Changes in RS5 between 2013-2014-2015
01-11-2015, 09:00 AM
#1
Audiworld Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Changes in RS5 between 2013-2014-2015
i am thinking about buying a used or new Rs5. Besides the advances in safety features, does anyone know how the model has evolved over the years?
What is better in the 2015 vs the 2013?
Thanks!
What is better in the 2015 vs the 2013?
Thanks!
01-11-2015, 09:12 AM
#2
AudiWorld Super User
No material differences between a 2013 RS5 and a 2015 RS5, other than some additional options and early bugs worked out. The MMI firmware and some of the hardware and other software's been updated. Minor changes in how ADS controls the exhaust flaps and such. Most of the updates and fixes are available as TSBs for affected cars. I'm personally particular about the MMI, so I would go for a newer model to get the latest hardware and software.
01-11-2015, 09:36 PM
#3
AudiWorld Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Aspen
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Test drove a 2013. The sunroof mechanism was different but very minor change. 2015 has cloth covering the sunroof.
2013 had sunshades on the rear window (which I hated). Not available on 2015.
Does the 2013 have the adaptive rear spoiler? I love it on the 2015.
As stated the MMI on the 2015 is state of the art. Does the 2013 have a 32GB hard drive and B&O surround sound? Would be a deal breaker for me.
Does the 13 have the sexy headlights?
Adaptive steering, cruise control and headlights?
Ask an Audi salesman who has been around awhile. Should know.
Hopefully this will give you some questions to ask.
Best
2013 had sunshades on the rear window (which I hated). Not available on 2015.
Does the 2013 have the adaptive rear spoiler? I love it on the 2015.
As stated the MMI on the 2015 is state of the art. Does the 2013 have a 32GB hard drive and B&O surround sound? Would be a deal breaker for me.
Does the 13 have the sexy headlights?
Adaptive steering, cruise control and headlights?
Ask an Audi salesman who has been around awhile. Should know.
Hopefully this will give you some questions to ask.
Best
Last edited by PhilNotHill; 01-11-2015 at 09:48 PM.
01-12-2015, 06:37 AM
#4
AudiWorld Super User
How was the sunroof mechanism different?
I like the rear shade. Have it on mine.
Yes, all RS5 have the adaptive rear spoiler.
The MMI is largely the same between 2013 and 2015. The only difference is newer firmware and some minor hardware upgrades such as a better cellular modem, B&O is part of the MMI package. The newer firmware has better performance, so the MMI in the 2015 is faster than the MMI in the 2013. I got mine replaced and now have the faster unit. Knowing both now, I wouldn't go for a 2013 which still has the original MMI unit. The 2014 also has older firmware, but I don't know its performance.
Headlights are the same for 13,14 and 15. 2013 was when they did the facelift. North America never got the pre-facelift RS5.
Yes, Dynamic steering, ACC and adaptive headlights is all the same. The latter is standard and the former two are part of the Driver Assist pkg.
I like the rear shade. Have it on mine.
Yes, all RS5 have the adaptive rear spoiler.
The MMI is largely the same between 2013 and 2015. The only difference is newer firmware and some minor hardware upgrades such as a better cellular modem, B&O is part of the MMI package. The newer firmware has better performance, so the MMI in the 2015 is faster than the MMI in the 2013. I got mine replaced and now have the faster unit. Knowing both now, I wouldn't go for a 2013 which still has the original MMI unit. The 2014 also has older firmware, but I don't know its performance.
Headlights are the same for 13,14 and 15. 2013 was when they did the facelift. North America never got the pre-facelift RS5.
Yes, Dynamic steering, ACC and adaptive headlights is all the same. The latter is standard and the former two are part of the Driver Assist pkg.
Last edited by superswiss; 01-12-2015 at 06:42 AM.
01-12-2015, 07:53 AM
#5
AudiWorld Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Aspen
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sunroof Mechanism
2013 has a round **** just like my 2014 S4 except the sunroof only tilts so the other positions of the **** do nothing. Just have to remember that it works differently even though it looks the same.
