Audi S5 - Long Term Update
06-01-2010, 03:37 PM
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Audi S5 - Long Term Update
Greetings Car Talk!
I've been asked a few times about my experience with my S5 so far, and have only had the chance to reply with short responses, so I figured with 10,000 miles on her, now's a good time to share more.
Last year, I was looking for a bigger, more comfortable car to replace my 2006 S2000 with -- a luxury coupe. I ended up cross-shopping the G37, 335i, M3 and S5. Long story short, I ended up with the G37 because I had felt at the time it was the biggest bang for the buck. After a few months with the 2008 G37, I noticed small nuisances, that shouldn't be in a 45k car (she was loaded with the Sport, Tech and Premium, Navigation packages). I'm pretty knit-picky with my cars so this was a big deal for me. I began to have buyer's remorse and wish I had gotten the S5. After owning the G for 6 months, it was totaled... perfect time to get the car I should have gotten, but at the time, couldn't justify the price for.
The S5 is a 2009-- Ibis White exterior and Tuscan Brown Silk Nappa Leather interior. It has Navigation, Tech, Side Assist, Bang & Olufsen (and some other small things) and is a 6 speed manual.
VS. the S - totally different car, I will not extrapolate.
VS. the G - Its quieter inside, built to a whole different standard, more linear acceleration, shifts smoother (IMO as smoothly as the S, but my car may be a freak).
I'll be the first to admit-- I was skeptical about Audi's reliability. I would have NEVER thought I'd own one. All the horror stories about electronic gremlins/engine trouble had me running the other direction, until I saw the S5. Then I thought... eh, mayyybee it's worth the risk (it was THAT good looking to me).
The interior has held up extremely well. There are no creases, cracks or discoloration in the leather. Nothing squeaks or is loose (I'm a weirdo and like pressing on different panels inside and outside the car to make sure they're sturdy). I had this chronically creaking A-pillar, which was apparently very common on G coupes, that sounded like a bag of cats when I went over speed bumps or ramps, that is nowhere in the S5 -- which should be a given, but is a huge plus for me since I'd experienced it/was embarrassed by it in the past. The knobs and handles have the same great tactile feedback since the day I got it.
I haven't had any electronic malfunctions whatsoever. No burnt out bulbs, flashing check engine lights or gremlins so far. The MMI (Multi Media Interface) works seamlessly with all the devices I've tried it on. The car came with multiple cables to connect devices to (USB, mini USB, iPod, 3.5mm).
The outside is pretty much the same story for quality. After several details, I've noticed the paint is thicker on this car (but chips harder) than the Japanese cars I've owned. All the panels, even though you cannot see them, are also painted, and to the same standard as the outside (which I had an issue with on the G).
Quattro is awesome. I miss having AWD (had a 3000GT VR-4) and it's definitely been a plus since we've been getting tons of rain here in the Bay Area. The car provides as much feedback that the G did, but less so than the 3 series. I find the steering a bit light at times and it tends to stay pretty neutral like the 3, in contrast to the G which was difficult to judge it's limits/understeered.
My only gripes about the car is the crappy MPG it gets. It is rated at 14/22. I'm able to get 18/26 out of it, but it is still way off from the G (30+ MPG) and the S. Weird thing is that the 6 speed gets a gas guzzler tax, the auto doesn't.
Overall, at 10,000 miles, this car has definitely surpassed my expectations. I haven't had to take it to the dealer for anything besides service and I hope to keep it that way! Audi has a $600 prepaid maintenance package that I opted for which covers service at intervals of 10k miles until 60k (I believe). Definitely worth the money as the 5k service was already $300.
Hope this review helps anyone checking one of these cars out.
Here are some pics I took today with my phone (HTC Incredible). Last couple of pics caught glare from the sun.
I've been asked a few times about my experience with my S5 so far, and have only had the chance to reply with short responses, so I figured with 10,000 miles on her, now's a good time to share more.
