S5 Sportback - Premium Plus vs Prestige

[Johnnystats]

Hey everyone - new member here. Looking to get into an S5 SB. I was all set on a Daytona Gray/Magma Prem Plus - but it didn’t work out. So I am now looking into a Glacier White/Magma Prem Plus That has just about all options including Dynamic Steering. I was then looking at all the additional features on the Prestiege and had him quote me a lease. It has most all options including DAP and Dynamic Steering for about 55.00 more a month. Trying to justify if I should go for the Prestige. The only drawback is they don’t have a Prestige with Magma in stock. There is one at a local dealer without Dynamic Steering, but not sure if they will look to swap.

Any advice would be helpful. I’ve been reading so many posts on this site and they have been super helpful!

[friguy3]

I had this issue...went with premium. They said the residual on the prestige wasn't as good so same sale price, lease is more, and got a better deal on the premium. I miss lane assist and the multicolor interior LEDs, but not deal breakers. If there's other stuff I'm missing don't tell me lol. my quote was about 120 less after I talked the premium down.

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[Anthony]

Looking at leasing one of these myself, and it really does seem like the Premium Plus is the better deal than the Prestige even when adding important options like the MMI. I believe the only major thing you can't get/add on the Premium Plus is the head-up display, which isn't a deal breaker for me.

[Rob O]

IIRC, you can only get Driver Assist on Prestige.

And I think the reason the P+ is a better value when leasing is due to how the additional content in Prestige models gets diluted by residuals (the additional extras aren't worth anywhere near $1:$1 come lease end, with residuals favoring P+.

[Anthony]

IIRC, you can only get Driver Assist on Prestige.

Ah yes, and it looks like the top view camera as well? Premium Plus only has rear view cam. Perhaps the other cameras are part of the whole Driver Assist system.

[stan23]

The 360 cam is amazing, as is the HUD. The one feature I really like in the prestige is the multicolor interior LEDS.

[zoomzoom!]

I'm always perplexed by folks who plan their purchase around getting rid of the vehicle. I totally get why...it just seems really odd to me. Get the car you want with the features/options you want. When I shop for CPO cars, I *specifically* look for Prestige, because I want all the features.

[trenton735]

I have a Daytona with magma Prestige because I wanted DA etc etc. In reality I never really use it cuz I hate relying on the car to brake for me . HUD is cool cuz of color navigation. 360 cam is prob the best feature. But like everyone already said a prem plus leases better because the residual and mf suck on a prestige. I love the car more than my last S5. Just needs a tune





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[madbowler6]

I sell Audis, so let me give you some guidance. For the record, I have a 2018 S4 Prestige w/ DA, Daytona Gray on red (so pretty much the same car). Couldn't be happier with my choice.

The Prestige will give you the following equipment standard, which you CANNOT GET even as an option on the Prem+ model:
*Heads up display
*Interior LED lighting package that will allow you to turn your trim lighting a whole rainbow of colors (prolly not a must-have, but def a nice-to-have).
*Top view camera system
(it also has double-pane glass on the front windows to reduce road noise, but who cares)

If any of those features are must-haves for you, you need the Prestige.

If you're just in it for the performance and don't care about the tech, go with the Prem+. They lease much better than do the Prestiges; residuals are higher on the Prem+. That said, if your dealer is getting you a Prestige for only $55/mo more than a similarly equipped Prem+ model, I would jump all over that bc, MSRP for MSRP, the difference in lease payment is usually more than that. Most of the leases I've had go across my desk are usually around $100/mo different between Prem+ and Prestige if the MSRP is close.

As some of the other guys here have said, one of the key selling points of the Prestige is the availability of the Driver Assistance package. It's not available on Prem+. But what's further awesome about that package is that all of that DA info *populates in the HUD*, so it REALLY augments the awesomeness of the HUD. IMHO, it's a waste to get the Prestige without the DA because you're not getting the full benefit of the HUD. Without DA, the HUD will basically just give you current speed, and turn-by-turn nav directions if you're navigating. There are a few other things it'll display, like cruise control when you first turn it on, but for the most part, it's just current speed and turn-by-turn.

