Question about Dynamic Package

[BCT]

I am strongly considering moving from a S7 into a '19 RS5 SportBack. My question is how desirable is the Dynamic Package? Does it make a big difference in ride quality and handling? Is this a must have package?
I'm used to the S7 ride. However it's a big car and you can feel it in the corners. My assumption is that the RS5 will fill my needs for power and better handling. But being an old man, I do like the comfort of the S7. Will the RS5 with the Dynamic Pack be too harsh in everyday driving?
Thank you for your help/advice!

[TEKNIKA]

I am strongly considering moving from a S7 into a '19 RS5 SportBack. My question is how desirable is the Dynamic Package? Does it make a big difference in ride quality and handling? Is this a must have package?
I'm used to the S7 ride. However it's a big car and you can feel it in the corners. My assumption is that the RS5 will fill my needs for power and better handling. But being an old man, I do like the comfort of the S7. Will the RS5 with the Dynamic Pack be too harsh in everyday driving?
Thank you for your help/advice!

Without going into a long-winded reply, the Dynamic Package with its DRC (Dynamic Ride Control) and Magnetic Ride Suspension is on the stiffer and bouncier side. This is quite noticeable especially if you are accustomed to a softer ride quality. However, the DRC can be adjusted to comfort which will soften the Magnetic Ride to a much more supple ride quality.

[RS5fvr]

I avoided DRC this time around as I hate changing parameters for every little thing and boy did it pay off. My car is comfy and sporty at the same time. Couldn't be happier with my decision. I've had a several audi SUV loaners and the ride feels nearly as good despite the low profile 20's. As my daily driver the vehicle is amazing. If I were to track the car than I would've considered the DRC but to be honest I probably wouldn't have gotten this vehicle in that situation.

[wwhan]

Without going into a long-winded reply, the Dynamic Package with its DRC (Dynamic Ride Control) and Magnetic Ride Suspension is on the stiffer and bouncier side. This is quite noticeable especially if you are accustomed to a softer ride quality. However, the DRC can be adjusted to comfort which will soften the Magnetic Ride to a much more supple ride quality.

DRC is not magnetic suspension.

The only thing I like about the dynamic package is the RS sport exhaust system with black tips. Most of time I keep the DRC in comfort mode.

Dynamic package:
Red brake calipers
RS sport exhaust system with black tips
RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC)

Dynamic Ride Control: https://www.audi-technology-portal.d...ide-control_en

[wwhan]

Audi magnetic ride: https://www.audi-technology-portal.d...gnetic-ride_en

[TEKNIKA]

DRC is not magnetic suspension.

The only thing I like about the dynamic package is the RS sport exhaust system with black tips. Most of time I keep the DRC in comfort mode.

Dynamic package:
Red brake calipers
RS sport exhaust system with black tips
RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC)

Dynamic Ride Control: https://www.audi-technology-portal.d...ide-control_en

You are correct. My wording should have been more clear. I meant to explain that the DRC in "Dynamic Mode" is comparable in stiffness and ride quality to the Magnetic Ride Suspension, and not that the two are synonymous. Thank you for identifying that.

[BCT]

Thank you everyone for your input! However, please excuse my ignorance, I do have a few more questions: So on the Drive Select on the 'regular" suspension, is the suspension adjustable? Is it controlled by hydraulics (valving)? Is the Dynamic Suspension too stiff for everyday driving unless you put it in comfort? Is it still "bouncy" in Comfort?

[superswiss]

Thank you everyone for your input! However, please excuse my ignorance, I do have a few more questions: So on the Drive Select on the 'regular" suspension, is the suspension adjustable? Is it controlled by hydraulics (valving)? Is the Dynamic Suspension too stiff for everyday driving unless you put it in comfort? Is it still "bouncy" in Comfort?

No, the regular suspension is fixed and there is no difference between the different Audi Drive Select modes with the regular suspension.

The DRC suspension is hydraulic. It's a somewhat unique design. It diagonally connects the dampers via central valves to reduce body roll and pitch. The suspension is fundamentally more about controlling body roll and pitch than it is about comfort. "Comfort" is sort of a byproduct of allowing more body roll and pitch in comfort mode. Other adaptive suspensions such as what's found in the S5, BMW M or AMG models use independent adjustable dampers with two valves. One can adjust the compression stage of the damper and the other one adjusts the rebound, and each corner is individually controlled and adjusts the damping characteristics multiple times a second based on road conditions etc. They also can reduce body roll and pitch by stiffening the compression stage, but at the same time allow for a softer rebound by independently adjusting the rebound stage.

