Nikon1

PURELY GUESSING — but I would say indirect as the 2019 RS5 is the only A5 / S5 / RS5 Series. But, this is only my guess!

According to someone who knows (posting earlier in this thread) Audi gets a LOT of $$$$ for their TPMS sensors.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SYMAWD

They are ~$150 each from Audi. I'd rather check on my own for free.

— John

Yoshimura

RS5 sensor are $126 each

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...ch/5q0907275b/

Nikon1

That’s fine — but you have not included the costs of Receiver & Decoder to receive and decode the 4 / 5 TPMS sensor senders. And I doubt you could graft that into the existing MMI system successfully.

— John

-=Hot|Ice=-

Why would you buy direct from Audi when you can get the exact same thing for cheaper somewhere else? I mean unless you like throwing money away. I've found sensor for $30 on Amazon.

Again, these sensors would cost Audi pennies if they used on their lineup of cars. What's more frustrating is that BMW and Mercedes use them and they're priced exactly the same. Zero excuse other than Audi being cheap. Once a direct TPMS is installed, you don't have to get out of the car in the freezing cold or in the rain or in snow or in 100 degree heat to check a tire. Do it from the comfort of your seat in your heated or air conditioned Audi. Even with the RS cars, they are optional which in my opinion is BS. It's 2019. Things like this should be standard across the board.

These are small niggles but I don't know if I'll be purchasing another Audi. With premium segment cars, it really is in the details.

-=Hot|Ice=-

Audi's are not designed for 'Driving Enthusiasts' A car with 60% of its weight over the front does not scream 'driving enthusiast'. Weekend warrior, maybe. That's all I'll give it though.

Glisse

The Sportback does not have a 60/40 weight distribution. Neither does an R8 for that matter.

The majority of Audi owners globally are unlikely to want a direct TPMS fitted as standard equipment. By example, it is mandatory to change tyres / wheels between the seasons in much of Europe - a region twice the size of North America in Audi volume terms. As an option, fine, and Audi is rolling this option out in new models. The option price is around $250, this will vary a little from model to model, market to market.

As Audi USA dealers do not like long option lists (because most of their customers prefer to buy off the lot rather than factory ordering), it is possible that the option will not be made available in your specific market. Or if Audi of America feel that the majority of customers would prefer it, include it as standard equipment. Just like they do with, say, a sunroof.

And in the case of RS vehicles, the primary advantage of the direct system is monitoring tyre temperatures. Not for knowing you have a puncture - the indirect system is more reliable for that function. Of course, there is the convenience factor. At a guess, I would say the majority of owners never check their tyre pressures. At least with the direct system, some of these owners might remember now and then to bring up the MMI screen and have a look. But even then, probably only a minority would. And then that assumes that owners know what tyre pressures they should be using. How often on these forums do we read about owners using the maximum load capacity pressures on their lightly loaded cars? Rhetorical question - often.

But yes, Audi spare parts pricing is high. This should not be news

I agree that you have to watch the details going forward. All the manufacturers are cost cutting / chasing margins to fund the development stage of EV.

Yoshimura

I was just saying they were not a $20-$30 sensor. :-)

JD15

The indirect TPMS has successfully alerted me each time I had a flat tire on my previous Audi and I am not afraid to perform the arduous task of checking and adjusting my tire pressure manually. I used to frequently switch wheels and I appreciated the passive system for its simplicity.

The G Man

You have been drinking that BMW kool aid for too long my friend, weight distribution is not the only factor in how a car handles.

Just took a look on Amazon and none of those $40 sensors fit the B9 S5. In addition to the 4 sensors, there is also the upfront cost of the receiver and the control unit.

John Harry

I have a Corvette with direct TPMS and an A5 SB with indirect. People on AudiWorld complain about indirect, people on Corvette Forum complain about direct. There's advantages and disadvantages to each. Neither one eliminates your responsibility to check tire pressures occasionally with a good gauge.