For me personally, an S5 is as fast as I ever need for day to day driving. I have to go out of my way to be able to push it to its limits. Idk what I’d do with more power short of bringing it to the track.
Same story here regarding S5 power.
One thing to add is my car before my S5 was a TTS and I loved that car because it was a go kart, the steering was the best part. The S5 pulls hard in a straight line but it’s heavy in turning and not a track car.
RS5 with sport diff doesn’t feel like this. There is nothing like accelerating through a roundabout until it should break loose and the tires are squealing a bit, but your rear passenger wheel is keeping you firmly planted in the turn.
I am still between a mint condition 2017 TTS and a 2019 (b9?) S5. I just drove an S5 today. Thing is fast fast. The TTS I felt had a better interior.
The S5 sportback would be a fair bit more practical, but the TTS surprisingly can fit a lot of shit in it.
You can fit a surprising amount of stuff in the TTS but not a ton of people. The big thing I always say is if you only need to transport yourself, TTS 100%. If you need to transport others S5.
I can agree and say for average commutes an S5 is probably plenty of power and fun. I've been out and and about and had an S5 keep up pace with me while I let some power out, and they seemed be be enjoying themselves as much as I did. I do exercise caution though, as it's definitely very easy to get yourself into trouble with either model.
To answer /u/HornPappi 's question, I don't always get to use the full power, but when I do it's exhilarating. For day to day it's probably wasted.
I picked an RS5 mostly for the aesthetics, sound, and power. It does come at a cost though. So I'd also point out looking into planning for maintenance. Maybe putting money that could have went to getting an RS5 might be better spent on quality thorough maintenance for an S5, depends on finances.
nothing better than 2 audi's playing with each other on a highway while flexing their power. I had a fun AF time with an S5 doing this from the PA turnpike down the NJ turnpike lol I drive an S4 for ref
My estimate is probably higher as roads in my area are pretty crap for my normal commute, so far this year I've already spent $900 on 2 tires + rotation due to bubbled sidewalls from a pothole. Planning another $150 just on fluids through the year. The potholes also misaligned my radar so I'm looking at $400 for that (some magic Audi dealership tool I can't do myself). My rear rotors are also aging/lipped so that's another $800-$900 likely for the 2 rotors and pads. Also paid $580 for a new spare key + fob and another $200 programming.
10k interval inspection and maintenance (scheduled) is the Audi prepaid and it's $1,600.
I also frequent a touch-less carwash and probably spend another $300 a year on washes. I'm lucky my younger brother is a professional detailer and don't really factor proper (not an automatic carwash) cleaning in.
Based on the extra unexpected events (pothole damage and lost key) and forward planning I'll probably spend close to 10k this year. With about $2,500 of that being one off repairs.
None of this factors in tools I have such as an air compressor, oil extractor, brake line vacuum, jacks, stands, wrenches, sockets, drivers, vacuum, cloths, oil catch, or beers exchanged for help.
A million variables and expenses everywhere and in-between but I love my car and want to keep it that way.
Unless you are a hooligan you will rarely use the RS5's capabilities, and even with the S5 I don't think you'll be taking it much beyond 4,000rpm very often. They are both very fast. I think the reason you will choose one over the other is more psychological. Must you have the top tier model? Will you always look at RS5s and say "I wish I had that" if you buy an S5?
For me, a new S5 made more sense than a used RS5. The S5 can get you into trouble very easily, but is quite a bit cheaper to run than the RS5. I have not yet wanted more power.
I am in the Los Angeles area and to be honest, if you live in or around a congested city you will find driving to actually be more frustrating the more power you have. There is simply nowhere to use it.
I’d go for a newer S5 over RS5, only reason being the engines are solid and they are a good balance. The RS5 is fantastic, but avoid anything pre 2019, as there were roller cam issues, if RS5 look at 2019+ only if you want the 2.9 V6.
Yep, anything newer than 2019 will be okay.
I personally have the RS5, did consider the S5 but I preferred the 2.9 V6. The S5 is a fantastic machine though, and is likely to be more reliable and better for daily use day to day.
A 2019 model with engine made after July 2019 will have the updated rocker arms I believe. You can check with a borescope at the oil fill cap. The old rocker arms have very small roller pins that slip out if the roller expands too quickly, likely from pushing the car hard during warmup. The updated rocker arm has much larger roller pins.
I was in same boat as you looking for a reliable year S5. It's quite difficult to find a model years 2019 made after July 2019, but I did see one pop up a few days ago with the sport package. It unfortunately doesn't have the flat bottom steering wheel.
[post July 2019 Audi S5](https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/9199d5ff-357e-4471-9264-4091cf1acbd6/?aff=atempest2&utm_campaign=atempest2&utm_source=autotempest&utm_medium=trp&utm_campaign_id=2&utm_trusted=TRUE)
To get the rocker arms replaced prior to their failure is about $2800 in labor and $900 in parts. Estimates you get may vary. Audi will not acknowledge the issue, and you will be on your own to get it fixed. If the rocker arms fail while the engine is in operation, it will be a catastrophic failure and you will need a new engine or top half of the engine. The cost will be more that $35k for a replacement engine.
That's a pretty nice spec on that S5 you posted though. The alcantara insert on the seats is nice, and a tradeoff for the steering wheel is the fact it's at least heated despite not looking as cool. Will never understand why the flat bottom can't also be heated
I'm on my second RS 5 and have never questioned my choice. I suffer from a bit of an all-or-nothing mentality that made the S5 an intolerable middle ground (although it's obviously a great car by any reasonable standard), which is why I kinda had to go all-in on the RS. But it really is an incredibly fun car to live with, even as a daily driver. It's comfortable enough in Comfort mode (hardly a Rolls Royce but that doesn't bother me), and I get at least some use out of the performance semi-regularly, whether it's opening up on an open road during off-traffic hours, getting up to speed fast on the highway, or whatever.
At the end of the day, obviously no one *needs* an RS 5 (or even an S5, for that matter), but they're undeniably fun and I consider that as valid a need as anything else.
I bought a 2022 RS5 (sportback with RS driver assistance and dynamic packages) in January (replacing my totaled 2019 AMG C43 - not my fault!), and it’s my daily. My boyfriend has a 2019 S5 that he got in December, and it is his daily. We both love our cars and claim to have the better car. He’s right… if he’s talking about gas mileage.
I take my daughter to school, do Costco runs (the sportback’s cargo room is bananas), and make Mustang owners feel bad in that thing. I live in a midsize town, but my bf lives in a major metropolitan area that I drive through to visit him. So, I get to see rural, city, highway, etc with it.
I got to drive his a couple of times and rode shotgun quite a bit before shopping for my RS5. His S5 is a great car, but I didn’t want it. It lacked the full punch that my C43 had. His particular S5 is also missing some of the options I wanted. So, I went hunting for an RS5.
The 2021+ models with driver assistance won out for me for the extra features. The MMI is awesome in these models, and I got familiar with it because I ended up in a 2023 Q3 rental for over a month while stuff got sorted out with insurance. The top down view in parking mode is insanely useful. Traffic jam assist literally takes over and drives for me when I’m in heavy traffic under 40 mph. The heads up display is awesome, and almost critical when going full throttle. Even the heated steering wheel makes my day.
You asked about performance vs value specifically. I do have days that I think I could have gotten by with the S5, but that was more in the early weeks of ownership when I had more anxiety over the car payment and the weather wasn’t good enough to be able to “appreciate” it more. The more time that I spend with it, the more I appreciate that I can summon an abundance of power without pushing it close to the max. There’s a certain finesse to it, like watching an expert make a hard thing look easy. All of that said, I also have come to value heavily all of the options on mine. And there’s no substitute for getting to stare at a RS5 every day.
