How is the ride of the RS5 for daily use?

[socialpro]

I've seen opinions and feedback all over the place of how 'harsh' the RS5 is , even in comfort setting. I had a very brief street only test drive in one yesterday, and it seemed to do OK, on the 20" wheels. (275/30/20). I think it is consensus that it's a better daily ride then M3/M4 and C63 - is that also true?

Can anyone comment on the RS5 ride, especially vs cars such as B8.5 S4, RS7, etc.

I'm thinking of consolidating my A6 and RS7 into an RS5 sportback and wonder if day to day use, road trips, various pavements (and the fact that I put on 15-20K miles a year) onto the car will wear me out!

Please share any of your opinions!

[jpenneck]

The B9 RS SB with the dynamic suspension definitely has a better ride than my B8.5 RS5 when set to Confort or Auto. The Dynamic setting is definitely a stiffer ride and not something I would use for daily use.

[superswiss]

This is quite honestly a very difficult question to answer, because ride comfort is somewhat subjective and it also depends on your typical roads that you drive on. It always has to be looked at relative to something you are used to driving where you drive. I've been daily driving a '13 RS5 for the past six years. I've done very long road trips, the longest one being 12 hours of driving in one day. From an objective standpoint, I wouldn't describe the B8.5 RS5 as a comfortable car, just based on what it is and that the suspension is a sporty firm fixed steel suspension. But subjectively it is overall more comfortable than the B7 S4 I had before and I have largely no complaints about it. I personally prefer a suspension that is on the firm side of comfortable.

I have extensively driven the B9 RS5 on some of my typical roads, including busting through some of my favorite canyon roads. It is more comfortable in Comfort mode than my '13 RS5 and harsher in Dynamic mode. I found the suspension spread to be excellent for a car in this segment. Compared to other models you also have to be careful, because AMG for example just reworked the suspension in the '19 C63S. I've only driven one on a relatively short test drive, but based on that, Comfort mode is very similar to the RS5's Comfort mode. I'll be picking up my brand new '19 C63S coupe tomorrow in 2 weeks. I'm doing European Delivery and will be driving it in Europe for two months. That will be the first real comparison to my RS5 on European roads. I've done European Delivery with my RS5 as well. The second test will be once the car gets here and I get to drive it extensively on my typical roads, where I've also driven the B9 RS5 and other current RS models. I'm expecting the ride to be better than my RS5 and comparable to the B9 RS5.

You currently have two cars at very different ends of the spectrum. The A6 is a plush ride in my opinion even with the sport suspension and the RS7 depends. I'm assuming you have the air suspension, so that's a different game. In terms of comfort, you can't beat an air suspension, because it can adjust spring and damping rate from very comfortable to technically very firm. Optionally, the RS7 is available with the DRC suspension, which is the same suspension as the B9 RS5 optional adaptive suspension, just tuned differently. The RS7 with the DRC rides noticeably firmer, but also flatter and better handling. The DRC's objective is not comfort. That's more of a by-product. Its main objective is chassis control. It diagonally links the front and rear dampers to minimize roll, squat and dive. It acts more like an adjustable sway bar and comfort is essentially dialed in by allowing more roll, squat and dive. However, as far as current RS models go, it's probably the most comfortable you can get. Perhaps not as comfortable as the RS7 with air suspension, though.

[tbone323]

I don’t have all of the experience driving different models but have had my RS5 for 3 months now and use comfort mode for fwy driving (to and fro work) and dynamic for everything else. It’s a huge difference between the two modes and allows both comfortable commuting and spirited driving. If the car only had 1 mode it would certainly be a deal breaker!