2015 has a rectangular switch. Two positions...open and close. More intuitive to use. But really no big deal. They both work fine.
2015 has a rectangular switch. Two positions...open and close. More intuitive to use. But really no big deal. They both work fine.
01-12-2015, 07:54 AM
#6
Audiworld Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How was the sunroof mechanism different?
I like the rear shade. Have it on mine.
Yes, all RS5 have the adaptive rear spoiler.
The MMI is largely the same between 2013 and 2015. The only difference is newer firmware and some minor hardware upgrades such as a better cellular modem, B&O is part of the MMI package. The newer firmware has better performance, so the MMI in the 2015 is faster than the MMI in the 2013. I got mine replaced and now have the faster unit. Knowing both now, I wouldn't go for a 2013 which still has the original MMI unit. The 2014 also has older firmware, but I don't know its performance.
Headlights are the same for 13,14 and 15. 2013 was when they did the facelift. North America never got the pre-facelift RS5.
Yes, Dynamic steering, ACC and adaptive headlights is all the same. The latter is standard and the former two are part of the Driver Assist pkg.
I like the rear shade. Have it on mine.
Yes, all RS5 have the adaptive rear spoiler.
The MMI is largely the same between 2013 and 2015. The only difference is newer firmware and some minor hardware upgrades such as a better cellular modem, B&O is part of the MMI package. The newer firmware has better performance, so the MMI in the 2015 is faster than the MMI in the 2013. I got mine replaced and now have the faster unit. Knowing both now, I wouldn't go for a 2013 which still has the original MMI unit. The 2014 also has older firmware, but I don't know its performance.
Headlights are the same for 13,14 and 15. 2013 was when they did the facelift. North America never got the pre-facelift RS5.
Yes, Dynamic steering, ACC and adaptive headlights is all the same. The latter is standard and the former two are part of the Driver Assist pkg.
Has anyone ever driven the different year RS5's to feel any differences? It sounds like there really shouldn't be any major differences.
01-12-2015, 07:58 AM
#7
AudiWorld Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Aspen
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How was the sunroof mechanism different?
I like the rear shade. Have it on mine.
Yes, all RS5 have the adaptive rear spoiler.
The MMI is largely the same between 2013 and 2015. The only difference is newer firmware and some minor hardware upgrades such as a better cellular modem, B&O is part of the MMI package. The newer firmware has better performance, so the MMI in the 2015 is faster than the MMI in the 2013. I got mine replaced and now have the faster unit. Knowing both now, I wouldn't go for a 2013 which still has the original MMI unit. The 2014 also has older firmware, but I don't know its performance.
Headlights are the same for 13,14 and 15. 2013 was when they did the facelift. North America never got the pre-facelift RS5.
Yes, Dynamic steering, ACC and adaptive headlights is all the same. The latter is standard and the former two are part of the Driver Assist pkg.
I like the rear shade. Have it on mine.
Yes, all RS5 have the adaptive rear spoiler.
The MMI is largely the same between 2013 and 2015. The only difference is newer firmware and some minor hardware upgrades such as a better cellular modem, B&O is part of the MMI package. The newer firmware has better performance, so the MMI in the 2015 is faster than the MMI in the 2013. I got mine replaced and now have the faster unit. Knowing both now, I wouldn't go for a 2013 which still has the original MMI unit. The 2014 also has older firmware, but I don't know its performance.
Headlights are the same for 13,14 and 15. 2013 was when they did the facelift. North America never got the pre-facelift RS5.
Yes, Dynamic steering, ACC and adaptive headlights is all the same. The latter is standard and the former two are part of the Driver Assist pkg.
BTW did not like the rear shade as I can't tell if a cop is behind me or not.
The RS5 cabriolet does not have an adaptive spoiler. Wonder why.
Best
Last edited by PhilNotHill; 01-12-2015 at 08:08 AM.
