Impressions and observations after ten days (and some glamour shots)
 

I've had the car since Halloween and I'm thrilled with it. I <i>adore</i> this car.

<img src="http://lh6.google.com/tim.shimo/Rzez3ZNFcdI/AAAAAAAAABY/tuxtrUjeQUo/s800/New%20S5%20007.jpg" />

Performance:
This is a car of two characters. You can drive it smoothly and easily, shifting early, and the car feels docile and tame. But start to romp on it, however, and the car shows its angry side. It goes from boulevard cruiser to heavyweight fighter, which is great. The engine can be quiet and silky, but when you put your foot down and it really gets up in the cam, the car flies. It's not a sports car; it's definitely a true GT car. Brawny and fast with attitude, but sophisticated enough to just drive smooth and fast.

Handling:
I'm pleased with the handling, and thrilled that Audi's characteristic stock understeer is gone (mostly). Some slight understeer remains, but overall, the car is neutral and capable. Initial turn-in response is moderate, but if you balance the car properly, you can get it to respond quicker. As you get to know it, the car becomes more tossable, though at first, you don't feel it. I think this is because the car suffers from some body roll that reduces your confidence in its abilities. I think it's sprung properly, but the anti-roll/sway bars are a weak point. There's also an odd suspension harmonic where the dampers are overwhelmed under braking on very rough pavement, but this is infrequent. I may lower it for looks, and do anti-roll bars if the new spring rates don't change this.

The 40/60 front/rear torque split on the quattro is <i>fantastic</i> for improving the sporting feel. With the ASR and ESP off (hold down the ESP button for five seconds), you can steer with the throttle, and even do small powerslides (yes, really).

Looks:
The car is really beautiful, and people notice.
It's the first car I've owned where the valets at a very nice local restaurant have insisted upon keeping the car in front. I continue to just admire the car's design, inside and out. It is gorgeous.

Mechanical Observations:
This platform is clearly planned to accommodate Magnetic Ride. See the next few pics. A rubber cover on the wheel well - looks like a strut mount cover, but it opens up to show the suspension.

<img src="http://lh6.google.com/tim.shimo/Rze0RZNFcnI/AAAAAAAAACw/dahwmjWeb0Q/s800/New%20S5%20040.jpg" />

<img src="http://lh3.google.com/tim.shimo/Rze0SpNFcoI/AAAAAAAAAC4/9nIcyryDH_M/s800/New%20S5%20041.jpg" />

<img src="http://lh4.google.com/tim.shimo/Rze0T5NFcpI/AAAAAAAAADA/GG9izIwhxbU/s800/New%20S5%20042.jpg" />

Also, I found this interesting. The fenders are not sealed/fastened all the way along the edge of the front clip, but mount in a few spots in the engine bay and then are open to the fenders.

<img src="http://lh3.google.com/tim.shimo/Rze0WpNFcrI/AAAAAAAAADQ/WpKEvO0-Sqo/s800/New%20S5%20044.jpg" />

Also, the North American plate bracket is really easy to remove to get to the Euro bracket or to add the filler plate. Just remove two screws:
<img src="http://lh5.google.com/tim.shimo/Rze17JNFctI/AAAAAAAAADg/6SPbTcQi57A/s800/New%20S5%20050%20%28desc%29.jpg" />

Some negatives, though:
Paint quality is not what I was expecting, as there is some noticeable orange peel. While the paint is truly excellent in some spots, there are a few angles where the orange peel stands out (such as the vertical surfaces of the trunk lid). The TT, in Amulet Red (non-metallic) has outstanding factory paint - most of it is completely orange peel-free and looks stunning. Perhaps mine is an early-build car, or perhaps the Phantom Black (metallic black) is difficult to apply, but I'm not thrilled.

Steering feel is really poor. I know this is a function of both Servotronic and the forward weight bias, but it's numb and uncommunicative. This is fine when parking, but not when you're really pushing the car. I'm considering pulling the servo.