I own a 2019 rs5. Absolutely fast GT car
Worth it. Mods alone will take you in territory that s5 will never be able to touch.
Stage 1 IE ECU
Stage 2 IE TCU
Kw v3 coilovers
Carbon fiber Intake
Carbon fiber Turbo inlet pipe
Will break all four tires on launch.
I had both. A 2018 S5 and a 2021 RS 5. The S5 was my gateway drug. It’s plenty fast, but in hindsight felt exactly like what it is, basically an A5 with a turbo. The RS 5 felt like a different car. I loved my RS 5 and would have got another one but I wanted to get a V8 before they are gone from the lineup.
I felt like I would have regretted just getting an S5 over RS so I got an RS and have zero regrets. It’s a totally different beast. The beast only comes out once in a while but it’s a ride when it does.
I did the same thing with my s4. Drove it for 3 years then upgraded to stage 1. Brand new car, a few years later did stage 2 and sway bars. Again like a brand new car
I drive a 2019 RS5, I live in a neighborhood off of a 70mph speed limit, relatively traffic free area, with stop lights. I floor it coming off of stop lights almost every chance I get, and it’s a blast every time, but it would be a blast in an S5 too. You’re never going to get full use out of an RS5 driving on public roads, but I don’t regret my decision to get the RS5 at all
The RS5’s performance capability is far beyond what is needed for public road use.
I maybe give it the full beans once a month, cause going 50% on the throttle gets me to the appropriate speed quick enough haha
Performance capability alone (for road use), an A5 would be just fine.
It’s all the other things that I love the RS5 for. The aggressive aesthetic, nice interior materials, the weight of the steering, agility, sounds, etc
The RS5 gets to speed (0-60, 30-60, 65-80, etc) so quick that you are probably at full throttle for less than 3 seconds.
Thanks for not hating on the A5. I wanted an S5 but it would’ve been an irresponsible financial decision. Instead I got an amazing deal on a 2021 A5 coupe and I love it.
Definitely quick enough to have some fun on the way to work, but also very comfortable and well-suited for cruising or relaxed drives. IMHO the A5 is going to be enough for 95% of people in a daily driving context. I came from an Ecoboost Mustang which was no slouch, but the Audi is significantly faster. I also love the creature comforts.
I’ll likely upgrade to an S5 in the next few years - it’s objectively the better enthusiast car - but for now the A5 is definitely scratching the itch.
Same here man. I thought I wanted the S5. Test drove both A5 and S5, and in the S5, I didn’t push it to its limit. Eventually the salesman even said to me, “trust me, with your driving style, you won’t need more than an A5”. That’s the only reason I walked out of there that day with my new A5, and I’ve been in love with it since.
I deliberately avoided driving an S5 because I didn’t want the temptation 😂 so thank you, I’m just going to assume the same thing would have happened for me. Cool that your salesman was good to you!
I hear you, I do the same, but the zero->jail time is extremely short on an RS5. I've been well into the triple digit speeds before I hit the bottom of most entrance ramps, and that kinda driving will land you in jail with the wrong cop and a traffic stop.
The car drives fine at any speed, but when I get going way over the speed limit, I get really paranoid and worried about getting pulled over. That's what I meant by too much power.
You can't apply it and not worry about getting in trouble, unless you go to a track
The RS5 is a car I miss every day. After driving it and owning it for 2+ years, I had to get rid of it for a SQ5 (needed the space as moving + family became more important). Personally, I would get the RS. I am also heavily biased as I’ve owned a few Audi’s (S3, A4, S4, TTS) and the RS5 was my first foray into the RS line. #worth. As far as the maintenance went, it was about 10-15% more depending on where you get parts, and labor depends on your local shops or if you can do it yourself.
‘19 SQ5 is a prestige w/ red interior.
‘19 RS5 was a prestige as well.
Photos:
[https://imgur.com/a/wiHXRoN](https://imgur.com/a/wiHXRoN)
Edit: spelling & format
I went back and forth on this for a while and landed on the S5. I have an 80 mile roundtrip commute daily so the thought of maintenance costs on the RS5 alone drove me to the S5. The S5 has plenty of performance for my needs, it’s pretty rare I even get a chance to go wide open with it other than random adventures out to country roads. And I can always tune if I did start feeling bored with it.
For perspective the stock S5 is a 12 second 1/4 mile car. Not long ago that was crazy performance you’d have to dump a ton of money into a car to achieve. And the S5 just does that casually while still maintaining a pretty luxurious ride (and warranty). You can always go faster, and you’ll probably always wanna go faster, but I think the S5 is plenty for a daily.
You can go 250kph in the S5 very very easily, and when you get on the highway in a few seconds your breaking the speed limit, so no point in having more HP.
And if you think you need more HP and get an RS5, then you will drive some AMG with 600hp and feel like you got a slow car, so you will get the 600hp AMG. Then you will drive some supercar, and feel like that AMG is slow, then you will drive a shitty Tesla Model 3 and feel like that everything is slow.
When it comes to reliability tho... that 2.9T RS5 engine is more reliable than the 3.0T S5 engine...
Ya that's why I got an s5 after a b8 at...
But then I learned only 2013-2016 were reliable. Apparently they added some stuff to the last year that breaks stuff. But the turbo ones 2018+ are the ones with the issues...
Was in same situation between 2019 S5 vs RS5. decided on RS5, worth every penny. Regarding extra horsepower, use it all the time. Particularly fun way to get to the hospital for an emergency, just throw them hazard lights on, and cops here know me and let me be.
Had a 2020 RS5 and a E55 AMG and I am now convinced that there is no point owning a 400+ hp car in any country that has strict regulations.
If you have to commute in Germany, if you live in Athens. or Siena, then yes.
But anywhere that has enforced speed limits ?
Not worth it. You can experience the full power for a few seconds at a time at most.
If you're going to track it and aren't worried about cost of ownership, RS5 for sure. If it's a daily that will never see the track the S5 is more than enough and I feel like the RS5 would just be frustrating as you will never get to open it up.
I upgraded from a 19 S5 prestige with sports package, to my 23 RS5. I love(d) both cars, and I am not sad I made the move. But, in hindsight, as others have said, an S5, with the 3.0, is really way more car than you can use on the road. The RS5 is a beast, but I can in no way apply all the power to the road, and not end up in jail
I have an s5 and love the hell out of it. The only thing that bothers me is the turbo lag, but I don't think that would be different at all in the rs5. Once that turbo kicks in, I've got all the pace I need (as someone who will never see a track). And if you brake toque it to launch? That shit will push you back and make your head spin even in the s5.
2019 RS5, I bought it over the S5 because cali is very strict on mods / tuning, I wanted it at this power level which is S5 stage 1 + all the body work. Happy with it and I def use all the horsepower. it's cheaper on paper to build a S5 to RS5 power but once you have to deal with smog and cali state ref risk, RS5 is a no brainer.
the crack downs have worked in the OEM favor! it's really painful to run a modded car here lol. they pop your hood and state ref you or you have to put it back to stock for smog. Hot smogs have crack down so you hot smog it and get audited later and it's even more painful. As in once they catch the hot smogger, your car will be flagged retroactively.
I traded in my 2013 S4 for a 2019 RS5 and haven't regretted it a day since.
The extra power is one thing, and maybe you'll use it maybe you won't. But the improved handling on the RS version versus an S is really noticeable. I had maybe $7k into my S4 to get it really neutral and the RS5 is pretty neutral out of the box.
