A5/S5/RS5 Audi RS5 - First Drives and Driving Impressions (Autocar, Edmunds,…)

[DOMINUS]

Why is every new car getting "better balanced". Why cant they either focus on sport or comfort. Today cars are a compromise between sport and comfort. When the next generation M3 comes then you can be sure everybody is going to say "the new M3 is better balanced M3 than ever, better than the competition too".

Oh so boring, people are really spoiled today.

I hear you Just_me. I think it's marketing more than anything else. The car makers need to sell cars. Not everyone (including myself) are not track junkies. So the cars have to be livable on a daily basis and also provide sporting characteristics when needed. The cars of late are "Jacks of all trades, masters of none". Take for example the Lotus cars. Very good on the track but horrible if it's your only car to live with daily. Too harsh and focused for anything but the track. Some love it and some will need a 2nd car. I know I can afford to have one of these cars in this segment, not two. So my choice like I said is based now on my geological area with snow into consideration. For those who can afford both, hey more power to you and enjoy your toys. We will envy you from afar lol.

 

[Zafiro]

I dont want M3/RS5 to be a pure trackcar. It still need to work for everyday use. But I dont mind if M3/RS5 were like M3 E46 and RS4 (like the old days). IMO opinion they worked very well as a everyday car. All the refinement and luxury people are asking for today is beyond me.
Maybe people who ask for comfort and refinement should buy something else than M3 or a RS5, perhaps a 335i or a S4 is a better choice

 

[DOMINUS]

I dont want M3/RS5 to be a pure trackcar. It still need to work for everyday use. But I dont mind if M3/RS5 were like M3 E46 and RS4 (like the old days). IMO opinion they worked very well as a everyday car. All the refinement and luxury people are asking for today is beyond me.
Maybe people who ask for comfort and refinement should buy something else than M3 or a RS5, perhaps a 335i or a S4 is a better choice

That's true too. The 335i or S4/S5 would do the trick for some and the M's and RS's and AMG's should be closer to a track day car rather than trying to please everyone.

 

[footie]

I understand why both of you feel this way, but the odd thing is that this arguably the least focused of all M3s will prove to be the most popular. So the evidence is conflicting with what most here are desiring these cars to be.

Personally I don't mind my M/RS/AMG to offer all the refinement/luxury/sportiness that they are currently offering, in fact the E92 was the only M3 that ever appealed to me so I am probably in a minority on here in preferring the way they are now becoming.

If I had to be prefectly honest with you Just_Me, I think your biggest complaint with the RS5 will be it's choice of gearbox, I have the DSG in my S4 and the box is extremely refined in auto mode and even in manual it's buttery smooth on changes.

 

[footie]

Hey Footie I caught you sleeping at the wheel lol. That's ok though, we all can contribute to the site. I think you are right. That's how these cars will stack up after the dust settles. I for one will need the AWD but for those living in climates that are not affected by snow, it gets a little more interesting. That white looks so good but now the blue is growing on me and I still have yet to see a gray one except for the pace car with the amber lights on top. He said that it feels like a GT and has unique steering feel. Overall it's a positive review I think.

Grey is probably the colour I would recommend with this car, it looks good regardless of whether you stick with the normal car or pick either of the style packages. The other nice thing about the grey is that on opening the door it goes surprisingly well with the silver leather seats.

 

[DOMINUS]

I understand why both of you feel this way, but the odd thing is that this arguably the least focused of all M3s will prove to be the most popular. So the evidence is conflicting with what most here are desiring these cars to be.

Personally I don't mind my M/RS/AMG to offer all the refinement/luxury/sportiness that they are currently offering, in fact the E92 was the only M3 that ever appealed to me so I am probably in a minority on here in preferring the way they are now becoming.

If I had to be prefectly honest with you Just_Me, I think your biggest complaint with the RS5 will be it's choice of gearbox, I have the DSG in my S4 and the box is extremely refined in auto mode and even in manual it's buttery smooth on changes.

