S5 = huge disappointment

[sicksubie]

Went out and test drove the new Audi S5 with a friend the other night. I have never been so disappointed in a car in my life. We went and test drove several cars including the new 370z, g37x, 335xi, and the new TL.
The TL was impressive. Great acceleration for being a relatively large and heavy sedan, the AWD was very decent the few times I pushed it hard through a corner, and the overall level, comfort, and roominess of the interior was quite nice.
The 335xi was a blast, hands down. Fit and finish was great, motor was great, handling was great...
The 370z, again like the 335, was a lot of fun. Light, quick, VERY tossable in the corners, and the seats were awesome.
The G37x was very disappointing. It only comes in automatic, and you can read a Churchill biography during upshifts. The rest of the car was nice though.
The S5 was the big disappointment of the evening. As a stationary vehicle it is gorgeous and sitting in it is quite nice too. However, driving it... It felt like a tank and drove like one. An underpowered tank at that too....

[SVXRide]

and you can read a Churchill biography during upshifts

-Bill

[Mike621]

I didnt get a chance to take it on a drive, but I found the S5 interior to be exponentially more comfortable, classy, and well appointed than any of the other aforementioned cars. The new Acuras are a bit long in the tooth. .


Pretty ugly IMO...

I prefer the older Type-S


The S5 still is a great looking car IMO. Perhaps one with a manual transmission is worth a drive?

[STeeL25T]

If I had managed to sell my Spyder before I picked up my second SVX I would have bought one of the older twin turbo 6 speed Auid S4's. Not much to look at, but plenty of room, turbocharged, all wheel drive, and lots of room to grow... Until something breaks and it costs 10 grand to repair lol.

Me and my girlfriend test drove an 09 IS350 and the paddle shifting time was absolutely terrible. I tried it for a couple minutes and just put in in automatic the rest of the drive. Shes interested in a 250 now just cause they come 6 speed and we both hate automatics, I'm trying to show her the new Hyundai Genesis coupe =)

[svxfiles]

Originally Posted by Mike621

I didnt get a chance to take it on a drive, but I found the S5 interior to be exponentially more comfortable, classy, and well appointed than any of the other aforementioned cars. The new Acuras are a big long in the tooth. .


Pretty ugly IMO...

I prefer the older Type-S
The S5 still is a great looking car IMO. Perhaps one with a manual transmission is worth a drive?

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[sicksubie]

Mike,

The inside of the S5 was incredibly nice and it was a manual that we test drove... I do agree that the older generation TL are MUCH better looking. The new brushed nickel "whale tail" on the front of the current one =

[Green1995SVX]

On the subject of Audis: My job is such that allows me to pick virtually any vehicle as my company car. (It has its perks, I know.) I picked up a B6 S4 yesterday. This is my first one of these, and I have to say I'm VERY impressed with it. The engine is a work of art. The seats are great, too. I did 400 miles yesterday and didn't feel horrible afterwards.

[crusader8]

What dealer let you TD an S5? I wanna know.

[oregondave]

Originally Posted by STeeL25T

If I had managed to sell my Spyder before I picked up my second SVX I would have bought one of the older twin turbo 6 speed Auid S4's. Not much to look at, but plenty of room, turbocharged, all wheel drive, and lots of room to grow... Until something breaks and it costs 10 grand to repair lol.

Me and my girlfriend test drove an 09 IS350 and the paddle shifting time was absolutely terrible. I tried it for a couple minutes and just put in in automatic the rest of the drive. Shes interested in a 250 now just cause they come 6 speed and we both hate automatics, I'm trying to show her the new Hyundai Genesis coupe =)

The twin turbo V6 engine is unreliable and expensive to repair. The turbos need to be replaced like every 60k miles and more often if you chip it. The UR S4/S6 is far superior, although rare and not quite as cool to look at.

[Green1995SVX]

Originally Posted by oregondave

The twin turbo V6 engine is unreliable and expensive to repair. The turbos need to be replaced like every 60k miles and more often if you chip it. The UR S4/S6 is far superior, although rare and not quite as cool to look at.

Not to mention that the engine must be removed to replace the turbos.

[Landshark]

Originally Posted by Green1995SVX

Not to mention that the engine must be removed to replace the turbos.

my friend's brother has a 6-speed A6, and wants to get an S4 (not a new one). i wonder if he knows this?

[Green1995SVX]

Originally Posted by Landshark

my friend's brother has a 6-speed A6, and wants to get an S4 (not a new one). i wonder if he knows this?

Same story with his A6, too.

[Landshark]

Originally Posted by Green1995SVX

Same story with his A6, too.

he plans on getting rid of it soon, but buying an S4 to replace it.

[rufus]

Originally Posted by oregondave

The twin turbo V6 engine is unreliable and expensive to repair. The turbos need to be replaced like every 60k miles and more often if you chip it. The UR S4/S6 is far superior, although rare and not quite as cool to look at.

My 2000 S4 has over 120K miles on the original turbos and is still running strong. This includes several track days and many autocrosses. With proper warm up, cool down, and maintenance, it is certainly possible to get a lot of trouble free miles out of the K03 turbos, I think they get a bad rap partly because so many of them are overstressed by mods and people who don't understand how to take care of them. I kind of wish I'd blow a turbo, because it would give me an excuse to build a monster.

[oregondave]

Originally Posted by rufus

My 2000 S4 has over 120K miles on the original turbos and is still running strong. This includes several track days and many autocrosses. With proper warm up, cool down, and maintenance, it is certainly possible to get a lot of trouble free miles out of the K03 turbos, I think they get a bad rap partly because so many of them are overstressed by mods and people who don't understand how to take care of them. I kind of wish I'd blow a turbo, because it would give me an excuse to build a monster.

I think you are 100% correct, which makes it tough for someone looking for a used one. I'd love nothing more than a nogaro blue 2nd gen s4 avant to be honest - few things look cooler. Regardless, the 5 cylinder in the ur version has a much better reputation for putting up with mistreatment.