No RS5 Love?

"MountainCommand" (MountainCommand)
11/11/2013 at 20:23 • Filed to: None

I have such a crush on this car. the S5 can be had wih a 6speed and a v8. I think this is a much prettier car than the r8. Why is this audi not more popular?

DISCUSSION (41)

Victorious Secret > MountainCommand
11/11/2013 at 20:31

Its like the old RS4. Great, capable and quite awesome but compared to the C63 or E92 it has no soul. Its tame. It is restrained. It isn't punching people in the face.

Milky > MountainCommand
11/11/2013 at 20:33

I have dreams that include this car and the mill from the RS3/TT-RS being turned 90 degree then dropped in and then tuned by ABT for 600hp. Because Quattro heritage.

Kinja'd!!!

Sn210 > MountainCommand
11/11/2013 at 20:34

Lots of love here! I think that front end is both beautiful and menacing at the same time.

Kinja'd!!!

drunkenup2 > MountainCommand
11/11/2013 at 20:37

"Only 1,500 examples of the 2013 Audi RS 5 will find their way to U.S. shores over the remaining two years of the car's production run." According to insideline

pretty expensive too, even compared to the M3 and C63 Coupe

Milky > Victorious Secret
11/11/2013 at 20:40

But, but ..... but some of us live in colder climates ....

Manuél Ferrari > MountainCommand
11/11/2013 at 20:45

Even though you think the RS5 is prettier than the R8 you still wouldn't kick a V10 R8 Coupe with the 6MT out of bed, would you? ;)

Kinja'd!!!

Textured Soy Protein > MountainCommand
11/11/2013 at 20:49

Maybe because it weighs 2 tons?

It's like a more refined GT-R with a nicer interior, more weight, and less power.

MountainCommand > Victorious Secret
11/11/2013 at 20:50

Its body is its soul. Personally i find the a5 so much more appealing by just looks alone. Id prefer my daily driver not to be punching people in the face. However, i dont want it to be a weakling either...

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > MountainCommand
11/11/2013 at 20:51

Yes, but I will gladly take the S5 as a substitute. Because

Kinja'd!!!

MountainCommand > drunkenup2
11/11/2013 at 20:51

I chose the rs5 because its a top model flagship. Id only get the ones with a manual.

But that also explains why i think ive only ever seen one RS5. ive seen s5's and a5's but and rs5 is rather rare, thats for sure.

PW Sherman > MountainCommand
11/11/2013 at 20:54

I love my v8 S5, would be fantasic if it had 100hp more like the RS! Pre-Facelift ones are so much better looking than the newer ones IMO, but they never made it across the pond :P

MountainCommand > Sn210
11/11/2013 at 20:55

Its that rear end that takes the cake for me. The way the trunk/rear wing/lip thing makes it look like a ducktail. And the super simple, attractive tail lights bring together the complete look with the diffuser-like rear end. The rear pillars remind me of a gtr too.

But the front end is genius without a doubt. those front splitters/lips in that silver color bring out such character with the car.

MountainCommand > Manuél Ferrari
11/11/2013 at 20:58

Shes just and overglorified TT. Its like giving a fat girl some crack before a night in the sack, sure she might give you a better time, but she still dont look all that great. =P

MountainCommand > PW Sherman
11/11/2013 at 21:02

How do you like it? Is there any complaints you have?(besides the power and facelift) Ive never actually talked to anyone with this car.

MountainCommand > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/11/2013 at 21:02

precisely.

MountainCommand > Textured Soy Protein
11/11/2013 at 21:04

Sometimes weight just isnt everything. if the chassis is well designed, you wont really feel the weight unless youre short minded to just a 0-60 time.

Manuél Ferrari > MountainCommand
11/11/2013 at 21:07

LOL. I hope everyone starts thinking like you so they begin depreciating hard and I can buy one cheap. They have held their value way too well.

I look at it the other way. Even though the TT came first it seems like the ugly girl that dresses like her hot friend to try to look good. The R8 isn't my favorite looking car of all time but I would definitely take one. Especially in that blue.

MountainCommand > Manuél Ferrari
11/11/2013 at 21:20

hahah, sadly, not many people probably think like me...

Sad thing is, i like cleanly modified TT's more than the r8.

And for a super car, i want it to be sexy and powerful. I want my moneys worth haha.

