new owner. I do think that the new S5 is quite reasonably spec'd as standard anyway.
 
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Make sure you order dynamic steering. I missed it out thinking it was something else.
 
What is the main improvement with dynamic steering v's the standard set up?
Its a pretty expensive option without being able to justify it in every day driving.

You dont get your money back come trade in, the SIV is based on mileage and condition, that's all.
 
If you're buying and plan on owning for a fair few years (4-10) then it's worth getting all the addons you want. Also if you've got lots of money you don't mind losing.

If you're leasing or plan on selling in 2-3 years. I wouldn't personally bother getting anything other than the things you REALLY want/need.
 
Agreed, I seem to change my cars every 2 yrs so my S5 spec. is low ('ish) and I took my time ordering (see new post: wk 28 build).
My spec is Navarra, VC, B&O, Turbine wheels, Folding mirrors, Carbon inlays, HH Assist. All cheap except B&O.
 
Just a quick note that may be of interest to new or potential B9 S5 owners on this site........
Bought a TDI tuning box specifically for the S5 and WOW what a difference it makes! gives an increased BHP to 408 from 349 on setting 7. Myself and another S5 owner have this installed and tested, and believe me it totally transforms the performance of an already quick car. On setting 6 (has settings 1-7) 0-62mph is about 4.0 seconds, and you also get a much better exhaust note as well. It's an expensive upgrade though at £649.00 Inc VAT, but the major benefit over a remap being that it is removable and totally untraceable so great for lease owners etc. There are some more detailed posts and info on the S5 Piston Heads site at: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=86&t=1660788&i=40
 
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ChrisH370 said:
Agreed, I seem to change my cars every 2 yrs so my S5 spec. is low ('ish) and I took my time ordering (see new post: wk 28 build).
My spec is Navarra, VC, B&O, Turbine wheels, Folding mirrors, Carbon inlays, HH Assist. All cheap except B&O.
Click to expand...

The challenge with options is that you'll get a variety of opinions based on what is important to people. Personally my choices were partly informed on what I had (and liked) on my S3 and partly by what I use the car for. For me the car needs to be both a fun drivers car for when I'm on my own, and a comfortable family cruiser for when I'm daddy or commuting. So I have both the adaptive suspension, steering and sports diff for the drivers needs plus the tour pack, storage pack etc for the cruising. I love the B&O quality, and VC is a must for me


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Agreed spec. is a personal thing. The S5 is highly specced as it is, the price reflects that (47k) when my original S5 (V8) was 42k with Sat Nav. in 2007.
I was going for adaptive suspension as I've got it on my present Audi but 2 salesmen said they couldn't tell the difference. Did you have it on your S3 as thats a much harder ride vs S5?
 
ChrisH370 said:
Agreed spec. is a personal thing. The S5 is highly specced as it is, the price reflects that (47k) when my original S5 (V8) was 42k with Sat Nav. in 2007.
I was going for adaptive suspension as I've got it on my present Audi but 2 salesmen said they couldn't tell the difference. Did you have it on your S3 as thats a much harder ride vs S5?
Click to expand...

I had it on both cars and it's much better on the S5. It's really hard to remember but I did think the standard springs on my demo was less comfortable than the adaptive suspension on mine. Certainly the reviews online also rate it. I haven't really tested the harder setting yet


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Yes, it's comparing S5 with and without adaptive that is the question. I find once you've got the car you tend to live with one setting like Comfort and forget about the rest. I cant be bothered to toggle through all the settings every time I use it. Maybe you do lots of miles per year, Im doing 5k.
 
More like 10k-12k so yeah maybe not worth it on lower miles


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Yeah, agreed much as I would like it have adaptive.
Am I right in saying that you have to toggle through the suspension on MMi like on the S3, as I cant be bothered on short trips? What's your average trip miles / time?
 
Dynamic steering provides a much shorter turn of the steering wheel to manoeuvour and a greater feel of precision when driving. This type of steering came as standard on a Golf R I had for a couple of years. I've got used to it now but I think it would be a much better driving car with it. My wife still moans about it not having it. I'll know for the next time!
 
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