Decisions...decisions.

StateOfPlay

StateOfPlay

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I am torn between a new A5, or possibly a second hand S5, or the luxury of an A7.

I love the looks of the A5 Coupe, it is one of the best looking cars I have seen in many years. But I also love a bit of comfort, and the A7 looks so lush inside and out. I have a budget of between £25k and just over £30k. So the new A5 might not be achievable, nearly new would be perfect.

I have no worries about kiddies, so a 2 door would be fine, and apart from driving a couple of hours up to Suffolk one a month, I just poodle along to work each day, about 30 miles a day. But I do drive to the South of France twice a year, and need a very comfortable car with a bit of acceleration. I was also looking at a Range Rover Sport, but think this would be too expensive to run, and too much fuel on my long journeys.

I used to have an A4 Cab, had to give that up to take a company car for 3 years, but they gave me the worst car in the world for driving around London and the Midlands, , a Renault Megane. Whilst I had my A4 doing 600 miles a week was a pleasure, then they made me take a pool car, the Megane, for cheaper fuel costs and I got the worst backaches imaginable, and spent a small fortune on Osteopaths. I was going to buy the A5 last year but the firm offered me a deal on an ex company car, too good to turn down, a Titanium X Mondeo.

So, what I am after is anyone to share their experience of owning an A5/S5 or even A7, and what it was like to drive and how well it coped on longer journeys.
 
You might do worse trawling the dealers sites for ex-demo current A5's. I just put a deposit down today on a 3 month old almost fully loaded S5 and got 24% off list plus more than I was expecting as trade-in on a 2.5 year old A3. Result!
 
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arad85 said:
You might do worse trawling the dealers sites for ex-demo current A5's. I just put a deposit down today on a 3 month old almost fully loaded S5 and got 24% off list plus more than I was expecting as trade-in on a 2.5 year old A3. Result!
Click to expand...

That sounds very interesting, did you just visit the dealers on a face to face?
 
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Ive owned a 2009 A5 2.0TFSI Coupe for a couple of years, and now a 2015 S5 Coupe for 10months from new (ordered it in November before the orders stopped).

Anything specific you want to know give me a shout. I love both, but obviously the S5 is in a different league to the A5! The supercharged V6, quattro and the S-Tronic is a dream combination...

Think you can get a facelift (2012-2016) S5 for your budget easy. I would say go for the Black Edition as the spec is decent. You need the tech pack to get Sat-Nav (along with Jukebox and reversing camera), and Audi Drive Select with the Sports diff if you are a bit of a racer (although its pretty rare, and a PITA to confirm without seeing the car spec).

Drove to Holland in the A5 and was a breeze. Would love to do long distance in the S5, but no chance yet. Don't expect anything more than 25MPG though. Love getting in the S5 whenever I can (which is pretty rare now :().

Have had an A7 for a few days and while the interior and driving experience was stunning (so comfortable), the thing was a nightmare to park! Its so big!!!
 
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StateOfPlay said:
That sounds very interesting, did you just visit the dealers on a face to face?
Click to expand...

Yup. Trawled the used Audi ads on audi.co.uk for the cars I was interested in, phoned around and visited dealer (I was very fortunate that my local dealer had the only car I was interested in - all others were lower spec. and didn't have the drivetrain extras). Test drive Sat & Sun and negotiated today. I kind of got the feeling that they were probably happy to get a sale on an expensive "old" model car - especially one reasonably expensive - when the new models are due in any time now.
 
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DrEskimo said:
Ive owned a 2009 A5 2.0TFSI Coupe for a couple of years, and now a 2015 S5 Coupe for 10months from new (ordered it in November before the orders stopped).

Anything specific you want to know give me a shout. I love both, but obviously the S5 is in a different league to the A5! The supercharged V6, quattro and the S-Tronic is a dream combination...

Think you can get a facelift (2012-2016) S5 for your budget easy. I would say go for the Black Edition as the spec is decent. You need the tech pack to get Sat-Nav (along with Jukebox and reversing camera), and Audi Drive Select with the Sports diff if you are a bit of a racer (although its pretty rare, and a PITA to confirm without seeing the car spec).

Drove to Holland in the A5 and was a breeze. Would love to do long distance in the S5, but no chance yet. Don't expect anything more than 25MPG though. Love getting in the S5 whenever I can (which is pretty rare now :().

Have had an A7 for a few days and while the interior and driving experience was stunning (so comfortable), the thing was a nightmare to park! Its so big!!!
Click to expand...


Wow, yes, I hadn't realised how long the A7 was, built like a hearse lol. I have a few issues parking the Mondoe as that is 4778mm long, but the A7 is 4969mm, wow! at 4626mm the A5 Coupe should be a lot easier to park hahaha
 
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arad85 said:
On the outside maybe, but deffo not on the inside....
Click to expand...

I'm only 5'11 so probably don't notice it as much, but remember it feeling much bigger in the driving seat...I mean it can be much different to the S5 even if it isn't bigger...?
 
