A5 vs S5 - How they compare when driving them
03-21-2019, 02:59 PM
#11
AudiWorld Super User
Last edited by The G Man; 03-21-2019 at 03:01 PM.
03-21-2019, 03:23 PM
#12
I find the A5 Cab to be a great riding car and fast enough for me. I've had many sports cars and to me, the S5 isn't worth 8-14K (depending on whether it's a coupe or cab) more than an A. Today, unlike the old days, there's not too many places you can really get a car up to the limits. Too much traffic and more sophisticated tactics by the cops. Yes, I get my A up to 100 now and then but not for long. I used to drive my 911 over 100 all the time but there was no where near the traffic there is now. It's one of those things that is personal to each person driving a car. Some people like to know the power and handling is there when they want it but for me the A is the right balance of everything. Fast enough and handles exceptionally well.
03-21-2019, 04:23 PM
#13
AudiWorld Senior Member
Spoiler, yes. That’s right!
ok yes, the quad exhaust makes sense and different style of wheels. To me, tires just look like tires, nothing special. I’ll have to look at the mirror differences, unless it’s just the color/cf, vs shape. I also was thinking more about the exterior va interior, but valid points. Thanks.
I’ll have to look into the rear diffuser. I have a S-Line, so I’m thinking they are very similar looking. Thanks.
I’ll have to look into the rear diffuser. I have a S-Line, so I’m thinking they are very similar looking. Thanks.
03-21-2019, 04:44 PM
#14
AudiWorld Super User
The S5 uses S Adaptive suspension, and is a different calibration to the Adaptive suspension used on the A5. Whilst both the springs and the dampers may be different, the dampers certainly are. The S5 has less chassis lean when the suspension is set to Dynamic - that is from the EDC dampers.
I agree with Ycore's comments, and there have been a few people in the forum who would have been better off with an A5 than an S5. If I wanted to cruise around predominantly in D mode, feeling relaxed and comfortable, the A5 on Adaptive (or standard, but not sport) does that better than the S5. But put the A5 in Dynamic mode, engine/transmission in S mode, it doesn't go through the same character transformation as the S5. Which has greater breadth between calm vs aggressive. Depends what you want, but I always found these differences obvious in relatively short test drives.
The S5 has larger brakes. And the ability to add the torque vectoring rear Sports differential, which is not available with 4 cylinder engines.
I agree with Ycore's comments, and there have been a few people in the forum who would have been better off with an A5 than an S5. If I wanted to cruise around predominantly in D mode, feeling relaxed and comfortable, the A5 on Adaptive (or standard, but not sport) does that better than the S5. But put the A5 in Dynamic mode, engine/transmission in S mode, it doesn't go through the same character transformation as the S5. Which has greater breadth between calm vs aggressive. Depends what you want, but I always found these differences obvious in relatively short test drives.
The S5 has larger brakes. And the ability to add the torque vectoring rear Sports differential, which is not available with 4 cylinder engines.
03-22-2019, 06:15 AM
#15
AudiWorld Super User
Heck, a Toyota Prius can get up to a 100 mph, its how you get up there that counts. If one was looking for a entry level sport luxury sedan for point A to point B transportation, the A5 is fine. If one was looking for something more, then the S5 should be consider. Same with the upgrade from S5 to RS5.
03-22-2019, 06:20 AM
#16
I find the A5 Cab to be a great riding car and fast enough for me. I've had many sports cars and to me, the S5 isn't worth 8-14K (depending on whether it's a coupe or cab) more than an A. Today, unlike the old days, there's not too many places you can really get a car up to the limits. Too much traffic and more sophisticated tactics by the cops. Yes, I get my A up to 100 now and then but not for long. I used to drive my 911 over 100 all the time but there was no where near the traffic there is now. It's one of those things that is personal to each person driving a car. Some people like to know the power and handling is there when they want it but for me the A is the right balance of everything. Fast enough and handles exceptionally well.
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Kamauxx (05-01-2021)
03-22-2019, 08:43 AM
#17
AudiWorld Member
Just my thoughts, but in the US, the S models are somewhat overkill. The RS models are definitely overkill.
I can’t ‘use’ all the performance my S4 can give, safely, anywhere, on any road.
In retrospect, I bought too much car, and an A4 PP with a few extras would have been more than enough.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore my S4–it’s such a competent, classy, comfortable, smooth ride. I just think I’d get 95% of that with an A model.
I can’t ‘use’ all the performance my S4 can give, safely, anywhere, on any road.
In retrospect, I bought too much car, and an A4 PP with a few extras would have been more than enough.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore my S4–it’s such a competent, classy, comfortable, smooth ride. I just think I’d get 95% of that with an A model.
03-22-2019, 08:51 AM
#18
AudiWorld Senior Member
The moral to the story to all these threads is you can't ask someone else how they feel about something to help you make a decision. These types of things you have to figure out on your own. Do your own research, test drive both vehicles, watch a few YouTube videos and make your decision.
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CraigR (05-01-2021)
03-22-2019, 09:24 AM
#20
Club AutoUnion
The moral to the story to all these threads is you can't ask someone else how they feel about something to help you make a decision. These types of things you have to figure out on your own. Do your own research, test drive both vehicles, watch a few YouTube videos and make your decision.
There is is no shortcut to doing your own research. Drive both models and base your decision on what works out best for you.
Anything less is pure laziness and you’ll deserve what you get!
— John