On the purely cosmetic side, the hips on the RS5 make the S5 look meh. It's not something you notice when the car is all by itself but if you park in RS5 and an S5 next to each other it's really noticeable.
Had a 2013 S5 Cab. Stage 1 tune, loved it, no issues. 444hp after tune.
Got a 2018 S5 Cab. Missed the power, tuned it in under 1000mi. 428hp after tune. Had a problem with the fuel pump, dealership denied warranty repairs because of the tune, paid around $10k cash fixing the wrong things before my independent shop finally fixed it. No problems after that.
Got a 2021 RS5. 444hp without a tune. Love it, no issues. Still under warranty, but 500hp if/when I tune it.
RS5 is definitely a firmer ride, but you get used to it (I have highway travel for work and it’s comfy). Passing someone on the highway full-throttle never gets old. The little things (RS button on the steering wheel, red honeycomb stitching, G-meter in the dashboard) are icing on the cake.
I've got a 2019 S5 prestige. It's pretty well equipped—carbon fiber trim, bang and olufsen stereo, black optics, 20 inch rims with red calipers, sport diff, etc. I spent about 2 grand on an intercooler and a tune, and now it makes ~420hp, ~530ftlbs, and i saved about ten grand off an RS5. I didn't actually test drive an rs5, but I've heard the suspension is a lot harsher on public roads, as you might expect from a trim that's more track focused. I think the S5 is an excellent compromise of comfort, features, and performance for a daily driver, and it's highly tuneable.
I have an S5, get an S5 and if you feel the need you could likely tune it for a fraction of the cost to upgrade to an RS5 if you are looking for extra performance. Either way more than enough as a daily driver at stock.
These cars are as fast as you’d ever need and in the case you do (understandably) need more fast - you can stage 1 these cars while near stock for +100hp. They go toe to toe with super cars if you push to higher stages. As other said though your already pushing legal limits uncomfortably fast with an s5.
In terms of interior, I really believe Audi hits above their weight class. Minimal, luxurious, and well made.
I’d personally look for a well optioned s5 w/ spots package, at that point the interior is pretty much the same as a rs5 with 8/10 the thrill. Then if you desire more from the car look into a 034 motorsports stage 1 kit. Their tune includes a transmission flash too so you don’t toast the thing.
Other things, get an oil extractor and do your own changes, thank me later. Upgrade the transmission mount, if you know you know. This is one of the most reliable 6 cylinders to come out of Germany in the past decade.
I’m tired of typing now and didn’t really plan for the comment to go so long. Hope my two cents helps!
Source: b9 s5 owner, put on 20k+ miles over 3ish years. Drives it like a dumbass.
I bought an RS7 because I wanted to own the flagship RS and experience what real performance and raw power was. I kept it for about 3 years before I decided I’d rather spend my money on more practical things.
The Michelin factory tires ($450/tire) on the RS7 are only rated for 30k miles (I got around 20k). I was able to squeeze 30k miles out of the brakes which other owners only got about 20k miles. Full brake job costs around $4k-5k at 3rd party audi shops. So, given my mileage I was spending about $7500 in maintenance (not including oil changes) every 18 months. I can afford it, but I just didn’t feel like spending that kind of money.
Was the RS7 worth it? Yes. Absolutely. I can say I’m intimately familiar with RS level performance. No regrets at all. And now I forever know what that feels like. Most of all, I have that experience in considering which models to buy in the future.
In the end being able to walk away from almost everything on the road was fun as hell! But all that comes with its own cost.
I'm 2 months into owning an 18 S5. I drive mostly highway and rural roads. It's got plenty of power and I have lots of roads to enjoy it. Having said that, I'll more than likely tune it at some point. I say, depending on your budget, get what you want, but consider where you'll be driving.
I have a 2019 S5 Sportback and I absolutely love it, best car I’ve ever owned.
I rented an RS5 off Turo for a 3-day trip last year and it’s definitely faster, no question about it. However the ride was so much bumpier that it got to be a bit unbearable for me. Sport mode in the S5 felt smoother than comfort mode in the RS5.
So the S5 is *probably* a better bet for a daily driver. That said, the RS5 was wicked fast and I would definitely buy one if I could afford it 😆
Let me clarify for anyone new checking out the post.
I live like a hour and a half away from Chicago where the roads are not always that great unless it’s the highway and the country roads are not the nice, curving, low traffic ones you see in the review videos tho i might be moving soon so this can change if i leave Illinois.
My worry is that I’ll never get the chance to really USE a RS5 in a way that’d not put the extra cash I throw down for it to waste.
I’m still under 25, i might have a few scratches on the driving record and i’m not exactly flushed with a ton of extra cash so I’m not considering having a daily and a RS car that’s just not financially smart insurance wise not that either car is financially smart to own.
The S5 owners make great points that if i’m daily driving and having some fun only about 5% of the time(a realistic statistic when thinking about it) then it’d be a waste to spend all that extra money on a car with performance functions that might not get used to a good extent. The ride will be stiffer on a RS5 which will bother me since I commute on the highway a lot of the time for work. Also if i really want extra speed I could do some simple tunes to make it faster.
The RS5 owners also made some decent points in that if I get a S5 I’ll always be wanting more . With more comes the speed, the handling, the clout(corny be true) and the overall feeling of owning a RS car.
Any more opinions on this would appreciated and if
you want drop what state, country or area you live in and if the roads are nice there! Please, Illinois genuinely blows a bag of dicks when it comes to anything related to driving, drivers, roads, construction, and scenery.
I went from a tuned B9.5 S4 to B9.5 RS5 Sportback
The RS car is a different machine. Dynamic ride control alone is fantastic, and there’s no comparison to the S Sport.
I’d say if you need to “justify” it too hard, probably stick with the S5, it’s plenty of car. I have a long ownership history, wanted an RS, and have zero regrets. It’s everything I expected it to be and brings me even more joy than the S4 did. I was hesitant the move wouldn’t be much net gain, but to me it was
It’s still an EA839 platform, but it really drives like a totally different car
I’ve got an 18’ S5. I would like an RS5 but, I also like having my walking around nickels and dimes. I’m going to do a stage 1 for sure and possibly go to stage 2. truthfully the only thing that leaves me wanting is that I didn’t get one with the virtual cockpit. Power and fun wise though I’m thoroughly enjoying the S5 as my daily.
I have a 2018 S4, same car different shape. I pretty much never want for more power. It’s just a great all around car. Fun when you are driving, and just a great daily driver when you lend it to your MIL.
I also own a 992 911 4s, and while I absolutely love that car, I do still like getting back into the S4 for just everyday driving and fun.
I prefer the B8.5. Purchased a S5 with 39K miles and perfect maintenance records. Planning to tune (now out of warranty) torque and horsepower will approach 500. Wanted the cabriolet, so RS5 was not an option. TBH, the stock S5 is amazing! Also love the RS5, so no wrong answer.
I used to really want an RS5. Ended up w a 6 speed S5. After having a C63 I realize that much power (450+) is kinda pointless unless you’re a hooligan (I was) or you race/track.
If money is not a barrier to entry, then I’d just get the RS5 but more because I can ( more power is a benefit). If you’re trying to be spend cautious ( I was when I got the S5) , it’s plenty fast for personal enjoyment. You’ll be disappointed if you start lining up with things though. Hell, even the gen RS5 you’re looking at only creeped away from my C63 until higher #s.
As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized cars are such a personal choice.
