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edmunds Inside Line Full Test: Audi S5

chewy submitted on 8/2/2007 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 2:35:27 PM

48 user comments | Category: Reviews | Source: | SOURCE: www.edmunds.com

Tag Links: Audi, S5

Inside Line tested the Audi S5 and praised its exterior styling while enjoying its grand tourer capabilites.

They also liked how Audi was able to incorporate electronics into the interior. Click the link for a video, more photos and more information about the S5.

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<--- My future car!
— chewy (View Profile)

User Comments

If Audi can make a <3,600lbs v8 AWD S5, how the heck Infiniti makes its v6 G37 weight 3,700lbs?

I think BMW is done. The 450hp RS5 is completely unnecessary.
— SupraNeverBack (View Profile)

Posted on 8/2/2007 4:07:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

SupraNeverBack, why do you say BMW is done?
— Qwazywabbit (View Profile)

Posted on 8/2/2007 5:10:12 PM | | Votes: 0

this exact car was at our dealership

wow the pics do not tell the story of this car
the exaust sounds great also

WOW
— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

Posted on 8/3/2007 3:26:50 PM | | Votes: 3

The RS5 is not necessary, no, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't want one. From hearing all the hype about how gorgeous this car is in person, I can't wait to see it on my dealer lot. I may have to get an S5 or RS5 coupe as my "second" car- we already have a four-door car anyway, the A3.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2007 1:28:02 AM | | Votes: 2

That article has a lot of facts wrong, even though it is positive of the car. The car weighs only 3586 pounds. And the article says that the B&O sound system is $6300, the same as the A8, even though it is much cheaper (about $1000)

AS-TESTED PRICE: $52,000 (est)
DRIVETRAIN: 4.2-liter V8; awd, six-speed manual
OUTPUT: 354 hp @ 7000 rpm, 325 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
CURB WEIGHT: 3586 lb
(From Autoweek)
— Treeman888 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/2/2007 4:59:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

At least they say the sound system sounds better than the B&O on the S8. hehehehhe...it is like 5 grand cheaper too. Yay for Value.
— Treeman888 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/2/2007 5:03:00 PM | | Votes: 2

The article also assumes that the S5 is a natural competitor to the 6 series whilst in actuality its competitor from BMW is the E92 335i or the CLK.
The S5 is 4.4 inches longer than the 335i and 1.5 inches longer than the CLK but 5.6 inches shorter than the 650i.
In terms of performance it is comparable to the 335i, and the price spread is better positioned as a 335i or CLK alternative rather than a 650i alternative
— AdmiralT20 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/2/2007 5:19:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

It may be true in size but nobody compares the CLK with the 3 Series. Especially not in price or even engine. I have a CLK and I crosshopped the 6 Series and the XK. The 3 Series wasn't even a thought in my mind when looking at cars.
T
— TauronB2G (View Profile)

Posted on 8/2/2007 6:48:41 PM | | Votes: -1

sorry but the CLK is a 3-series competitor. The A5/S5 is a 3-series competitor too. You might not have cross shopped the 3-series coupe when you bought your CLK, but that doesn't mean they're not competitors. I'll guarantee you Mercedes considers them competitors, at least until they come out with a C-class coupe (and when that happens they'll jack the price of the CLK right up to the range the 6-series is in so it slots between the C coupe and the CL). I could see not looking at a 2006 and previous 3-series when looking at the CLK because they were pretty different cars, the CLK was nicer while the 3-series was more sporty, but if you look at a new CLK and don't consider the new 3-series coupe then you're just crazy.

As for the A5/S5 I think that's going to be a really nice car. But the S5 offers basically identical performance to the 335i Coupe (and will likely be slightly slower than the 335xi Coupe coming out in October) but will cost quite a bit more. The estimated as tested price of the S5 Edmunds just tested was $62k. That's about $10k more than a fully, fully loaded 335i Coupe and $8k more than a loaded 335xi Coupe will be.
— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 8/2/2007 7:47:08 PM | | Votes: 2

Yup, CLK is a 3-series COUPE competitor for sure. C-class is a 3-series SEDAN competitor. The BMW 6 series is aligned with the Mercedes CL class, and 6 series convertible is aligned with Mercedes SL.