Here are some poseur pics from this weekend. I messed with the levels and sharpness since the shots came out poorly (time for a new camera/photographer). Just tinted to 20%.

<img src="http://lh6.google.com/tim.shimo/Rzez7ZNFceI/AAAAAAAAABk/wOd-zf3xLxI/s800/New%20S5%20009.jpg" />

<img src="http://lh6.google.com/tim.shimo/Rzez_ZNFcfI/AAAAAAAAABs/2HkuoUQGw7s/s800/New%20S5%20014.jpg" />

<img src="http://lh5.google.com/tim.shimo/Rze0CJNFcgI/AAAAAAAAAB0/yP-4ffnldzI/s800/New%20S5%20015.jpg" />

<img src="http://lh6.google.com/tim.shimo/Rze0EZNFchI/AAAAAAAAAB8/8vmdjOEBqdQ/s400/New%20S5%20018.jpg" />

<img src="http://lh3.google.com/tim.shimo/Rze0IpNFcjI/AAAAAAAAACM/26_wgUHO6rw/s800/New%20S5%20023.jpg" />

<img src="http://lh4.google.com/tim.shimo/Rze0J5NFckI/AAAAAAAAACU/k6GhVxXr3z8/s800/New%20S5%20027.jpg" />

<img src="http://lh3.google.com/tim.shimo/Rze0LpNFclI/AAAAAAAAACc/DrBClgrvDxQ/s800/New%20S5%20029.jpg" />

<img src="http://lh4.google.com/tim.shimo/Rze0N5NFcmI/AAAAAAAAACk/9HZf6GgLphk/s800/New%20S5%20032.jpg" />

<img src="http://lh5.google.com/tim.shimo/Rze0ZJNFcsI/AAAAAAAAADY/iElT_CZeu7w/s800/New%20S5%20048.jpg" />

Re: Impressions and observations after ten days (and some glamour shots)
 

..very good review, have had mine for 5 weeks and agree on most points-i have Phantom Black as well and agree with the orange peel effect....is most likely a character of the colour (though it shouldnt be ! )
I think in regards to the steering feel-you will over time get use to the communitive/feedback or lack thereof but for the better, it actually makes sense for a GT style drivetrain/chassis....anyway enjoy the car.

Most dark-colored Audis are afflicted with orange peel
 

For some reason, it's more common on the darker colors, from what I've seen and heard.

Re: Impressions and observations after ten days (and some glamour shots)
 

How difficult is it to pull the servo? I too like a sportier steering feel. Has anyone done this on other models? No problems after doing the mod?

May be difficult, but could you try to capture the orange peeling you're talking about?
 

Is that something that could be buffed out?

Orange Peel?! are you guys serious
 

if this is true its really sad.
i mean to think that with the class of an audi,
you would not pay $60,000 for a new car and have it come out of the factory with orange peel.
Regarldess of what the reason is for this, there is no excuse for it.
i have an order for phantom and i think im going to call my dealer and ask him what the deal is about this.

Re: Orange Peel - Audi still dont have it right in the paint dept.
 

i really dont think audi have ever gotten their paints 100% perfect. orange peels on dark colours and slightly different colouring on silvers (like some areas are sprayed thicker than others).

this is one area where bimmers still have it over audi. the other being the way they fill the guards and generally sit better.

hope to fix it all by going white on our next audi :)

julie

nice write-up, thanks
 

as others requested, I'd like to see shots of orange peel. I'm currently stuck between PB and Avus for my order.

Did your dealer install tint? what is Orange peel?
 

I had mine installed at a local shop and it took them several tries to get the rear window. I put on 40% and it reads at 32%. Mass law requires side windows to be 35% or above. Hopefully it will get a little lighter so I don't have any issues with inspection.

What exactly is orange peel? I'll look for imperfections on mine next time I clean it.

Thanks. GT or not, I still think the steering could be more communicative.
 

I know I'll get used to it, and it does firm-up and seem more connected at higher speeds.