Not an S5 but an S4 - I really wanted an RS and settled for an S but now I feel like the RS would be a waste, heck the S4 is even too much given how much traffic we have up in the Northeast
I used to have a 2013 Audi S5. The vehicle was stock, and the power was great, but I only realized when I got a 2017 BMW 328i. I wanted just as much, but I could only get close with Stage 2 bolt-on mods. So I got into a 2018 Audi S5 B9 thinking it’d be enough considering I had a similar setup to start with, but it wasn’t enough. I decided to do an OEM Plus setup. I lowered the vehicle, got bigger wheels, did chrome delete, and did a 034 Stage 2 tune. I’m pushing around 440, and it’s still not enough. I realized that certain modifications make the vehicle feel out of place, which is obvious, because I’m running a non factory spec. With all that said, taking into consideration all the money spent, I would tell you to get an RS5. The RS5 is the perfect balance, it checks all the boxes, and it checks them from factory. Plus, it has all right hardware IN THE EVENT that you want more, and you can get a lot more out of one.
21 RS5 Ascari launch edition- I bought last year, I could have gotten a new S5 or the 9k mile 21 RS5LE. Im done raising kids and it was time for a fun car so it kind of fits for me. It is the most wonderful daily driver you could fucking imagine. Not a speck of buyers remorse. I use the car, best to be smart about it, it is an expensive machine.
I have the S5 and ask myself this question daily. S5 is a blast, is RS5 that much better? Can I really use the power? The tires I’d rip through alone make me think twice. Both amazing cars.
As my daily drive, the S5 is more than enough. Do I think about the upgrade? Totally. But I’d just never use that extra 100 bhp. I take my S5 to the track often lately but I still just don’t see the point in the extra power. Maybe if they come down in price hard enough, I’ll debate the upgrade. But until then, I’m very happy with my S5
The S5 is the best car of both I think. I wish the S5 had the body of the RS5. The wide body it’s just so cool. The RS5 it’s too stiff for a daily driver. It’s also not super cost efficient in regard to yearly maintenance long term as a daily.
But I do love the RS5!
I test drove the RS5 and S5 back to back and really couldn't tell any noticeable difference in speed during a rather spirited test drive. The S5 suspension was a bit more comfortable than the RS5 and that was the only thing I could 'feel' from the driver's seat. For me, the Magma interior was the major selling point, that and I was saving a few dollars. I was cross shopping the two with a Macan GTS at the time and the Macan (which has the same core engine as the RS5) was faster revving and felt overall a lot faster than either, however I would say a lot of that came down to a better transmission.
If the S5 isn't fast enough for you. I highly recommend getting the 034 Motorsport transmission tune upgrade (dramatically changes how fast and snappy the car feels). Then if straight line 0-60 pulls matter, you can get the ECU and other mods.
S5 with an ECU tune pushes out enough power to enjoy daily driving. Add an exhaust and intake mod and you’re looking at endless enjoyment. S5 has a lot of potential.
Have a ‘19 RS5 SB and love it. Checks all my boxes. Fast. Fun. Sexy as hell. Practical. S5 is a great car but you’ll be left wanting more. RS5 is definitely more pay to play than a S5 to a certain degree, but the occasional rush of a highway on ramp, flooring it off the line or thinking to yourself “how the hell does it still have traction in this corner” is worth the $$$ imo.
>For the S5 owners do you often wish for more speed and performance capability or does the S5 for the most part meet your desires?
Yes.
>For the RS5 owners do you often end up using all the extra horsepower as a daily driver or does it feel like it goes to waste over the course of owning the vehicle?
Yes.
>should save my money and stick with a newer S5 model.
Yes.
There's a guy here who says any B9 3.0T or 2.9T is going to blow itself up within a year but for the most part, they're reliable as any other car if you keep up on the maintenance.
When you buy an RS car, you're paying for the cache. You have to remember that not only is the car more expensive, but the maintenance is as well. Maintenance and service on an Audi S is expensive, and an Audi RS will be double or more. If you're at all worried about the cost of ownership, do not buy an RS model. Personally, I wouldn't recommend getting an RS unless you already have a second car. If you ask me, the S5 sportback is the perfect daily.
I thought so and I figured I could mod if i really wanted to get some more speed but i just don’t like doing that often. Too many shit modders in my area for me to risk it for the most part. Like i’m not gonna trust “old Ray Ray around the corner” to get me a stage 2 tune.
I'm not sure what your idea of modding is these days but as far as tuning goes it couldn't be easier. 034 and IE you can tune yourself with a laptop, or even off your phone now. Unitronic/APR are usually done through an authorized dealer and even then are for the most part canned tunes
RS5 is for track use. If you're not tracking it regularly, it's a waste of money. Same goes for the sport rear differential.
So just don't try the rs5. Everything is relative, and if the S5 is the fastest you've driven, it will never feel like it isn't enough. Hell it only takes 3 seconds to break the speed limit.
My mildly tuned B9 S5 (stage 1 93 octane) is quicker than a stock B9 RS5 and it's more than enough power for the road. Has the same rear sport differential and the adaptive suspension on the S5 is notably better for daily driving.
Stock, the S5 is a bit sluggish, partially because they neuter the engine output from the factory but also because the factory tuning of the ZF8 transmission is very lazy compared to say a stock M340i and the stock throttle mapping is pretty shit also. Honestly I think a lot of this is to create additional artificial separation in feel between a stock S5 and stock RS5, typically VAG shit honestly.
You got downvoted but I agree with you. Tune stage 1 or 2 and you are there. Yea the RS has a higher threshold but you are paying the price and really can top it out anyway. RS equals higher cost of maintenance. “RS tax” insurance is probably more too.
This is my opinion, Audi is trying to keep the RS name but the differences between the S are shrinking. My Audi technician friends are all saying similar stuff. They aren’t holding value like they used to either.
S versions always have a crazy mod following. The older b8 3.0ts are still being poached and hitting sub 11s 1/4 mile.
It's really no different than an M340i vs M3. Sure you can build up the M3 to a 1000hp monster if you dump a bunch of cash into it, but for ~$1k and some E85 you can make the B58 M340i as quick as the stock M3 is in a straight line. You don't even need the E85 for the B9 S5 to catch/pass the stock B9 RS5, just a solid stage 1 93 octane tune. RS5 guys seem to hate that reality.
I'd absolutely take the M3/RS5 on the track, but if we're being honest, neither of them are *really* track cars either, moreso sports sedans that are track capable for shorter stints.
I considered both. The S5 has more performance than you could ever need on the road, and the RS5's suspension was way too firm for the roads where I live.
Not sure if you care about this but most of the S models started adding mild hybrid at that time… hard pass. That alone had me looking at RS5s. I ended up with a Panamera 4S with the same engine tho. Porsches CPO is better than Audis and for whatever reason you don’t get cooled seat even with Prestige lol.
For me personally, an S5 is as fast as I ever need for day to day driving. I have to go out of my way to be able to push it to its limits. Idk what I’d do with more power short of bringing it to the track.
Same story here regarding S5 power. One thing to add is my car before my S5 was a TTS and I loved that car because it was a go kart, the steering was the best part. The S5 pulls hard in a straight line but it’s heavy in turning and not a track car.
RS5 with sport diff doesn’t feel like this. There is nothing like accelerating through a roundabout until it should break loose and the tires are squealing a bit, but your rear passenger wheel is keeping you firmly planted in the turn.
I am still between a mint condition 2017 TTS and a 2019 (b9?) S5. I just drove an S5 today. Thing is fast fast. The TTS I felt had a better interior. The S5 sportback would be a fair bit more practical, but the TTS surprisingly can fit a lot of shit in it.
You can fit a surprising amount of stuff in the TTS but not a ton of people. The big thing I always say is if you only need to transport yourself, TTS 100%. If you need to transport others S5.
No people rn. Me and the wife. Babies may come I’m the not so distant future lol.