The DRC doesn't have the ability to adjust compression and rebound independently, so the damping isn't as comfortable and that's where some of the complaints come from of the suspension being bouncy and harsh in dynamic mode and somewhat floaty in comfort mode. IMO, it is unnecessarily non-compliant in dynamic mode. Largely undriveable in normal situations. I'm actually of the opinion that Audi needs to retire the DRC in favor of the more modern adjustable damper suspensions. AMG for example does a much better job with their AMG Ride Control suspension in the current AMG models. I love the suspension in my 2019 C63S coupe. Much better than the RS5 suspension, IMHO. It adapts much better to the current driving situation so I could actually drive it around town in S+ w/o getting my fillings knocked out, but if I hit up a canyon road it has excellent chassis control while still being compliant. The RS5 DRC suspension just gets harsh in dynamic mode, whether you are driving in a relaxed manner or actually carving up some canyon road. It's sort of an on/off more than a progressively adaptive setup.

https://www.audi-technology-portal.d...ide-control_en

[mpo77]

I have an 18 RS5 (coupe) with the DRC suspension. As others have said, in Dynamic mode, the suspension is very bouncy. The only time I switch over to Dynamic is when I'm on an extremely smooth freeway (fortunately we have some new construction in the Phoenix area that meets this criteria). I primarily drive in Individual mode, where I've set the suspension to Comfort. In Comfort, I don't find the car bouncy at all and it handles rough/uneven pavement well - never feel like I'm getting beat up. To me this was the clear deciding factor when I was cross-shopping against the M4 and C63.

All cars were 2018s, but I've seen quite a few youtube reviews that imply the differences I noticed would hold on 2020 models. I found the ride quality of the M4 (even non-competition, but much worse for competition) and C63 (I didn't drive the S, but expect it would be worse) to be unnecessarily punishing on any kind of pavement...even in the softest settings. That was also reflected in interiors that sounded like they were going to shake themselves apart (rattling/buzzing vents, trim pieces, etc). These were used cars with less than 10k miles. All cars have trade-offs and I found the RS5 to be the only one of the 3 I could live with on a daily basis.

[superswiss]

Just to complicate the matter let me add one more thing. Don't overlook tires and tire pressure when it comes to ride comfort etc. The RS5 at least early on came with Hankook tires, at least when opted for 20". The Hankook are known for having soft sidewalls and get quickly overwhelmed after a few hard corners. On the upside, though, the soft sidewall means better ride comfort. BMW and AMG generally put Michelin tires on their performance cars such as the Pilot Super Sport, Pilot Sport 4S or even the Pilot Sport Cup 2 for optional streetable track tires. The Michelin are arguably the best performance tires, but not necessarily the most comfortable. The PS4S, though is all around an amazing tire and one of the most comfortable performance tire w/o compromising handling. My C63S came with PSS and I swapped them out with the PS4S. An all around improvement. Better dry and wet performance and noticeably better ride quality.

More importantly, though is tire pressure. In my experience most folks use the wrong tire pressure and even dealerships do not properly inflate the tires. So generally when somebody complains about ride quality, chances are their tire pressure is too high. These cars have different recommended tire pressures depending on the load and speeds you plan on driving. The door sticker in the USA lists the absolute highest recommended tire pressure known as the max load recommended tire pressure. That's not the one you wanna use for most normal driving. For normal driving as in just you plus maybe a second passenger and speeds below 155 mph you wanna use what's known as the normal load recommended tire pressure. Audi lists those in the owners manual and other brands such as AMG puts a detailed sticker inside of the fuel door for example. Just to give you an idea, here's a picture of the one from my C63S. Notice how the recommended tire pressure for 19/20 tires ranges from 33f/32r all the way to 46f/48r. That's a huge difference and night and day in ride comfort if you use the wrong one. The one on the door sticker is 46f/48r and driving around with that by yourself and an empty trunk the ride is brutal. This tire pressure is only meant if the car has 4 people in it, a trunk full of cargo and you plan to drive up to 180 mph. That kind of pressure is needed in that situation to not destroy the tires. Since I'm usually by myself and don't carry a lot of cargo, I use 33f/32r. The RS5 doesn't have this wide of a range, but it also has different tire pressures based on load and speed.

I always say, if you are cross shopping these cars, make sure you check the tire pressure before the test drives.

[wwhan]

.....Don't overlook tires and tire pressure when it comes to ride comfort etc....

