Should You Buy A Used Audi RS5 Over An S5?

[@DemonDrummer]

2:00 IMO, Audi could have done little things to make their RS line cars stand out. Carbon fiber steering wheel with better paddle shifters, ventilation in the seats plus massaging like other German brands do, more options in the MMI, ect.

[@soarabove337]

Have owned 2 B8 S4s, one highly mod’d, and a B9 S5. Then traded the S5 in for a newer (used) RS5. I am NOT an Audifista, but have had so much fun in them, I seem to keep coming back for more, is all. I went straight from an Alfa Guilia QV to an S5; WOAH, what a difference. Slow, quiet, poor handling, slow, non-descript, slow… the RS5 has at least brought back some of the fun (if not the trigger-happy fun in the twisty-turny parts of autocross & 2 open track days.

[@c5vette739]

That infotainment screen looks like Audi just glued an iPad to the dash.

[@soarabove337]

I did AMG & M models… and while MB interiors are nice, I can no longer abide (new, for 2024) BMW versions past the test drive. To each their own, I guess. 🤷‍♂️

[@SteremyJeele]

I picked up an S5 recently and part of me is kicking myself for not just biting the bullet and getting the RS. But at the same time, the other part of me knows that I can match the RS5's power with a stage 1 tune for about $1k. Apart from the body styling (which I really do love on the RS5), it is pretty tough to justify that ~$15k price jump.

[@wat2875]

Seems pretty justifiable man. Kinda sounds like cope. A modded rs5 would blow your socks off. Enjoy your s5 then upgrade later.

[@SteremyJeele]

@@wat2875 Of course. Any time you don't buy the highest option available, there is a cope involved. But my point is that for 15k you're losing out on things that you can overcome with a tune and coilovers for ~3k. That's the plan, though. Upgrade my S5 and enjoy it for a couple years, then trade up for a something crazier.

[@wat2875]

@@SteremyJeele I've been through it man. Now I drive a 2023 brand new e63s with all the bells and whistles. I will never buy a lower trim car and mod it, let alone a used car. I've learned my lesson through literally $50k+ of loss through my car obsession lol. It's 100% cope and it sucks. But if you have a plan, that's the way to go. Enjoy the shit out of it bro!! Drive it hard and trade it in when the time is right :). Just make sure the next thing you get is exactly what you want - no compromises. You can't go wrong in terms of practicality with an S5 so you're already fine. I used to buy corvettes and other 2-seater things that were unusable half the year and with family haha. Oops!

[@Kiamusic75]

I have also an S5, and my best friend has an RS5. It’s actually not so big difference as you think, besides the exterior look ofcourse . And for instance changing breaks cost me 2200$, and it cost 5900 for RS5😮

[@soarabove337]

Sounds like you got your S5 roundabout the time I was bailing on mine for a newer (used) RS5. It’s been night-vs-day difference here & more in line with what I was looking for. More to follow in my own post, but bc I lived what you were talking…

[@Daiymian]

Love this car. Only thing is… I have a 2017 Audi S7 Stage 1. The ride is much more compliant and smooth. Plus that V8 sound is glorious. Question for me is keep it or upgrade to like a ‘22 RS7?

[@gregs8685]

Nice review. I bought one new but sold it to get into an SUV for family reasons. The RS5 was a great all season daily driver. I liked the practicality, build quality, looks and performance. Definitely a big upgrade over the S5. My dislikes were the slightly bouncy suspension and poor fuel range. I also wish it had a bit more power. For the price, it should have similar power to the C63, M3 and Giulia Quadrifoglio.

[@jldp24]

I have a f82 M4 and I've been looking st Rs5s. You saying the Rs5 is a noticeable downgrade in terms of performance?

[@No_Hookshot]

Possible with a $1300 stage 1 and tcu flash upgrade. Obviously with this car being the age where it's already out of factory warranty, flashing is almost a must. 500+ hp is no joke.

[@elijahverchon6229]

I love the b9 + rs and S of the of the Audi (sport back included) and the b9+ s7 and rs7. I’m very it’s not an m3/ m4 or m5 (nice face lift but still way too common)

[@tiggaism]

Thanks for the advise, I bought the 2021 RS5 amazing

[@jaketrat3725]

What do you mean by artificial noise ?

[@Sainax1776]

Yes almost all german cars uses artificial sounds. Good thing you can turn them off

[@Kiamusic75]

Wrong, There is no artificial sounds in Audi S5,RS5 like it’s In BMW M3,M4.

[@jaketrat3725]

Can you explain? What is artificial noise in the rs?

[@mariqstigler2197]

​@jaketrat3725 noise generated through the speakers instead of naturally coming through the exhaust. I thought audi was one of the few brands that kept the natural exhaust noise instead of the artificial like BMW/Merc

[@Kiamusic75]

@@jaketrat3725 No speakers sound. the part is just a vibrator motor bolted to the firewall. When it vibrates, it causes the whole firewall and windshield to vibrate and amplify the mechanical sounds!!! The source is real and mechanical which means not artificial, like Golf or BMW which create fake sound through the speakers

[@jaketrat3725]

@@mariqstigler2197 that’s insane so does rs5 have unnatural sound ?

[@mariqstigler2197]

@jaketrat3725 I'm not sure as I own an s5, not an rs5. However, my S5 is a natural sound through the exhaust, so I would assume that the rs5 is the same, unlike BMW

[@tommyapples8490]

If i could have any Audi i want a 2018 a5 manual! That's the last year they had manual trans...whatta shame

[@MisterTee]

Yes

[@charlesmcwilliam8727]

Or just get the cheaper S5 and get a stage 1 tune which takes just 5minuates to install

[@wat2875]

Rs5 is better and worth the price jump.

[@soarabove337]

@@wat2875I mean, neither of you are wrong, as it were. Have a very minor warranty issue denied bc “chipped” & always have to live with that or if you’re into performance just eat the non-mod’d cost. Always a 🤷‍♂️ toss-up.

[@davem8360]

agree. s5 the better deal by far financially. rs5 looks better on exterior but i just saved myself 14k after spending just $1k on stage 1 ie and matching power.

[@gregs8685]

Yes but it’s still an S5, which doesn’t have RS suspension, RS brakes, RS body, RS wheels, RS exhaust etc.

[@jaketrat3725]

@@wat2875can you tell me the differences besides horsepower ?

[@paulpearce9128]

S5 is much better. Can stage 2 it for just over 1000 to make faster than rs5

[@mariqstigler2197]

But if you tune an rs5 then you're in the same boat

[@No_Hookshot]

lol you can spend that same 1,000 to do a stage 1 rs5 that'll spank the stage 2 s5.

[@Sainax1776]

The short answer is YES

[@henryesparza8663]

RS all day

[@ace673]

Ridiculously understeering o Audisteer :-P