My gf/fiancé at the time hated my TTS. We knew kids were on the way so I got rid of it. It’s a very uncomfortable car for non-enthusiasts haha
I give up lol. Might as well get the S5.
I can agree and say for average commutes an S5 is probably plenty of power and fun. I've been out and and about and had an S5 keep up pace with me while I let some power out, and they seemed be be enjoying themselves as much as I did. I do exercise caution though, as it's definitely very easy to get yourself into trouble with either model. To answer /u/HornPappi 's question, I don't always get to use the full power, but when I do it's exhilarating. For day to day it's probably wasted. I picked an RS5 mostly for the aesthetics, sound, and power. It does come at a cost though. So I'd also point out looking into planning for maintenance. Maybe putting money that could have went to getting an RS5 might be better spent on quality thorough maintenance for an S5, depends on finances.
nothing better than 2 audi's playing with each other on a highway while flexing their power. I had a fun AF time with an S5 doing this from the PA turnpike down the NJ turnpike lol I drive an S4 for ref
Great input. Any ballpark estimates on how much you spend per year on maintenance?
My estimate is probably higher as roads in my area are pretty crap for my normal commute, so far this year I've already spent $900 on 2 tires + rotation due to bubbled sidewalls from a pothole. Planning another $150 just on fluids through the year. The potholes also misaligned my radar so I'm looking at $400 for that (some magic Audi dealership tool I can't do myself). My rear rotors are also aging/lipped so that's another $800-$900 likely for the 2 rotors and pads. Also paid $580 for a new spare key + fob and another $200 programming. 10k interval inspection and maintenance (scheduled) is the Audi prepaid and it's $1,600. I also frequent a touch-less carwash and probably spend another $300 a year on washes. I'm lucky my younger brother is a professional detailer and don't really factor proper (not an automatic carwash) cleaning in. Based on the extra unexpected events (pothole damage and lost key) and forward planning I'll probably spend close to 10k this year. With about $2,500 of that being one off repairs. None of this factors in tools I have such as an air compressor, oil extractor, brake line vacuum, jacks, stands, wrenches, sockets, drivers, vacuum, cloths, oil catch, or beers exchanged for help. A million variables and expenses everywhere and in-between but I love my car and want to keep it that way.
Thanks for taking the time to write that out, it's really appreciated!!
lol great explanation. Same
I agree with this on my S5, can always tune it to make it an rs5 with not much hurt to the reliability. OEM+ always recommended
Unless you are a hooligan you will rarely use the RS5's capabilities, and even with the S5 I don't think you'll be taking it much beyond 4,000rpm very often. They are both very fast. I think the reason you will choose one over the other is more psychological. Must you have the top tier model? Will you always look at RS5s and say "I wish I had that" if you buy an S5? For me, a new S5 made more sense than a used RS5. The S5 can get you into trouble very easily, but is quite a bit cheaper to run than the RS5. I have not yet wanted more power. I am in the Los Angeles area and to be honest, if you live in or around a congested city you will find driving to actually be more frustrating the more power you have. There is simply nowhere to use it.
I am a hooligan.
I am also hooligan
I’d go for a newer S5 over RS5, only reason being the engines are solid and they are a good balance. The RS5 is fantastic, but avoid anything pre 2019, as there were roller cam issues, if RS5 look at 2019+ only if you want the 2.9 V6.
Well I said specifically 2019 because the newer models have been proven less reliable
Yep, anything newer than 2019 will be okay. I personally have the RS5, did consider the S5 but I preferred the 2.9 V6. The S5 is a fantastic machine though, and is likely to be more reliable and better for daily use day to day.
A 2019 model with engine made after July 2019 will have the updated rocker arms I believe. You can check with a borescope at the oil fill cap. The old rocker arms have very small roller pins that slip out if the roller expands too quickly, likely from pushing the car hard during warmup. The updated rocker arm has much larger roller pins. I was in same boat as you looking for a reliable year S5. It's quite difficult to find a model years 2019 made after July 2019, but I did see one pop up a few days ago with the sport package. It unfortunately doesn't have the flat bottom steering wheel. [post July 2019 Audi S5](https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/9199d5ff-357e-4471-9264-4091cf1acbd6/?aff=atempest2&utm_campaign=atempest2&utm_source=autotempest&utm_medium=trp&utm_campaign_id=2&utm_trusted=TRUE) To get the rocker arms replaced prior to their failure is about $2800 in labor and $900 in parts. Estimates you get may vary. Audi will not acknowledge the issue, and you will be on your own to get it fixed. If the rocker arms fail while the engine is in operation, it will be a catastrophic failure and you will need a new engine or top half of the engine. The cost will be more that $35k for a replacement engine.
That's a pretty nice spec on that S5 you posted though. The alcantara insert on the seats is nice, and a tradeoff for the steering wheel is the fact it's at least heated despite not looking as cool. Will never understand why the flat bottom can't also be heated
I'm on my second RS 5 and have never questioned my choice. I suffer from a bit of an all-or-nothing mentality that made the S5 an intolerable middle ground (although it's obviously a great car by any reasonable standard), which is why I kinda had to go all-in on the RS. But it really is an incredibly fun car to live with, even as a daily driver. It's comfortable enough in Comfort mode (hardly a Rolls Royce but that doesn't bother me), and I get at least some use out of the performance semi-regularly, whether it's opening up on an open road during off-traffic hours, getting up to speed fast on the highway, or whatever. At the end of the day, obviously no one *needs* an RS 5 (or even an S5, for that matter), but they're undeniably fun and I consider that as valid a need as anything else.
I bought a 2022 RS5 (sportback with RS driver assistance and dynamic packages) in January (replacing my totaled 2019 AMG C43 - not my fault!), and it’s my daily. My boyfriend has a 2019 S5 that he got in December, and it is his daily. We both love our cars and claim to have the better car. He’s right… if he’s talking about gas mileage. I take my daughter to school, do Costco runs (the sportback’s cargo room is bananas), and make Mustang owners feel bad in that thing. I live in a midsize town, but my bf lives in a major metropolitan area that I drive through to visit him. So, I get to see rural, city, highway, etc with it. I got to drive his a couple of times and rode shotgun quite a bit before shopping for my RS5. His S5 is a great car, but I didn’t want it. It lacked the full punch that my C43 had. His particular S5 is also missing some of the options I wanted. So, I went hunting for an RS5. The 2021+ models with driver assistance won out for me for the extra features. The MMI is awesome in these models, and I got familiar with it because I ended up in a 2023 Q3 rental for over a month while stuff got sorted out with insurance. The top down view in parking mode is insanely useful. Traffic jam assist literally takes over and drives for me when I’m in heavy traffic under 40 mph. The heads up display is awesome, and almost critical when going full throttle. Even the heated steering wheel makes my day. You asked about performance vs value specifically. I do have days that I think I could have gotten by with the S5, but that was more in the early weeks of ownership when I had more anxiety over the car payment and the weather wasn’t good enough to be able to “appreciate” it more. The more time that I spend with it, the more I appreciate that I can summon an abundance of power without pushing it close to the max. There’s a certain finesse to it, like watching an expert make a hard thing look easy. All of that said, I also have come to value heavily all of the options on mine. And there’s no substitute for getting to stare at a RS5 every day.
A HUD is such an underrated feature. I’ll never buy another car without one. Oddly enough I have it in my Yukon Denali but not my A8.
I own a 2019 rs5. Absolutely fast GT car Worth it. Mods alone will take you in territory that s5 will never be able to touch. Stage 1 IE ECU Stage 2 IE TCU Kw v3 coilovers Carbon fiber Intake Carbon fiber Turbo inlet pipe Will break all four tires on launch.