BUT...once you add the DA package, NOW you get all the cool stuff. You get the traffic sign recognition system, which will recognize three types of traffic signs: speed limits, school zones, no passing zones. If you drive past one of these signs, the car's camera will grab it and give you a pop-up in the HUD letting you know the speed limit and if you're in a school/no passing zone. Your Active Lane Assist will appear in the HUD. Your Adaptive Cruise activation will appear there, and when you adjust the Adaptive Cruise's following distance, it will show you the settings for a few seconds in the HUD. When Stop-and-Go Traffic Jam Assist is working, it'll display that. The DA package also does this: remember in driver ed class when they preached about a "two second following distance"? Well, you can set a following distance for the traffic ahead of you (I have mine set to 1.6 seconds), and if you start following the car in front by that distance OR LESS, it will give you a flashing red distance indicator in the HUD and Virtual Cockpit, letting you know you need to back off a bit. The settings for this system go from 1 second to 3 seconds following distance, or you can turn it off entirely. IMO, the Adaptive Cruise is worth its weight in gold bc it almost serves as a de facto emergency braking system, bc if traffic starts to rapidly slow while you're not paying the closest of attention, it'll slow the car down for you. I'm not sure how HARD it can hit the brakes if it has to, and hopefully I'll never find out, but so far, so good.

One thing to consider: if you have the DA, if you ever have to have the windshield replaced or, if I remember correctly, when you get new tires, you will have to have an "adaptive cruise alignment" performed, which costs a few hundred bucks and is apparently necessary in order to make sure all the car's various adaptive cruise sensors are properly aligned. I've yet to have this done, but I can live with it. Worth it to me.

Hope this helps! (Go Prestige!)

[madbowler6]

Also, I'd let that Dynamic Steering go. It's so rare you'll be driving fast enough for it to matter, all it really does is raise the price of the car...and it's one more thing to potentially have a problem with. I wrestled with the decision to get it or not when I ordered my car and eventually decided not to get it. Again, I'm very happy with my decision.

[IanCH]

Residual on P+ is 62 base, Prestige is 60 (2 point difference always)

[Johnnystats]

Thanks everyone! Appreciate everyone’s input. I plan on going back to the dealer today and check them both out again and make my decision. Leaning towards Prestige if the numbers play out. Again thanks everyone!!

[madbowler6]

Residual on P+ is 62 base, Prestige is 60 (2 point difference always)

well, sort of. the difference between Prem+ and Prestige is always 2%, but they're not always 62 and 60%. the actual percentage varies based on term and mileage, but you are correct, the difference is always 2%.

[Rob O]

I'm always perplexed by folks who plan their purchase around getting rid of the vehicle. I totally get why...it just seems really odd to me. Get the car you want with the features/options you want. When I shop for CPO cars, I *specifically* look for Prestige, because I want all the features.

I think the question here was about budget/monthly payment and not about future (resale) value. The fact the OP is looking at leasing means future (residual) value is a factor in determining his monthly payment, if he has the budget to go Prestige over Premium Plus, and if it's worth it.

I totally agree with "get the car you want". That said, I go through cars fast enough I'm always thinking ahead to the implications of future resale -- options, color, etc. So while I'd love a Merlin Purple S5 SB, that color would be harder to sell later on. I know people who buy decontented versions of usually well optioned cars, like an M3 with sunroof delete and manual seats. That's what they wanted, but is harder to sell later because *most* buyers expect a luxury sport sedan to have a sunroof and DCT. No doubt there's an enthusiast buyer out there who also wants no-sunroof, 6MT (or a Merlin S5 SB) ... but there are a lot fewer of those buyers than mainstream shoppers.

Back to the original topic, I don't think Prestige model S5 SBs will command a large premium over a similarly equipped P+ in 3 or 4 years (hence my original comment about residuals and diluted value of Prestige specific options). Used buyers probably won't even recognize the difference and will shop on price, so Prestige models will lose more value over the same timeframe than P+ models.

[N8!]

If and S5 is stretching you budget, go for an A5 with all the goodies. You'll be $10-15K less.

[Johnnystats]

I went over to the dealer today. The prem + had a msrp of $66275.00 (dynamic steering) The Prestige had a msrp of $66525.00 (no dynamic steering, warm weather package) The difference in payment would be 55/month. Drawback to the Prestige is that it had the 18 inch wheels. He can locate a Prestige Daytona Gray/Magma That has a msrp of $67450.00. The difference in payment from the Prem + is 69/month. Has all the options I’d want and does not have dynamic steering. I think I’m leaning towards this one....

