2018 - S5 or A7

[Speedguy21]

I'm ready for my next ride, and I thought it was going to be an S5. I drove the S5 and love how it handles and appreciate the interior and styling.

However, the A7 seems to have similar performance, and increased options at a similar price point (remember I'm looking at he 2018 model year here). I can more easily get ventilated seats in an A7, but they are available in the S5.

I'm sitting around the $50K mark for CPO models with lower miles, be it an S5 or an A7.

Use case:

- Daily driver with about 20 miles daily
- Two kids in the rear seat (car seat/ booster)
- Performance, handling, and comfort (quietness of cabin) are equally important.

All input appreciated!

[A6sport]

Based off of the post content, you answered your own question. A7 all day...

[MattyMarkey]

If you have kids, the extra room - though marginal - in the back of the A7 would be the deal maker to me.

The more you drive it, the more you’ll know how much more refined the A7 is/feels. Also, the S5 driver/passenger cabin feels more cramped to me.


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[A665]

Two kids? For that factor alone, A7 all day long. It's not even close.

[Worksjo]

I'm ready for my next ride, and I thought it was going to be an S5. I drove the S5 and love how it handles and appreciate the interior and styling.

However, the A7 seems to have similar performance, and increased options at a similar price point (remember I'm looking at he 2018 model year here). I can more easily get ventilated seats in an A7, but they are available in the S5.

I'm sitting around the $50K mark for CPO models with lower miles, be it an S5 or an A7.

Use case:

- Daily driver with about 20 miles daily
- Two kids in the rear seat (car seat/ booster)
- Performance, handling, and comfort (quietness of cabin) are equally important.

All input appreciated!

It’s funny, I was basically in the exact same situation about about 3 weeks ago. 2 kids, 25ish miles a day wanted fun and engaging but also comfort and family practicality, all at around $50k.

I really wanted to like the S5 more than I did. It was really nice but I’m 6’2” but I couldn’t get passed the rear seat headroom. Went to the A7 next, it was better but lacked the little bit of edge I wanted for the fun factor. Then I found a low miles 2018 S6 ($49k) and it was perfect. Unbelievably comfortable, fit me perfectly space wise, and the drive is on a whole different level. The 4.0 V8 turbo makes all the difference. It can be a grand touring cruiser in comfort mode, or super sleeper sports car in dynamic.

I know the S6 wasn’t an option you gave, but I'm just saying it’s worth a look and nice examples can be had in that price range.

[ANMS4]

Not to say but if my budget was 50k and 2 kids I'd b looking at a S8. Going to be my next car BTW

[Speedguy21]

It’s funny, I was basically in the exact same situation about about 3 weeks ago. 2 kids, 25ish miles a day wanted fun and engaging but also comfort and family practicality, all at around $50k.

I really wanted to like the S5 more than I did. It was really nice but I’m 6’2” but I couldn’t get passed the rear seat headroom. Went to the A7 next, it was better but lacked the little bit of edge I wanted for the fun factor. Then I found a low miles 2018 S6 ($49k) and it was perfect. Unbelievably comfortable, fit me perfectly space wise, and the drive is on a whole different level. The 4.0 V8 turbo makes all the difference. It can be a grand touring cruiser in comfort mode, or super sleeper sports car in dynamic.

I know the S6 wasn’t an option you gave, but I'm just saying it’s worth a look and nice examples can be had in that price range.

I did consider the S6, and if I can get one with Android Auto (without is a deal breaker) I'd consider it. The extra convenience of the hatchback, really, makes quite a difference.

Not to say but if my budget was 50k and 2 kids I'd b looking at a S8. Going to be my next car BTW

Does the S8 drive like a boat? Anything full-size I've ever been in just has too much body roll - I like to take corners and go on weekend drives, and I get the feeling that this isn't the right car for that.

The S5 comes optioned and lower miles that the alternatives, but not my much - it's all pretty close at $50K.

Driving wise (and I've recently driven the S5 and love how it handles) is the S6 or A7 going to be that much different? I don't mind have a slightly larger car, I park in a (detached) garage and space isn't an issue. If the extra room for kids in back and a few other goodies in the trunk/ hatch really make a difference -- AND, and, the ride quality is rather similar -- I'd seriously consider the S6. Although I do love the option of a hatch.