Footie I happen to love my M. It's a great car. I've never owned or driven any other M. I got a ride in the E46 M but that's too long ago to remember what it was like. The funny thing is I can live with the way the car is now. The ZCP might be ideal. If the RS5 is similar to what the M offers I'll be happy.

 

[Iamnotme]

Iamnotme do you have anymore in white and blue? I promise I'll leave you alone after this.

This is not exactly white, it's Suzuka Grey, but...

Btw, Erik from RS6.com had the opportunity to go for a ride in the passenger's seat of an RS5 in the Nurburgring.

Here's his report, along with some lovely photos.

 

[DOMINUS]

That is not a (safety) feature at all. It's just a weird effect that happens when filming LED's. I think that it is also related to the camera angle and such.

This was particulary noticeable in the Autocar videotest of the RS5.In fact, all of the LED's are always on, but because of the movement, it would give us the illusion that they're flashing.

Another example is a video of Chris Harris comparing the Bentley Continental GT with the Ferrari 599 GTB and the an Aston Martin. There's a scene where Chris drifts the 599 GTB and its rear lights are constantly flashing during the drift, to the point that they looked like a police car's lightbar.

Oh ok well that seems to clear it up. Thanks.

 

[Poverty]

I dont want M3/RS5 to be a pure trackcar. It still need to work for everyday use. But I dont mind if M3/RS5 were like M3 E46 and RS4 (like the old days). IMO opinion they worked very well as a everyday car. All the refinement and luxury people are asking for today is beyond me.
Maybe people who ask for comfort and refinement should buy something else than M3 or a RS5, perhaps a 335i or a S4 is a better choice

agreed 100%

Luxury and performance dont go together well.

 

[DOMINUS]

Guys any thoughts on the RS5's tranny and no loss in momentum with each shift? I know this sparked a huge debate in the M3 forums and the "surge" you feel when shifting with the M-DCT.

 

[footie]

Guys any thoughts on the RS5's tranny and no loss in momentum with each shift? I know this sparked a huge debate in the M3 forums and the "surge" you feel when shifting with the M-DCT.

I really enjoyed that debate for obvious reasons so I'm willing to discuss this.

Basically the transmission in my S4 is the same minus the LC and the ability to hold on to the gear instead of shifting up at the redline. It's extremely smooth at the limit and you definitely don't notice any loss in momentum but only data can truly back this opinion up.

 

[DOMINUS]

I really enjoyed that debate for obvious reasons so I'm willing to discuss this.

Basically the transmission in my S4 is the same minus the LC and the ability to hold on to the gear instead of shifting up at the redline. It's extremely smooth at the limit and you definitely don't notice any loss in momentum but only data can truly back this opinion up.

Ok. Is the S-tronic rated as faster shifting than the M-DCT? My thinking is that the shifts can be quick enough to either eliminate the loss in momentum or that loss would be so small that it won't have any noticeable effect. The M-DCT does a great job at this.

 

[footie]

Ok. Is the S-tronic rated as faster shifting than the M-DCT? My thinking is that the shifts can be quick enough to either eliminate the loss in momentum or that loss would be so small that it won't have any noticeable effect. The M-DCT does a great job at this.

No I don't think it's any quicker regarding the shift times, and even if it were we are only talking about a few Ms which is not noticeable to you, me and most normal equipment. As far as the shifts go the M-DCT was prefect, ultra quick and depending on the mode you pick it would utlra smooth too, exactly how S-Tronic/DSG behaves, but it's in the software where I feel the DSG is a bit better, especially so in 'Auto' mode.

 

[DOMINUS]

No I don't think it's any quicker regarding the shift times, and even if it were we are only talking about a few Ms which is not noticeable to you, me and most normal equipment. As far as the shifts go the M-DCT was prefect, ultra quick and depending on the mode you pick it would utlra smooth too, exactly how S-Tronic/DSG behaves, but it's in the software where I feel the DSG is a bit better, especially so in 'Auto' mode.