More importantly, though is tire pressure. In my experience most folks use the wrong tire pressure and even dealerships do not properly inflate the tires. So generally when somebody complains about ride quality, chances are their tire pressure is too high. These cars have different recommended tire pressures depending on the load and speeds you plan on driving. The door sticker in the USA lists the absolute highest recommended tire pressure known as the max load recommended tire pressure. That's not the one you wanna use for most normal driving. For normal driving as in just you plus maybe a second passenger and speeds below 155 mph you wanna use what's known as the normal load recommended tire pressure.

I always say, if you are cross shopping these cars, make sure you check the tire pressure before the test drives.....

+1, I always end up needing to remove air from my tires after service at the dealer. They typically put the tire pressure at around 44 PSI.

I run 38 PSI in front and 32 PSI in the rear. I am currently running 245/40/19 tires for improved pot hole survivability and better ride.

[mpo77]

I can't comment on the Hankook tires; my RS5 came with Continental Sport Contact 6 tires (20") which are due to be replaced shortly. On my prior 2013 S5 I had Michelin PSS and then PS4S which were both good tires (18"). Even with the difference in size the RS5 feels only slightly more firm than my old S5 in Comfort settings.

I'm skeptical that tire pressure is responsible for the M4-C63-RS5 differences I experienced. I guess it's possible that the three M4s and two C63s I drove had over-inflated tires and the two RS5s I drove had under-inflated tires...but seems unlikely. And again, there are enough online reviews where the recurring adjectives for M4/C63 ride quality ("brutal", "brittle", etc) make me think this isn't a bug, but a feature on those cars.

Additionally, when driving solo in my RS5 with tires at their max pressure the ride is nowhere near as harsh as what I experienced in the multiple M4/C63 I drove.

[RS5fvr]

DRC is still fairly compliant IMO considering I used to have a C63 prior to the recent suspension changes. It is bouncy in dynamic but still not as bad as the C63 which was straight up punishing. We also had a C43 in the family which somehow felt even worse. I vowed not to go back to Benz until they can get a nice balance. I went out of my way to find the regular suspension and to be honest it took a while as nearly every RS5 had it. The regular suspension is fixed and does not change with drive select modes as someone noted above. If its your daily driver than the regular suspension is the way to go. If its your only car than find a dealer that will be willing to let you take an extended test drive but they will likely be hard pressed to do it with any RS vehicle. I think you'll be fine whichever way you go personally and wouldn't focus too much on it.

[JWreck]

- RS5 DRC = bouncy (still bought with it, wouldn’t get it without)
- AMG DRC = sitting on fkn rocks

I’d rather a little bouncy :)

Also yes +1 to tire pressure. 38 F / 33 R here.

Hankooks definitely easily overwhelmed, wearing them out quickly to switch to PS4s. I put PS4s on my ‘17 C63S previously and it made it ALMOST not lose traction in 3rd gear at 50mph. Still an improvement :)

[superswiss]

I can't comment on the Hankook tires; my RS5 came with Continental Sport Contact 6 tires (20") which are due to be replaced shortly. On my prior 2013 S5 I had Michelin PSS and then PS4S which were both good tires (18"). Even with the difference in size the RS5 feels only slightly more firm than my old S5 in Comfort settings.

I'm skeptical that tire pressure is responsible for the M4-C63-RS5 differences I experienced. I guess it's possible that the three M4s and two C63s I drove had over-inflated tires and the two RS5s I drove had under-inflated tires...but seems unlikely. And again, there are enough online reviews where the recurring adjectives for M4/C63 ride quality ("brutal", "brittle", etc) make me think this isn't a bug, but a feature on those cars.

Additionally, when driving solo in my RS5 with tires at their max pressure the ride is nowhere near as harsh as what I experienced in the multiple M4/C63 I drove.

Seems like most are comparing the RS5 ride quality to the pre-facelift C63, and yes prior to 2019, the C63 and all AMGs for that matter had a punishing ride. That's no longer the case, though. With the 2019 FL the suspension has been significantly revised. Spring rates have been lowered and the Ride Control software has been completely overhauled. It's a different ride now. I was initially looking at getting a 2018 C63S, but passed on it for several reasons, suspension being one. The FL is a different car in many ways, and I can tell you from personal experience tire pressure makes a huge difference in the C63S. I don't think I've ever owned a car where tire pressure has this wide of a range and significantly affects ride quality. The E63 was also criticized for a harsh ride and the facelift that just came out has a significantly revised suspension as well. AMG has received the message and they have taken steps. I'm curious what if any improvements Audi has made to the DRC in the 2021 FL of the RS5.