I know this isn't the S5 forum, but does anyone think the S5 is the way to go? Or should the thread have been "S6 vs A7"?

[sepheroth86]

S7? RS7?

[Speedguy21]

S7? RS7?

Sure - why not. The extra $30K or 50K miles don't matter to me at all .

[sepheroth86]

Sure - why not. The extra $30K or 50K miles don't matter to me at all .

You're talking an S6, why not an S7?

There are many slightly older RS7's available in the 40-55k range.

This one for example at 53k: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/f...-1138f65b6f96/

In my experience, mileage is not as important as care/maintenance. I have owned a great number of vehicles with well over 200k.

Hell, I just sold my 276k mile C5 avant last week.

[Worksjo]

I did consider the S6, and if I can get one with Android Auto (without is a deal breaker) I'd consider it. The extra convenience of the hatchback, really, makes quite a difference.



Does the S8 drive like a boat? Anything full-size I've ever been in just has too much body roll - I like to take corners and go on weekend drives, and I get the feeling that this isn't the right car for that.

The S5 comes optioned and lower miles that the alternatives, but not my much - it's all pretty close at $50K.

Driving wise (and I've recently driven the S5 and love how it handles) is the S6 or A7 going to be that much different? I don't mind have a slightly larger car, I park in a (detached) garage and space isn't an issue. If the extra room for kids in back and a few other goodies in the trunk/ hatch really make a difference -- AND, and, the ride quality is rather similar -- I'd seriously consider the S6. Although I do love the option of a hatch.

I know this isn't the S5 forum, but does anyone think the S5 is the way to go? Or should the thread have been "S6 vs A7"?

Someone can correct me if I’m wrong but I think Apple CarPlay/Android Auto are standard on the 2018 S6.

I’ve driven the S8 it’s a great car and super comfortable. I didn’t think there was excessive body roll or anything, but IMHO it feels BIG when you push it.

You really need to drive the 4.0 V8 S6 if you haven’t yet. It is a totally different animal than the 3.0 V6 in the S5 and A7 in my opinion. Just make sure to try it in both Comfort and Dynamic. As good as the S6 is also keep in mind that Audi somewhat “detuned” the S6 to keep the HP at 450 and differentiate from the RS. It’s an $800 ECU flash away from unlocking a safe 100hp. The Stage 1 ECU tunes from APR and DS1 don’t even push the limit, they just put it where it should have come from the factory.

[Speedguy21]

You're talking an S6, why not an S7?

There are many slightly older RS7's available in the 40-55k range.

This one for example at 53k: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/f...-1138f65b6f96/

In my experience, mileage is not as important as care/maintenance. I have owned a great number of vehicles with well over 200k.

Hell, I just sold my 276k mile C5 avant last week.

Thanks for the suggestion - if I can find an S7 with Android Auto, ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel in my area for ~$50K, I'll consider it! I think the MY for Android Auto, though, is either 2017 or 2018, and I'm not seeing any currently.

[ANMS4]

[QUOTE=Speedguy21;14556351]I did consider the S6, and if I can get one with Android Auto (without is a deal breaker) I'd consider it. The extra convenience of the hatchback, really, makes quite a difference.



Does the S8 drive like a boat? Anything full-size I've ever been in just has too much body roll - I like to take corners and go on weekend drives, and I get the feeling that this isn't the right car for that.


No it didn't, it felt a little bigger than my A6. It has more than enough power to move itself, and went through some twisties with it on a test drive, nothing crazy but it handled very well. I also had it in dynamic so it was on the lowest setting. I almost bought it, but they balked and never called me back when negotiating. Still very impressive car, the interior is just :O

[ANMS4]

The reason I looked at this over the S6 or S7 is I do not want any maltonics issues LOL.The S8 has a beefed up ZF trans. Also the reason I bought a A6 was the ZF trans

[sepheroth86]

Thanks for the suggestion - if I can find an S7 with Android Auto, ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel in my area for ~$50K, I'll consider it! I think the MY for Android Auto, though, is either 2017 or 2018, and I'm not seeing any currently.

There is an aftermarket solution for AA/Carplay. IIRC it is not too expensive.

Also, I seem to recall reading a thread here that it can be activated on 2015+ cars.