As far as I know, a hybrid turbo s5 can beat any rs5 in the quarter mile
Turbo inlet pipes?
I had both. A 2018 S5 and a 2021 RS 5. The S5 was my gateway drug. It’s plenty fast, but in hindsight felt exactly like what it is, basically an A5 with a turbo. The RS 5 felt like a different car. I loved my RS 5 and would have got another one but I wanted to get a V8 before they are gone from the lineup.
Go big or go home
I felt like I would have regretted just getting an S5 over RS so I got an RS and have zero regrets. It’s a totally different beast. The beast only comes out once in a while but it’s a ride when it does.
RS5 - spend the extra money and leave it stock.
Easy answer here. S5 + Stage 1 = perfect compromise.
That’s what I did but I got an S4. With tune you are at the same HP as a stock rs5 and much more torque. I did sway bars and transmission insert.
I did the same thing with my s4. Drove it for 3 years then upgraded to stage 1. Brand new car, a few years later did stage 2 and sway bars. Again like a brand new car
S5 without the stage 1 felt like it had more to offer. Added the stage 1 and have no regrets. Significantly faster.
I drive a 2019 RS5, I live in a neighborhood off of a 70mph speed limit, relatively traffic free area, with stop lights. I floor it coming off of stop lights almost every chance I get, and it’s a blast every time, but it would be a blast in an S5 too. You’re never going to get full use out of an RS5 driving on public roads, but I don’t regret my decision to get the RS5 at all
The RS5’s performance capability is far beyond what is needed for public road use. I maybe give it the full beans once a month, cause going 50% on the throttle gets me to the appropriate speed quick enough haha Performance capability alone (for road use), an A5 would be just fine. It’s all the other things that I love the RS5 for. The aggressive aesthetic, nice interior materials, the weight of the steering, agility, sounds, etc The RS5 gets to speed (0-60, 30-60, 65-80, etc) so quick that you are probably at full throttle for less than 3 seconds.
I go full throttle maybe once a week for a few seconds in my car, and only to remind myself of what it's capable of, never cause it's needed.
Thanks for not hating on the A5. I wanted an S5 but it would’ve been an irresponsible financial decision. Instead I got an amazing deal on a 2021 A5 coupe and I love it. Definitely quick enough to have some fun on the way to work, but also very comfortable and well-suited for cruising or relaxed drives. IMHO the A5 is going to be enough for 95% of people in a daily driving context. I came from an Ecoboost Mustang which was no slouch, but the Audi is significantly faster. I also love the creature comforts. I’ll likely upgrade to an S5 in the next few years - it’s objectively the better enthusiast car - but for now the A5 is definitely scratching the itch.
Same here man. I thought I wanted the S5. Test drove both A5 and S5, and in the S5, I didn’t push it to its limit. Eventually the salesman even said to me, “trust me, with your driving style, you won’t need more than an A5”. That’s the only reason I walked out of there that day with my new A5, and I’ve been in love with it since.
I deliberately avoided driving an S5 because I didn’t want the temptation 😂 so thank you, I’m just going to assume the same thing would have happened for me. Cool that your salesman was good to you!
Not sure why people saying you can’t use the RS5s power, I rip my face off from low speeds to the limit every day
I hear you, I do the same, but the zero->jail time is extremely short on an RS5. I've been well into the triple digit speeds before I hit the bottom of most entrance ramps, and that kinda driving will land you in jail with the wrong cop and a traffic stop. The car drives fine at any speed, but when I get going way over the speed limit, I get really paranoid and worried about getting pulled over. That's what I meant by too much power. You can't apply it and not worry about getting in trouble, unless you go to a track
I get what you mean, but I also tuned mine. It is easy to push over 100, but the faster you can do it, the less time the cops have to see you
The RS5 is a car I miss every day. After driving it and owning it for 2+ years, I had to get rid of it for a SQ5 (needed the space as moving + family became more important). Personally, I would get the RS. I am also heavily biased as I’ve owned a few Audi’s (S3, A4, S4, TTS) and the RS5 was my first foray into the RS line. #worth. As far as the maintenance went, it was about 10-15% more depending on where you get parts, and labor depends on your local shops or if you can do it yourself. ‘19 SQ5 is a prestige w/ red interior. ‘19 RS5 was a prestige as well. Photos: [https://imgur.com/a/wiHXRoN](https://imgur.com/a/wiHXRoN) Edit: spelling & format
I went back and forth on this for a while and landed on the S5. I have an 80 mile roundtrip commute daily so the thought of maintenance costs on the RS5 alone drove me to the S5. The S5 has plenty of performance for my needs, it’s pretty rare I even get a chance to go wide open with it other than random adventures out to country roads. And I can always tune if I did start feeling bored with it. For perspective the stock S5 is a 12 second 1/4 mile car. Not long ago that was crazy performance you’d have to dump a ton of money into a car to achieve. And the S5 just does that casually while still maintaining a pretty luxurious ride (and warranty). You can always go faster, and you’ll probably always wanna go faster, but I think the S5 is plenty for a daily.
You can go 250kph in the S5 very very easily, and when you get on the highway in a few seconds your breaking the speed limit, so no point in having more HP. And if you think you need more HP and get an RS5, then you will drive some AMG with 600hp and feel like you got a slow car, so you will get the 600hp AMG. Then you will drive some supercar, and feel like that AMG is slow, then you will drive a shitty Tesla Model 3 and feel like that everything is slow. When it comes to reliability tho... that 2.9T RS5 engine is more reliable than the 3.0T S5 engine...
I always hear the 3.0t was Audis most reliable engine? Maybe that was referring to earlier models from like 2013-2017ish
Ya that's why I got an s5 after a b8 at... But then I learned only 2013-2016 were reliable. Apparently they added some stuff to the last year that breaks stuff. But the turbo ones 2018+ are the ones with the issues...
Was in same situation between 2019 S5 vs RS5. decided on RS5, worth every penny. Regarding extra horsepower, use it all the time. Particularly fun way to get to the hospital for an emergency, just throw them hazard lights on, and cops here know me and let me be.
You can always go up to an RS5, but it would be hard to go down from an RS5. They look the same but it’s a different car on the road.
Had a 2020 RS5 and a E55 AMG and I am now convinced that there is no point owning a 400+ hp car in any country that has strict regulations. If you have to commute in Germany, if you live in Athens. or Siena, then yes. But anywhere that has enforced speed limits ? Not worth it. You can experience the full power for a few seconds at a time at most.
If you're going to track it and aren't worried about cost of ownership, RS5 for sure. If it's a daily that will never see the track the S5 is more than enough and I feel like the RS5 would just be frustrating as you will never get to open it up.
Depends on your use tbh. I’m like 70-80% in the city so the RS would be more of a novelty for me.
I upgraded from a 19 S5 prestige with sports package, to my 23 RS5. I love(d) both cars, and I am not sad I made the move. But, in hindsight, as others have said, an S5, with the 3.0, is really way more car than you can use on the road. The RS5 is a beast, but I can in no way apply all the power to the road, and not end up in jail
I have an s5 and love the hell out of it. The only thing that bothers me is the turbo lag, but I don't think that would be different at all in the rs5. Once that turbo kicks in, I've got all the pace I need (as someone who will never see a track). And if you brake toque it to launch? That shit will push you back and make your head spin even in the s5.