Trending Topics
01-12-2015, 08:38 AM
#8
AudiWorld Super User
2013 has a round **** just like my 2014 S4 except the sunroof only tilts so the other positions of the **** do nothing. Just have to remember that it works differently even though it looks the same.
2015 has a rectangular switch. Two positions...open and close. More intuitive to use. But really no big deal. They both work fine.
2015 has a rectangular switch. Two positions...open and close. More intuitive to use. But really no big deal. They both work fine.
Dealer replaced the 5F module (head unit) under warranty, because the original unit was affected by a known hardware flaw that causes it to lose the GPS signal.
01-12-2015, 09:34 AM
#9
AudiWorld Super User
But there is always the possibility that certain parts under the cover were redesigned based on higher than expected failure rates of the original design. However, normally if the part fails, the dealer will replace it with the redesigned part under warranty. For example, I got new wishbones and lower control arms as the original design was prone to squeaking and creaking. The nice thing about buying the current model year is that you have all those redesigned parts and don't need to wait for them to fail. Saves some trips to the dealer.
If a flaw is important enough, Audi issues a campaign or a recall in case of a safety issue, so for those things you don't have to wait for the part to fail first.
I think the bigger question is are you comfortable buying a used performance car that might have seen a lot of abuse on the track or even on the road. I mean these cars are meant to be driven hard. I certainly drive mine hard and it shows on the maintenance side. I'm going through tires like never before and I had to replace my front brakes after 24k miles. The good thing is these are all opportunities for some aftermarket upgrades :-).
01-15-2015, 12:57 PM
#10
AudiWorld Member
Curious if anyone has the TSB numbers for these two fixes. I have a 2013 and I'd like to have the dealer check to see if they were applied. thx!
I haven't driven another RS5 aside from mine, but they should all drive the same, provided they have received all the updates. There have been two updates that affect how the car drives. The first one is a software update for the steering to fix some oddities about it and the second one is an ECU upgrade, that fixes random cold start misfires and smooths out the throttle mapping during downshifts. The 2013 had rough 3rd to 2nd downshifts, which they fixed with the 2014 RS5 and got retrofitted to the 2013 RS5 with the ECU software update.
But there is always the possibility that certain parts under the cover were redesigned based on higher than expected failure rates of the original design. However, normally if the part fails, the dealer will replace it with the redesigned part under warranty. For example, I got new wishbones and lower control arms as the original design was prone to squeaking and creaking. The nice thing about buying the current model year is that you have all those redesigned parts and don't need to wait for them to fail. Saves some trips to the dealer.
If a flaw is important enough, Audi issues a campaign or a recall in case of a safety issue, so for those things you don't have to wait for the part to fail first.
I think the bigger question is are you comfortable buying a used performance car that might have seen a lot of abuse on the track or even on the road. I mean these cars are meant to be driven hard. I certainly drive mine hard and it shows on the maintenance side. I'm going through tires like never before and I had to replace my front brakes after 24k miles. The good thing is these are all opportunities for some aftermarket upgrades :-).
But there is always the possibility that certain parts under the cover were redesigned based on higher than expected failure rates of the original design. However, normally if the part fails, the dealer will replace it with the redesigned part under warranty. For example, I got new wishbones and lower control arms as the original design was prone to squeaking and creaking. The nice thing about buying the current model year is that you have all those redesigned parts and don't need to wait for them to fail. Saves some trips to the dealer.
If a flaw is important enough, Audi issues a campaign or a recall in case of a safety issue, so for those things you don't have to wait for the part to fail first.
I think the bigger question is are you comfortable buying a used performance car that might have seen a lot of abuse on the track or even on the road. I mean these cars are meant to be driven hard. I certainly drive mine hard and it shows on the maintenance side. I'm going through tires like never before and I had to replace my front brakes after 24k miles. The good thing is these are all opportunities for some aftermarket upgrades :-).