[msandhu413]

You're talking an S6, why not an S7?

There are many slightly older RS7's available in the 40-55k range.

This one for example at 53k: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/f...-1138f65b6f96/

In my experience, mileage is not as important as care/maintenance. I have owned a great number of vehicles with well over 200k.

Hell, I just sold my 276k mile C5 avant last week.

That is good price for that 2016 rs7 with only 43k miles- with carbon and with b&o.

[M1k3ee]

I would also opt for the S8 instead of the S7. There is only ~30 kg between them (the S8 is mostly made out of aluminium instead of steel (S7)), so handling wise they should be rather similar (both are comfort oriented, the smaller S5 will be sportier). Main plus of the S8 over the S7 is that the S8 has the same gearbox as the RS7, the much stouter ZF.

[Speedguy21]

So I have a line on an S6, details:

2018 S6 4.0T
45,000 miles | $51K (Audi CPO warranty included)
- S Sport package
- Prestige package
- Driver assist package
- 20" black optic package
- Cold weather, etc.

I think ventilated seats are the only thing it doesn't have.

Compare that to the cheapest (and one of the two) S8 around - https://www.ultimomotors.com/invento...5afd0hn900369/

But I wonder if something is up with that S8, been on the market a while for what looks like a really good price.

Any thoughts on the S6 I outlined?

[MattyMarkey]

So I have a line on an S6, details:

2018 S6 4.0T
45,000 miles | $51K (Audi CPO warranty included)
- S Sport package
- Prestige package
- Driver assist package
- 20" black optic package
- Cold weather, etc.

I think ventilated seats are the only thing it doesn't have.

Compare that to the cheapest (and one of the two) S8 around - https://www.ultimomotors.com/invento...5afd0hn900369/

But I wonder if something is up with that S8, been on the market a while for what looks like a really good price.

Any thoughts on the S6 I outlined?

Only thing that would come to mind on the S6 - how much is left on the CPO? Unless you’re planning to handle the preventative maintenance on the 4.0t oil screen, make sure you have plenty warranty left.

FYSA - S7/RS7 only have 2 seats in the back. It doesn’t have a complete bench seat - middle is a hard plastic holder.


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[EriCal]

I had had a 2015 S5 for about a year. All the good stuff: 6mt, sport differential, adaptive sport suspension etc. It had a belt driven supercharger, not a turbo, and would make about 7 or 8 lbs of boost. It was a VERY nice little car. But it was a LITTLE car. While the interior room was ok there was just something clausterphobic about it so I traded it for an S7 in 2016. The S7 is WONDERFUL!!!! I have put a tune on it so gets 19 lbs of boost which is great fun. The S5 was great; the S7 is greater!!

[DocTJ]

Very interesting why that one at ultimo is sitting on the lot

OP to answer your question:

the refinement of the a7/s7 is way ahead of the s5 (having had multiple a5 loaners)

The most well rounded is the a7, its more comfortable than the s7, and is quick enough. Great for cruising, great on gas, and wont cost you as much as the s7/s8, great for family.
The s7 is a brute and has the v8 and will GO without effort, it's a little bit louder in the cabin (road noise) than the A7, as expected. Buy the newest you can afford to decrease chance of turbo issues.
The s8 (I had the s8 plus), is on a different level than those two: it is comfortable, quick as hell, and just GOES, more so than the s7 does (makes the s7 feel slow, and a panamera GTS feel slow). Sure it feels heavy around turns, but it still takes them. This is more fun to drive than an s63 AMG by leaps and bounds.

Please check which have three rear seats vs which have two (im having a hard time remembering)

Out of the three above, the one I miss the most is the s8, followed by the A7, and last the S7. All great cars.

[Speedguy21]

Only thing that would come to mind on the S6 - how much is left on the CPO? Unless you’re planning to handle the preventative maintenance on the 4.0t oil screen, make sure you have plenty warranty left.

FYSA - S7/RS7 only have 2 seats in the back. It doesn’t have a complete bench seat - middle is a hard plastic holder.


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Yeah, not sure if the 2 seats vs. 3 matters that much, but it could make a difference when I have an extra person to ferry around/ another kid with a booster seat, etc.

