Audi S5

sp3ctre

sp3ctre

Administrator
Staff member
Popped into a local garage last weekend and saw a nice looking Audi S5 (4.2 V8). I know it'sprobably not the best forum to get a balanced argument on this subject, but what's everyone's view on these?

It seems the BMW direct competition is the 335, but to me they are just dull as ditchwater outside and very "just like every other 3-series" inside.

Walking around it and sitting in it, it just fely more "special" than the 3-series.

Remit:

4 seats, as we often take passengers
Fuel economy doesn't matter (don't do enough miles to be bothered)
Has to have lots of toys :D
 
My neighbour has one and I have to say they are a great looking car with more presence than most of the competition, even a hint of Aston maybe? having said that the neighbour's silver one is not the most striking colour IMHO.
It's not small though in fact it's a big car by any standards but seemed to fare well in the snow last year with the q being the only thing that got out of our road without fuss.

I would :)
 
sp3ctre said:
Popped into a local garage last weekend and saw a nice looking Audi S5 (4.2 V8). I know it'sprobably not the best forum to get a balanced argument on this subject, but what's everyone's view on these?

It seems the BMW direct competition is the 335, but to me they are just dull as ditchwater outside and very "just like every other 3-series" inside.

Walking around it and sitting in it, it just fely more "special" than the 3-series.

Remit:

4 seats, as we often take passengers
Fuel economy doesn't matter (don't do enough miles to be bothered)
Has to have lots of toys :D
Click to expand...
Audi's are very special to sit in & look at, it's when you start driving things go down hill very fast, I have gone off Audi's big time now I actually own one, they are just a VW in a fancy dress & who has ever truthfully lusted after a VW, I do love the S5 with that nice V8 but as a drivers tool they lack any reward :thumbsdown:
 
I know what you mean about not exactly being on rails, but then again it's not really the sort of car I'd be likely to throw around anyway, it's all about having something that can "make progress", but nice to sit in and gives a bit of luxury feel.

I owned a TT before, so I am familiar with the driving experience not being quite there if you push the limits, but like I said it's tempting to throw the TT or the Z4 around corners but I don't think I would look to treat an S5 in quite the same way.

... also, who would lust after a 335 either?

Edit: I guess a good question would be what would you buy instead of an S5? (with my remit points in mind)
 
I think the general motoring press consensus on the S5 was that it was much better car than the RS5 but that the new supercharged engine made more sense than the old V8.

How about a Mustang if you want presence and V8? For the same cash you'd probably get a Roush supercharged one as well.....

Like this http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/ford/mustang/ford-mustang-roush-420-re--2005/896333
 
sp3ctre said:
I know what you mean about not exactly being on rails, but then again it's not really the sort of car I'd be likely to throw around anyway, it's all about having something that can "make progress", but nice to sit in and gives a bit of luxury feel.

I owned a TT before, so I am familiar with the driving experience not being quite there if you push the limits, but like I said it's tempting to throw the TT or the Z4 around corners but I don't think I would look to treat an S5 in quite the same way.

... also, who would lust after a 335 either?

Edit: I guess a good question would be what would you buy instead of an S5? (with my remit points in mind)
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I think it's great that we all have different opinions on cars because I've always lusted after a 335 :oops: but I totally get where your coming from regards looks though.

We looked into getting a S5 at one stage because they seem to tick so many boxes grip, luxury & good performance but I just personally feel left flat by ours that it now clouds my judgement on Audi's in general, I think of your requirements & it's difficult to come up with a decent alternative, i still look lovingly at S5's though one came by me this morning & I still think yes please!
 
Just thought jag xfr big V8 four seats & autocar gave it full 5 stars! A bit mondeo in a party frock though!!
 
sp3ctre said:
Seb.F said:
M5 the only thing that springs to mind.
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Different league, price-wise, no?

M3 is a possibility but never been a fan, and bit boring inside.
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Yes, just a little, I couldn't really think of anything any that closely matched it though.
 