[superswiss]

Also wanted to point out one other thing I was going to mention, but forgot. In my experience the vast majority of people drive with the wrong tire pressure in the USA. In the USA, the door sticker on most cars only lists what's called the max load recommended tire pressure. This tire pressure is really only meant for when the car is fully loaded with people and cargo, or you plan to drive it at top speed. For normal driving with barely any cargo and just the driver or a couple of passengers one should be using what's called the normal load recommended tire pressure. For Audis the normal load tire pressure can be found in the owner's manual. Some other cars like Mercedes have a more detailed sticker inside of the fuel cap that lists all the various recommended tire pressures. The difference between normal load and max load pressure on these cars is in the neighborhood of 4-5 psi and that makes quite a difference in terms of ride comfort for regular driving.

[socialpro]

Thank you everyone for input - great points all around. Yes tire pressure (and tire choice!!) is a big one as well and can have a massive effect on ride quality with only a few PSI difference.

Again - I did not find the RS5 to be too jarring in my brief drive (on comfort) - and actually in ways felt somewhat smoother than wifes 2018 S4 I drove that day (and thats on 19s!).

Also trying to figure out if I want to step down in size from my A6/RS7 that I daily, and if RS5 is best option to put on to the tune of 15-20k miles on yearly.

[mikess4]

To me, the RS5 Sportback is the best of all worlds. I used to own an S7 and found it too floaty. I drive the RS5 Sportback in Auto mode most of the time and find it responsive when it needs to be and comfortable for every day use. Dynamic mode is definitely a stiff and bouncy ride especially over less than stellar roads. I could never find a driving mode in the S7 that I enjoyed. Btw, I did swap out the summer Conti’s for the all season Conti DWS06 tires which for me were the perfect 12 month compromise.


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[superswiss]

Thank you everyone for input - great points all around. Yes tire pressure (and tire choice!!) is a big one as well and can have a massive effect on ride quality with only a few PSI difference.

Again - I did not find the RS5 to be too jarring in my brief drive (on comfort) - and actually in ways felt somewhat smoother than wifes 2018 S4 I drove that day (and thats on 19s!).

Also trying to figure out if I want to step down in size from my A6/RS7 that I daily, and if RS5 is best option to put on to the tune of 15-20k miles on yearly.

Yes, tire choice also. It's worth mentioning that Audi puts Hankook tires on the RS5 at least with the 20" wheels, and those are some of the softest summer performance tires. In the past, Audi favored Pirelli P Zeros, which are stiffer. BMW and Mercedes put Michelin PSS and PS4S on their performance cars, which are also stiffer, but more compliant than the P Zero, and arguably the best handling street rubber money can buy at the moment. The Hankook is a good choice if you value comfort over handling. They are also significantly cheaper.

[chi_marketing]

Yes, tire choice also. It's worth mentioning that Audi puts Hankook tires on the RS5 at least with the 20" wheels, and those are some of the softest summer performance tires. In the past, Audi favored Pirelli P Zeros, which are stiffer. BMW and Mercedes put Michelin PSS and PS4S on their performance cars, which are also stiffer, but more compliant than the P Zero, and arguably the best handling street rubber money can buy at the moment. The Hankook is a good choice if you value comfort over handling. They are also significantly cheaper.

On my 2019 RS5 sportback running 20" wheels and it shipped with continental sport contact 6...a great tire.
They are very quiet, and the grip on the corners is crazy. The same tire comes on the R8 performance version among other performance cars.

I just had my winter Michelins put away for the winter. https://www.michelinman.com/tire/mic...ilot-alpin-pa4

My S3 came with the Pirelli P Zeros and probably the worst performance tire I have ever used. I took them off and disposed of them. The ride quality along with the MQB platform was awful on the track.
I will admit I do have a confirmation bias towards Michelin tires...I will head that route once the Conti's wear out.

[superswiss]

On my 2019 RS5 sportback running 20" wheels and it shipped with continental sport contact 6...a great tire.
They are very quiet, and the grip on the corners is crazy. The same tire comes on the R8 performance version among other performance cars.

