2009 Audi A5 3.2 Oppo Review

"sellphones2493" (sellphones2493) 07/27/2014 at 19:44 • Filed to: None

3

9

Here I am, bored again on a Sunday. With the A5 leaving the stable in a few weeks for good, I figured I'd do a review on it. Prior to writing this, my mother (the owner) went on vacation, allowing me to let my S60R rest while this became my DD for a few days. The following observations have been made through only driving this specific A5. I can say throughout our ownership of all 58,000 miles that this car has, I probably drove about 1,000 of them.

(Full Disclosure: Audi wanted me to drive the 2009 A5 so badly, that Audi allowed my father to surprise my mother with an order sheet for a 2008 Audi A5 in early 2008. Our 2008 order eventually became a 2009, which was built, then damaged in a hail storm in Germany. We eventually made a new order because my mother wanted the tech package, which the original order didn't have. We made the new order which was slated for a mid-2009 delivery. However, we ended up taking someone else's A5 that no longer could purchase it [keep in mind this was in late 2008 when the stock market went]. Instead of having a Deep Sea Blue A5, we got a Brilliant Black one. Unbeknownst to a lot of people, getting an A5 was nearly impossible for the first two years of production. Inventory was slim and all the ones getting delivered were already sold. In the end, Audi even let us pay sticker price (MSRP) for the car !)

Exterior: 9/10

I know how these Jalopnik reviews work, and a 9/10 is a stupid-high score. However, this car has aged so marvelously. People still stare at this thing when they see it, and it's been out for over six years. The designer, Walter De Silva who designed Alfa's and such, claims that this is his favorite and best design ever. I wholeheartedly agree. There are very few cars on the road that are so understated, yet exude such a presence like the A5/S5/RS5 Variants. Everything about the exterior works. There isn't anything I'd change about it.

Interior: 8/10

Nothing is quite as well put together as an Audi (at least when it comes to the interior). While Mercedes focuses on luxury and BMW [once] focused on driver-oriented sportiness, Audi finds a comfortable mid-ground. There is no question that the craftsmanship that went into this car is beyond the realm of many cars on the road. Similar to the exterior, the interior has aged well, as it hasn't changed a whole lot on the 2015 A5. The steering wheel is perfectly shaped and sized, only to be complimented by a well-lit, fully visible gauge cluster. I didn't give the A5 a 10/10, as the sunroof doesn't open (only tilts), the windows whistle, and the HVAC unit is confusing and redundant. Furthermore, the 'Genuine Milano Leather' ($1,000 Option), doesn't feel all that special, and the seats lack much bolstering.

Acceleration: 6/10

Keep in mind, all current A5's (and any after 2010) have Audi's familiar 2.0 turbo. This one is equipped with Audi's oddball 3.2 V6, boasting 265hp. The 2.0 and 3.2 pretty much have the same acceleration and whatnot, but the 2.0 gets a much better gas mileage and costs less. The only real reason you would want the V6 over the 4 is to have that V6 growl - it sounds rather nice. Anyway, this thing isn't super fast, but it's no slouch either. With that said, it feels super slow when comparing it to my Volvo or my father's A6. Ultimately, I expect more out of a V6 in such a car.

Braking: 9/10

I unfortunately got to test these this afternoon, when a 2015 Civic Si veered into oncoming traffic when pulling out of a driveway (torque steer). I dropped from 45-0 on a dime. While loud when pushed to the limit, these braked are are damn confident. Very little dive, and no fade. They are stronger than the Brembo's in my Vo. Not a whole lot to say here - these things are good.

Ride: 7/10

This car is more of a highway cruiser than an autobahn burner. Everything is well controlled, but more isolated than I'd prefer (then again, I would have gotten the S-Line or an S5). It perfectly suits my 50-something mother, and fits between the ride in a BMW (maybe not the new stuff), and a Mercedes in terms of refinement.

Handling: 6/10

Nothing here is all that special. Quattro makes the handling very controlled, and confident. I wouldn't be afraid to toss this thing around a turn. While the tires could use an upgrade (it's running on some all-season Kuhmo's), it doesn't perform too badly. One thing I will note that I'm not a fan of is the speed-sensitive steering. I don't like it in any car. It's just confusing to me.