[Rob O]

I went over to the dealer today. The prem + had a msrp of $66275.00 (dynamic steering) The Prestige had a msrp of $66525.00 (no dynamic steering, warm weather package) The difference in payment would be 55/month. Drawback to the Prestige is that it had the 18 inch wheels. He can locate a Prestige Daytona Gray/Magma That has a msrp of $67450.00. The difference in payment from the Prem + is 69/month. Has all the options I’d want and does not have dynamic steering. I think I’m leaning towards this one....

$69/mo diff is a no brainier IMO.

[Anthony]

If and S5 is stretching you budget, go for an A5 with all the goodies. You'll be $10-15K less.

One would think, but I actually built out an A5 and with all of the options I wanted, it made more sense to lease the S5.

[ncstatesman89]

Mad,

Thank you for the great...very, very informative.
I am thinking of getting a S5 fully loaded prestige this year however I am not in an immediate hurry can you tell me:

1. What new refinements, tweaks, or enhancements the 2019 model year has in store for the S5?

2. Are there periodic firmware upgrades that add new virtual cockpit graphical features/options/modes or MMI features that enhance any of the car's interior visual features or daily driver experiences

3. I I was very surprised to hear that a new set of tires requires and overall realignment over the cars sensors costing seMad,
Thank you for the great...very, very informative.
I am thinking of getting a S5 fully loaded prestige this year however I am not in an immediate hurry can you tell me:

1. What new refinements, tweaks, or enhancements the 2019 model year has in store for the S5?

2. Are there periodic firmware upgrades that add new virtual cockpit graphical features/options/modes or MMI features that enhance any of the car's interior visual features or daily driver experiences

3. I was very surprised to hear that a new set of tires requires and overall realignment over the cars sensors costing several hundred dollars... I was not expecting that and I wonder if other makes also have that issue as well. As long as you are keeping the same diameter tires I would imagine you would not have to go through a recalibration of all these sensors right?veral hundred dollars... I was not expecting that and I wonder if other makes also have that issue as well. As long as you are keeping the same diameter tires I would imagine you would not have to go through a recalibration of all these sensors right?

[ncstatesman89]

[QUOTE=ncstatesman89;12953305]Mad,

Sorry for the re-post...copy paste fauxpas!

Thank you for the great...very, very informative.
I am thinking of getting a S5 fully loaded prestige this year however I am not in an immediate hurry can you tell me:

1. What new refinements, tweaks, or enhancements the 2019 model year has in store for the S5?

2. Are there periodic firmware upgrades that add new virtual cockpit graphical features/options/modes or MMI features that enhance any of the car's interior visual features or daily driver experiences

3. I I was very surprised to hear that a new set of tires requires and overall realignment over the cars sensors costing seMad,
Thank you for the great...very, very informative.
I am thinking of getting a S5 fully loaded prestige this year however I am not in an immediate hurry can you tell me:

[Johnnystats]

I sell Audis, so let me give you some guidance. For the record, I have a 2018 S4 Prestige w/ DA, Daytona Gray on red (so pretty much the same car). Couldn't be happier with my choice.

The Prestige will give you the following equipment standard, which you CANNOT GET even as an option on the Prem+ model:
*Heads up display
*Interior LED lighting package that will allow you to turn your trim lighting a whole rainbow of colors (prolly not a must-have, but def a nice-to-have).
*Top view camera system
(it also has double-pane glass on the front windows to reduce road noise, but who cares)

If any of those features are must-haves for you, you need the Prestige.

If you're just in it for the performance and don't care about the tech, go with the Prem+. They lease much better than do the Prestiges; residuals are higher on the Prem+. That said, if your dealer is getting you a Prestige for only $55/mo more than a similarly equipped Prem+ model, I would jump all over that bc, MSRP for MSRP, the difference in lease payment is usually more than that. Most of the leases I've had go across my desk are usually around $100/mo different between Prem+ and Prestige if the MSRP is close.

As some of the other guys here have said, one of the key selling points of the Prestige is the availability of the Driver Assistance package. It's not available on Prem+. But what's further awesome about that package is that all of that DA info *populates in the HUD*, so it REALLY augments the awesomeness of the HUD. IMHO, it's a waste to get the Prestige without the DA because you're not getting the full benefit of the HUD. Without DA, the HUD will basically just give you current speed, and turn-by-turn nav directions if you're navigating. There are a few other things it'll display, like cruise control when you first turn it on, but for the most part, it's just current speed and turn-by-turn.