Last year, I was looking for a bigger, more comfortable car to replace my 2006 S2000 with -- a luxury coupe. I ended up cross-shopping the G37, 335i, M3 and S5. Long story short, I ended up with the G37 because I had felt at the time it was the biggest bang for the buck. After a few months with the 2008 G37, I noticed small nuisances, that shouldn't be in a 45k car (she was loaded with the Sport, Tech and Premium, Navigation packages). I'm pretty knit-picky with my cars so this was a big deal for me. I began to have buyer's remorse and wish I had gotten the S5. After owning the G for 6 months, it was totaled... perfect time to get the car I should have gotten, but at the time, couldn't justify the price for.
The S5 is a 2009-- Ibis White exterior and Tuscan Brown Silk Nappa Leather interior. It has Navigation, Tech, Side Assist, Bang & Olufsen (and some other small things) and is a 6 speed manual.
VS. the S - totally different car, I will not extrapolate.
VS. the G - Its quieter inside, built to a whole different standard, more linear acceleration, shifts smoother (IMO as smoothly as the S, but my car may be a freak).
I'll be the first to admit-- I was skeptical about Audi's reliability. I would have NEVER thought I'd own one. All the horror stories about electronic gremlins/engine trouble had me running the other direction, until I saw the S5. Then I thought... eh, mayyybee it's worth the risk (it was THAT good looking to me).
The interior has held up extremely well. There are no creases, cracks or discoloration in the leather. Nothing squeaks or is loose (I'm a weirdo and like pressing on different panels inside and outside the car to make sure they're sturdy). I had this chronically creaking A-pillar, which was apparently very common on G coupes, that sounded like a bag of cats when I went over speed bumps or ramps, that is nowhere in the S5 -- which should be a given, but is a huge plus for me since I'd experienced it/was embarrassed by it in the past. The knobs and handles have the same great tactile feedback since the day I got it.
I haven't had any electronic malfunctions whatsoever. No burnt out bulbs, flashing check engine lights or gremlins so far. The MMI (Multi Media Interface) works seamlessly with all the devices I've tried it on. The car came with multiple cables to connect devices to (USB, mini USB, iPod, 3.5mm).
The outside is pretty much the same story for quality. After several details, I've noticed the paint is thicker on this car (but chips harder) than the Japanese cars I've owned. All the panels, even though you cannot see them, are also painted, and to the same standard as the outside (which I had an issue with on the G).
Quattro is awesome. I miss having AWD (had a 3000GT VR-4) and it's definitely been a plus since we've been getting tons of rain here in the Bay Area. The car provides as much feedback that the G did, but less so than the 3 series. I find the steering a bit light at times and it tends to stay pretty neutral like the 3, in contrast to the G which was difficult to judge it's limits/understeered.
My only gripes about the car is the crappy MPG it gets. It is rated at 14/22. I'm able to get 18/26 out of it, but it is still way off from the G (30+ MPG) and the S. Weird thing is that the 6 speed gets a gas guzzler tax, the auto doesn't.
Overall, at 10,000 miles, this car has definitely surpassed my expectations. I haven't had to take it to the dealer for anything besides service and I hope to keep it that way! Audi has a $600 prepaid maintenance package that I opted for which covers service at intervals of 10k miles until 60k (I believe). Definitely worth the money as the 5k service was already $300.
Hope this review helps anyone checking one of these cars out.
Here are some pics I took today with my phone (HTC Incredible). Last couple of pics caught glare from the sun.
06-01-2010, 03:49 PM
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Nice review! I loove that leather. :-) When since does G cars get 30mpg? I've never heard that. I also didn't know of the 14/22 rating on this car. Wow. Good thing u manage a lot higher!
P.S.- that phone takes badass pics.
P.S.- that phone takes badass pics.
06-01-2010, 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Saint_Spinner,Jun 1 2010, 03:41 PM
sounds cool. I'm kinda curious to see what happens when it reaches the post-warranty mileage..that is the biggest concern about euro cars, atleast to me.
Stuff like timing chains and tensioners, and other bs. For people like me who work on VAG stuff all day, it's a godsend because these suckers are gonna depreciate so hard that we'll get them cheap out of warranty.
For the not so mechanically inclined...expect to be raped by dealerships and even independent shops.
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06-01-2010, 04:59 PM
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I have a friend that has the exact same car, same color, same tranny. It was a sweet ride. I did think the navi system sucked compared to the one in my odyssey. Your thoughts?
06-01-2010, 05:26 PM
#9
Gorgeous car. IMO the best looking car in the market right now.
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