2009 Audi S5: Dealbreaker

Initially, I thought it would be a deal breaker for me (at that time, I was considering a 2009 A5 3.2 S-line... now it's a 2011 S5), but after test driving the car and with the sunroof up, it does what I need it to do: warm air exhaust.

The size of the sunroof panel provided enough sunlight in (which in Oregon, isn't always a lot for most of the year) and I tend to drive with the windows down anyway.

So I consider having a retracting sunroof a nice to have compared to the other components and features of the A5/S5.

But that's me and I can't speak for anyone else :)

Not for me. I don't care about that. The only thing tempting me toward a 3-series over this beauty is the perception of reliability and long-term maintenance. I would be seeking a lightly used car, but I get the impression that VW and Audi products are not recommended to maintain out of warranty.

But driving a plain-jane 3-series would be a tough decision over this visual excitement. Sun roof is not even a factor!

My friend did not like the lack of sunroof and went with a 3 series coupe as well. I loved the look of the A5 and hoped she'd buy that, oh well.

I have the opposite issue with my Forester. It retracts but doesn't tilt. I rarely want to open it all the way, but I would prefer a rear tilt for vent purposes rather than sliding back a crack.

This is the first moonroof (glass vs steel) car I have owned where the glass was slide only.

One of my personal rules in buying a used car is never go for a convertible or something with a moon roof because it may not leak now but it will eventually leak.

That and I live in the midwest.

" I don't want to muss my coif"

I've owned 4 cars with sun/moonroofs since 1983 and never had turbulence inside the vehicle, even with the roof all the way open. Never got the "air deflector" either, as there is usually a built in pop-up deflector--the plastic shields are a dealer-installed profit center. I have no experience with the newer-style large panoramic sunroofs; those may cause interior turbulence.

I've also never had a leak, even in the car I kept for 12 years and parked outdoors for 9 of them. The installs I have seen have a raised lip around the interior opening, which is smaller than the exterior opening, and there are drain tubes running from the corners, I presume all the way to the pillars where they can exit; so you'd have to have some serious monsoon conditions before you'd have water dripping from the headliner.

That wouldn't be a dealbreaker for me. Besides, the Audi is a much nicer cabin in which to spend time. Nonetheless, what would sway me is that the Bimmer is still more fun to drive and generally a more cohesive performance package.

Does it tilt open? If it doesn't even tilt then yes that's goofy and maybe a deal-breaker, but if not, i could care less since i tilt mine usually for better airflow with the windows cracked. But since there isn't anything that compares to this, loookswise, I'd still take it. If the sunroof was that important I'd get a convertible.

Dealbreaker!
All the disadvantages of a glass roof with none of the advantages, but one.

I'll take a no-sunroof S5 or none at all. On a car this pretty, it would look cleaner without the giant glass anyway.
Some people are downright religious about their sunroofs though so I understand the deal (breaker)

I really wish they hadn't bothered with it at all...

I am that co-worker who bought the 335. The S5 is such a gorgeous car. And while I was truly bothered by the sunroof not opening, it really came down to the reputation and the reliability of the BMW.

Too bad all the luxury makers don't give us the option of no sunroof.

So cheddarbob is a SHE.
Now THATS a dealbreaker LOL

The sunroof in the old BMW M Coupe (based on the Z3) was like the Audi A/S5's.

I got lucky and found one w/o the sunroof. IMO if it doesn't open up fully, it's a waste of time.

I have a 335i coupe, but, yes the non-opening sunroof would be a deal killer. However, I would never buy the Audi over the BMW in any case.

Who cares about a sunroof??? I would get that S5 based on how it drives, feels, and looks inside. (And nice job with the 30 Rock reference, I like that show!)

Who cares about a sunroof??? I would get that S5 based on how it drives, feels, and looks inside. (And nice job with the 30 Rock reference, I like that show!)

One reason I love the E9X M3 is that a sunroof is optional. I'd pay extra NOT to have a hole in the roof.

I guess if they think people should just get the convertible

Saying the sunroof is a dealbreaker is like rejecting a fantastic pair of shoes because you don't quite like the laces. I think Audi did this to keep poseurs from buying the car. It seems to be working.

Picking a BMW over an Audi for its reliability is like picking a Prius over an Insight for its handling.

@stephen987:

strongly disagree. BMW will never be Honda, but, recent turbo issues not withstanding, the last two model generations have been very reliable. Audi has a long way to go before you can lump the two together.

I wouldn't buy a Mazdaspeed 3 because it doesn't have a sunroof. Ditto for the Audi.

I don't know if it would be a dealbreaker, but it would certainly be a mark against it. I'd rather have no sunroof than one that doesn't open.

Yes, this Audi is gorgeous indeed and they have the the best interior design, layout, and materials in my opinion based on a previous A4 that I owned. Sunroof/moonroof is not a priority. The biggest dealbreaker for me is the history of poor service/support that I have experienced with the VW/Audi dealers in the area where I live and this is the reason why I did not even consider Audi when I bought my BMW 135i two years ago.

That's unfortunate to hear, as I was seriously considering this vehicle as my graduation present to myself. While I do drive with the sunroof in my current vehicle tilted, I like the open airflow more. There are days where you want fresh air, but it's too cold to have windows open...that and the noise. I'd have to seriously consider purchasing this now...

To clarify -

The moonroof tilts to vent but does not slide open.
Thanks for your comments.

Regards,
Albert

For me it might very well be a dealbreaker. I really like so much else about this car though, it's rather unfortunate. I am a moonroof/convertible junkie.

This wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, although they should offer the coupe with a standard sun/moon roof as well, as long as the coupes roof has enough space to have a large enough opening.

For me this is almost a Deal-breaker:-( I realize that the sunroof only vents because of the slope of the roof, but why can't they just make it slide up and over the roof? ala Pontiac G6. I know it's still not as graceful, but I would accept that for open air motoring. However, I can't afford an S5 anyways, but was/am considering a VW CC, which has the exact same sunroof!

However, I might consider these cars anyway, if it's possible to install an aftermarket sunroof from Webasto or Holandia. I have heard good things about them, so long as you use a good installer. My biggest regret is not having a sunroof in my current car, I really do miss it, and would use it all the time in my previous car.

Anyone here, have any experience with aftermarket sunroofs? and I don't mean the cheap mechanical plastic kind.

it's stupid that it doesn't open all the way.

Too slow, too expensive, and lower than average reliability. They should rebadge it an A5 and drop it to the A5 price and then you are starting to get somewhere. When is Audi going to be more consisitent? They know how to make HP but are always the slowest in their class.

If someone bases the purchasing decision of an S5 on its freaking sunroof not being able to open, then he/she needs to go get an SC430... Or a Solara.

6 years ago I bought my G35 coupe which manages to offer a full recessed sliding sunroof, despite the smallish roof.

And in all those 6 years I've driven with the sunroof open perhaps 20-30 times.

Definitely an option of little use and even less worth.

Most that truly crave "al Fresco" driving are going to cough up the extra dough for a convertible.

dealbreaker