BUT...once you add the DA package, NOW you get all the cool stuff. You get the traffic sign recognition system, which will recognize three types of traffic signs: speed limits, school zones, no passing zones. If you drive past one of these signs, the car's camera will grab it and give you a pop-up in the HUD letting you know the speed limit and if you're in a school/no passing zone. Your Active Lane Assist will appear in the HUD. Your Adaptive Cruise activation will appear there, and when you adjust the Adaptive Cruise's following distance, it will show you the settings for a few seconds in the HUD. When Stop-and-Go Traffic Jam Assist is working, it'll display that. The DA package also does this: remember in driver ed class when they preached about a "two second following distance"? Well, you can set a following distance for the traffic ahead of you (I have mine set to 1.6 seconds), and if you start following the car in front by that distance OR LESS, it will give you a flashing red distance indicator in the HUD and Virtual Cockpit, letting you know you need to back off a bit. The settings for this system go from 1 second to 3 seconds following distance, or you can turn it off entirely. IMO, the Adaptive Cruise is worth its weight in gold bc it almost serves as a de facto emergency braking system, bc if traffic starts to rapidly slow while you're not paying the closest of attention, it'll slow the car down for you. I'm not sure how HARD it can hit the brakes if it has to, and hopefully I'll never find out, but so far, so good.

One thing to consider: if you have the DA, if you ever have to have the windshield replaced or, if I remember correctly, when you get new tires, you will have to have an "adaptive cruise alignment" performed, which costs a few hundred bucks and is apparently necessary in order to make sure all the car's various adaptive cruise sensors are properly aligned. I've yet to have this done, but I can live with it. Worth it to me.

Hope this helps! (Go Prestige!)

Super helpful information, thanks! I’m going for a Prestige as long as they can secure the color combo u want from another dealer. I didn’t know about DAP and new tires. I was looking to put on all seasons since I live in the North East.

[dreaddontdie]

This is awesome...thanks!

I sell Audis, so let me give you some guidance. For the record, I have a 2018 S4 Prestige w/ DA, Daytona Gray on red (so pretty much the same car). Couldn't be happier with my choice.

The Prestige will give you the following equipment standard, which you CANNOT GET even as an option on the Prem+ model:
*Heads up display
*Interior LED lighting package that will allow you to turn your trim lighting a whole rainbow of colors (prolly not a must-have, but def a nice-to-have).
*Top view camera system
(it also has double-pane glass on the front windows to reduce road noise, but who cares)

If any of those features are must-haves for you, you need the Prestige.

If you're just in it for the performance and don't care about the tech, go with the Prem+. They lease much better than do the Prestiges; residuals are higher on the Prem+. That said, if your dealer is getting you a Prestige for only $55/mo more than a similarly equipped Prem+ model, I would jump all over that bc, MSRP for MSRP, the difference in lease payment is usually more than that. Most of the leases I've had go across my desk are usually around $100/mo different between Prem+ and Prestige if the MSRP is close.

As some of the other guys here have said, one of the key selling points of the Prestige is the availability of the Driver Assistance package. It's not available on Prem+. But what's further awesome about that package is that all of that DA info *populates in the HUD*, so it REALLY augments the awesomeness of the HUD. IMHO, it's a waste to get the Prestige without the DA because you're not getting the full benefit of the HUD. Without DA, the HUD will basically just give you current speed, and turn-by-turn nav directions if you're navigating. There are a few other things it'll display, like cruise control when you first turn it on, but for the most part, it's just current speed and turn-by-turn.