My girlfriend owns a CLK and is seriously considering jumping into the 335i coupe. She said: "Now THATS a BMW that is as sexy or sexier than my Benz, finally"

Anyway...
— indoctrin8ed (View Profile)

Posted on 8/2/2007 8:33:45 PM | | Votes: 2

I'm going to cross-shop the CLK350 convert with the 335i convert for my wife, so yes, they're competitors. The 335i is $58K with her options, and the CLK is $65K, so that's not exactly a different stratosphere, Tauron. I know you have a click five and would like to think it's a level above the 3 Series, but when I had it for a day in Los Angeles (last year), it was fun, but not as exciting as my S4.

In other news... I noticed the S5 vs. 650i thing, too, and still wonder why people think that. If I remember, it's not 4 inches longer than the E92 (where did you get that information?), it's only two inches longer!
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2007 1:31:42 AM | | Votes: 1

I would never compare a clk to a 6-series ... they are nowhere even close to the same car. clk , A5 & 335 are all about the same in class and comparison. seems like a pretty nice review of the S5. I thought it would be a little quicker and such. The BMW 335 RWD coupe has been 4.8 with the estimates of the 335xi coupe to be .1 to .2 quicker than that ... have to wait and see ...
— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 8/2/2007 7:02:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

The S5 has done it in 4.5 seconds. And I'll wait and see some numbers for the 335xi.
— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 8/2/2007 7:52:32 PM | | Votes: 2

You don't think 4.9 seconds is quick enough? What world do we live in? It's only $50K. I'd say that's an excellent time for a car that is considered average-priced as a luxury coupe. And as chewy said, it has been recorded doing much quicker than that, so it's about in between the new M3 and the 335i. The RS5 should blow the doors off the BMW.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2007 1:34:47 AM | | Votes: 1

S4, considering the S5 costs what the M3 does I'd hope the RS5 would blow the doors off the M3. We'll see what the M3 CSL costs compared to the RS5 and how they compare performance-wise, since they'll be more direct competitors. I don't think there'll be any doors getting blown off of either of them.
— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2007 5:53:55 PM | | Votes: 1

Hot car -- seems a tad bit large for my taste, but not as large as say, a 6-series (which I'm very fond of as well). Can't wait for the RS5.
— rgeSK (View Profile)

Posted on 8/2/2007 7:15:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

I don't know where this 450 horsepower in the RS5 came about. Yes, it will have more horsepower than the current 420 horsepower RS4, but it will be even more powerful than just 450.

If the RS4 gets boosted to 450 hp for 2008, expect the RS5 to come with somewhere around 475.

The first very positive review of the S5 that I have read so far. All other mags enjoyed it but wondered why Audi makes psuedo-sporty cars in the "S" line when someone can just get a regular A4/5/6 and get the "S-line" package to make the styling almost the same and improve performance.

The RS lineup of Audis is obviously the flagship performance line that competes with BMW M and Mercedes AMG.

The RS lineup is obviously taking horsepower to another level as we speak with the RS4 boosting things to 420 and the forthcoming RS6 confirmed at 580. The RS5 will likely move the 420 mark even further up to 470 when it debuts next spring or fall.

The S models are a waste of money and they lack performance to compete with BMW M and Mercedes AMG.
— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 8/2/2007 7:16:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

You didn't see that the S5 just about matched the RS4 in acceleration and handling?

You won't get S5 performance from an A5 without voiding the warranty.
— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 8/2/2007 7:54:44 PM | | Votes: 2

GermanNut, S cars, a waste of money? I'm afraid you've lost me there. I understand that you're an RS fan, but the S cars are still fantastic machines that also have a much better balance of luxury and performance than their more focused counterparts. Go drive an S5, S6 or even my car- it's definitely NOT a waste of money.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2007 1:36:51 AM | | Votes: 1

The CLK V8 compares quite well with the 6 Series. Actually it has more power and its bigger on the inside. The same features and price. With the exception of the M3 the 3 series doesn't even offer a V8. Hell I think the 6 cylinder CLK starts where the 3 series tops out. I can't comment on size in the coupe but I know the convertible CLK and 6 Series are in the same size and category. I've driven both and am carrying a car note on the Benz. On the Mercedes website they compare the CLK 350 to the 3 Series and the CLK550 to the 650i. The CLK is bigger than a 3 and slightly smaller than the 6. Its actually priced in between the two.
I have to disagree with you though. The CLK is not a 3 series competitor its a different class. I think it is a good comparison to the A5 though.
T
— TauronB2G (View Profile)

Posted on 8/2/2007 7:17:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

I completely disagree. I sell both and havent had anyone that compares the CLK550 to 650 conv ... They are in different classes for cars. They drive completely different. CLK550 doesnt really have a comparison except performance wise to the 335 conv. The CLK may be longer but doesnt have the same room as the 3-series has in it. The 650 is a Gt touring car.
— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 8/3/2007 10:06:22 AM | | Votes: 3

You're wrong on every poing.