Aaron James > MountainCommand
11/11/2013 at 21:21

I like these cars but I think people who have the 70 or 80K to spend on a car would prefer a Mercedes or a BMW due to the perceived status those cars carry with them.

MountainCommand > Aaron James
11/11/2013 at 21:25

True, as shallow as that sounds... unfortunately.

Or maybe audi just doesnt do enough marketing for it. I cants say ive ever seen a commercial or magazine ad for it....

Manuél Ferrari > MountainCommand
11/11/2013 at 21:29

Have you seen the crazy TT race car with the massive wing? Not clean, but a beast. It spanks a lot of RWD cars on track:

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/audi-tt…

PW Sherman > MountainCommand
11/11/2013 at 21:37

First off it's a really nice DD. Very quiet and comfortable. This is much more a GT car then anything. It has tons of grip in the twisties and even though it's a heavy car it is really good in the canyons. My only complaints are that the back seats are useless for anyone taller then 5'8" and I average maybe 12-15mpg on the commute, and closer to 8 when I have some fun. Fantastic car though.

MountainCommand > PW Sherman
11/11/2013 at 21:42

How does the chassis feel to you. Strong and tight? That would be my main concern, suspension and chassis.

Ive come to accept that any coupe with rear seats doesnt mean people actually sit in them.

12-15 is slightly on the low side... But doable.

Enjoy that audi for me!

PW Sherman > MountainCommand
11/11/2013 at 22:10

I would recommend an Alu Kreuz upgrade, that helps a lot. It's a capable car stock, but I would get some good coilovers anyways. The noise it makes is really nice as well.

Textured Soy Protein > MountainCommand
11/11/2013 at 22:29

Weight doesn't just affect acceleration, it affects handling. All the chassis wizardry in the world can't defeat physics.

Having driven neither a GT-R nor an RS5, I can't make any real evaluations of how they handle. And yes, the GT-R is widely considered to be a great-handling car in spite of its weight. The GT-R has a spiffy computer controlled center diff and mechanical rear LSD. The RS5 has a mechanical center LSD and a spiffy rear computer controlled diff. So in theory, the RS5 could accomplish similar handling to the GT-R.

That said, of all the various cars I've driven over the years, I generally prefer the handling of the lighter ones over the heavier ones.

When I bought my current car, a BMW 135is coupe, I also checked out a 335i convertible. Same basic platform and motor but the 135 is about 3300 lbs whereas the 335 convertible is about 4000 lbs. Both cars have the M Sport package. I didn't pick the lighter car just based on the spec sheet, there was a noticeable difference in driving feel.

So, the reason I don't like the RS5 as a 4000 lb coupe is because I don't generally like 4000 lb cars.

Jayhawk Jake > MountainCommand
11/11/2013 at 22:48

Disagree that it's prettier than the R8, but I wouldn't say no.

My uncle has an S5, hopefully I can make a trip to visit at some point. My mom has a normal A5, and it's a fantastic car. Can't wait to play with it again over thanksgiving.

Aaron James > MountainCommand
11/11/2013 at 23:20

I think people want to drive a "status symbol" when they pay that kind of money. Everybody knows that MB and BMWs cost a lot of money and they have a reputation for being driven by people who've done well. They are kind of a symbol of success. I could be way off base here but that's the only explanation I can come up with because Audis are really good cars, they just don't have the name recognition.

William Byrd > MountainCommand
11/12/2013 at 07:45

Easily one of the best looking cars under $100K.

MountainCommand > William Byrd
11/12/2013 at 20:32

an s5 can be had well under 60. Which makes it a seriously NP for a brutal DD.

MountainCommand > Aaron James
11/12/2013 at 20:49

i halfway agree. BMW's (imo) dont have the same class/prestige as MB. I see 3 series's everywhere, just about as often as i see a civic or camry. Anyone with a credit card can buy a 3 series, and nobody takes care of them (i know its not always true but roll with it). The BMW's that have prestige are 5,6,7,8 series. maybe an x6. But id be willing to bet the total number of 3's are nearly equal to the amount of all their other cars.

MB on the other hand, (imo) does not have that same entry level appeal. I cant name you an entry level benz that everyone has. All the MB is see are rather diverse.

Audi, i feel is very similar to BMW. they have their entry level, but their high end just hasnt been able to sway the BMW elitists. Can you blame them? Im a bmw fan as well.

