Thoughts on HUD

[keninblaine]

I have a 2018 RS3 and am thinking of moving to either a S5 or RS5 SB for a little more space and comfort. I have gotten used to the convenience of driver assistance options such as LCA and ACC. HUD sounds like it would be convenient, but with a virtual cockpit perhaps the HUD isn't that useful. Would appreciate thoughts on the value/benefits of having HUD.

BTW, re S5 vs RS5, for me it is a simple matter of trying to determine if the added power is worth $20k to me at this stage in my life. I love the extra power of the RS5, but at my age (over 70), don't really "need" it as long as I have decent power and decent handling with suitable creature comforts.

[Burrcold]

I went from an S5 to an RS5 and wouldn't look back. The S5 is great but the RS5 is definitely more special feeling. As for the HUD, it's one of those things that you can live without but once you have one it's hard to go back to a vehicle that doesn't. I wouldn't make it a make or break option though if you find something you want and it doesn't have it.

[scott1961]

Not sure what virtual display has to do with HUD? At least for me HUD is so I can keep my eyes on road and not look at display

[davewg]

Very happy to have the HUD.

[shbabhs]

I don't have HUD but for slightly related reference, whenever I need to punch it in the RS5, by the time I look down to check my speed I'm well over the speed limit so that's that lol.

For someone coming from an RS3 choosing between the RS5 and the S5 I would go for the RS5 if cost is no issue. The response and available torque is quite obvious compared to the S5. Passing on the highway is so effortless. Not that the S5 is struggling and it's totally fine on its own. Plus the RS5 makes more funny noise.

[keninblaine]

Thanks for the comments folks. I'm increasingly moving towards the RS5 for the same reasons as cited by @shbabhs. The added power isn't so much for standing starts, but for me is for the effortless passing maneuvers and sprints on the highway. That is what I love about the RS3: it is just so effortless to get up and go. There is never any sense of wanting more from the car. That is what I noticed in my test drive of a S5 recently, when punching it at 60 mph had me wanting a little more than what was available. It was OK, but not great. Re HUD, it sounds like a nice-to-have more than a must-have option, as I assumed. For comparison, Adaptive Cruise and Lane Change Assist are must-haves for me.

[Dan99]

I have a 2018 RS3 and am thinking of moving to either a S5 or RS5 SB for a little more space and comfort. I have gotten used to the convenience of driver assistance options such as LCA and ACC. HUD sounds like it would be convenient, but with a virtual cockpit perhaps the HUD isn't that useful. Would appreciate thoughts on the value/benefits of having HUD.

BTW, re S5 vs RS5, for me it is a simple matter of trying to determine if the added power is worth $20k to me at this stage in my life. I love the extra power of the RS5, but at my age (over 70), don't really "need" it as long as I have decent power and decent handling with suitable creature comforts.

Personally, I have found that age just alters what I am willing to put up with, but not what I enjoy. I have also become more likely to embrace creature comforts than say I don't need them. I now ask myself, what am I waiting for?

The RS5 is a lot more than just added power. While similar to the S5 it also is wider, lower, has different suspension and brakes, different tuning for the transmission and Sport Differential, and a more aggressive body style. Personally, I got DRC and Adaptive Steering and like these options a lot. The only option I would recommend against are the carbon-ceramic brakes. Replacement rotors are prohibitively expensive. They also have to warm up before you get the full stopping power, so the standard brakes are better for most situations.

I like HUD a lot and really miss it when I drive another car. I use the option that displays the speed limit and current speed and found that it keeps better track of the speed limit than I do on my own. Yes, the speed limit also appears on the dashboard, but the HUD makes it a lot easier. You can also adjust the brightness and location of the HUD display. One negative, though -- it is harder to see with polarized sun glasses. You can still see it, but it is more faint.

Regarding more power than you need, your RS3 or an S5 both have more power than you need so you must find some satisfaction with more power. I should point out that a stock S5 will be slower than a stock RS3, while a stock RS5 will be faster. The RS5 will also provide a much more refined driving experience, and power delivery is much smoother and less peaky. It's more like you have continuous power compared to the peaky/turbo boost nature of the RS3. The RS5 also has less understeer than the RS3. You will like it.

