2009 Audi S5: Open Thread

What will it take for the S5 to beat the M3?

as far as i can tell, it's a coin slot. i never use it in my car. toll tags and CC for parking meters!

i just had laser interceptor and v1 hardwired in mine. it's fantastic and too easy to go fast.

my only 2 minor complaints about the car are: 1. ipod mmi resets the shuffle every time and 2. i wish i could control how heavy my steering feels -- i'd like it heavier like my mazda 3 daily driver. oh and maybe sunroof that would open, but that would have ruined the lines and taper of the car.

It would be nice to get a shot of the rear blind spot (like you guys have done with the trio of Detroit muscles) and maybe the difference in front leg and head room between the S5 and the 2010 S4 (if you guys still have it around).

@cooticooti,

That's for the RS5 to do. The S4/S5 are slotted against the current 335i/xi.

How does drive select work? and how different are each function from one another? Whats the navigation like? how does it work? and what are the things you can do with it? and its features?

Thanks,

-Buickboy92.

Please take videos with some good audio of the exhaust! Idling, revving, accelerating away, driving past at WOT... you get the idea. :D

Can you help me understand the appeal of Audis in general?? They just seem like overpriced VWs to me and the problem with VW is they are overpriced VWs...

+1 felonious!!

@srlracing,

For me, I like the understated styling, ergonomics and overall package. I do agree that the price is a bit higher than it should be.

Outside of the A3, TT, Q7 and some extent, A8 (Phaeton borrowed the platform from the A8 IIRC), the other Audi cars are on their own platform that are separate from VW (all but the A3 and TT in the US are longitudinal platforms, versus transverse).

Sure, it does not have the handling of a BMW or the luxo of a MB... but it's a nice alternative to me. I am also not an outright Audi evangelical either (I would consider getting an M3 over the S5 if it were within my budget).

i got s5 b/c of overall package: styling (which is amazing), performance and comfort/luxury.

i considered m3 also which i am guessing many people that look at s5 consider also. m3 w/o a doubt is amazing in terms of handling and outright speed. downside to m3 is interior is bare compared to audi and every freaking person in town has a 3 series. most people won't know difference b/c lower end, mid end and m3s.

i decided that if i bought a car like this that i would not buy entry level cars (3 series/m3, a4/s4, c class etc). i have the only red s5 in town and i'm guessing there is only 2-3 s5s in town. r8s are more prominent.

The S5 is one of those rare cars where I really fell in love with the way it looked the first time I saw it, but now that I am starting to see them around with regularity I am increasingly disliking them. Normally it works the other way. I don't know why, but they just look horribly out of proportion from some angles: like they're too tall and narrow. The detailing is impeccable and the lines are graceful so I should love it, but I really don't anymore.

It's not like I was going to buy one anyway, coupes are way too impractical for a family, but I wish I could put my finger on why I am growing so apathetic about Audi's recent designs.

@questionlp: I can see where you are coming from. You are the first person to actually rationally explain the appeal to me. Most people fly off the handle and think you are a moron for not liking Audi. I do like the A3, TT, and the A4 without a top. The styling just isn't for me. Growing up around gaurds red Porsche turbos, red Ferraris, yellow race cars, and green Jaguars I still prefer cars that wave their arms in the air saying "Hey look at me!!!" If they offered a new version of the RS4 convertible with AWD and a V8 I would take a serious look at it, only if it isn't $70k like the last one. Oh and it would have to be available it a bright obnoxious color.

@srlracing,

I try to be as open as possible and think that everyone has a right to his or her own opinion. Yes, there are some things and some times that I can be fanboy-ish about. It all comes down to: there are a lot of options in the car market, not all makes and models will suit everyone.

To add to my gripes with Audi: I'm still very unhappy with Audi's decision to drop the allroad for the Q7 and for not releasing TDI versions of cars that do not have a VW stable mate (Golf/Jetta -> A3, Touareg -> Q7).

At the end of the day, I happened to like the A4 over the other cars that was looking at (including 3-series and TSX). I still haven't swayed away from the S5 yet, but who knows... I might just get a windfall of cash and pick up an M3 or an M6 :)