When I bought my 2.0 TFSI A5, one of the things that impressed me most were the S Line seats. Ridiculously supportive, and almost obscenely comfortable, they've been a very welcome travelling companion on some quite lengthy country trips. For the very first time in my driving career, I've been able to clock up hundreds of kilometres, and hours behind the wheel, without falling out of the car at journey's end a helpless cripple! I won't claim to arrive at my destination as fresh as a daisy (cue evil chortling from 57 year old knees), but there's no way I'd consider a long road trip in anything else!
 
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DrEskimo said:
I'm only 5'11 so probably don't notice it as much, but remember it feeling much bigger in the driving seat...I mean it can be much different to the S5 even if it isn't bigger...?
Click to expand...

Appeared to be a lower seat-to-roof so restricting head height - even though the brochure says it's more (yes, I did have the seat all down!), seat doesn't go as far back and because it's a 5 door, the B pillar gets in the way. Ms arad85 just laughed when I sat in it....
 
If the car has a sunroof, and you're a vertical overachiever, you're SOL. The sunroof robs at least an inch of headspace. Took me forever to find a car without a sunroof so I could drive without a permanent crick in my neck.
 
JulianW said:
If the car has a sunroof, and you're a vertical overachiever, you're SOL. The sunroof robs at least an inch of headspace. Took me forever to find a car without a sunroof so I could drive without a permanent crick in my neck.
Click to expand...

I'm 99% sure there was no sunroof in the A7 I sat in. I'll double check when I pick the car up though. As to a sunroof, normally I'd agree with you 100%. Except I've just bought an S5 with a sunroof (tilt only).... and have no problems in it (I've driven it 3 hours on a test drive, so am absolutely sure there's no problems with the sunroof).
 
The A7 is pretty good for head room. It's the A5 that can be a little tight in that department. However, a tilt-only roof probably wouldn't eat into head room quite as dramatically as some I've had to endure.
 
Unless you need the space, or are desperate for the performance of the S5, go for the new A5.
The new A5 interior will be a vastly superior place to sit than either the previous S5 or the A7 (which is a bit big and cumbersome).

For reference we've got a S5 sportback.
 
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So do you think it is worthwhile seeing if can get a steal on the b8 A5 now that people will be ordering the B9 model?

I assume the new model isn't out until sometime next year?
 
Depends what you figure "a steal" is, and your attitude to buying "last year's model". Personally, I think I prefer the older model shape and interior, so I would say yes - definitely.

As I said, I got 24% off an S5 (with sports diff/dampers/steering as well as loads of features etc). It was registered in May this year and has just over 4k miles on it. Prices for the new A5/S5 are out and they have gone up by 10+%. The spec car I have would probably be another 5k if it was in the B9 platform. I think it will only be a matter of time before the later B8's will rise in price from the dealers to fill the gap.
 
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arad85 said:
Depends what you figure "a steal" is, and your attitude to buying "last year's model". Personally, I think I prefer the older model shape and interior, so I would say yes - definitely.

As I said, I got 24% off an S5 (with sports diff/dampers/steering as well as loads of features etc). It was registered in May this year and has just over 4k miles on it. Prices for the new A5/S5 are out and they have gone up by 10+%. The spec car I have would probably be another 5k if it was in the B9 platform. I think it will only be a matter of time before the later B8's will rise in price from the dealers to fill the gap.
Click to expand...

Same feelings here.

My S5 list price was £47k and I got it for £38k (c. 18%) back in Sept last year when I ordered it....the price increase and reduced discount would not make the new B9 a viable option for me...

Ring about and see if any dealers have a new 'old' S5 and haggle away! As above I have very little desire for the B9 S5 anyway...
 
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I have a day off work on Sunday so will go to my local Audi dealer in Bedford to see what they have.
 
arad85 said:
Depends what you figure "a steal" is, and your attitude to buying "last year's model". Personally, I think I prefer the older model shape and interior, so I would say yes - definitely.

As I said, I got 24% off an S5 (with sports diff/dampers/steering as well as loads of features etc). It was registered in May this year and has just over 4k miles on it. Prices for the new A5/S5 are out and they have gone up by 10+%. The spec car I have would probably be another 5k if it was in the B9 platform. I think it will only be a matter of time before the later B8's will rise in price from the dealers to fill the gap.
Click to expand...
arad85 said:
Depends what you figure "a steal" is, and your attitude to buying "last year's model". Personally, I think I prefer the older model shape and interior, so I would say yes - definitely.

As I said, I got 24% off an S5 (with sports diff/dampers/steering as well as loads of features etc). It was registered in May this year and has just over 4k miles on it. Prices for the new A5/S5 are out and they have gone up by 10+%. The spec car I have would probably be another 5k if it was in the B9 platform. I think it will only be a matter of time before the later B8's will rise in price from the dealers to fill the gap.
Click to expand...


I like some parts of the new interior, the screen stuck on the dash is not for me though. If it was a pop up I would probably say the interior is superb, the console is lush.

Still, you can't tell until you see these things yourself for real, so a trip to the dealers for me.
 
StateOfPlay said:
the screen stuck on the dash is not for me though. If it was a pop up I would probably say the interior is superb, the console is lush.
Click to expand...

That's it for me too. Coming from a newish A3 which has a popup screen, the tablet-blutack'd-to-the-dash is just too Merc for me.
 
