S4 vs. S5 -- Driving Characteristics any different??

[drew4392]

Curious to hear from those that have driven both.

Is the S5 balanced better?

Does the S5 have stiffer suspension or a different steering feel?



I'm thinking down the road and considering an S5. S4 may prove more practical given the 4 doors... but wondering what real-world opinion is.


Thanks!

[LINDW4LL]

They are basically the same. Weigh roughly the same. Only 4% difference in weight distribution.. Same power. Get whichever you think looks better if you don't need the practicality of the S4...

[bkkchris]

I have always been an S4 guy, but just traded in for a new S5 and I am loving it. Driving is pretty much identical, think there are some very very slight differences in road handling comparing stock to stock, but we're talking minor. The 5 sure is a sexy looking car though. Can't go wrong either way.

[Toecutter]

Is there a sway bar/end link set available for the S5? The Eurocode sway bar description states, "Eurocode Tuning is proud to announce the release of their Überlegenes Stabilisatoren System (ÜSS) for the 2009 and upB8 Chassis (2008-2014) Audi A4/S4 & RS5" but it does not specifically state "S5."

For under $950 the swaybar/endlink upgrade in addition to the $399 Alu Kreuz transforms the S4 into a great handling car. If the S5 doesn't have the same upgrade available then that could be the tie-breaker.

[toerag]

S4 may prove more practical given the 4 doors...

you guys dont get the S5 Sportback over there?

[Toecutter]

you guys dont get the S5 Sportback over there?

Yeah right, we wish. That and the S4/RS4 Avant are only pipe dreams in the US.

[Oloung1]

Yeah right, we wish. That and the S4/RS4 Avant are only pipe dreams in the US.

x2, i would have happily ponied up for the avant instead of the sedan.

[dbX79]

I didn't get the new S5 it looks awesome though. I settled for a 2013 S4 and not close to disappointed. The S5 is 10 grand higher depending on the options but interior is pretty much the same. Engine is the same too, same horsepower. I think I'll skip that level of S5 and my next car will a RS5.

[BoostEasy]

I test drove both the 2014 S4 and the S5 and my experience was the s5 had a little less body roll but was otherwise more or less the same as the S4. I commented as much to the salesperson with me for the ride and he said the S5 was slightly lower, had a slightly wider track and perhaps different swaybar support.

[drew4392]

Thanks for the input. I currently have a '12 S4 with AK, sways, end links, Stasis exhaust, and Stasis tune. Was just wondering about that next vehicle... and what it may be. Usually, I like switching manufacturers, but after experiencing the S4, there isn't anything like it in it's class. I want to go to a P car, M3, RS5, C63...... but those are a step up in regards to payment. I'd like to stay where I am. And... I won't go back to a 335. Truly believe the S4 owns the spot in this price category.

So, it's either another S4 or S5.

[lapisia]

The s4 beats the s5 every time. It haz been scientifically proven.

[Info@EuroCode]

Curious to hear from those that have driven both.

Is the S5 balanced better?

Does the S5 have stiffer suspension or a different steering feel?



I'm thinking down the road and considering an S5. S4 may prove more practical given the 4 doors... but wondering what real-world opinion is.


Thanks!

Drew, we have both a 2013 S4 and a 2013 S5, you are welcome to come by and drive both. The handling of the cars is virtually similar.

The S5 is 2.4 inches shorter than the S4. To me the S5 feels a little looser in the rear than the S4, but each driver may have a different opinion.

[Info@EuroCode]

Is there a sway bar/end link set available for the S5? The Eurocode sway bar description states, "Eurocode Tuning is proud to announce the release of their Überlegenes Stabilisatoren System (ÜSS) for the 2009 and upB8 Chassis (2008-2014) Audi A4/S4 & RS5" but it does not specifically state "S5."

For under $950 the swaybar/endlink upgrade in addition to the $399 Alu Kreuz transforms the S4 into a great handling car. If the S5 doesn't have the same upgrade available then that could be the tie-breaker.

They are fully compatible with the A5 and S5, I'll have the web guy fix it.

[AKPS4]

To me the S5 always seems wider than the S4... always, you can get much wider wheels on the S5's and get that more aggressive look which is awesome. Im not a huge fan of 2-doors unless its on exotics, for whatever reason. But the new M4 has made it grow on me.

I need the 4 doors for the fam and future kids so that was my reasoning and also the price difference is not worth it to me.

[SE-Chris]

What is with people and the Wagon? This is a legitimate question? I honestly don't understand it...

Here is the situation as I understand it.

If you want a sporty and fast car and have no requirements, the S5 wins hands down. It's the best looking of the bunch hands down.

If you require 4 doors for family/friends, the S4 is next in line. Still looks pretty good, not as good as the S5, but you require those extra doors so you have to compromise.

The wagon comes in last, the least sporty and appealing of the 3, but for those who require that extra storage space and accessibility you've got a compromise of looks for the bigger trunk space.


Where I get lost is why people actually choose the wagon first, over the other 2, when they don't actually need the extra space (per my understanding). I suppose this goes in line with the VW Golf line. I think those cars are horrid when it comes to looks. I really wish I could understand why people actually prefer them!

