Why I shouldn't buy an B8.5 S5?

[agp423]

I've always wanted an s5 but somehow forgot about it when car shopping a few years back. Now I'm looking to get rid of my merc for a B8.5 S5. Any reason I shouldn't get it / what do you not like about your s5? My current merc has some annoying rattles from the air vents when it's cold - any rattling in your s5? Another thing I don't like is the road noise in my merc, can anyone use a decibel meter (app) to measure the noise level when cruising at various speeds?

[JoshDub]

You could just test drive one and see how noisy it is.

[plat]

This website (http://www.auto-decibel-db.com/index.html) lists a variety of interior noise (exterior noise leakage) levels for a wide range of cars. For the Audi S5 PFL which will also include FL models:

Idle: 42.9dB
55mph: 64.9dB
65mph: 68.7dB
70mph: 68.9dB
75mph: 71.3dB
85mph: 72.2dB

Why you shouldn't buy a B8.5 S5:
1. If you do not need a more sporty and beefier A5.
2. If you do not like 2-door coupes.
3. If you are a fuel miser or you are an eco-warrior hell bent on curbing carbon emissions.
4. If you do not appreciate the high quality finish of the interior and exterior of a car
5. If you do not want a front-heavy car. The engine sits ahead of the front axle. BMW 435i or 440i have the engine on the front axle.

My suggestion is for you to test drive a used B8.5 S5. When I mean test drive, go take it for an extended drive so you can try to see if it appeals to you.

The B8.5 S5 seems to have a very reliable engine and tranny. Do a search in various forums and there are just sporadic reports of issues. In general, the build-quality is very good for this range of car.

After doing my own research and test drives, I do not have anything bad to say about it. Well, maybe one. If you are very much into cutting edge tech, the tech in the B8.5 cars may not appeal to you. They're getting old in today's standards. But, if you do not care much about the tech, there's not much else to complain about these cars.

[agp423]

This website (http://www.auto-decibel-db.com/index.html) lists a variety of interior noise (exterior noise leakage) levels for a wide range of cars. For the Audi S5 PFL which will also include FL models:

Idle: 42.9dB
55mph: 64.9dB
65mph: 68.7dB
70mph: 68.9dB
75mph: 71.3dB
85mph: 72.2dB

Why you shouldn't buy a B8.5 S5:
1. If you do not need a more sporty and beefier A5.
2. If you do not like 2-door coupes.
3. If you are a fuel miser or you are an eco-warrior hell bent on curbing carbon emissions.
4. If you do not appreciate the high quality finish of the interior and exterior of a car
5. If you do not want a front-heavy car. The engine sits ahead of the front axle. BMW 435i or 440i have the engine on the front axle.

My suggestion is for you to test drive a used B8.5 S5. When I mean test drive, go take it for an extended drive so you can try to see if it appeals to you.

The B8.5 S5 seems to have a very reliable engine and tranny. Do a search in various forums and there are just sporadic reports of issues. In general, the build-quality is very good for this range of car.

After doing my own research and test drives, I do not have anything bad to say about it. Well, maybe one. If you are very much into cutting edge tech, the tech in the B8.5 cars may not appeal to you. They're getting old in today's standards. But, if you do not care much about the tech, there's not much else to complain about these cars.

Thanks for all the info. I've driven a B8 S5 and very much loved it. I will drive a B8.5 S5 and see. I think it'll only be better. The auto decibel link you sent only shows 2008 S5, which is not a quiet car, however, I suspect that's mainly from the V8. My merc now has run flats, which is another big source of the noise. I suspect overall though an 8.5 S5 will be good. Will test drive one and report back.

[superswiss]

A few comments on the noise. The B8.5 S5 has what's called a soundaktor. Most of the engine noise inside the cabin is artificially generated by said soundaktor. The benefit is that you can adjust how much noise you want through the Audi Drive Select mode. In comfort mode it's quiet and in dynamic mode it's noisy. Most natural noise on these cars is road noise from the tires if you don't count the AC fans blasting on a hot day, which seems to pretty much drown out any other noise. The amount of road noise depends on the tires. Fat, short side wall summer performance tires will make more noise than a narrow, longer side wall AS tire or touring tire. The other source of noise is wind noise. To reduce that Audi uses acoustic glass for the windshield which cuts down on the unpleasant noise, however, I don't know if all S5 trim levels get the acoustic glass. In the B9 Audi is even using acoustic glass for the side windows, but only for the Prestige trim. You can look at the logo on the glass to see if it's acoustic glass.

[plat]

Thanks for all the info. I've driven a B8 S5 and very much loved it. I will drive a B8.5 S5 and see. I think it'll only be better. The auto decibel link you sent only shows 2008 S5, which is not a quiet car, however, I suspect that's mainly from the V8. My merc now has run flats, which is another big source of the noise. I suspect overall though an 8.5 S5 will be good. Will test drive one and report back.

Good point! My mistake about the noise levels being the same for the B8 and B8.5. Yes, the V8 engine will be noisier compared to the 3.0L TFSI. As superswiss mentioned above, there is a soundaktor in the B8.5's so this may even out the noise level vs. the V8. Not sure. I have not driven a B8 to compare.

[agp423]

Does the acoustic glass come standard on any trim? If not I'll have to keep an eye out for the logo. Would this be on the windshield or the side/rear? Does soundaktor come standard?

I'm really irritated by the tire/road noise from the new merc Pirelli run flats. Maybe it's a run flats thing but some friends with run flats on their 3 series have the same complaint.

[superswiss]

I don't know if it's standard on all trims. Seems to be standard on the Prestige and the RS5 at least. The logo is found on the lower left corner of the windshield.

[swenkel]

Because you want a B8 instead

[wangshuo1989]

Does the acoustic glass come standard on any trim? If not I'll have to keep an eye out for the logo. Would this be on the windshield or the side/rear? Does soundaktor come standard?

I'm really irritated by the tire/road noise from the new merc Pirelli run flats. Maybe it's a run flats thing but some friends with run flats on their 3 series have the same complaint.

Standard, my premium plus S5, hell even a loaner B8.5 A4 has it.

[mehware]

How do I know if I have that soundkator? 2013 B8.5 No dynamic drive. Do I still have it?


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[theedge111]

How do I know if I have that soundkator? 2013 B8.5 No dynamic drive. Do I still have it?


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

You have it

[wkhanna]

Why I shouldn't buy an B8.5 S5?

because you are a masochist........so when you are on your deathbed you will experience great pain, suffering & remorse over never having owned an S5 despite having had the opportunity many times during your life.

[bmoreS4]

Why I shouldn't buy an B8.5 S5?

Because you hate fun?