has anybody owned both a S5 and RS5 convertible?

[wakesurfin]

time to replace my beloved S5 cab. Not too many options out there for sale, wondering how the two cars compare. Anyone with significant first hand experience in both cars? ride quality? I love the low end torque of the supercharged engine - wondering if the RS has similar effortless take off ?

thanks!
Chris

[ICU2]

Yep, but a little too late for that kind of detail. I'll catch up W/U tomorrow & post MHO FWIW.

time to replace my beloved S5 cab. Not too many options out there for sale, wondering how the two cars compare. Anyone with significant first hand experience in both cars? ride quality? I love the low end torque of the supercharged engine - wondering if the RS has similar effortless take off ?

thanks!
Chris

[ICU2]

I have owned three Audi convertibles. An 07 S4 with a manual six speed, the 2010 S5 identical to yours minus the spacers, & my present 2013 RS5 Cab. All three were certified preowned so all three were completely stock. I'm just too much of a chicken S:;t to throw on the kind of mods that most people do. I paid too much for the CPO & the peace of mind for warranty work to jeopardize it w/the performance gains of mods. With that said, there is a Night and day difference between my 2010 S5 and my 2013 RS5 with respect to breaking,handling,cornering and mid range to top end power. Although the RS5 lacks the initial head snap from a full stop that the S5 has, it would rapidly gain and then pass a stock S5. Cornering is on a completely different level, most notably the crown differential, better suspension, bigger tires etc. etc. etc. there is just literally no comparison. Now, if you plan to modify, the RS five is probably not the vehicle for you. In addition to having a much higher repair and maintenance price point, modifications on this car are extremely, extremely limited. I.E. Exhausts & an intake. Headers R available but @ ~ 8-10,0000 purchased & installed most of us won't do it. As far as the exclusivity, you already know to some large extent what that feels like, as you currently drive a Cab. Overall there were only about 3500 (roughly?) RS5's brought into the US and certainly less than 1000 were of the convertible variety. The RS5 is a very unique and eye-catching car, made even more exclusive and rare in the convertible variant. All of my cars have been my daily drivers and I plan on keeping this one for years to come. My suspicion along with most others is that this will be the last of the naturally aspirated V8 available for the S5/RS5 variety. As far as maintenance goes brakes are much more expensive on the RS five, tires are slightly more expensive and the gas mileage, depending on how you drive the car is comparable or slightly less than your S5 would be. At least that's been my experience. If I had it all to do over again I would do it in a heartbeat. I have never owned a vehicle which has attracted so many positive and complementary comments and conversations. For me it is all about the smiles per gallon. Every time I start this up I get smile from ear to ear. If you would like to get some further perspective there is a gentleman in the RS5 section who allowed a friend of his to do a YouTube video on his RS five coupe. The guy reviewing his car owns a BMW M4. This should give you some perspective from someone who previously had never been in an Audi and what he thinks of Chrissurfr RS5's. Hope this helps. PM me if U need more info. Cab drivers 👍!!

[Hippyshakes]

Just gonna vote yes for RS5 Cab. ICU@ hit most of the great points..

Audi RS5 Cabrio 2014 (3 of 4) by jackson hale, on Flickr

HS_HM_BandW-Edit by jackson hale, on Flickr

[marguello1220]

Don't ever see someone so close to me on the forums!! Fellow Birminghamster!

[ICU2]

BTW, Hippyshakes has the MOST Exquisite version of an RS5 Cab, ever so tasteful modded. Mine is the same color/options(a year older)minus all the sexy mods.

[wakesurfin]

Have you had any brake issues? Is there a mod to prevent the overheating I've heard about?

[ICU2]

I've had no problems w/my brakes & I'm @ almost 20000 miles. Others have had "shuddering" issues (w/significantly less miles BTW)and after some back & forth w/AOA have had them replaced @ no charge. I'm not aware of any "mod" to prevent overheating but some drivers have replaced the pads w/aftermarket pads(ECS comes to mind but I could be wrong)& the problems have gone away. I don't track my car & proably never will, but have had a couple "spirited" enthusiast driving days & never experienced any overheating issues. IIRC, there is an extensive thread related to the RS5 braking/shuddering/warping issues which will provide more specifics.

Have you had any brake issues? Is there a mod to prevent the overheating I've heard about?

[Hippyshakes]

I've had no problems w/my brakes & I'm @ almost 20000 miles. Others have had "shuddering" issues (w/significantly less miles BTW)and after some back & forth w/AOA have had them replaced @ no charge. I'm not aware of any "mod" to prevent overheating but some drivers have replaced the pads w/aftermarket pads(ECS comes to mind but I could be wrong)& the problems have gone away. I don't track my car & proably never will, but have had a couple "spirited" enthusiast driving days & never experienced any overheating issues. IIRC, there is an extensive thread related to the RS5 braking/shuddering/warping issues which will provide more specifics.

Thanks for the kid words earlier ICU2. I just had my first Brake Pad warning light go on and will be taking it in for what I hope is pad replacements only Monday. I have 17K miles on it most all city stop and go. about every 3-6 months I drive it to the beach house 5 hours each way and I drive the HELL out of it on back roads like I'm running whiskey. No shuddering issues as others have reported.