2011 B8 S4 or S5? Help sway my decision!

[hyperspeed]

hi everyone, i posted this up in the B8 S4 forums, but wanted the opinions of you guys as well...


im stuck between two cars. I thought I had settled on the S4, even found a dealership that has one coming in soon (which times perfectly with the end of my 335i lease), but recently been eyeing the S5 and cant get myself back onto an s4! theres just too much to love about this car

i wrote down the pros/cons of each model to me (bolded is very important)

pro's of the s4:
new model (no facelift due anytime soon)
supercharged v6 engine (plenty to play with & sounds sweet)
will be a suitable car for my winter hobby (boarding 30+ days/season)
no need to wait (car almost here)
4 door practicality
super sexy 2 tone interior
cheaper by ~4k

cons of s4:
not much aftermarket options for exterior modding (most rims just don't look right)
bland styling (compared to s5)
-not aggressive or sporty enough for my taste
-doesnt sit wide enough, or low enough
-looks like an a4
v6t doesnt sound like the 4.2 v8


pros of s5:
v8 grumble is to die for
sleek, sexy, aggressive styling
coupe fits my personality and lifestyle more

cons of s5:
old model (facelift & enginelift probably due in 2012.5 or 2013)
will need to order and probably wait 5 months for a 2012 (even worse compounded with con immediately above)
gas guzzler
not practical for my winter hobby



anyways ive gone about every angle at this question, and am still stumped. i guess im lucky to be dealing with a dilemma like this haha.
the s4 is plain and simply: practical. its got no wow factor and will get the job done plus some
the s5 has got all the wow factor i need, but is impractical because of the v8, then again is downright sexy. too bad the facelift is coming soon and may leave me feeling outdated as soon as the new one comes out in spring of 2012. this one is probably the biggest issue. waiting 5 months for a car, only to find out ill be driving it for another few months before the facelifted one hits streets.


i'm not here asking for your help on choosing a model, i'm more on here to ask u why u love ur S5, and if uve ever been swayed to get an S4, and for what reasons.

btw some history:
i used to have a B6 A4, currently have a 335 coupe, am relatively young, no need for 4 doors, but do enjoy their practicality sometimes.
also. everyone loves pics. so heres some of my a4 and my current 335

[danS5]

S5. I love mine. Whether I'm cruising around, stopping for some gas, or pulling up somewhere in NYC, I always get attention, especially with my exhaust valves open. It never ends. It's funny, because it's not an exotic, but it tends to be treated as one. 2 doors make a huge difference my friend. That, and the V8 is why I went with the S5. Also, that 335i is sick.

Here's a pic of mine for reference:

[TheDapperDriver]

1st both the cars u had are sick
I was kind of in the same situation, i am young as well and the s5 suits me more. Its a perfect daily and was amazing through the winter.
I love the looks and sound of the s5 so I picked that.

[shonseb]

from what i remember, the 2012 s5's have the 3 liter supercharged replacing the V8. Practicality-wise, you had a 2 door car before, so you know what problems you can expect. The A5/S5 have basically nonexistant rear seats. I would still go with S5. Like you said the S4's look just like the A4's with very subtle differences. When I first got my A4, I was the only one in the parking lot with it. Now since audi had their $400/month lease promo, there are 4 other A4's in the lot. I see them everywhere in every color. Since I picked up the A5, I love it. I barely see 2 maybe 3 other s5/a5's through the day. I feel like I drive a more exclusive car because of this. And I doubt you'll ever find a person who doesn't like the looks.
from what I've read, there will be little changes between the current model and the 2012, mainly in the lights (solid bar LEDs instead of bulbs like now), not sure if there will be any body changes. If you do decide to order the S5, consider the titanium package which offers asthetics you would have to pay a lot more for as aftermarket. My 2 cents...

[HAWKiS5]

As posted in the S4 section: to combine some of the pros (and cons) you can also decide for the.............S5 cabrio! It has the same V6T as the S4, so with some tuning, you can easily go up to >400bhp/500Nm with that and it has the front looks of the S5 coupe, so it looks more "special" than the sedan. And it still is very practical because it is one of the few convertibles with a rear bench that can be pulled down for more storage space!

I drove a S5 coupe (with the V8 and 6MT) before, and I must say, that if they had the cabrio also with V8 and 6MT I would definitely go for that, but since I drive the V6T with S-tronic for a while now, I more and more appreciate it. It is more "racy" then the V8, but of course misses the deep grumble of the V8.

