Give me the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly on the RS5 (New and Considering Buying One)

[mdgrwl]

Whats u guys - first post. I'm considering purchasing a new or pre-owned 2013/2014 RS5 and was looking for some honest feedback on the negative, specifically the Carbon build up issues.

This is no troll post (although it is my first) - I'm just looking for honest feedback from owners on the RS5, any issues I'm not seeing on all the positive reviews out there - and how it compares to the M3 and AMG C63.

FWIW - I'm coming from a 10 second, 700hp Supecharger 426 Stroker 2012 Charger SRT8. Time for a change and looking for more of a "drivers car". 700rwhp is cool and all... but looking for a change.

Give me the low down - honest feedback would be apprecaited.

I test all 3 (M3, RS5 & C63) and so far I like the RS5 & C63 a lot. The RS5 felt refined and the handling was nice. The C63 had that muscle car feel that I'm familiar with, but didn't quite have the handling / refined feel of the RS5.

The M3 did nothing for me....

Anyway - looking for your feedback - thanks!!!

Matt

[Shawn@PacificGerman]

I've got nothing negative.
A complete driver's car. Though it does lack a little in the bottom end torque department mid and top end are spot on. Handling is predictable, all controls are ergonomically laid out.
My only complaint is the Useless sunroof.

[IinsureU]

Go drive one if you have not already, very nice and capable DD, plus you hardly seen any on the road like the other cars you mentioned, which never hurts much.

[nexlogic]

Looks great, handling and steering is awesome, and has nice tech. cons: poor torque and stock exhaust is weak (make sure to get AWE Exhaust).

I came from C63 Black Series, so you can't go wrong with C63 either. AMG exhaust is musical. The steering, torque and acceleration are badass.

[QYKSLVR]

I have had mine a month, and have about 2600 miles on it now. I can't find much negative to say. The biggest downside are the folks who ask why you don't buy an S5 and mod it. The sunroof is probably the weakest part, but really just because the sliding screen doesn't block more light. I absolutely love the car, and it is seriously fast, if you know how to drive it properly. It is not meant for stoplight drag races, but once rolling there are few cars around that will keep up on a twisty road, IMHO. I do have considerable time under my belt on racetracks though. I get thumbs ups and compliments all the time. I love the car, and think it is extremely beautiful. If you understand what a GT car is meant for, you can't do much better than the RS5. I have driven my dad's 2013 S8, and that has an amazing motor but I pref the RS5. I even prefer it to the continental GT that the S8 replaced.

[mdgrwl]

I drove it and it was seriously impressive - but what about the carbon issue? From all my research, it seems that its still on-going and I'll eventually wind up dealing with it...

[IinsureU]

I drove it and it was seriously impressive - but what about the carbon issue? From all my research, it seems that its still on-going and I'll eventually wind up dealing with it...

somewhere here I believe I recall anyway that it is covered by warranty "IF" something like that occurs and recall seeing a letter from Audi as well.

[DOCEVG]

- but what about the carbon issue?

I think its too early to tell whether US post-face lift RS5s will experience that issue; doubt anyone has enough mileage on their car yet for that to be an issue. Haven't heard whether any euro pre-facelift RS5s, which have been around for a couple of years and which may have a slightly different 4.2L engine(?), have the issue. In any event, if Audi determines its an issue, I would expect them to extend warranty coverage (something like 10 yrs/100,000 miles) to it, as they recently have done with my A4 and S4, and as they might be doing on the RS4.
In terms of downsides, yes, the torque down low is a little weak, but most of us manage that issue quite nicely thru Audi Drive Select or whatever its called by keeping the engine revs high. And, the car attracts quite a bit of attention, some good and some bad.

[Hy Octane]

RS cars have more problems with reliability than the S cars do..simply because they are so much more complex and have more engine/tranny protection systems and sensors that fail more often..
Also, hard to find qualified RS trained tech if you break down on the road somewhere..
Parts often have to be special ordered...
More expensive to maintain ....

[Zee Dgerman]

I've had mine since june

pros:

Looks freakishly good
Even with stock sports exhaust sounds amazing
very versatile car - handles great when pushed but very relaxing when required
Tech is spot on, not really wishing for more
Rare car

Cons:

Not surprisingly, drinks quite a lot
Sunroof doesn't open

That's it, best car I've owned. One of the best car's I've driven.

[superswiss]

I personally don't think there are many negatives if you buy the RS5 for what it is. Most people who are disappointed with it, bought it for the wrong reason or don't know how to drive it. As for the carbon buildup, Audi has taken several steps with the RS5 engine. One of the major contributors to carbon buildup is short distance driving where the engine never reaches operating temperature. To combat this they have done something, because I've never seen an engine reach operating temperature as fast as the RS5 engine.

[Taurian]

Sunroof doesn't open??

i've had mine since june

pros:

Looks freakishly good
even with stock sports exhaust sounds amazing
very versatile car - handles great when pushed but very relaxing when required
tech is spot on, not really wishing for more
rare car

cons:

Not surprisingly, drinks quite a lot
sunroof doesn't open

that's it, best car i've owned. One of the best car's i've driven.

[QYKSLVR]

Sunroof doesn't open??

Doesnt slide back it is Tilt only. It's a panorama roof.

[GotRS?]

"Sunroof doesn't open" as in, "doesn't slide back", would rather have had the delete option and saved weight up there.
No wing mirror folding is disappointing, but not enough to retro-fit
mpg? I can get 23 or 13 on my commute, go figure.

[DOCEVG]

I can get 23 or 13 on my commute, go figure.

I've seen 25 or 11. Either the car, or the driver, is schizophrenic.