As for the S6 CPO I mentioned above, it has ~2 years warranty left (1 from original in service date in 2018 and then another for the CPO). I can add 3 more years to the CPO for what I've been told is about $4K. I would try to get that down closer to $3K, but it'd still be $1,000 a year for the warranty. I suspect with the S6 it is probably worth the expense to make sure I'm not out a HUGE repair.

Onto that S8 on the Ultimo lot - I've heard some less than great things about that dealer, but they do seem to move luxury cars. I'm still not sold on an S8 - think the S6 or an A7 is probably the better choice here.

Seems that everyone agrees the S5 is NOT the way to go.

I'm looking at this A7 tomorrow - https://www.napervilleaudi.com/certi...11758372ef.htm

[Alabama]

Out of the three above, the one I miss the most is the s8, followed by the A7, and last the S7. All great cars.

For what it's worth, the guy who programs one of the most admired ECU tunes (DS!) has written that his personal car is an S8.

[ewilliams1570]

That RS7 you posted seems reasonably priced. I own one currently and had a S7 previously. You will regret not going RS7 given the others you’re considering. Didn’t seem like the one listed had carbon interior trim, which I don’t recall seeing before. RS7 with a stage 1 tune is as quick as my V10 R8 with the VF750 supercharger. Whole different level than S6/7, regardless of mods.


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[Worksjo]

Only thing that would come to mind on the S6 - how much is left on the CPO? Unless you’re planning to handle the preventative maintenance on the 4.0t oil screen, make sure you have plenty warranty left.

My understanding is that Audi changed the screen for mid 2017-2018 models and people have not been having the same issue as the earlier models. 🤷*♂️

[MattyMarkey]

My understanding is that Audi changed the screen for mid 2017-2018 models and people have not been having the same issue as the earlier models. *

Yea, some MY18 vehicles have the updated screen. Most of these with or without the new screen, aren’t having issues, because just that, they are newer and less miles. The Updated screen is still a wild card, and not really known to be safe or result in the same fate.


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[Chadderwick]

That rs7 from the cars.com link had a salvage title…prob why it’s “cheap”

I went through this very recently as my Volvo s90 lease was coming up.

I have 3 young kids but only take 2 at a time in my car (we have a q7 for the family truckster)

I went with an a7 that had 46k miles on it with warranty expiring end of year. Added the Audi warranty (from napleton as I’m in Naperville) to get me to 10 years from in service date (only drive like 5k/year so time is more important than miles). Cpo is nice but not worth the money if you’re not putting miles on it imho.

Coming from s90 this is fast and def smaller so no way I would have been happy with anything smaller.

3.0 is plenty fast for me and seems the most solid engine.

I love the rs7 grill and just bought one (getting installed next week) from German car parts and that will make it look a bit more aggressive.

Love the hatchback and just stands out more than an a6 so didn’t go down that road.

Good luck!


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[Speedguy21]

Thanks all!

Still deciding between a 2018 S6 with CPO (I'd add onto it) or a 2018 S4/S5. Will be driving them some more soon.

FWIW, the S5 drives great, takes corners with ease, and it feels like the right size of car. Strangely (perhaps because of the oil screen issues) to price on the S5 is close to the S6.

[Speedguy21]

Alright - putting this out there for you all.

Stereo: B9 S4 vs C7.5 S6. Is the B&O really that much better?

I think it's down to interior at this point.

[MattyMarkey]

Alright - putting this out there for you all.

Stereo: B9 S4 vs C7.5 S6. Is the B&O really that much better?

I think it's down to interior at this point.

Yes, it’s a better sounding system. I have the B&O, my friend has the Bose in his SQ5, we both can tell the difference - better clarity, base, cleaner sound all around.

How much better? That’s fairly subjective. Many people have upgraded the Bose system in their S6/7.

I’m also not sure if even the base Bose system in the S4, is a different system than in the S6. Being the higher-end 6 series, i think it has more speakers, but could be wrong.


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[2k16A6]

Different platform granted however I had a B9 Q5 as a loaner a while back that had the B&O, not an audiophile by any means but I was blown away by how much better that system was than the Bose in my C7.5. I'd imagine the C7/7.5 B&O is even better than that in the Q5.

[Audisthesia]

A7 no question. The S5 rear seat has room for maybe a chihuahua