I guess I look at the upper end of the spectrum where the cars being manufactured are purely for pleasure. For example, they don't make a Ferrari wagon. I'm pretty sure that's because if you're spending that kind of money on that type of vehicle you want the best looking thing you can find and a wagon is not it. That's just one example.

TL;DR, it seems like people require what a wagon offers, but try to hide the fact they required the wagon offerings with a stance of "I prefer the wagon over all others"

Again, I could be completely wrong here and I just wish I could understand it =)

[drew4392]

For example, they don't make a Ferrari wagon. I'm pretty sure that's because if you're spending that kind of money on that type of vehicle you want the best looking thing you can find and a wagon is not it. That's just one example.

[Toecutter]

What is with people and the Wagon? This is a legitimate question? I honestly don't understand it...

I'd pick a wagon before all else. If you don't already understand it you probably wouldn't even if I tried to explain it to you.

[SE-Chris]

Guess I stand corrected on that... Heh.

Still, don't understand =(

Even as a Ferrari that looks like a soccer mom grocery getter.


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[SE-Chris]

I'd pick a wagon before all else. If you don't already understand it you probably wouldn't even if I tried to explain it to you.

Pretty much what everyone says =)

Guess it's just personal taste and no logic behind it. Nothing wrong with that, I just like to understand things when possible.


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[A4A4A4]

[Toecutter]

Guess it's just personal taste and no logic behind it.

There you have it.

[AKPS4]

umm, check out the RS6

while you enjoy your S5, i'll enjoy an RS6 any day of the week.

[S4 00 2.7]

Avant is just more unique and can look more aggressive as well.

Case in point: RS4, RS6 avant, MB E63 wagon

[The_Transporter]

Avants rule

[Moose201]

Didn't know the Veloster came with Ferrari decals.

[redfury]

Didn't know the Veloster came with Ferrari decals.

This ^^^^ is amazing lol.

[riseabv]

Didn't know the Veloster came with Ferrari decals.

+1

Wagons are for soccer moms.

[chrisbryan89]

Pretty much what everyone says =)

Guess it's just personal taste and no logic behind it. Nothing wrong with that, I just like to understand things when possible.


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I think it has to do with the fact that we don't get them here (at least newer models). The grass is always greener. I agree with you 100%, I think avants are hideous. I don't even like the RS4 avant.

[S4 00 2.7]

Great angle.

[rs4dreams]

I personally like wagons because they offer greater practicality without any real performance drawbacks. I use my S4 for hiking, skiing, and roadtrips and having the extra room would be nice. I like the way wagons look on many but not all models. Audi seems to do a good job.

Plus, in the US, having a fast wagon substantially adds to the sleeper factor

[shadowaudi]

In my opinion in trying to be as objective as possible, the real difference between S4 sedan (saloon) and S4 Avant is about 200lbs which leads the Avant to be a hair slower than the Sedan (4.9 avg 0-60 vs 5.2 avg 0-60). Will you truly notice the weight difference or the off the line difference potentially but in the end as everyone else has stated its personal preference. I personally prefer Sedan styling over Avant styling 99% of the time except in the case of the 2011 Subaru STI, I like the hatchback more or the new RS3 Sportback which in my eyes is engineered flawlessly for such a small platform. Just my thoughts....

I'll leave this right here....



On the OP topic, I was looking at both the S5 and S4 before purchasing my S4. I ended up driving both but just preferred the extra doors vs the little difference in handling the S5 provided, simple as that.

[Pworld]

Im Sedan/Coupe over Wagon....Until i have to get a family and wife. But thats just me. I see many that look great, but thats them (whoever owns it).

But back to the point. I agree with the person that said in these price segment its hard to find anything else that will be fulfilling as the S4. I want to switch to the S5 but at that price, a few more options with more bang for the buck.

[VeryBadman]

S4 and S5 should drive pretty much the same 98% of the time. They are the same car with the same engine on the same platform with one has less door. However to be honest, a fully loaded S5's price is real damn close to base S6. Using the same analogy as stepping up from loaded A4 prestige to base S4, I rather step up to S6 as well.

[lapisia]

For me it is Coupe>sedan>hatch>wagon. I don't get the obsession with wagons either but that's what is so great about cars, everyone can get what they want.

[shadycrew31]

The B8.5 S5 gets more women....

Proven last weekend at a cars and coffee, my B8 S4 with rock chipped front bumper was parked next to a brand new B8.5 S5.

This girl literally walked past my car like it was a pinto and was all over the S5... :(.

[lapisia]

The B8.5 S5 gets more women....

Proven last weekend at a cars and coffee, my B8 S4 with rock chipped front bumper was parked next to a brand new B8.5 S5.

This girl literally walked past my car like it was a pinto and was all over the S5... :(.

Don't get me started on all the hawt chicks that drive A5's in my neighborhood. :(

[shadycrew31]

Don't get me started on all the hawt chicks that drive A5's in my neighborhood. :(

Moving immediately...

Dammit you are in canadia!