Gearbox: 5/10

It's a regular 6-Speed Auto with a manual function. All works well without much complaint, until I put it into 'S' Mode. The shifts are lengthened and proportioned well. However, anywhere between 1-4, it's super jerky with downshifting. While I do prefer rowing my own boat, I'd expect the automatic sport function on a car at this level to be more civilized.

Toys: 7.5/10

For a sticker price of $50,780 in 2008 (as an '09 model), you get a navigation system, Bang & Olufson Sound, Backup Camera, Backup Sensors, Satellite Radio, Adaptive bi-Xenon headlamps, upgraded leather, heated seats, dual climate control, and a fair amount of other shit. While definitely not a bargain; when compared to the offerings of BMW and Mercedes at the time, the Audi was at least 5K less. Not too shabby. My major complaint is that the iPod interface in here is absolutely atrocious. It sits in the glovebox, takes a few minutes to sync, and lacks convenient features, like shuffle and whatnot.

Audio: 8/10

The Bang & Olufson Sound System was well worth the $850 price tag. With 14 Speakers, everything is crystal clear. However, the audio system upstages the quality of satellite radio. As for the audio of the car, itself, Audi definitely mutes the mellifluous exhaust note of the 3.2 V6.

Value: 7/10

As stated earlier, this came out to be around $5,000 less than a comparable 335xi Coupe, and $10,000 less than a CLK-350. Yet $5,000 more than a comparable G37 Coupe. While $50k+ is a lot to ask for a car with comparable power and amenities to a 2014 Honda Accord V6 Coupe, you get absurdly good quality, good looks, Audi Quattro, and a spectacular resale value. It kind of sucks for us, as the base price of these was upwards of 41K for 2008-2009. Then, for the 2010 model year, it started at like $36k (it was less well-equipped, however).

If it says anything, my parents took a large step by leaving the BMW Brand when purchasing the A5. Since then, my father ditched his BMW and got a 2013 A6 3.0. It says something about the quality of this car, as my mother is replacing it with a 2015 A5 Cabriolet.

72.5/100

Engine: 3.2 V6

Horsepower: 265

Torque: 243lb/ft

0-60: 5.8seconds (I call BS)

Top Speed: 155 (says the internet)

Seating: You, your friend (in the passenger seat), and two 'acquaintances' (in the rear)

MSRP: $50,780

GhostZ > sellphones2493 07/27/2014 at 19:47

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WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO FOOL

jkm7680 > sellphones2493 07/27/2014 at 19:49

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Nice review, and nice car! The wheels appear to need cleaning though, Haha.

sellphones2493 > jkm7680 07/27/2014 at 19:53

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It's funny. I should have mentioned that this thing creates an absurd amount of brake-dust. What you see is pretty much from about 250 miles of driving.

jkm7680 > sellphones2493 07/27/2014 at 19:55

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Haha, Same with my old '08 A4 2.0T. That fucker was impossible to clean it all off, I had multi spoke wheels.

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/product-review…

sellphones2493 > jkm7680 07/27/2014 at 20:26

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Nice writeup! These are pretty easy to clean, given there are only 5 spokes.

jkm7680 > sellphones2493 07/27/2014 at 21:13

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Thanks! For my old A4 it was pretty hard, since it would get caked on thick every time.

Spasoje > sellphones2493 07/29/2014 at 19:14

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Would you be planning to do a review of your dad's A6? I ask since I'm seriously considering one... :)

sellphones2493 > Spasoje 07/29/2014 at 19:45

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I can't say I've driven it enough to make a solid review on it. They go away in a few days - if they don't drive to the airport I'll get my hands on it. If not, I'm not sure.

From what I can tell you from driving ~20 miles in it, it's super quick off the line, the 8-Speed Auto is brilliant, and the interior is ridiculously good. I have never been in a car that has such a solid 'thud' when closing the doors (and I've driven a far amount of cars, including a RR Phantom).

In the mean time, you can look at it.

Spasoje > sellphones2493 07/29/2014 at 19:49

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Interest is definitely piqued...also since it has the wheels I like.