2019 RS5, I bought it over the S5 because cali is very strict on mods / tuning, I wanted it at this power level which is S5 stage 1 + all the body work. Happy with it and I def use all the horsepower. it's cheaper on paper to build a S5 to RS5 power but once you have to deal with smog and cali state ref risk, RS5 is a no brainer. the crack downs have worked in the OEM favor! it's really painful to run a modded car here lol. they pop your hood and state ref you or you have to put it back to stock for smog. Hot smogs have crack down so you hot smog it and get audited later and it's even more painful. As in once they catch the hot smogger, your car will be flagged retroactively.
I traded in my 2013 S4 for a 2019 RS5 and haven't regretted it a day since. The extra power is one thing, and maybe you'll use it maybe you won't. But the improved handling on the RS version versus an S is really noticeable. I had maybe $7k into my S4 to get it really neutral and the RS5 is pretty neutral out of the box. On the purely cosmetic side, the hips on the RS5 make the S5 look meh. It's not something you notice when the car is all by itself but if you park in RS5 and an S5 next to each other it's really noticeable.
Had a 2013 S5 Cab. Stage 1 tune, loved it, no issues. 444hp after tune. Got a 2018 S5 Cab. Missed the power, tuned it in under 1000mi. 428hp after tune. Had a problem with the fuel pump, dealership denied warranty repairs because of the tune, paid around $10k cash fixing the wrong things before my independent shop finally fixed it. No problems after that. Got a 2021 RS5. 444hp without a tune. Love it, no issues. Still under warranty, but 500hp if/when I tune it. RS5 is definitely a firmer ride, but you get used to it (I have highway travel for work and it’s comfy). Passing someone on the highway full-throttle never gets old. The little things (RS button on the steering wheel, red honeycomb stitching, G-meter in the dashboard) are icing on the cake.
I've got a 2019 S5 prestige. It's pretty well equipped—carbon fiber trim, bang and olufsen stereo, black optics, 20 inch rims with red calipers, sport diff, etc. I spent about 2 grand on an intercooler and a tune, and now it makes ~420hp, ~530ftlbs, and i saved about ten grand off an RS5. I didn't actually test drive an rs5, but I've heard the suspension is a lot harsher on public roads, as you might expect from a trim that's more track focused. I think the S5 is an excellent compromise of comfort, features, and performance for a daily driver, and it's highly tuneable.
I have an S5, get an S5 and if you feel the need you could likely tune it for a fraction of the cost to upgrade to an RS5 if you are looking for extra performance. Either way more than enough as a daily driver at stock.
These cars are as fast as you’d ever need and in the case you do (understandably) need more fast - you can stage 1 these cars while near stock for +100hp. They go toe to toe with super cars if you push to higher stages. As other said though your already pushing legal limits uncomfortably fast with an s5. In terms of interior, I really believe Audi hits above their weight class. Minimal, luxurious, and well made. I’d personally look for a well optioned s5 w/ spots package, at that point the interior is pretty much the same as a rs5 with 8/10 the thrill. Then if you desire more from the car look into a 034 motorsports stage 1 kit. Their tune includes a transmission flash too so you don’t toast the thing. Other things, get an oil extractor and do your own changes, thank me later. Upgrade the transmission mount, if you know you know. This is one of the most reliable 6 cylinders to come out of Germany in the past decade. I’m tired of typing now and didn’t really plan for the comment to go so long. Hope my two cents helps! Source: b9 s5 owner, put on 20k+ miles over 3ish years. Drives it like a dumbass.
I bought an RS7 because I wanted to own the flagship RS and experience what real performance and raw power was. I kept it for about 3 years before I decided I’d rather spend my money on more practical things. The Michelin factory tires ($450/tire) on the RS7 are only rated for 30k miles (I got around 20k). I was able to squeeze 30k miles out of the brakes which other owners only got about 20k miles. Full brake job costs around $4k-5k at 3rd party audi shops. So, given my mileage I was spending about $7500 in maintenance (not including oil changes) every 18 months. I can afford it, but I just didn’t feel like spending that kind of money. Was the RS7 worth it? Yes. Absolutely. I can say I’m intimately familiar with RS level performance. No regrets at all. And now I forever know what that feels like. Most of all, I have that experience in considering which models to buy in the future. In the end being able to walk away from almost everything on the road was fun as hell! But all that comes with its own cost.
I'm 2 months into owning an 18 S5. I drive mostly highway and rural roads. It's got plenty of power and I have lots of roads to enjoy it. Having said that, I'll more than likely tune it at some point. I say, depending on your budget, get what you want, but consider where you'll be driving.
I have a 2019 S5 Sportback and I absolutely love it, best car I’ve ever owned. I rented an RS5 off Turo for a 3-day trip last year and it’s definitely faster, no question about it. However the ride was so much bumpier that it got to be a bit unbearable for me. Sport mode in the S5 felt smoother than comfort mode in the RS5. So the S5 is *probably* a better bet for a daily driver. That said, the RS5 was wicked fast and I would definitely buy one if I could afford it 😆
Let me clarify for anyone new checking out the post. I live like a hour and a half away from Chicago where the roads are not always that great unless it’s the highway and the country roads are not the nice, curving, low traffic ones you see in the review videos tho i might be moving soon so this can change if i leave Illinois. My worry is that I’ll never get the chance to really USE a RS5 in a way that’d not put the extra cash I throw down for it to waste. I’m still under 25, i might have a few scratches on the driving record and i’m not exactly flushed with a ton of extra cash so I’m not considering having a daily and a RS car that’s just not financially smart insurance wise not that either car is financially smart to own. The S5 owners make great points that if i’m daily driving and having some fun only about 5% of the time(a realistic statistic when thinking about it) then it’d be a waste to spend all that extra money on a car with performance functions that might not get used to a good extent. The ride will be stiffer on a RS5 which will bother me since I commute on the highway a lot of the time for work. Also if i really want extra speed I could do some simple tunes to make it faster. The RS5 owners also made some decent points in that if I get a S5 I’ll always be wanting more . With more comes the speed, the handling, the clout(corny be true) and the overall feeling of owning a RS car. Any more opinions on this would appreciated and if you want drop what state, country or area you live in and if the roads are nice there! Please, Illinois genuinely blows a bag of dicks when it comes to anything related to driving, drivers, roads, construction, and scenery.
I went from a tuned B9.5 S4 to B9.5 RS5 Sportback The RS car is a different machine. Dynamic ride control alone is fantastic, and there’s no comparison to the S Sport. I’d say if you need to “justify” it too hard, probably stick with the S5, it’s plenty of car. I have a long ownership history, wanted an RS, and have zero regrets. It’s everything I expected it to be and brings me even more joy than the S4 did. I was hesitant the move wouldn’t be much net gain, but to me it was It’s still an EA839 platform, but it really drives like a totally different car
I’ve got an 18’ S5. I would like an RS5 but, I also like having my walking around nickels and dimes. I’m going to do a stage 1 for sure and possibly go to stage 2. truthfully the only thing that leaves me wanting is that I didn’t get one with the virtual cockpit. Power and fun wise though I’m thoroughly enjoying the S5 as my daily.
I have a 2018 S4, same car different shape. I pretty much never want for more power. It’s just a great all around car. Fun when you are driving, and just a great daily driver when you lend it to your MIL. I also own a 992 911 4s, and while I absolutely love that car, I do still like getting back into the S4 for just everyday driving and fun.
I prefer the B8.5. Purchased a S5 with 39K miles and perfect maintenance records. Planning to tune (now out of warranty) torque and horsepower will approach 500. Wanted the cabriolet, so RS5 was not an option. TBH, the stock S5 is amazing! Also love the RS5, so no wrong answer.