For me, the major advantage of the cabrio is you are much more involved with the environment when driving with the top down and you can really feel, smell and hear everything! Of course it adds some kilos, so for real track days it might not be the best choice, but having the best driving experience, yes! :smile:

Typical BTW that here in the EU the S4 (sedan) is very rare, people either choose the S4 avant, or the S5 coupe or cabrio. Also with other models/brands, the sedan is kind of "end of life" here (the RS6 sedan is also very rare, as wel as the M3 sedan, despite the fact I like the sedans much more than the avants, but coupes and cabrios above the sedan).

[Ryan_T]

From the way you list Pros and Cons of the two cars, I'd say you like the S5 more.

As for Snowboarding, you can fold down the rear seat and shove your board through it. I do this when I go snowboarding in the A4. I like roof racks, but they scratch the hell out of my topside. Accept the gas mileage, and enjoy.

Go with the S5, but wait till the refresh - it's imminent.

[Beakerz]

Gotta go with the 5 over the 4, unless you absolutely NEED four doors. The 5 is just so much better looking and sleeker, wider, lower. The funny thing is that you said the S4 looks like an A4, but you failed to mention that the S5 looks like an A5. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but there is very little difference in the way an S5 looks next to an A5.

[shonseb]

^^^^^ Very true

[TheChef]

The best aspects of the S5 ( design, appeal, sound) are better then the best aspects of the S4 (engine, tunability), likewise the worst issues you will encounter with the S5 (MPG, relative cost vs the S4) are not as bad as what you might dislike on the S4 (Overall bland design, Exhaust that sounds like a Dyson, reliability issues (waterpump, thermostat, Leaking Diff/suspensions)) etc. Just my .02. The S5 owners will say S5, the S4 owners will say S4. End of story. Buy what you want.

[ActivS5]

I've driven both the B8 S4 countless times and of course my S5 a ton. You can't go wrong with performance there. If you need the 4 doors, go for the S4. If you find your backseats consistently empty, then go for the S5. I personally think the looks of the S5 and the v8 exhaust note offset the small backseats! Assuming you're not selling your 335 due to the lack of room.

[hyperspeed]

The best aspects of the S5 ( design, appeal, sound) are better then the best aspects of the S4 (engine, tunability), likewise the worst issues you will encounter with the S5 (MPG, relative cost vs the S4) are not as bad as what you might dislike on the S4 (Overall bland design, Exhaust that sounds like a Dyson, reliability issues (waterpump, thermostat, Leaking Diff/suspensions)) etc. Just my .02. The S5 owners will say S5, the S4 owners will say S4. End of story. Buy what you want.

Well said. Definitely helps comparing the best of the S5 vs. the best of the S4, and the worst of both against each other as well. Again, just posting this up to get more feedback from actual drivers of these cars. Maybe they/you guys can bring to light some other viewpoints that i currently dont see. my judgment's clouded by my drooling desires!

[lascivious]

s5- even with a look refresh, this model has wonderful looks. Also on the mileage, if your buying this car just give up on the mpg and make a game out of how few miles you can get out of a tank.

[teky929rr]

I am old and Fat so I needed to get the S5, hate the game not the player! ;P

[hyperspeed]

i wonder if the pending facelift has anybody else hesitant to get in a 2011/2012 S5..?

anyone care to chime in?

[DeMOROlized]

pro's of the s4:
new model (no facelift due anytime soon)

It's not all that new. Facelift likely coming the year after, if not the same time as the 5.

from what i remember, the 2012 s5's have the 3 liter supercharged replacing the V8.

2012 coupe retains 4.2L V8.

[jcmiro]

If the pending facelift included the 3.0t engine...I would definitely wait...The 4.2 is no slouch of an engine, the sound is "nice", but when compared to nimble power of the supercharged 3.0t (with or without the APR option) feels like my grandmothers old Buick.

[primetime]

Exhaust that sounds like a Dyson

Dyson eh... I wish my Dyson sounded like my exhaust...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13B1P4qk-cw

[zerinA4]

Ignore TheChef. He's not concerned with driving dynamics, just how the car looks and sounds. Which is about the only argument I've seen from S5 owners over the S4 that makes sense. It sure isn't the driving dynamics. I like both cars but I hate hate hate hate the 4.2 V8 in everything but the new A8 and A6. Even then, it's still old hat compared to the competition. 3.0T is the future, even if it does sound like a sewing machine out of the box. But, that's what the aftermarket is for, right?