LeeZ4MR said:
Just thought jag xfr big V8 four seats & autocar gave it full 5 stars! A bit mondeo in a party frock though!!
Click to expand...

Yeah, the Jag's do tick a lot of boxes for me, although I think it's one to pencil in for later in life, I want something with a bit more "growl" for now. No offence, it's just personal perception.
 
LeeZ4MR said:
I think it's great that we all have different opinions on cars because I've always lusted after a 335 :oops: but I totally get where your coming from regards looks though.

We looked into getting a S5 at one stage because they seem to tick so many boxes grip, luxury & good performance but I just personally feel left flat by ours that it now clouds my judgement on Audi's in general, I think of your requirements & it's difficult to come up with a decent alternative, i still look lovingly at S5's though one came by me this morning & I still think yes please!
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know what you mean, just wish BMW did a bit more to differentiate their cars from the inside, they seem to have changed very little in the last 10-15 years.

I guess I really need to take one for a test drive to see whether the handling irritates me or not.
 
sp3ctre said:
LeeZ4MR said:
Just thought jag xfr big V8 four seats & autocar gave it full 5 stars! A bit mondeo in a party frock though!!
Click to expand...

Yeah, the Jag's do tick a lot of boxes for me, although I think it's one to pencil in for later in life, I want something with a bit more "growl" for now. No offence, it's just personal perception.
Click to expand...
I get where your coming from regards jags! I think I must be old before my time! I can see me also owning a decent jag later on in life :thumbsup:
 
a340driver said:
I love my wife's A5 Quattro. It's a great car, the only complaint I have is that it's a2.0TDi instead of a 4.2 V8.
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Yeah, the 4.2 V8 does have appeal, quite fancy having one before the government decides we're not allowed :)
 
They look nice, go fast in a stright line and really nice place to be... but they have been slated by every publication ive read. Although this is more about a track focus than anything else. Looks a good cruiser and that blue colour is lovely, add some RS4 alloys they look great.

But I would have an M3 everyday just because I prefer them. My friend has a convertible in this colour with grey leather and RS4 alloys. Lovely

AUDI_RS5_BLUE_1.jpg
 
sp3ctre said:
Yeah, I know what you mean, just wish BMW did a bit more to differentiate their cars from the inside, they seem to have changed very little in the last 10-15 years.

I guess I really need to take one for a test drive to see whether the handling irritates me or not.
Click to expand...
I know what you mean we were looking at one a while ago, before I decided to stick with the Zed with a view to getting something special in another couple of years.
The differences in the interior between the S5 (Be it the Supercharged Convertible we were looking at) and the S4 were different enough to make you believe were were in something different, when we then went and looked at a 3 series in all it's guises they all felt exactly the same and as such had me heading back to the Audi dealer.

LeeZ4MR said:
sp3ctre said:
LeeZ4MR said:
Just thought jag xfr big V8 four seats & autocar gave it full 5 stars! A bit mondeo in a party frock though!!
Click to expand...

Yeah, the Jag's do tick a lot of boxes for me, although I think it's one to pencil in for later in life, I want something with a bit more "growl" for now. No offence, it's just personal perception.
Click to expand...
I get where your coming from regards jags! I think I must be old before my time! I can see me also owning a decent jag later on in life :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

We looked at one of these as well or at least at an XF, I still think exterior wise it's a stunning looking car but the moment I sat in it my wife looked at me at me and said 'You don't like do you' I can only put it down to all the wood, it would appear I'm not quite ready for a pipe and slippers yet. Despite all Jags efforts eradicate this image.

Would I have an S5 over an 335......Hell yes!!!!!!!!!!! Regardless of it's dynamics, which will only come into play on the roads at speeds which will probably in things getting rather messy for all involved.
 
My dad has a 335d m sport coupe, one of our neighbours has the s5 coupe.

I'm a BMW guy, but having had a good nose around and travelled in both... I prefer the s5.

However, I'd rate the m3 over the s5.
 
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