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We got circa 23% off our S5 Sportback (ordered in Sept, delivered in January), and a very good trade in price to boot.
I think you've likely missed out on those kind of deals unless there is a stock car sitting somewhere.
If you can get a similar deal it's maybe worth considering, so as mentioned worth ringing around.

I love the interior of the new A5, so much more modern, and a new car experience, which is one we like to have. We'll likely replace the S5 with the new S5, but not until it's got a Black Edition type package and a similar discount to the one we got before. I've no qualms about running yesterdays tech, its all about the deal for us.

Depends on what you personally prioritise, I think the new interior (and to a slightly lesser extent the exterior) improve the A5 greatly, so if you aren't bothered about the discount and want the new tech, then go to the dealer and drive a deal for the new A5.
Use CarWow to get your best deal and take it in to your local dealer and see what they can do, then you might get best of both worlds.
 
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StateOfPlay said:
I am torn between a new A5, or possibly a second hand S5, or the luxury of an A7.

I love the looks of the A5 Coupe, it is one of the best looking cars I have seen in many years. But I also love a bit of comfort, and the A7 looks so lush inside and out. I have a budget of between £25k and just over £30k. So the new A5 might not be achievable, nearly new would be perfect.

I have no worries about kiddies, so a 2 door would be fine, and apart from driving a couple of hours up to Suffolk one a month, I just poodle along to work each day, about 30 miles a day. But I do drive to the South of France twice a year, and need a very comfortable car with a bit of acceleration. I was also looking at a Range Rover Sport, but think this would be too expensive to run, and too much fuel on my long journeys.

I used to have an A4 Cab, had to give that up to take a company car for 3 years, but they gave me the worst car in the world for driving around London and the Midlands, , a Renault Megane. Whilst I had my A4 doing 600 miles a week was a pleasure, then they made me take a pool car, the Megane, for cheaper fuel costs and I got the worst backaches imaginable, and spent a small fortune on Osteopaths. I was going to buy the A5 last year but the firm offered me a deal on an ex company car, too good to turn down, a Titanium X Mondeo.

So, what I am after is anyone to share their experience of owning an A5/S5 or even A7, and what it was like to drive and how well it coped on longer journeys.
Click to expand...
Just had a quote in for the new A5 coupé:

2.0 TFSI S Line, manual box, folding mirrors, ibis white, privacy glass, extended LED interior light pack...best price so far=

Screenshot quotescarwowcouk 2016 10 07 16 37 17


A5
 
S32B said:
Just had a quote in for the new A5 coupé:

2.0 TFSI S Line, manual box, folding mirrors, ibis white, privacy glass, extended LED interior light pack...best price so far=

View attachment 105956

View attachment 105957
Click to expand...

15% discount off the bat...?!

Something ain't right....trying to maintain the artificial rise in new car sales me thinks. Surely this will all end badly...?
 
DrEskimo said:
15% discount off the bat...?!

Something ain't right....trying to maintain the artificial rise in new car sales me thinks. Surely this will all end badly...?
Click to expand...
I thought exactly the same and have sent them a message questioning it and making sure it is off the new A5!
 
I'm buying a new S5 from Jeremy at Bristol Audi…really nice chap.
 
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Well Broadspeed have a £6.5k saving on the new S5, which is about 14%...!

Given the higher residual it's about the same on finance as my S5! Although I have the black edition with a few options so obviously it would go up unless you want it standard.
 
Just an update, having had a test drive in the current A5 I find the car is not for me. It looks "fit" but I wasn't comfortable in the cabin, finding it too narrow for me. So I am just arranging a test drive of the A6, as this felt a lot more like my thing when I sat in it at the showroom.

I also sat in the R8 Coupe, I could do some damage in one of them to be sure!
 
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StateOfPlay said:
Just an update, having had a test drive in the current A5 I find the car is not for me. It looks "fit" but I wasn't comfortable in the cabin, finding it too narrow for me. So I am just arranging a test drive of the A6, as this felt a lot more like my thing when I sat in it at the showroom.

I also sat in the R8 Coupe, I could do some damage in one of them to be sure!
Click to expand...

The A6 shares a lot with the A7 so maybe that is the car for you! A6 seems much more manageable for day to day living that then A7 though.

I would be quite happy with an S6.... :p
 
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S6 would be nice, I doubt I will get much for a budget of £30k, but i will see :)

I had some quotes from Carwow for A6 Saloon S Line Ultra S Tronic, £31414
 
StateOfPlay said:
S6 would be nice, I doubt I will get much for a budget of £30k, but i will see :)

I had some quotes from Carwow for A6 Saloon S Line Ultra S Tronic, £31414
Click to expand...

Hmmm yea not sure if the prices. Maybe second hand?

I don't do diesels so that would be my only option....guess you could twist my arm and I could go for an RS6....!
 
StateOfPlay said:
S6 would be nice, I doubt I will get much for a budget of £30k, but i will see :)

I had some quotes from Carwow for A6 Saloon S Line Ultra S Tronic, £31414
Click to expand...
Orange wheels do a that car with no options for £27439
 
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