Auto mode is very smooth in the M3. I use the manual mode about 98% of the time though (2% is when my girl is with me). I'm interested in seeing if the S-tronic/DSG in the RS5 fixes the "2nd gear lag" hat the M3 suffers from. The magazines may or may not address this. I can't recall an article speaking about this. I first heard about it on the forums and then experienced it firsthand when I got my car.

 

[ree]

Moved some of your posts to the Official RS5 thread (http://www.germancarforum.com/a5-s5-rs5/32380-official-audi-rs5.html) because they were "off-topic" here…but fits perfect to the official thread.

 

[footie]

Auto mode is very smooth in the M3. I use the manual mode about 98% of the time though (2% is when my girl is with me). I'm interested in seeing if the S-tronic/DSG in the RS5 fixes the "2nd gear lag" hat the M3 suffers from. The magazines may or may not address this. I can't recall an article speaking about this. I first heard about it on the forums and then experienced it firsthand when I got my car.

I can tell you with 100% certainty that the S-Tronic/Dsg in the Audi RS5 doesn't have any issues regarding the problems we both suffered in our M3s. From my experience of owning both systems I can tell you that were as my M3 tried to downshift to second gear turning corner at 10-15mph my S4 DSG sticks to third and suffers no problems, the fact that this car replaced my Jag XF which has arguably one of the finest automatic/engine combinations this side of the new ZF8sp I have to say that the DSG in the S4 is every bit as good which is extremely high praise.

 

[DOMINUS]

I can tell you with 100% certainty that the S-Tronic/Dsg in the Audi RS5 doesn't have any issues regarding the problems we both suffered in our M3s. From my experience of owning both systems I can tell you that were as my M3 tried to downshift to second gear turning corner at 10-15mph my S4 DSG sticks to third and suffers no problems, the fact that this car replaced my Jag XF which has arguably one of the finest automatic/engine combinations this side of the new ZF8sp I have to say that the DSG in the S4 is every bit as good which is extremely high praise.

Ok that's good to know. That's the only gripe I have with the M. That and everyone and their mother has one. Just yesterday I almost had an accident with the lag. I was approaching an intersection to make a left and there was an oncoming car approaching as well. After deciding that I could make the turn safely and started the turn "lag" said no no no and instead of confidently turning, the car rolled ever so slowly as the electronics tries to figure out what gear to go into. Then it decided that 1st was the best gear and BOOM: fishtail. An unexpected and unintended fishtail is not a good feeling and the other driver mustve thought I can't drive or that I was playing chicken with him. This might be a little off topic as well but it's some good info for those who are in the market for any one of these cars. They need to hear the experiences of owners and not just what the journalists say.

 

[footie]

Ok that's good to know. That's the only gripe I have with the M. That and everyone and their mother has one. Just yesterday I almost had an accident with the lag. I was approaching an intersection to make a left and there was an oncoming car approaching as well. After deciding that I could make the turn safely and started the turn "lag" said no no no and instead of confidently turning, the car rolled ever so slowly as the electronics tries to figure out what gear to go into. Then it decided that 1st was the best gear and BOOM: fishtail. An unexpected and unintended fishtail is not a good feeling and the other driver mustve thought I can't drive or that I was playing chicken with him. This might be a little off topic as well but it's some good info for those who are in the market for any one of these cars. They need to hear the experiences of owners and not just what the journalists say.

Anyone who has owned or still does own the M-DCT M3 will fully understand the 'Oh shit' moment you are describing, I know I do as I had something very similar.

And I bet you will equally agree that when the gearbox was perfroming perfectly the car was something else, definitely BMW's finest hour in my opinion.

 

[Iamnotme]

Telegraph.co.uk's first drive

 

[footie]

^ Chalk up another positive review for the RS5...........what's the count at now.