[RS5fvr]

Seems like most are comparing the RS5 ride quality to the pre-facelift C63, and yes prior to 2019, the C63 and all AMGs for that matter had a punishing ride. That's no longer the case, though. With the 2019 FL the suspension has been significantly revised. Spring rates have been lowered and the Ride Control software has been completely overhauled. It's a different ride now. I was initially looking at getting a 2018 C63S, but passed on it for several reasons, suspension being one. The FL is a different car in many ways, and I can tell you from personal experience tire pressure makes a huge difference in the C63S. I don't think I've ever owned a car where tire pressure has this wide of a range and significantly affects ride quality. The E63 was also criticized for a harsh ride and the facelift that just came out has a significantly revised suspension as well. AMG has received the message and they have taken steps. I'm curious what if any improvements Audi has made to the DRC in the 2021 FL of the RS5.

I'll be impressed if they have fixed it to the level you are referring to without sacrificing much performance/handling in the process. If they can get it to ride as nice as the RS5 I would seriously reconsider at the next redesign. As for the current generation I have already been left with a bad taste and unfortunately that's all I will remember it by.

Having said that I will be taking a very close look at the upcoming G80 M3.

[mpo77]

I agree. In C&Ds review of the 2020 C63 they still refer to the "harsh" ride.

https://www.caranddriver.com/mercedes-amg/c63

TheStraightPipes on youtube compared a 2020 vs 2013 C63S and constantly referenced the worse ride on the 2020. They echo those comments in a similar video comparing the B9 vs B8.5 RS5 (they prefer the older V8), basically saying RS5 is the only comfortable ride in the M4-C63-RS5 group.

Of course this is all subjective (or maybe 99.9% of all AMG cars have mis-inflated tires). One person's "harsh" could be someone else's "most comfortable ride ever"...When I'm ready to move on from my RS5 I'd definitely give AMG (and BMW) another drive to see for myself if things have really changed.

[JWreck]

TBH I was less concerned with the quality of the ride from the fact that the C63S suspension was 4 bricks, and more concerned that the car sounded like it was going to fall apart with every little bump.

That car would make such horrible sounds when hitting even the smallest bumps. The RS5 is a very muted thump and certainly does not sound like it’s about to have a yard sale.

Anyway, OP if you don’t plan to modify the OEM suspension then get the DRC. If you do, then the sky is the limit.

[superswiss]

I agree. In C&Ds review of the 2020 C63 they still refer to the "harsh" ride.

https://www.caranddriver.com/mercedes-amg/c63

TheStraightPipes on youtube compared a 2020 vs 2013 C63S and constantly referenced the worse ride on the 2020. They echo those comments in a similar video comparing the B9 vs B8.5 RS5 (they prefer the older V8), basically saying RS5 is the only comfortable ride in the M4-C63-RS5 group.

Of course this is all subjective (or maybe 99.9% of all AMG cars have mis-inflated tires). One person's "harsh" could be someone else's "most comfortable ride ever"...When I'm ready to move on from my RS5 I'd definitely give AMG (and BMW) another drive to see for myself if things have really changed.

I encourage people to really drive these cars properly setup and not read too much into YouTube videos and reviews. The TheStraightPipes video is actually the perfect example of what I said. About three quarters into the video there's a shot of the instrument cluster with the tire pressures. Both front tires are in the low 50 psi. Way too high for the tire temps they are. At least 10 psi too high, which is huge. 14.7 psi is atmospheric pressure, so they almost had an additional atmosphere in their tires above what it should have been.

Pretty much everybody who attended the Bilster Berg, Germany unveiling commented on how much better the suspension is. Mr. AMG from the RBR channel who seems to have owned every AMG out there has commented on just how much better the revised suspension is on the terrible UK B-roads, after he actually bought one. Listen to the right sources.

Anyway, comfort is to a large degree subjective. What's harsh to some is just road feel to others. I have to say that if your top priority is ride comfort, you shouldn't buy a performance car. RS5, M4, C63 doesn't matter which one.

[wwhan]

....... I have to say that if your top priority is ride comfort, you shouldn't buy a performance car. RS5, M4, C63 doesn't matter which one.

Well a car with a lot of HorsePower is often matted to a car with a stiff suspension, but not always, some people want a different trade off than others. That is why we have choices.

[chavez885]

New owner of an RS5 chiming in, I've never driven anything this new or with fancy suspension.

It's definitely on the bumpier side, even in comfort mode with the dynamic package. It's very bearable IMO and I've got some back issues...

I have the Napa leather and the seats are VERY comfortable so i think that helps compensate and bring more comfort overall.

Only other car with near 500HP I've owned is a C5 Z06 and I'd say these cars are similar comfort levels for bumps, probably a little worse on the corvette.

As others have said, check tire pressure, make sure that's not stupid high and that will help.