MountainCommand > Textured Soy Protein
11/12/2013 at 20:55

Well, i cant say you swayed me in your argument. You proved both side, haha.

Lighter can, and usually is better. BUT! and its a very big butt. Technology is the variable.

And you cant really compare a 1 series to a 3 series..... IMO thats not an accurate example. Especially considering they had the same engine! Of course the lighter one is gonna feel better no matter what. Wheelbase is different. Height and width are different.

Aaron James > MountainCommand
11/12/2013 at 21:07

I agree with everything you've said here. The MB is more for the classy wine and cheese crowd.

MountainCommand > Aaron James
11/12/2013 at 21:36

Well the majority is for those who eat whine and cheese. Im not sure what the people who buy the black editions eat.... bear maybe?

Aaron James > MountainCommand
11/12/2013 at 22:19

Wine and live Alligator that they wrestled away from a bear

MountainCommand > Aaron James
11/12/2013 at 22:48

ahhh yesssss, kinda like how the japanese will eat live octopus, except these owners chop that gator up right there and munch down.

Textured Soy Protein > MountainCommand
11/13/2013 at 11:47

I used the 1 coupe vs 3 convertible example because they have the same basic platform. Yeah they have different wheelbase etc but it's the same suspension, steering and overall weight distribution. So it's a good "all else being equal, the heavier car drives...heavier" comparison.

Dr Emilio Lizardo > Aaron James
11/22/2013 at 21:35

I drove a CLK 320 cabriolet. Put 120K miles on it in 9 years and enjoyed owning it. It needed one major transmission repair during that time and otherwise needed only gas, routine maintenance and tires. Lots of tires since the front and rear were different sizes and always unidirectional. I guess I saved time never having to get them rotated. It wasn't great in the snow, but take your time and you drive right by all the SUV's spun out in the ditch.

In February I traded it in for an S5 cabriolet and oh my god I love it. No less comfortable or civilized. Neck level heating is a great idea in a convertible. Four wheel drive which I think will come in useful over the next few months. Better mileage, more power. Everybody always looked at the little two door Mercedes convertible and thought it was a sports car but my wife's BMW X3 had better pickup and handling. It was a family sedan in a little car's body. It was fine, but it wasn't a sports car. The S5 is like Gayle Sayers- just give me 18 inches of daylight and I'll make it happen. Sometimes I catch myself smiling or even giggling when driving it a little aggressively. It's really hard to spin the tires on dry pavement and I can take right turns at 30 MPH with almost no body lean. Owning two sets of wheels and tires is a little bit of a pain, but those two sets will last me longer than 3 or four sets on the CLK. The electronics controls could use a touch of tweaking - why the radio doesn't default to presets I can't understand - but that's minor. This is a practical, fun, beautiful (Estoril Blue - incredible color), baby supercar and right now I can see myself replacing it with another of the same in a few years which I never thought of my Mercedes or the Sebring convertible I had before that one. The only thing that remains to be seen is if it is as reliable as the Mercedes. So basically, screw status. I'm having fun.

Aaron James > Dr Emilio Lizardo
11/22/2013 at 21:47

In my opinion, fun, and driving experience is way more important than having that BMW or Merc badge. I think you made the right choice here and it's apparent you're glad you got it. I think if more people test drove these instead of just defaulting to a brand image, many more would be sold. The Modern Audis are really really good cars and I think as more people buy them and their friends see and ride in them that will help also. But there will still be people who refuse them because it's not an "elite" brand but really it's their loss.

Aaron James > Dr Emilio Lizardo
11/22/2013 at 21:48

Great color choice too, one of my favorite colors for cars.

Dr Emilio Lizardo > Aaron James
11/22/2013 at 22:12

I thought about a six series BMW convertible, but this was about $30,000 less and just less...fussy. Not that I care all that much, but nobody looks at an Audi and thinks "that guy is an asshole." The 6 series kinda has that vibe.

Aaron James > Dr Emilio Lizardo
11/22/2013 at 22:28

That's a great point, sometimes the badge goes against what the desired effect is. I'm not a fan of badge snobbery but it certainly exists. My original comment was just my thoughts on why more people don't drive these, I think those people are choosing cars for the wrong reasons. I have to admit though If I had the money I would love to have an M5, not just because it's a BMW but because they are so badass. I'd probably be happier in the long run with an Audi though. you just can't use the power of an M5 very often.