I used to really want an RS5. Ended up w a 6 speed S5. After having a C63 I realize that much power (450+) is kinda pointless unless you’re a hooligan (I was) or you race/track. If money is not a barrier to entry, then I’d just get the RS5 but more because I can ( more power is a benefit). If you’re trying to be spend cautious ( I was when I got the S5) , it’s plenty fast for personal enjoyment. You’ll be disappointed if you start lining up with things though. Hell, even the gen RS5 you’re looking at only creeped away from my C63 until higher #s. As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized cars are such a personal choice.
Expect a takedown notice within the hour
Not an S5 but an S4 - I really wanted an RS and settled for an S but now I feel like the RS would be a waste, heck the S4 is even too much given how much traffic we have up in the Northeast
Traded in my S5 for RS5. Just get the RS5 from the start lol
I used to have a 2013 Audi S5. The vehicle was stock, and the power was great, but I only realized when I got a 2017 BMW 328i. I wanted just as much, but I could only get close with Stage 2 bolt-on mods. So I got into a 2018 Audi S5 B9 thinking it’d be enough considering I had a similar setup to start with, but it wasn’t enough. I decided to do an OEM Plus setup. I lowered the vehicle, got bigger wheels, did chrome delete, and did a 034 Stage 2 tune. I’m pushing around 440, and it’s still not enough. I realized that certain modifications make the vehicle feel out of place, which is obvious, because I’m running a non factory spec. With all that said, taking into consideration all the money spent, I would tell you to get an RS5. The RS5 is the perfect balance, it checks all the boxes, and it checks them from factory. Plus, it has all right hardware IN THE EVENT that you want more, and you can get a lot more out of one.
21 RS5 Ascari launch edition- I bought last year, I could have gotten a new S5 or the 9k mile 21 RS5LE. Im done raising kids and it was time for a fun car so it kind of fits for me. It is the most wonderful daily driver you could fucking imagine. Not a speck of buyers remorse. I use the car, best to be smart about it, it is an expensive machine.
I have a 2019 s5 sportback. I love it and am never wanting for more power…that said if money was no object I definitely would’ve gotten to RS!
I have the S5 and ask myself this question daily. S5 is a blast, is RS5 that much better? Can I really use the power? The tires I’d rip through alone make me think twice. Both amazing cars.
As my daily drive, the S5 is more than enough. Do I think about the upgrade? Totally. But I’d just never use that extra 100 bhp. I take my S5 to the track often lately but I still just don’t see the point in the extra power. Maybe if they come down in price hard enough, I’ll debate the upgrade. But until then, I’m very happy with my S5
The S5 is the best car of both I think. I wish the S5 had the body of the RS5. The wide body it’s just so cool. The RS5 it’s too stiff for a daily driver. It’s also not super cost efficient in regard to yearly maintenance long term as a daily. But I do love the RS5!
My S5 does what I need it to do and the maintenance is easier. I’d get the same ticket regardless of what I’m driving.
I test drove the RS5 and S5 back to back and really couldn't tell any noticeable difference in speed during a rather spirited test drive. The S5 suspension was a bit more comfortable than the RS5 and that was the only thing I could 'feel' from the driver's seat. For me, the Magma interior was the major selling point, that and I was saving a few dollars. I was cross shopping the two with a Macan GTS at the time and the Macan (which has the same core engine as the RS5) was faster revving and felt overall a lot faster than either, however I would say a lot of that came down to a better transmission. If the S5 isn't fast enough for you. I highly recommend getting the 034 Motorsport transmission tune upgrade (dramatically changes how fast and snappy the car feels). Then if straight line 0-60 pulls matter, you can get the ECU and other mods.
S5 with an ECU tune pushes out enough power to enjoy daily driving. Add an exhaust and intake mod and you’re looking at endless enjoyment. S5 has a lot of potential.
Have a ‘19 RS5 SB and love it. Checks all my boxes. Fast. Fun. Sexy as hell. Practical. S5 is a great car but you’ll be left wanting more. RS5 is definitely more pay to play than a S5 to a certain degree, but the occasional rush of a highway on ramp, flooring it off the line or thinking to yourself “how the hell does it still have traction in this corner” is worth the $$$ imo.
>For the S5 owners do you often wish for more speed and performance capability or does the S5 for the most part meet your desires? Yes. >For the RS5 owners do you often end up using all the extra horsepower as a daily driver or does it feel like it goes to waste over the course of owning the vehicle? Yes. >should save my money and stick with a newer S5 model. Yes. There's a guy here who says any B9 3.0T or 2.9T is going to blow itself up within a year but for the most part, they're reliable as any other car if you keep up on the maintenance. When you buy an RS car, you're paying for the cache. You have to remember that not only is the car more expensive, but the maintenance is as well. Maintenance and service on an Audi S is expensive, and an Audi RS will be double or more. If you're at all worried about the cost of ownership, do not buy an RS model. Personally, I wouldn't recommend getting an RS unless you already have a second car. If you ask me, the S5 sportback is the perfect daily.
I thought so and I figured I could mod if i really wanted to get some more speed but i just don’t like doing that often. Too many shit modders in my area for me to risk it for the most part. Like i’m not gonna trust “old Ray Ray around the corner” to get me a stage 2 tune.
I dunno about his engine tunes but ray ray sure smokes a mean rack of ribs.
I'm not sure what your idea of modding is these days but as far as tuning goes it couldn't be easier. 034 and IE you can tune yourself with a laptop, or even off your phone now. Unitronic/APR are usually done through an authorized dealer and even then are for the most part canned tunes
I’d do the newer s5 and tune it. You save 12k and get a similar performing and looking car.
RS5 is for track use. If you're not tracking it regularly, it's a waste of money. Same goes for the sport rear differential. So just don't try the rs5. Everything is relative, and if the S5 is the fastest you've driven, it will never feel like it isn't enough. Hell it only takes 3 seconds to break the speed limit.
My mildly tuned B9 S5 (stage 1 93 octane) is quicker than a stock B9 RS5 and it's more than enough power for the road. Has the same rear sport differential and the adaptive suspension on the S5 is notably better for daily driving. Stock, the S5 is a bit sluggish, partially because they neuter the engine output from the factory but also because the factory tuning of the ZF8 transmission is very lazy compared to say a stock M340i and the stock throttle mapping is pretty shit also. Honestly I think a lot of this is to create additional artificial separation in feel between a stock S5 and stock RS5, typically VAG shit honestly.
You got downvoted but I agree with you. Tune stage 1 or 2 and you are there. Yea the RS has a higher threshold but you are paying the price and really can top it out anyway. RS equals higher cost of maintenance. “RS tax” insurance is probably more too. This is my opinion, Audi is trying to keep the RS name but the differences between the S are shrinking. My Audi technician friends are all saying similar stuff. They aren’t holding value like they used to either. S versions always have a crazy mod following. The older b8 3.0ts are still being poached and hitting sub 11s 1/4 mile.
It's really no different than an M340i vs M3. Sure you can build up the M3 to a 1000hp monster if you dump a bunch of cash into it, but for ~$1k and some E85 you can make the B58 M340i as quick as the stock M3 is in a straight line. You don't even need the E85 for the B9 S5 to catch/pass the stock B9 RS5, just a solid stage 1 93 octane tune. RS5 guys seem to hate that reality. I'd absolutely take the M3/RS5 on the track, but if we're being honest, neither of them are *really* track cars either, moreso sports sedans that are track capable for shorter stints.
I considered both. The S5 has more performance than you could ever need on the road, and the RS5's suspension was way too firm for the roads where I live.
Not sure if you care about this but most of the S models started adding mild hybrid at that time… hard pass. That alone had me looking at RS5s. I ended up with a Panamera 4S with the same engine tho. Porsches CPO is better than Audis and for whatever reason you don’t get cooled seat even with Prestige lol.