[BCT]

Excellent discussion, thank you gentlemen! I understand that the ride in the RS5 will be firmer. I am not looking for the same ride as I now have in my S7. The reason why I am going to purchase a RS5 is because I want a more connected ride, responsive yet still composed. My S7 is a land yacht, fast yet cornering abilities are compromised because of the weight and size.
I am just trying to come to grips about whether the DRC is an absolute must have or will I be happy with the standard suspension. I do not want to have any regrets with this car!
I'm also thinking with less weight in front in the RS5 it will have the cornering ability that I am looking for.

MPO77: I live in the valley, out in Mountain Bridge in east Mesa and work in Gilbert. My son who used to have a RS3 lives in Phoenix proper. I would be good to run into you sometime!

[superswiss]

Well a car with a lot of HorsePower is often matted to a car with a stiff suspension, but not always, some people want a different trade off than others. That is why we have choices.

Agreed. Audi has carved out a niche inside of a niche with the RS5. They never really managed to compete with M or AMG at the performance, driving dynamics and sheer driving fun level and are now kinda catering to customers that want a performance badge, but aren't necessarily cut out for the comprises that comes with it. They are doing ok with the Sportback, which I personally think suits the idea of the B9 RS5 much better. The coupe is not working so well for them, though. Sales numbers are abysmal.

[superswiss]

Excellent discussion, thank you gentlemen! I understand that the ride in the RS5 will be firmer. I am not looking for the same ride as I now have in my S7. The reason why I am going to purchase a RS5 is because I want a more connected ride, responsive yet still composed. My S7 is a land yacht, fast yet cornering abilities are compromised because of the weight and size.
I am just trying to come to grips about whether the DRC is an absolute must have or will I be happy with the standard suspension. I do not want to have any regrets with this car!
I'm also thinking with less weight in front in the RS5 it will have the cornering ability that I am looking for.

MPO77: I live in the valley, out in Mountain Bridge in east Mesa and work in Gilbert. My son who used to have a RS3 lives in Phoenix proper. I would be good to run into you sometime!

Honestly, only a test drive will really tell you. Not sure if you can find one with and one without the DRC, but even if you just find one with the DRC, it'll give you a good baseline to see if you are at least happy with it. From the chassis perspective, it'll definitely feel more connected than the S7 with its air suspension and be more nimble given the smaller size. Where it will feel less connected is the transmission compared to the dual clutch in the S7.

[BCT]

Honestly, only a test drive will really tell you. Not sure if you can find one with and one without the DRC, but even if you just find one with the DRC, it'll give you a good baseline to see if you are at least happy with it. From the chassis perspective, it'll definitely feel more connected than the S7 with its air suspension and be more nimble given the smaller size. Where it will feel less connected is the transmission compared to the dual clutch in the S7.

The problem I am having is that I cannot compare the DRC as there is only ONE RS5 in the state of Arizona right now, and it doesn't have the DRC. Thus my questions here. I wish I could do a side by side comparison but that is not possible. And you are right about the dual clutch, I think I will miss this! The eight speed in the RS5 felt too smooth....it had no immediacy like the dual clutch has.

[RS5fvr]

Anyway, comfort is to a large degree subjective. What's harsh to some is just road feel to others. I have to say that if your top priority is ride comfort, you shouldn't buy a performance car. RS5, M4, C63 doesn't matter which one.

I have owned numerous cars that have unbelievable handling characteristics while still offering a "comfortable" ride quality. For example pick any 911 for that matter. Nearly all versions ride well while still maintaining handling characteristics.

I'm not spending 80k on a 45k car just for speed. That extra money I'm spending should be going into the engineering and overall quality of the vehicle. Otherwise I would just save money and get any other sports car for 50K which can also be had with magnetic ride control and offer a compliant ride. I have come from E39 and E60 M5's as well as my favorite which was an e46 M3. These cars were the epitome of balance at that time. Its a shame we can't achieve that level of ride quality and handling without rattling your teeth loose. You want road feel go drive an e46 M as it doesn't get much better. If anyone thinks harsh ride quality and road feel go hand in hand than it is silly but I understand there may be people like that. If we are talking track cars/extreme situations that's another story and will hold true. The RS5 has decent ride quality whichever way you look at it and it is a performance car and its fabulous. Sure the handling is numb but IMO so was the C63's and M4's albeit slightly less so. I have had enough cars under my belt from the past 25 years to be able and tell the difference between road feel and harshness and they aren't the same. I understand this may be subjective to most people but anyone who has driven all 3 can easily discern the difference btw the RS5 and competitor's performance cars in any form irrespective of tire pressure. Just my 2 cents.

