Audi A5 Sportback reviews show suspension problem

I'd still like to see it here if they work out the problems. I love the styling of the A5, but can't pull the trigger on a two-door. I think these problems may be the consequence of Audi's overly aggressive attempt to increase market share through niche-filling product diversity (even as un-diverse as it may seem in terms of styling and platform sharing). The A5 itself has not gone without problems and was listed in one UK survey as the most unreliable new model for 2009.

Even Toyota, who already knew how to build reliable cars, is beginning to see the folly of trying to dominate the global market. I hope Audi reigns it in a little because they can ill-afford another public-relations disaster like the "sudden acceleration" chapter of their life.

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/bargains-and-rip-offs/motoring/article.html?in_article_id=488819&in_page_id=53949&ito=1723

— AlleVier (View Profile)

Posted on 8/11/2009 11:42:19 PM | | Votes: 4   

Your dilemma is simple, buy an a4 or an a6... they look the same.

— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 8/12/2009 12:16:04 AM | | Votes: 3   

God is in the details, Joe--you devil worshipper. In the Sportback, at least one of the details has some functionality; the hatch. A couple of months ago I had to unbox an office chair in the Office Depot parking lot just to get it to fit into my A4. A hatch presents a pretty good proposition for occasional hauling.

Anyway, I'm not sure I understand the problem some have with Audis family resemblance or strictly evolutionary styling. This is how you build identity and this is how you get the "halo effect" to actually work. Few people bitch about Porsche's uniformity of style and when you look at the companies that have had a wild array of offerings and frequent, revolutionary restyling (GM, for example) you realize that all they've done is watered down their image and that of their successful models with embarrassing miscalculations like the Aztec. Then, when their customers are abandoning them and they can't figure out why, they revert to the old retro-inspired hail-Mary pass. But what do I know, Joe, maybe the Thunderbird brought you back to Ford.

— AlleVier (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2009 1:54:33 AM | | Votes: 2   

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results/First-drives/Audi-A5-Sportback-20-TDI-CAR-review/?content-block=1

http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Audi-A5-2.0-TFSI-Quattro-S-Line-Auto/241783/

http://www.channel4.com/4car/rt/audi/a5+sportback/31761/2

— TurboSpyder (View Profile)

Posted on 8/12/2009 10:33:48 AM | | Votes: -1   

True, but from reviews I've read they aren't head over heels for either the A5 OR S5, esp. the handling aspect.

Me, I won't get one simply because it lacks a fully opening sunroof. But have to admit that the cabrio seems intriguing.

— StarSearch (View Profile)

Posted on 8/12/2009 1:29:01 PM | | Votes: 1   

StarSearch. It might be that the reviews are not head over heals for the A5 or S5, but to have an article state that the Sportback has a "suspension problem" is misleading. Either way, the A5/S5 is a GT car so reviewers that throw it around a track and expect it to handle like an all out sports car are going to be disappointed.

— JustaCar (View Profile)

Posted on 8/12/2009 2:42:24 PM | | Votes: 3