Buy what you like...anytime you ask two different groups about what is best you are going to get answers justifying why they bought what they bought. Just because I say S4 or someone else says S5 doesn't mean it's the best car for you. Buy what you like, you can't really go wrong with either.

Dyson eh... I wish my Dyson sounded like my exhaust...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13B1P4qk-cw

[Beakerz]

The S5:

Looks better (hard to argue with that)
Sounds better (no argument at all)
Has a V8

The S4:

Well, is an S4 (nothing else to say here).

[jcmiro]

The S5:

Looks better (hard to argue with that)
Sounds better (no argument at all)
Has a V8

The S4:

Well, is an S4 (nothing else to say here).

Lol. Have you ever driven an S4. Primetime needs to give out some Audi sponsored rides. You drive in his car or any of the other tuned 3.0t's and there's a low chance you'll ever enjoy the 4.2 again.
From what Ive gathered...Most 2010+ S5 owners are in it for looks not actually driving pleasure.
Give the 2013 S5 the 3.0t and Im with you guys in a heartbeat.

[zerinA4]

Looks and sounds. Like I said in the S4 forums, S5s are like the Harley Davidsons of the Audi world. Sure they are flashy and loud but not good for much else*

* Denotes I'm kidding and just having some fun.

From what Ive gathered...Most 2010+ S5 owners are in it for looks not actually driving pleasure.
Give the 2013 S5 the 3.0t and Im with you guys in a heartbeat.

[bknewtype]

they are both great cars. for those that said the s4 looks exactly like the a4, doesnt the s5 look exactly like the a5 also?!

either choice u pick, ull be happy. if you dont mind smaller cargo space and small rear seats and not drive people, go for the s5

if you care about driving people and lugging cargo and need better mpg go for the s4, its one of the sexiest 4 doors out in the market imo

[vincentc112]

i really don't understand how people keep knocking the performance of the S5 like the S4 is a R8 V10...they are both very nice moderately fast cars....i should know, i have an S5 and my gf drives a 2011 S-tronic S4 and we ran them on several occasions and she really doesn't run away from me, but when we park them some where her car gets almost zero attention compared to mine..i'm not saying thats what everyone is looking for but when plunking down over 60k it's nice to know your taste is appreciated...fact is anyone that has purchased a 2010 S5 or newer had there chance on a S4 and passed it up for one reason or another...all i know is when we go out some where we are usually in the S5 and the S4 sits in the driveway..it kind of drive me crazy though how people make the S4 sound like a race car and the S5 is a slug..if we were all in it for speed we would not be driving audis and corvette sales would be a lot higher

[GSS5]

i really don't understand how people keep knocking the performance of the S5 like the S4 is a R8 V10...they are both very nice moderately fast cars....i should know, i have an S5 and my gf drives a 2011 S-tronic S4 and we ran them on several occasions and she really doesn't run away from me, but when we park them some where her car gets almost zero attention compared to mine..i'm not saying thats what everyone is looking for but when plunking down over 60k it's nice to know your taste is appreciated...fact is anyone that has purchased a 2010 S5 or newer had there chance on a S4 and passed it up for one reason or another...all i know is when we go out some where we are usually in the S5 and the S4 sits in the driveway..it kind of drive me crazy though how people make the S4 sound like a race car and the S5 is a slug..if we were all in it for speed we would not be driving audis and corvette sales would be a lot higher

amen to that

[Beakerz]

Lol. Have you ever driven an S4. Primetime needs to give out some Audi sponsored rides. You drive in his car or any of the other tuned 3.0t's and there's a low chance you'll ever enjoy the 4.2 again.
From what Ive gathered...Most 2010+ S5 owners are in it for looks not actually driving pleasure.
Give the 2013 S5 the 3.0t and Im with you guys in a heartbeat.

I'm not a boy racer. I don't judge a car by it's performance alone. In fact, as long as a car has a decent amount of power (and isn't obviously underpowered) then I'm a happy driver. In the past, I've owned several highly modified cars, making 400 to over 500 HP. Were they fun? Sure. Do I need big power to enjoy the way a car performs on the road? Absolutely not.

[Beakerz]

..if we were all in it for speed we would not be driving audis and corvette sales would be a lot higher

Exactly. I don't think anyone really buys an Audi (other than maybe an R8) for the speed. There are a lot of better choices at or below this price point if speed is the primary motivator.

