Is the awesome RS5 little more than a badge?

"JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty)
11/05/2014 at 19:06 • Filed to: None

Up until recently, you could get the S5 or S4 with the revvy 4.2 V8 and a stick. You can get the RS models with the 4.2 V8, without the stick and for more money. And moar power , but let's call it what it is 99% of the time: the need to baby it more and not open it up quite as much. Buyers probably care more about the badge, generally (because I'll make a generalization and call the target buyer a trust funded douchebro), but I don't see why the RS5 would appeal to me much more than the lowly, unexclusive paupermobile that is a 2012 S5 6MT. Suspension differences can be made up for, too.

(They now have the poorly named 'V6T' engine which isn't all that exciting to me)

Anyways, if you were in the mood to spend a ton of money on a V8 Audi coupe that's about 2 years old, you can thank me later.

DISCUSSION (8)

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/05/2014 at 19:12

Manuél in the S5 = better

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro
11/05/2014 at 19:14

Definitely! But not a V6 one.

Also, I feel like this was probably the topic of the next Doug demuro article. His would've been more humorous. But I'd expect a HT still.

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/05/2014 at 19:15

I expect HTs for things a lot. And I've only ever gotten one ever.

Saracen > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/05/2014 at 19:16

The quattro gmbh edition of the Audi 4.2 FSI makes some of the best engine noises on earth. That is all the reason I need to prefer the RS5.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Saracen
11/05/2014 at 19:19

They do sound incredible. Assuming I was a millionaire, I'd try to do an engine swap, I guess.

Saracen > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/05/2014 at 19:26

Don't know if that would be worth it...dealing with the additional electronics for the DSG gearbox would be a nightmare. You'd be better off using the V8 from a B7 RS4 if you want one in a manual S5.

This is one of the few cases where I would take the flappy paddle car over the three pedal car..

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Saracen
11/05/2014 at 19:33

Yeah I wasn't really being serious. Not shifting is worth it for the noise, but then why not buy an E9x M3 or E60 M5 or maybe Z4 M Coupe instead?

Saracen > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/05/2014 at 19:43

of course, I would take the E90 M3, but in this context I would take the RS5.

E60 M5, never driven one, but I still find it very unattractive.

I've driven a Z4 M and it was so damn claustrophobic. I would prefer the TT-RS...the interior is quite a bit roomier.