BUT...once you add the DA package, NOW you get all the cool stuff. You get the traffic sign recognition system, which will recognize three types of traffic signs: speed limits, school zones, no passing zones. If you drive past one of these signs, the car's camera will grab it and give you a pop-up in the HUD letting you know the speed limit and if you're in a school/no passing zone. Your Active Lane Assist will appear in the HUD. Your Adaptive Cruise activation will appear there, and when you adjust the Adaptive Cruise's following distance, it will show you the settings for a few seconds in the HUD. When Stop-and-Go Traffic Jam Assist is working, it'll display that. The DA package also does this: remember in driver ed class when they preached about a "two second following distance"? Well, you can set a following distance for the traffic ahead of you (I have mine set to 1.6 seconds), and if you start following the car in front by that distance OR LESS, it will give you a flashing red distance indicator in the HUD and Virtual Cockpit, letting you know you need to back off a bit. The settings for this system go from 1 second to 3 seconds following distance, or you can turn it off entirely. IMO, the Adaptive Cruise is worth its weight in gold bc it almost serves as a de facto emergency braking system, bc if traffic starts to rapidly slow while you're not paying the closest of attention, it'll slow the car down for you. I'm not sure how HARD it can hit the brakes if it has to, and hopefully I'll never find out, but so far, so good.

One thing to consider: if you have the DA, if you ever have to have the windshield replaced or, if I remember correctly, when you get new tires, you will have to have an "adaptive cruise alignment" performed, which costs a few hundred bucks and is apparently necessary in order to make sure all the car's various adaptive cruise sensors are properly aligned. I've yet to have this done, but I can live with it. Worth it to me.

Hope this helps! (Go Prestige!)

[madbowler6]

1. What new refinements, tweaks, or enhancements the 2019 model year has in store for the S5?

2. Are there periodic firmware upgrades that add new virtual cockpit graphical features/options/modes or MMI features that enhance any of the car's interior visual features or daily driver experiences

3. I was very surprised to hear that a new set of tires requires and overall realignment over the cars sensors costing several hundred dollars... I was not expecting that and I wonder if other makes also have that issue as well. As long as you are keeping the same diameter tires I would imagine you would not have to go through a recalibration of all these sensors right?

I honestly don't know the answer to most of these. I'll say this.

1. the S5 was just redesigned for 2018, so don't expect crazy new options or features for 2019. Anything really significant would've been rolled out with the redesign. For 2019 I would expect a black optic package to be made available, and perhaps some repackaging where they move something from one package into another. For example in 2017, the DA package was an option only on the Prestige level A4; for 2018, they made that package standard equipment on the Prestige model...and then raised the price, of course. :) It wouldn't surprise me if Audi did something like that with the S4/S5. But as far as totally new, previously unavailable features, I wouldn't expect much beyond black optics.

2. Your guess is as good as mine. this is certainly one of the potential benefits of features like this; they're (potentially) updateable. Audi would keep any *official* news on these points close to the vest until they're about ready for European release because, obviously, they want us to sell what's in front of us and not stack customers up on future models.

3. you and me both! you could always refuse to have the service done, but if your active lane assist keeps flubbing after that, it'll be on you. it's a recommended service, and who knows, maybe it's just a customer-gouge by the manufacturer, but is that a chance you want to take? with any luck, I'll NEED it done on my next set of tires because as soon as a stage 1 software tune is available on my car, I'm putting 255s on it (+10mm) and to 450-500hp I go!

[ncstatesman89]

Thank u very much for the detailed responses....very good info!!

I would have to live with #3, that's just the way it is.

The one thing i was really wanting for 2019 was the availability of the black Optics package ....that would definitely seal the deal for me!

One last Q, when will they release the 2019 for ordering?

Again, thanks!!

Sent from my SM-G935P using Audizine mobile app

[madbowler6]

One last Q, when will they release the 2019 for ordering?

Again, thanks!!

Sent from my SM-G935P using Audizine mobile app

We don't have a date certain yet, but for ordering it will probably be early summer.

[N8!]

I honestly don't know the answer to most of these. I'll say this.

1. the S5 was just redesigned for 2018, so don't expect crazy new options or features for 2019. Anything really significant would've been rolled out with the redesign. For 2019 I would expect a black optic package to be made available, and perhaps some repackaging where they move something from one package into another. For example in 2017, the DA package was an option only on the Prestige level A4; for 2018, they made that package standard equipment on the Prestige model...and then raised the price, of course. :) It wouldn't surprise me if Audi did something like that with the S4/S5. But as far as totally new, previously unavailable features, I wouldn't expect much beyond black optics.

Since Audi is a very conservative company, I'd say the changes within the A5/S5 model line will be minimal for the next 3-4 years and probably limited to a few minor cosmetic changes only.

Black Optics will be forthcoming eventually, since that has already been released in most other markets around the world.

I personally wish we in the US had the option of no sunroof.