thinking about a V8 S5

Optimus Prime · 10-19-2014, 03:30 PM

[knocks dust off user-name]

BIL is getting an RS5, and trading in his 2010 S5. 45k miles, manual, great condition. The dealer offered him $30k for a trade in.

I don't need the S5... but I want the S5

Who wants to talk me into or out of an S5?

equ · 10-19-2014, 05:04 PM

Does it have rear sports diff ( important option IMHO)?
Secondly, does it have drive select controls (these became standard later)?
Bang & Olufsen?
Color?

They are gorgeous cars, and I don't think too much trouble.

I'm not sure how similar the '10 v8 engine is to the '04 4.2 v8 I had in my s4 avant. I believe very similar (minor updates, mine was rated 340hp). I personally prefer the 3.0"T", supercharged engine, but one thing I must say is that I'm not getting the fuel mpg's i hoped. Still only getting around 20 all-around, maybe 22-23 on longer trips. That's only 2-3 better than the v8, not 5-6 better as expected.

equ · 10-19-2014, 05:06 PM

Also, per Galves $30k is a strong trade-in.

kognito · 10-19-2014, 08:23 PM

Hey equ, You ever think about changing the 6th gear in your old S4??

a little expensive but if I ever have to "go there" (clutch or tranny) I might order this

equ · 10-19-2014, 10:36 PM

How about changing the rear end? Wouldn't the gears all be a bit smoother then? Also not sure how much labor would be. Agreed that the v8 s4 felt geared short as a dd (but I guess geared well for a track weapon for the 0.01% of the buyers who use it as such).

JST · 10-19-2014, 10:48 PM

You'd have to change both front and rear, of course.

I wouldn't, though--the V8 S4s I've driven always struck me as torque challenged in the low part of the rev band. I don't think going to a taller final drive would be satisfying.

I like the way the S5s look. I love the way they sound. I think it would be a nice daily driver, but I tend to agree with equ; the V6 is a better engine, even if it doesn't have the same aural character.

Optimus Prime · 10-21-2014, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by equ

Does it have rear sports diff ( important option IMHO)?
Secondly, does it have drive select controls (these became standard later)?
Bang & Olufsen?
Color?

They are gorgeous cars, and I don't think too much trouble.

I'm not sure how similar the '10 v8 engine is to the '04 4.2 v8 I had in my s4 avant. I believe very similar (minor updates, mine was rated 340hp). I personally prefer the 3.0"T", supercharged engine, but one thing I must say is that I'm not getting the fuel mpg's i hoped. Still only getting around 20 all-around, maybe 22-23 on longer trips. That's only 2-3 better than the v8, not 5-6 better as expected.

I drove it again yesterday. Really fun car, and beautiful in white.
It has the sports diff, drive select, and B&O. The only thing it doesn't have is rear-view camera.

Quote:

Originally Posted by equ

Also, per Galves $30k is a strong trade-in.

Yeah, He's picking up a loaded RS5 and Macan. I'm sure in the wash, the dealer is making out well on the deal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kognito

Hey equ, You ever think about changing the 6th gear in your old S4??

a little expensive but if I ever have to "go there" (clutch or tranny) I might order this

I did find it insane what kind of RPM the motor is running at highway speeds. I would definitely consider something like this. The MPG is the main hold-up for me.

kognito · 10-21-2014, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JST

You'd have to change both front and rear, of course.

Since the front diff is part of the transmission, I think it would be easiest to just change the 6th gear.

equ · 10-21-2014, 06:56 PM

Ach! Forgot that there are two "rear" ends... Yeah, agreed. I don't know 6th didn't bother me too much, I didn't think there was any way around it. S4's always rev a good bit. FWIW, the v6 supercharged s4 has slightly *higher* highway rpm than the much less powerful 2.0T a4 in 6th. Still revs below 3,000 at 80mph.

robg · 10-22-2014, 10:24 AM

Hard not to like the V8 S5. Beautiful car, nice interior, sounds great and has the versatility of AWD. A little underpowered considering the fairly poor fuel economy but I'd probably overlook that. If you don't like it, you could probably unload it in a few years without losing too much.

10-19-2014, 03:30 PM	#1
Optimus Prime Carmudgeon Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Golf TDi Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 3,283	thinking about a V8 S5 [knocks dust off user-name] BIL is getting an RS5, and trading in his 2010 S5. 45k miles, manual, great condition. The dealer offered him $30k for a trade in. I don't need the S5... but I want the S5 Who wants to talk me into or out of an S5? __________________ Jason

10-19-2014, 08:23 PM	#4
kognito older fart than ZBB Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: On the road again Posts: 8,900	Hey equ, You ever think about changing the 6th gear in your old S4?? a little expensive but if I ever have to "go there" (clutch or tranny) I might order this __________________ 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE 2020 Fusion Titanium

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10-19-2014, 05:04 PM	#2
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,584	Does it have rear sports diff ( important option IMHO)? Secondly, does it have drive select controls (these became standard later)? Bang & Olufsen? Color? They are gorgeous cars, and I don't think too much trouble. I'm not sure how similar the '10 v8 engine is to the '04 4.2 v8 I had in my s4 avant. I believe very similar (minor updates, mine was rated 340hp). I personally prefer the 3.0"T", supercharged engine, but one thing I must say is that I'm not getting the fuel mpg's i hoped. Still only getting around 20 all-around, maybe 22-23 on longer trips. That's only 2-3 better than the v8, not 5-6 better as expected.

10-19-2014, 05:06 PM	#3
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,584	Also, per Galves $30k is a strong trade-in.

10-19-2014, 10:36 PM	#5
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,584	How about changing the rear end? Wouldn't the gears all be a bit smoother then? Also not sure how much labor would be. Agreed that the v8 s4 felt geared short as a dd (but I guess geared well for a track weapon for the 0.01% of the buyers who use it as such).

10-19-2014, 10:48 PM	#6
JST 195 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 24,611	You'd have to change both front and rear, of course. I wouldn't, though--the V8 S4s I've driven always struck me as torque challenged in the low part of the rev band. I don't think going to a taller final drive would be satisfying. I like the way the S5s look. I love the way they sound. I think it would be a nice daily driver, but I tend to agree with equ; the V6 is a better engine, even if it doesn't have the same aural character.

10-21-2014, 06:56 PM	#9
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,584	Ach! Forgot that there are two "rear" ends... Yeah, agreed. I don't know 6th didn't bother me too much, I didn't think there was any way around it. S4's always rev a good bit. FWIW, the v6 supercharged s4 has slightly higher highway rpm than the much less powerful 2.0T a4 in 6th. Still revs below 3,000 at 80mph.

10-22-2014, 10:24 AM	#10
robg Carmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 3,244	Hard not to like the V8 S5. Beautiful car, nice interior, sounds great and has the versatility of AWD. A little underpowered considering the fairly poor fuel economy but I'd probably overlook that. If you don't like it, you could probably unload it in a few years without losing too much.