The CLK, sadly, uses the same chassis as the C class, which aligns is dead on with a BMW 3 series.

They just made it look more like a 2-door E-class to pimp it up a bit, though it's is not sharing the E-class chassis.

Also CLK pricing starts at 54k for a 6-cylinder. No 6 is even offered on the bmw 6-series. And the CLK550 starts at $62k. The BMW 6 MSRP starts at 72k, which puts it in a completely different pricing bracket than the CLK. If you talk M6 v CLK63, the BMW is still about $15 grand more.

Last the CLK550 is not quite as quick as the 335i, maybe by .2 seconds difference. It does have more horsepower, but it doesn't make up for it's heavy fat ass. BMW put a lot of engineering into making things lighter and more powerful, rather than stuffing larger displacement big blocks to accomodate power like Mercedes does.

(BMW accomplishes a quicker time with only 3 liters of 6-cylinder displacement, while the CLK550 requires 5.5 liters of big block V-8).
— indoctrin8ed (View Profile)

Posted on 8/2/2007 9:08:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

And you're wrong on every point. :-)
— indoctrin8ed (View Profile)

Posted on 8/2/2007 9:08:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

By your logic the 335 is also faster than the 650i and is 30000 cheaper too. Not to mention the 650 has a 4.8 liter V8 producing 362 hp. The point is the purpose of the two cars is totally different. The CLK550 is a 4 seat GT just like the 650. the 335 caters to a totally different audience. The people who buy 650s and CLK's dont cross shop 335's. BTW in Europe the 6 series is offered with the 6.
T
— TauronB2G (View Profile)

Posted on 8/3/2007 12:23:54 AM | | Votes: -1

Tauron, face it. The CLK is based off the C-Class. The 3 Series is based off of... the 3 Series. The A5 will be on the same platform as the new A4. THEY'RE ALL COMPETITORS. The SL is more of a competitor to the 6 Series than the CLK is, seat count nonwithstanding. The CLK is also shamefully cheap on the inside when compared to the A5/S5 and 6 Series- it's from the "dark ages" of Mercedes cost-cutting. Yes, I've been in it.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2007 1:39:47 AM | | Votes: 1

amazinBimmer, told me he got his facts mixed up:

He meant to say that the S5 is definitely a match for the 335 considering it costs $10K more for starting msrp and also is faster than the 335i (see the post above)

BMW annual sales growth is no match for Audi's :)
— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 8/2/2007 11:00:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

1) the S5 isn't faster than the 335i/xi Coupe, and

2) while Audi is growing at a higher percentage that's due to starting with lower figures (i.e. if you sell 100 of something and sell 10 more you're growing at 10%, if you sell 1000 of something and sell 20 more you're growing at 2% but you're still growing faster than the other guy). Audi's annual growth in units is still slower than BMW's, they are in actuality falling further behind in total sales.
— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 8/3/2007 8:44:24 AM | | Votes: -2

That's in the US, JRob, but worldwide, they are catching up- and quickly. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they have surpassed Mercedes-Benz as the #2 luxury automaker. Your bias is clear.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2007 1:40:55 AM | | Votes: 1

I live in America, S4. If I'm going to acknowledge Lexus for being #1 in the U.S. without poo pooing on them for not selling worth a crap everytwhere else then conversely I don't care if Audi or BMW sell more cars in places I don't live. Here in the U.S., in the world #1 market, Audi is way behind and falling further behind every month.