My C63 got old really fast. I thought the V8 would keep me from getting rid of it but the amount of rattles that thing had developed in 2 years from such a harsh suspension was nearly mind boggling. Glad it's gone. Don't miss it at all. If you live with bad roads I would steer away from the C63 revised or not. I will patiently await the redesign.


To the OP. I personally feel that you should get the DRC since you already have an s7 and make the most out of the rs5. The ride will be compliant regardless. JMO

[superswiss]

I have owned numerous cars that have unbelievable handling characteristics while still offering a "comfortable" ride quality. For example pick any 911 for that matter. Nearly all versions ride well while still maintaining handling characteristics.

I'm not spending 80k on a 45k car just for speed. That extra money I'm spending should be going into the engineering and overall quality of the vehicle. Otherwise I would just save money and get any other sports car for 50K which can also be had with magnetic ride control and offer a compliant ride. I have come from E39 and E60 M5's as well as my favorite which was an e46 M3. These cars were the epitome of balance at that time. Its a shame we can't achieve that level of ride quality and handling without rattling your teeth loose. You want road feel go drive an e46 M as it doesn't get much better. If anyone thinks harsh ride quality and road feel go hand in hand than it is silly but I understand there may be people like that. If we are talking track cars/extreme situations that's another story and will hold true. The RS5 has decent ride quality whichever way you look at it and it is a performance car and its fabulous. Sure the handling is numb but IMO so was the C63's and M4's albeit slightly less so. I have had enough cars under my belt from the past 25 years to be able and tell the difference between road feel and harshness and they aren't the same. I understand this may be subjective to most people but anyone who has driven all 3 can easily discern the difference btw the RS5 and competitor's performance cars in any form irrespective of tire pressure. Just my 2 cents.

My C63 got old really fast. I thought the V8 would keep me from getting rid of it but the amount of rattles that thing had developed in 2 years from such a harsh suspension was nearly mind boggling. Glad it's gone. Don't miss it at all. If you live with bad roads I would steer away from the C63 revised or not. I will patiently await the redesign.


To the OP. I personally feel that you should get the DRC since you already have an s7 and make the most out of the rs5. The ride will be compliant regardless. JMO

I'm not disagreeing with what you are saying and I didn't mean harsh equals road feel. That was just meant to convey how subjective it can be. What you describe is what I personally find in the revised C63 suspension. Best way I can describe it is perhaps comfortably firm. It provides road feel and great handling w/o being punishing. You can feel the road you are driving on, but the damping is excellent so that its not jarring, bouncy or throwing you all over the place and it doesn't rattle up the interior. I have driven pre 2019 C63s and especially the sedans were super harsh and the interior took a beating. I daily drive mine and have done several nearly 1000 miles day trips here in the USA and Europe, so far for almost 15k miles and it feels at least as solid as my previous Audis and not even remotely tiring. I even have the much more bolstered AMG performance seats. Zero issues with comfort, that's all I can really say. Pretty much the polar opposite from your experience.

Granted, our roads in California while mixed in quality are probably far better than many other places in the USA. We don't have extreme temperature and snow plows that rip up the road every winter and leave a moon crater like situation behind, so I can definitely see that perhaps the RS5 might do a better job on some of these roads. For me personally, comfort mode in the RS5 was too floaty, auto was just ok and dynamic was too harsh for anything other than really fast paced canyon driving. Slower sections in the canyons were punishing and I needed to reduce the suspension setting which was cumbersome, because there is no dedicated button to do so as in the AMGs and M cars. I contrast that with comfort mode in my C63, which is comfortable w/o being floaty around town, sport is perfect for comfortable but well controlled fast paced highway driving and sport+ never gets punishing even in the slower canyon sections, and handling is overall crisper and sharper. Lack of being able to quickly and easily change drive modes or adjust individual components w/o taking my hands off the steering wheel while driving as is possible with the M1/2 button on the M steering wheels and the new AMG Drive Unit steering wheel controls in the AMG cars is part of the issue. Audi Sport took a step in the right direction with the new RS1/2 modes in the RS6/7 and the FL RS5. Happy to see that.

[superswiss]

The problem I am having is that I cannot compare the DRC as there is only ONE RS5 in the state of Arizona right now, and it doesn't have the DRC. Thus my questions here. I wish I could do a side by side comparison but that is not possible. And you are right about the dual clutch, I think I will miss this! The eight speed in the RS5 felt too smooth....it had no immediacy like the dual clutch has.

