S5/RS5 buying question

[LloydMF]

Hi all - I must have spent hours trawling through this forum, other forums and just about any Audi site I could find... Now I figure I can't come to an answer so I wanted some advice...

I'm looking to get back into an Audi having spent the last 2/3 years in a dad wagon SUV. While obviously I'd love to go for an RS5 I'm having doubts about the spec I'd get Vs an S5 for the same/cheaper price. So the question is pretty simple:

- £30k ish to spend
- RS5 (which I'd have to negotiate down from around 32k, looking at a post 13 plate) or S5 (which would leave me some funds left for any changes to alloys etc.)
- do I wait till new RS5 model comes out later this year? Look to buy around Sep/Oct to get a lower price - will it drop it that much?

I'm torn between going all out on a lower spec RS5 or settling on an S5 but at a better spec

Appreciate any help in advance

Thanks

 

[AudiTom]

Yeah but rs5 is life. Seriously just go for the rs5 if you want to show off.... nothing wrong wrong that or a s5 if you want the middle gorund

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

 

[Hellz]

What is it you really want/need from the car? What's important to you?

S5 with great spec (sports diff, active dampers etc) with a stage+1 is a quick car however the RS5 prestige, engine, set-up and look is something special Good choices to have! I went for the former mainly because of the potential of the 3.0 supercharged and top spec (RS5 was out of reach for me in the end).

 

[arad85]

Good spec. S5 and get it tuned.

 

[LloydMF]

Thanks for coming back

I agree with what your saying - theres part of me that wants to go all out if I can and get the RS5 for the badge alone, then the sensible side of me says the S5 is still a great car and could save me £5-7k for a rainy day...

So just to rephrase slightly... If you could pick up an RS5 for sub-£30k with around 30k on the clock once the new model is released later in the year, would you?

And, is there a dramatic difference in running costs/maintenance between RS5 - S5 - A5? Like I said the RS5 would be top of the budget so there's not much surplus for if **** hit the fan and something went wrong early doors

 

[DrEskimo]

Honestly a RS5 would be an occasion every time you drive it. If I was in a position to own one, I would love to.

But the running costs will be substantially higher....! Servicing being the major factor.

I came from a 2.0TFSI A5 to a s5 and honestly there isn't much in it for running costs, so I was happy with that. Obviously MPG is lower, but going from around 30MPG to about 25MPG, there isn't much in it. Helped that petrol prices went down quite dramatically.

As it happens, I am looking to sell my S5 in the next couple of months. It will be at the £30k mark though, as it is a 65 plate with only 15k miles on. Let me know if you are at all interested, as it will be nice to sell it on to a fellow forum member

 

[arad85]

So just to rephrase slightly... If you could pick up an RS5 for sub-£30k with around 30k on the clock once the new model is released later in the year, would you?

And, is there a dramatic difference in running costs/maintenance between RS5 - S5 - A5? Like I said the RS5 would be top of the budget so there's not much surplus for if **** hit the fan and something went wrong early doors

Having driven a V8 S5 (albeit a while ago) and having a stage 2 S5 as my daily drive, I'd have no hesitation in buying the S5 and getting it tuned. The "problem" with the RS5 is that it's normally aspirated and needs to rev high to get it's power. Whilst that makes a great driving experience once you are at 5+k rpm, it does feel a bit gutless when you are running round town qas it just doesn't have the low down torque. It's also much thirstier as far as I know. Sounds great though!!

 

[Dippy]

Well I am biased too, but on my test drives of RS4s I have loved that high-revving V8 but then worried that it means that most of the time the car is breaking the speed limit, and then with the lack of low down torque it becomes somewhat impractical as an every day fast road car. Whereas a tuned B8 S4 or S5 has that incredible low down torque which just keeps coming. The V6T may not rev as high as the V8 but a stage 2 will develop more power and there is no drop-off right to the redline.

I think I understand why someone would want an RS over a tuned S - I have felt the lure myself, but get down to rational reasoning and a tuned S wins.

 

[arad85]

Having driven a V8 S5 (albeit a while ago)

That's V8 RS5....

 

[xpoweruk]

That's V8 RS5....

The early S5 was a V8 though

 

[arad85]

The early S5 was a V8 though

I know - which is why I clarified it. I've driven a 2010 RS5 and my S5. My S5 every day of the week...