As for bias I've owned Audi's and BMW's, I like both. By the way, Mr. Kettle, let me introduce you to Mr. Pot, he says you're black. I don't see a marque or vehicle model in my user name, "S4Cabrio". Bias indeed.
— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2007 6:02:45 PM | | Votes: 1

i take 335i and save 10-15k.
— ashramboy (View Profile)

Posted on 8/2/2007 11:25:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

You're actually not saving anything. The 335i, similarly equipped to a nice S5, will run you $55K. That should be the price of an S5 with a coupe options.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2007 1:45:56 AM | | Votes: 2

get a pinto and save 55 grand off a 335

idiot
— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

Posted on 8/5/2007 1:01:11 AM | | Votes: 1

Very nice car, indeed!
— AUTO_UNION (View Profile)

Posted on 8/3/2007 6:01:03 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

How great it is not to read one useless post about lexus. Anyway this S5 is stunning definitely will make the grade, I may trade my Black 2005 SL500 for one, just kidding.
But great that Audi with their R8 and new S5 will now be there with Benz and BMW.

— xj13 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/3/2007 7:39:25 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

"Just kidding?" To be honest, it's faster, nicer on the inside and sexier than your SL.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2007 1:49:00 AM | | Votes: 1

sexier than an SL? Let's not talk crazy here. Now whose "bias is clear"?
— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2007 5:51:12 PM | | Votes: 1

God I love this car, I think when the new RS5 comes out it will be the best looking 4 seater coupe period!
I just wish the price of it was high 50's the most.
— SHOWTIME (View Profile)

Posted on 8/3/2007 9:33:27 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

The top of the article says $62000 and the text of the article says $53000. Which is it? It better be closer to 53K if it stands any chance at all.
— 1970toyotamarc (View Profile)

Posted on 8/3/2007 4:13:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

That's a bit overly-dramatic. Any price from $50K-65K is very appropriate for this car.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2007 1:51:02 AM | | Votes: 2

S4, the 335i/xi Coupe is less than the S5 is and offers virtually identical performance. Base prices are $10k+ apart and loaded up will still be $8-10k. For the $65k the S5 costs you could get an M3.

I'm sure it's a gorgeous car inside and out and will be a great daily driver. But so would the 335xi Coupe, and the extra $10k in the bank would be nice.
— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2007 5:49:12 PM | | Votes: 1

jrob, but then try to put a sport package and 18" wheels on your 335xi... oh I forgot, you can't because the car was not conceived as an all wheel drive from the ground up.
— 1evlaudi (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2007 10:00:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

uh, hell yeah you can. You can get the sport package and 18" sport wheels on the 335xi sedan and 335xi coupe, the 18" wheels and summer tires are just an option because summer tires tend to negate all-wheel drive in the winter and BMW doesn't want to force every xi sport buyer to get them. Incidentally starting with September production on the 2008 335i Coupe you can also get 19" wheels. Those will fit the xi models as well, but you have to purchase them separately, they're not an option.

It helps to know what you're talking about before you speak. Look into it.
— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2007 10:38:27 PM | | Votes: 1

sweet, so it doesnt weigh 3800lbs? if it weighs 3600lbs with 350hp, thats not bad at all. although 58/42 weight distribution makes me frown.

interior looks really nice, but i have to ask why people say lexus has a lot of buttons. looks at this S5! buttons galore!
— gsh23 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/4/2007 11:45:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Seeing that the S5 will be built in much smaller numbers than the 335, lease rates will be higher than the BMW. Why would Audi incentivize rates on a car with low production number that will sell.
Also demographics on this car show that more than 80% of the people looking at the S5 will PURCHASE and not lease the S5. it is the case on the current S4.
Even the RS4 or S6 or S8...NO ONE leases these cars...they buy them because they have the $$$ to do so.
I have not seen a single BMW owner that was able to get out of its lease as BMW jacks up its residuals....
Do you really think that BMW did not jack up their residuals they would sell as many cars???
People lease them because for most of them, it's the only way they can afford them.
Take away the jacked up residuals and low rates and the car does not become such a good deal anymore.
Don't get me wrong, I like BMW a lot, and they are the benchmark for a lot of things in the Automotive industry, but you have to give credit where it is due.
Audi is coming back big time and people should stop dissing the brand.
Also Audi will have an egine soon to compete agains the 335. Could be a 5 cylinder that is Turbocharged AND Supercharged!!
Some of you may not believe me, but the A6 has much lower residuals than the cars in its class, but I have already seen a few people actually being able to get out of their lease with equity as lately A6s are bringing outrageous money at the Manheim auction!!!
— AlexTx (View Profile)

Posted on 8/6/2007 4:21:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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edmunds Inside Line Full Test: Audi S5

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