The Audi S5 Falls Short In The TTAC Acid Test

Too bad it was a bit overproduced without any power to justify its existence as an "S" series.

— quizz (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2007 3:24:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

yes i think a V8 powered 350BHP car (S5) shouldn't be compared with the 6 cylinder 300BHP car (335i, G37)

It's suppose to be better. But S5 isn't.

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2007 3:42:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

There is a white S5 with Mustang Brown interior that has been at my local Audi dealer for a few weeks now. I finally popped in to check it out, and the salesmen was practically begging for me to purchase it....

I drove it, was totally unimpressed, my 335i is quicker and feels much more agile and is a whole lot more fun to drive.

Not to mention, my car was 7 grand cheaper and came with free maintenance.

I think this car is certainly a step up for Audi, but its still lacking in certain areas that would prevent me from actually buying one.

Several people that day also remarked how similiar the coupes design was to my E92, especially because both cars were parked next to each other and painted white.

— Chip (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2007 4:23:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

1. The review had way too much metaphors. I thought I was back in English class for a second there...

2. I think that the S5 is a great car, and of course, it is definitely not as quick and crisp as a 335xi, mainly because its a BMW... :) But I think that the S5's pricing and performance is definitely something that I question.

3. I would still buy it because I think its a great looking car and its extremely well built.

— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2007 4:51:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Whats with the goofy sunroof, BMW 6er has the same problem.

— theoptimisticpessimist (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2007 4:57:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Jay Shoemaker often comes across as little more than the Dennis Miller of automotive journalism.

Note to Mr. Shoemaker anyone can use a thesaurus, the key is to know your audience and use said reference wisely...

— DaHarder (View Profile)

Posted on 12/26/2007 9:40:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

I am too tall to fit into either the Audi S5 or the BMW 335i coupe. As I do not have a dog in this fight, I think I can objectively evaluate these two splendid cars.

The S5 is often described as a GT, while the 335i seems to have a more sporty character. However, the Audi and the BMW are very closely matched in terms of actual performance. (The reviews in "Car & Driver" and "Road & Track" make this clear.) Surprisingly, the BMW can almost match the Audi's acceleration numbers, even though the Audi has a 54-hp advantage and a better power-to-weight ratio. The BMW has much better gas mileage than the Audi as well. (Apparently BMW is being very conservative with the hp and torque ratings for that twin-turbo 3.5-liter six.) The Audi would have the handling advantage in bad weather. One could purchase the 335xi if one wanted to improve the BMW's bad-weather capability, but that car would not accelerate or handle as well as the S5.

There is nothing really wrong with the 335i's exterior styling, but here the S5 wins hands down.

The Audi's interior design, materials, and fit and finish are better than the BMW's, even though there is nothing really wrong with the Bimmer's interior. The Audi has a larger trunk, but the BMW has more rear-seat headroom. (That said, someone as tall as me - 6'4" with a long torso - would not be comfortable in either car's rear seat.)

If both cars were comparably equipped, the BMW would be a few thousand dollars cheaper. However, I wouldn't think a $4-5,000 price difference would mean much when shopping for cars this expensive. That goes double when one is considering cars like these two, where emotions play such a large role in the final purchase decision. These cars are sport coupes, not refrigerators.

So there you have it. No "slam dunk" victory for either car. Six of one and half-dozen of the other. Decide which vehicle is more appealing or better meets your needs, and make your purchase decision accordingly. I don't think you would be disappointed with either one.

— Audiphile (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2007 2:47:28 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

amazingBimmer: I am very pro-BMW and know they are the leader of the 3 mainstream German manufacturers in terms of handling.

But Audi have achieved more recently against Merc in that segment with the RS4 and R8. I love the C63, but the reviews I've seen show it has too much power and not a good enough chassis to handle it (what chassis could handle that much power??)

— TimmyG (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2007 6:15:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

engine or chassis firepower???? somebody just conveniently fails to mention the forthcoming RS5, the RS6, the TT-RS, and R8 V10.

Those four cars will show you Audi's lack of engine or chassis firepower, AmazinIdiot.

480 horsepower V8 with Audi's trademark RS magic for the RS5. BMW's M3 is only packing 420 and the RS5 is lighter than the RS4 remember that one.

580 horespower, twin-turbo V10 and again Audi's trademark RS magic for the RS6. The sedan version of the RS6 has been tested unofficially as 0-60 in 3.6 seconds. The BMW M5 has only achieved 4.1 as its best time.

350 horsepower 5 cylinder for the TTRS to take down the Z4M roadster.

500 horsepower NA V10 for the R8, which will propel the V10 model to 60 in the mid 3-second range.


What say you, Moron???

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2007 11:28:54 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Answer me this amazinIdit: Why don't you EVER post on an Audi R8 article?

I ask that you attempt to bash Audi's R8, and in the process of doing so, look like a fool on another article that I will post where the Audi wins a comparison test against such cars as the Porsche 911 C4S, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Jaguar XKR, BMW M6 etc....

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2007 11:32:55 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

This dude it about as credible as any president with the last name bush. I take the word of anyone who openly admits to wanting something as overrated and underwhelming as a black series, with half of a half of a grain of salt.

His assessment is pretty much the exact opposite of almost every credible review written about the S. Even in this week's Autoweek, the article completely contradicts his. Where he says the design elements come across as a "hissy fit," AW says it's "absolutely fantastic." Where he disses the interior, AW calls it "nearly as impressive (as the exterior)". Where he says the seats are a "disappointment," AW says they're "some of the best available."

They also find the MMI operation intuitive, and praised the tranny and the car's handling; once again, things this geek knocked. Bottom line, if I had his article in print, it wouldn't even be worth wiping up dog vomit.

— tattedtwice (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2007 2:43:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

The title of the article read "The Audi S5 Falls Short", that all everyone up here need to know. For car that cost to up to $60k, it pathetic. The even the regular 335i beat this thing. Just imagine what an M3 could do to this car?

— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2007 6:41:13 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I am still amazed at the ignorance, the blindness and the bias of some of you guys, to name a few, Lexus and amazing bimmers.

I said that before, regarding the S5, this is not a competition to the M3 and this is barely a competition to the 335i. This is more something in between the 335i, the M3 and the 6 series.
The 6 is too much of a luxo-barge and the 3 series is too much of a "boyracer" image, so Audi decided to try to fill the gap in between.

If you, fanboys, can't see and appreciate that, then you should not call yourselves car enthusiasts. Anyway, what car enthusiast has the handle "lexus"
Because there is surely no enthusiasm in this brand...
Lexus= Looser, Explain U S*ck

Anyway, I agree with Tattedwice, this guy oesn't know s*%t about cars, and voices his opinion, but with no knowledge, no fact finding and in total opposition of most of mainstream automotive magazines.

SO WHO CARES BUT AGENT 009, TRYING TO START ANOTHER FLAME WARS.

— 1evlaudi (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2007 1:01:36 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

well its better looking than a 6 series at least.

I WOULD RECOMMEND ALL OF YOU TO BUY A SL or A CL klasse. It will provide solutions to all of your problems. ;)

— c36amg (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2007 6:35:25 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

I like it and would choose it over the 335 coupe. It just looks better. However I havet driven it.

— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2007 5:36:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1