Originally Posted by superswiss

I've already driven the new RS5. Took it out a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, it didn't quite do it for me compared to the old one. It lost a lot of what made the old one great for me. That naturally aspirated, high revving screaming engine paired with the awesome track focused S-tronic just puts a lot more smiles per miles on my face. The old RS5 has a lot of R8 DNA, but is overall a more usable package as a primary car. The engine is essentially a smaller version of the V10. The new RS5 was kinda boring in comparison. There are certainly parts about it that are better, but overall I prefer my old one by quite a bit. The ZF8 in the new RS5 while being the best implementation of the ZF8 yet that I've driven just doesn't match the old S-tronic for feel and driving enjoyment. The new one is perhaps a better commuter package, but I don't commute. Most of my driving besides daily errands is mostly for pleasure and the old RS5 has been the best road trip car I've owned so far. Ready to play at a moments notice if a fun road presents itself after some mundane highway driving.

Originally Posted by tjacoby

I haven't driven the older RS5, but was able to take the TTRS, RS5 and R8+ out for spins. I ended the RS5 test drive early - I'm sure it's a very competent car, but what was the words I saw on another forum: it's a great A->B car, not a great A->A car. I like my cars small and manic, and hoping we'll see some interesting electric options in the next few years. The potential of very low centre of gravity, great weight distribution, massive torque at launch, and the promise of sub 2s launches is all appealing.

Great writeup of the S4/RS3 debate, and congrats on a sharp RS3!

Originally Posted by Whiteshadow89

Thanks man!


Thank you!


I noticed that in my S3. The DCT reminds me a little of a manual in the sense of having to finesse it from a dead stop at times, but with the updated TTRS and RS3 DCT's they are still pretty smooth off the line when driving around town. People that buy RS models want a livable car that has the highest tier of driving dynamics from Audi, which is why I am dumb founded that the RS5 has a ZF 8 auto. Wow, that is bad.