Did you check out the two at Porsche Chandler? The red one says it has the Dynamic Package.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...elCodeList=RS5

[wwhan]

My last vehicle was an stage 1 ECU S6 (with Eurocode sway bars). The RS5 has much more lively handling, smaller. more responsive & easy to drive/park, than the S6. I am happy with the RS5 improvement, just wish the DRC was less bouncy on the freeway. Most of the time I drive in individual mode (suspension set to comfort & exhaust set to comfort), sometimes I just drive in Auto. The Sport mode is nice for throttle response. The engine loves to rev in sport mode, sometimes unnecessarily.

[mpo77]

Excellent discussion, thank you gentlemen! I understand that the ride in the RS5 will be firmer. I am not looking for the same ride as I now have in my S7. The reason why I am going to purchase a RS5 is because I want a more connected ride, responsive yet still composed. My S7 is a land yacht, fast yet cornering abilities are compromised because of the weight and size.
I am just trying to come to grips about whether the DRC is an absolute must have or will I be happy with the standard suspension. I do not want to have any regrets with this car!
I'm also thinking with less weight in front in the RS5 it will have the cornering ability that I am looking for.

MPO77: I live in the valley, out in Mountain Bridge in east Mesa and work in Gilbert. My son who used to have a RS3 lives in Phoenix proper. I would be good to run into you sometime!

BCT: nice to hear. I'm in the Ahwatukee area. When (if?) things return to normal would be good to meet up sometime. Feel free to send me a direct message.

[mpo77]

Agreed. Audi has carved out a niche inside of a niche with the RS5. They never really managed to compete with M or AMG at the performance, driving dynamics and sheer driving fun level and are now kinda catering to customers that want a performance badge, but aren't necessarily cut out for the comprises that comes with it. They are doing ok with the Sportback, which I personally think suits the idea of the B9 RS5 much better. The coupe is not working so well for them, though. Sales numbers are abysmal.

Kind of a ridiculous statement. Let's be real. The vast majority of M4/C63/RS5 will never see a track so suffering with poor ride quality and rattling/vibrating interior surfaces seems pointless to me...especially at this price point. If this is your track/weekend toy and you have another car to daily drive, then that's different. I assume most here are using their RS5 as a daily (as I am).

[superswiss]

Kind of a ridiculous statement. Let's be real. The vast majority of M4/C63/RS5 will never see a track so suffering with poor ride quality and rattling/vibrating interior surfaces seems pointless to me...especially at this price point. If this is your track/weekend toy and you have another car to daily drive, then that's different. I assume most here are using their RS5 as a daily (as I am).

I see this argument being made regularly and it goes to the core issue I have with this argumentation. Let's be real, these are not track cars. All of them weigh around 4000 lbs. The M4 is the closest to a track car and significantly lighter, but these cars are primarily designed for the unlimited German Autobahn. Over there they get regularly driven at speeds in excess of 130 mph. The suspensions are the way they are to provide stability and confidence at those speeds and to keep you from flying off the road. I actually get a lot of my information from German sources (I speak fluent German), and many of the car magazines over there complained about the DRC, because it also doesn't work so well at high speeds on the Autobahn, so it kinda misses the point. These cars are GTs, all of them. Audi Sport doesn't have dibs on GTs. They are supposed to provide a certain balance between long distance and creature comfort, but also provide sports car like handling on a twisty road. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about balance, but I reject the notion that any of them are harsh. Firm yes, but not harsh and the firmness has a purpose. I don't expect a cushy ride, when I also expect handling prowess at the other end of the spectrum, but I don't always drive the car balls out, so there needs to be a certain rest comfort and there is on all of them.

My issue is that a lot of people who buy these cars end up driving them like an A5, C300 or 330. Total overkill for their use case. Nobody needs 400 or 500 HP to be stuck in stop&go traffic on the way to work every day of the week, and go get their groceries. What a waste if you rarely get to use the performance the car offers. These same people then turn around and complain to dealerships about from their perspective excessive NVH, and the brands respond by watering down their performance cars. It's happened to M, it's happened to RS and it's happening to AMG and it's frustrating for somebody like me who buys these cars for what they actually are and takes them to the canyons and even the track occasionally. It's also why European Delivery is such a great experience (was great in case of Audi). Lets one truly experience these cars for what they are designed for. Many experts claim that these cars wouldn't even exist if it wasn't for the German Autobahn, and they may go away if Germany ever decides to introduce a speed limit across the entire Autobahn, but with the advent of EVs, the whole fast driving culture is slowly disappearing anyway, because EVs are often restricted to how fast they can go, a consequence of their single gear transmission and the fact that the battery doesn't last very long at those speeds.

[JohnEnglish]

BMW has also discontinued their ED program.

[superswiss]

BMW has also discontinued their ED program.