[mxrz]

The fact that there is a sunroof in the first place is a negative... A large glass panel at the farthest point from the center of gravity, on an RS car? Dumb move.

[Shawn@PacificGerman]

The fact that there is a sunroof in the first place is a negative... A large glass panel at the farthest point from the center of gravity, on an RS car? Dumb move.

Its really not that bad.... Have it tinted or it is a little unbearable.

[shonseb]

Would have been nice to have a carbon fiber roof and keep the center of gravity lower.

[mxrz]

For all the hoopla about aluminum space frame this, lightweight that... Most Audis are still too damn heavy.

[Taurian]

Wow...lucky to find out now. That would have seriously pissed me off at delivery. I love a sunroof, especially in a GT car. I can hear the exhaust better

[GotRS?]

For all the hoopla about aluminum space frame this, lightweight that... Most Audis are still too damn heavy.

Agreed. The B8 is a bit old for all the new lightweight stuff of course, but I forgot to mention the steel hood as a neg. RS4 had an Aluminum hood, so being cheap or crash test issues were in that equation for the 5. And a CF roof would have been great.

[rlarsen462]

I believe osir makes a carbon hood? No idea of cost or quality.

[visualguy]

Wait for the new M4... MUCH lighter than the RS5, no silly moonroof, much better torque curve, adaptive suspension, available 6MT, etc.

[rs5mikev]

Can you please clarify. Are you looking to buy as a daily driver or a toy? Are you looking for the coupe or cab? These factors have a factor on the question.

[DinB]

Wait for the new M4... MUCH lighter than the RS5, no silly moonroof, much better torque curve, adaptive suspension, available 6MT, etc.

Lol none of that is confirmed yet other than the 6MT and most likely the adaptive suspension which the RS5 "technically" has.

[mxrz]

Lol none of that is confirmed yet other than the 6MT and most likely the adaptive suspension which the RS5 "technically" has.

What's the point of arguing against the M4, there is no doubt it will be a much faster, much better handling car... The RS5 is based on a seven year old GT platform. The M3/M4 is not a gran touring coupe, it's a proper sports car.

[pnws4]

The M3/M4 is not a gran touring coupe, it's a proper sports car.

What? Having owned both an E92 M3 and RS I don't get your distinction. And while I'd certainly expect the new M's to be moderately faster and better handling as a next gen vehicle it's complete speculation at this point to be saying any of these cars are "much" better at anything. When you get yours though let us know.

[AtxAudiCat]

I owned a 2008 e90 M3 for 3 years, and currently have a 2008 C63 and 2013 RS5. With that being said, for me, the perfect car would combine the styling and interior finishes of the RS5, torque and horsepower of the C63 (yes I know it has the same hp as the RS5), and handling of the M3. The biggest pitfall for me of the RS5 is the lack of torque.

[Rossi15]

No true Manual trans.

[mxrz]

What? Having owned both an E92 M3 and RS I don't get your distinction. And while I'd certainly expect the new M's to be moderately faster and better handling as a next gen vehicle it's complete speculation at this point to be saying any of these cars are "much" better at anything. When you get yours though let us know.

I have no need for a BMW, and plenty of reviews will let us know. I'll get to drive it eventually, I still get invites from BMW Canada to test drive any new M car at the Circuit Mont-Tremblant, a nice perk of being one of the first people to complete BMW's Fascination II driving course in Canada.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Wow...lucky to find out now. That would have seriously pissed me off at delivery. I love a sunroof, especially in a GT car. I can hear the exhaust better

Lay down the rear seats... Trust me:)

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Here's a video of what we have begun to do with ours.



Let me know if you have any questions.

Jason

[pnws4]

I have no need for a BMW, and plenty of reviews will let us know. I'll get to drive it eventually, I still get invites from BMW Canada to test drive any new M car at the Circuit Mont-Tremblant, a nice perk of being one of the first people to complete BMW's Fascination II driving course in Canada.

I fully expect the reviews to be overwhelmingly positive about the new M4's. They won't repeat the same mistakes with the M5 and the auto media is already preparing the car of the century articles before the first real road tests are complete they're so sure too! My only point is that the current M3 and RS5/4 are as close to class competitors as you'll find and with backseats and even four doors in certain configs they're all great performance GT cars in my eyes. I personally like both brands (heresy I know!) and think it's great to see Audi and BMW respectively competing and bringing out cool new options from the M and RS divisions. Keeps the conversations, choices and opinions interesting! Will be equally interesting to see what Audi has up their sleeve for the next gen RS cars because the current ones rock!

[Yakk]

Lay down the rear seats... Trust me:)

^^ this.
I did upgrade my exhaust but love to drive with rear seats down as suggested by Mops

[iinviktus]

Lay down the rear seats... Trust me:)

I'll have to try this haha.

[KT88]

Lay down the rear seats... Trust me:)

Haha, I've yet to try that either. Also read that just opening the ski-sack port is a good start in the right direction.

[LakeShow]

Dare I say fork out a little more and sacrifice some luxury for a GTR or opt for the new M5. I've seen some RS5's close in on right under 90k loaded so those can be viable options for just a tad more.

[shonseb]

Around 86k fully loaded. The M5 starts at 90k, the gtr at 99k. The M5 is nice though not a coupe and RWD only (imagine driving in snow with that much power in just the rear wheels), The GTR interior looks like crap and not a daily drivable car.

[mxrz]

What makes a stock GT-R not a daily drivable car?

[shonseb]

I have no personal experience except just sitting in one for about 10 mins, but from what I've read and heard it's not a comfortable car to ride in for a long time.