I just had my winter Michelins put away for the winter. https://www.michelinman.com/tire/mic...ilot-alpin-pa4

My S3 came with the Pirelli P Zeros and probably the worst performance tire I have ever used. I took them off and disposed of them. The ride quality along with the MQB platform was awful on the track.
I will admit I do have a confirmation bias towards Michelin tires...I will head that route once the Conti's wear out.

Sounds like Audi listened and got rid of the Hankooks. Those tires were a common complaint. Curious how the ride might have changed. Of course, the SB has differently tuned suspension and longer wheel base, so the ride is different from the coupe. Maybe they still put Hankooks on the coupe. The one I drove last year had Hankooks.

[Bkhko]

The missus chooses to take take the RS5SB for the daily school runs so no complains here. Our son happily falls asleep in the back as well so gets his approval as well.

[RS5fvr]

Having driven all of the vehicles in this class... the RS5 is no doubt the most comfortable and quiet of the bunch while still being capable. Dynamic is stiffer but still more compliant than the others. Sometimes I forget I'm in the RS5 as opposed to the A6.

[Batman0424]

I drive in dynamic daily. Occasionally, I’ll throw it into Auto when I have my family in the car and it is more comfortable than my B8.5 S4.


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[Xenny]

I drive in dynamic daily. Occasionally, I’ll throw it into Auto when I have my family in the car and it is more comfortable than my B8.5 S4.


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^5 for driving in dynamic daily, I thought I was the only one! I too will tone it down to Auto when family or friends are in the car, or for long road trips.

[Batman0424]

^5 for driving in dynamic daily, I thought I was the only one! I too will tone it down to Auto when family or friends are in the car, or for long road trips.

I finally put her into Comfort today (first time in 6 months of ownership). My daughter was falling asleep in the car and I figured dynamic would be a bit too much. She fell right asleep and stayed out for a good 45 minutes until we got home. I really enjoy the flexibility this car offers.


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[S4MB11013]

For the daily drive and what is rather short commutes in traffic , I have my drive system on auto for suspension and engine/gearbox , everything else at dynamic
This works very well and gives you what you need using low end torque to easily zip between lanes/ merge etc
Haven't tried comfort for an extended period of time yet but initially did find it a bit bouncy and floaty when I did
Used to my settings daily and only use dynamic when out on some good roads or keen for a spirited drive
Great daily driver car

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[underboss24]

Short answer. Perfect daily car. My 5 year old son with a car seat, along with all the accessories that kids require.

Stock were Hankook, noticeable flex switched to PS4S - made a huge difference.
Dynamic with KW HAS - VERY bouncy ride, lots of rebound
Comfort mode W/ KW Has - The bounce/rebound reduced instantly but can still feel the road (in a good way)

[ks_os]

I've seen opinions and feedback all over the place of how 'harsh' the RS5 is , even in comfort setting. I had a very brief street only test drive in one yesterday, and it seemed to do OK, on the 20" wheels. (275/30/20). I think it is consensus that it's a better daily ride then M3/M4 and C63 - is that also true?

Can anyone comment on the RS5 ride, especially vs cars such as B8.5 S4, RS7, etc.

I'm thinking of consolidating my A6 and RS7 into an RS5 sportback and wonder if day to day use, road trips, various pavements (and the fact that I put on 15-20K miles a year) onto the car will wear me out!

Please share any of your opinions!

I drive both a B8.5 S4 (winter and summer) and 2018 RS5 (summer only), I think the comfort mode in the RS5 is very close to the dynamic mode in the S4 but I wouldn't call it "harsh", still very comfortable!

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[wwhan]

I drive both a B8.5 S4 (winter and summer) and 2018 RS5 (summer only), I think the comfort mode in the RS5 is very close to the dynamic mode in the S4 but I wouldn't call it "harsh", still very comfortable!

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It depends on the roads one drives on. It can be pretty bumpy in comfort mode (lousy roads), but on a reasonable well kept road the ride is fine.