Sadly so, I almost forgot. It's down to Mercedes and Porsche, and then Volvo.

[wwhan]

Some people enjoy acceleration, just like some people really enjoy roller coasters.

Nobody needs 400 or 500 HP, but it fells really nice to accelerate (makes my day).

If we did not have our low speed limits or Police willing hand out traffic tickets, I would probably exercise my vehicle's potential much more.

[RS5fvr]

I see this argument being made regularly and it goes to the core issue I have with this argumentation. Let's be real, these are not track cars. All of them weigh around 4000 lbs. The M4 is the closest to a track car and significantly lighter, but these cars are primarily designed for the unlimited German Autobahn. Over there they get regularly driven at speeds in excess of 130 mph. The suspensions are the way they are to provide stability and confidence at those speeds and to keep you from flying off the road. I actually get a lot of my information from German sources (I speak fluent German), and many of the car magazines over there complained about the DRC, because it also doesn't work so well at high speeds on the Autobahn, so it kinda misses the point. These cars are GTs, all of them. Audi Sport doesn't have dibs on GTs. They are supposed to provide a certain balance between long distance and creature comfort, but also provide sports car like handling on a twisty road. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about balance, but I reject the notion that any of them are harsh. Firm yes, but not harsh and the firmness has a purpose. I don't expect a cushy ride, when I also expect handling prowess at the other end of the spectrum, but I don't always drive the car balls out, so there needs to be a certain rest comfort and there is on all of them.

My issue is that a lot of people who buy these cars end up driving them like an A5, C300 or 330. Total overkill for their use case. Nobody needs 400 or 500 HP to be stuck in stop&go traffic on the way to work every day of the week, and go get their groceries. What a waste if you rarely get to use the performance the car offers. These same people then turn around and complain to dealerships about from their perspective excessive NVH, and the brands respond by watering down their performance cars. It's happened to M, it's happened to RS and it's happening to AMG and it's frustrating for somebody like me who buys these cars for what they actually are and takes them to the canyons and even the track occasionally. It's also why European Delivery is such a great experience (was great in case of Audi). Lets one truly experience these cars for what they are designed for. Many experts claim that these cars wouldn't even exist if it wasn't for the German Autobahn, and they may go away if Germany ever decides to introduce a speed limit across the entire Autobahn, but with the advent of EVs, the whole fast driving culture is slowly disappearing anyway, because EVs are often restricted to how fast they can go, a consequence of their single gear transmission and the fact that the battery doesn't last very long at those speeds.

You come off as arrogant. You are not the only automotive enthusiast on this forum. You don't even need 50 hp to be stuck in stop and go traffic just the same way you don't need 500 hp on a track to have serious fun. I'm happy that you speak german like a number of others on this board I'm sure. Really.. I am. The more I see your posts the more I realize your trying to defend the overly harsh ride of your C63. Let's get back to the OP's topic now please, thanks.

[superswiss]

You come off as arrogant. You are not the only automotive enthusiast on this forum. You don't even need 50 hp to be stuck in stop and go traffic just the same way you don't need 500 hp on a track to have serious fun. I'm happy that you speak german like a number of others on this board I'm sure. Really.. I am. The more I see your posts the more I realize your trying to defend the overly harsh ride of your C63. Let's get back to the OP's topic now please, thanks.

You are free to think that. We deviated from the original topic. I tried to provide a critical perspective on the DRC, because OP is trying to figure out if he should get it or not. It went off from there as others then specifically started to argue against what I said, specifically in comparing it to other cars such as the C63. It went off the rails from there, because some of things posted were outdated. Anyway, I don't really have a dog in the race. I've made my decision a long time ago with no regrets or a desire to defend anything, but I hope OP got different perspectives to make a decision. Let's get back on topic.

[JWreck]

[chi_marketing]

Another thread by Swiss. He bought the C63S and wants the entire world to know it’s “better” than current gen RS5 even though he owned last gen RS5.
I remember being in Vanuatu in 2019 and you arguing about things at Audi world and not even worth my time responding.

The problem is the other C63S owners on the Benz forums don’t know why they are losing to a 911 with “vents on the back” (turbo s) thus he comes to Audi forums because the community is that much better. Your knowledge of German cars is OK but your confirmation bias blinds you.

[JWreck]

I lol’d. I do always find it intriguing when people no longer own a car they frequent the forums of to talk about their new car...

I will say, and hear me out, I do miss the driving dynamics of the C63S (I had a 2017). I’m not saying it’s better or worse, it was just fun. Wife doesn’t miss the tire bills though.

All said, I think this thread has run its course.