[jcmiro]

@ last 3 posters....
The OP said help him....Let's examine his profile...27 years old, has a "lots of mods" on his 335 and lives in California and the kicker...his name is HYPERSPEED......I'm sure he's car buying is highly motivated by performance. I'm 32 and my lust for performance hasn't decreased since my first car, its doubled. (of course single and no kids :-)

@Vincent you also have a ZR1 and a 848 in his garage so your S5 doesn't have to satisfy that craving.....*jealous :-)

[b6onboost]

I drive neither an S4 or S5 and I love both models, so I'd say I'm pretty unbais.

When comparing the two its my opinion the only reasons to choose the S4 is if you want a back seat or plan to modify the S4 to higher power levels. I say that because those are the two main benefits of the S4...it has 4 doors and a much more tuner friendly engine. Aside from that the S5 takes the cake. The S5 just exudes this exotic vibe being a sleek coupe with a V8 baritone. The S4 may be more potent, but the being a sedan with a muted SC V6, it doesn't provide that same experience. MPG...lets be real, if you are buying a $50-60k car, does this really matter? I mean you're not buying these cars to feather the throttle or to lower your overall transportation costs. People bring up driving dynamics, which is not just performance, but also the total driving experince. Maybe the S4 is a better performer at the limit, but driving around in a sexy coupe with a V8 is one of those awesome, yet hard to quantify, dynamics.

A S4 is an excellent car though. My only real gripe about it are the two tone seats, which is the only option on the S4 unless you choose all black. I prefer how the S5s seats are single color when you choose Silver, Red, or Brown.

[Beakerz]

I drive neither an S4 or S5 and I love both models, so I'd say I'm pretty unbais.

When comparing the two its my opinion the only reasons to choose the S4 is if you want a back seat or plan to modify the S4 to higher power levels. I say that because those are the two main benefits of the S4...it has 4 doors and a much more tuner friendly engine. Aside from that the S5 takes the cake. The S5 just exudes this exotic vibe being a sleek coupe with a V8 baritone. The S4 may be more potent, but the being a sedan with a muted SC V6, it doesn't provide that same experience. MPG...lets be real, if you are buying a $50-60k car, does this really matter? I mean you're not buying these cars to feather the throttle or to lower your overall transportation costs. People bring up driving dynamics, which is not just performance, but also the total driving experince. Maybe the S4 is a better performer at the limit, but driving around in a sexy coupe with a V8 is one of those awesome, yet hard to quantify, dynamics.

A S4 is an excellent car though. My only real gripe about it are the two tone seats, which is the only option on the S4 unless you choose all black. I prefer how the S5s seats are single color when you choose Silver, Red, or Brown.

Everything you said makes sense. I also have to add that you can increase the power on ANY engine. Sure, it may be easier on a forced induction engine as compared to a naturally aspirated engine, but at the same time mods are mods and if someone is motivated to get more power out of any engine, all it really takes is money. So knowing that it is possible to increase the performance of any car, then you have to look at the big picture when deciding on a car to buy. It's mucn easier to make an S5 faster than an S4 than it is to make an S4 better looking than an S5. In fact, it probably not even possible to make an S4 look better than an S5 at any cost (looks are obviously subjective).

[HydroLogic]

Current S5 will continue to look amazing regardless of a facelift. They pretty much nailed it with this design. Whatever they do in the future will most likely more modern and who knows if you'll like it. If you love the current S5 chances are you will still love it when they do the facelift. I was also totally set on an S4 but never really loved the looks. The S5 blows it out of the water in terms of aesthetics......

[TGreene09]

I had an A4 before my S5 and when I went to the coupe I loved it. Less transporting people around. The facelift isnt going to be that large of a difference. Maybe a new grill design and lower valence with more options. Thats about it usually on a facelift. I'd personally go with the S5 just becuase its so much more to look at than the S4. Itll take a lot more work to make the S4 look decent enough next to an S5. I love both cars though..

[hyperspeed]

put my deposit in for an s4 guys! thanks for your help. maybe ill get into an s5 next time around :)

[HP18]

Welcome back Jeff, now get to work!


I would have gone with the S5 over the S4 though, it's a better car all around vs the S4 but you'll still have a blast!

[dlinoc]

S5. Someone at work asked me why I didn't get an S4. I looked at him as if he had rocks in is head.

[TofuShop]

Get apr supercharger for the s5. Done.