The S5 and RS5 are both very nice cars. Power is the obvious difference, but the RS5 is more performance oriented in almost every way. So, at your age, decide what you want and not what you "need", and enjoy it.

[Akoby9]

I have a 18 S4 that has been my daily driver for the last few years. I recently purchased a 18 RS5. They are so similar but so different. The best way I can describe the difference is the RS5 is my S4 on steroids.

The S4 has plenty of pickup and go, the RS5 has WAY more. Once you get in the RS5 the S4 seems more sluggish.
The S4 is a smoother ride
The RS5 makes me feel like a kid on Christmas, so fun
No HUD in S4, no issue.
HUD in RS5, its ok and nice to have. Far from necessary. You will notice the engine 100% more vs hud or not.
Nicer stitching in RS5. Besides that (and some lights) the interior is the same

[Helios_RS5]

I love the HUD in my RS5, and I do find myself missing it when driving cars without it

[SHCKR]

Add this to your equation... If you wear polarized sunglasses, the HUD is useless... Can barely see it unless I tilt my head. To the point where when I drive at night I'm like wow, I forgot this car has it!

[keninblaine]

Great feedback here. @Dan99 you make a great point. I should stop trying to be practical and go with my heart. I've bought numerous nice cars over the years and never regretted having them other than the hits I took on depreciation and sales taxes. I can afford a RS5 so will try to find a used one suitably equipped. May even think of ordering a 22 since I'm not in a hurry now that winter is around the corner and my RS3 has winter tires mounted and ready, and given the high used car prices. If I order one I will include HUD, but won't obsess over it if I find a good used one without HUD that is reasonably priced more than a few thousand less than a new one. Polarized sunglasses aren't a big issue here in the Pacific Northwest :). Thanks all for the feedback.

[ywang98]

My first HUD was on my 2018 S4. Since then, I know I don't absolutely need it, but I will try to buy cars from now on with it. My RS5 has it.

My wife's SQ7, because it is a Premium Plus model, it did not come with it. I miss it when I drive that car.

[torinalth]

Add this to your equation... If you wear polarized sunglasses, the HUD is useless... Can barely see it unless I tilt my head. To the point where when I drive at night I'm like wow, I forgot this car has it!

this is a big one for me as well. I have it on, but only useful at night because of this.

as for RS5 vs S5, since you are older I'm going to assume its more likely you will not modify the car. if that is true then get the RS5, if you are going to go all in on modification then get the s5. For me the 20k didn't make sense since i knew I was going to modify the car, and since the mods for the rs5 are so much more money than for the s5 it made more financial sense to get the s5 and modify to my hearts content than the RS5 and modify a lot less. just my opinion.

[ywang98]

For polarized sun glasses, just tilt your head a little sideways. Yes, it defeats the purpose, but it works. The HUD is nice!

[AnewMadrid]

Add this to your equation... If you wear polarized sunglasses, the HUD is useless... Can barely see it unless I tilt my head. To the point where when I drive at night I'm like wow, I forgot this car has it!

Exactly, you can't even see. I have an S5 and for the HUD part, really doesn't tell you much beyond posted speed limit. I use wireless Android auto so if their is much more that is provided on the HUD using the stock OS I don't see it.
Also regardless of either models. Theae cars aren't the easiest to get into and the gas mileage is bad on the S5 can't image how it is on the RS5. Little OT i know.

[keninblaine]

Re the OT comment on gas mileage, I was surprised with my RS3 this past weekend, where I drove from Portland to Blaine and averaged 29.7 mpg on the 335 mile trip, which was largely freeway driving at around 70 mph with a few congestion delays of 20 min or more as well as 2 shopping mall stops. I was impressed. BTW, if you want difficult cars to get in and out of, try older 911s.

[eightamrock]

I’ll be one of the few people to crap on the hud. It’s distracting to me. I don’t like having it in my field of view, I have it turned off. It’s worthless if you wear polarized sunglasses which I do, and at night it clouds my vision.

I’ll not require it in my next car, but I definitely want the ability to turn it off it’s a feature.

For the record it was one of the things I thought I really wanted when I got the car. Turns out it’s much less practical to me than I thought it would be.


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[johnwiz]

A few thoughts on the HUD, I have had 3 cars with a HUD (2001 Corvette, 2018 Camaro SS 1LE and now a 2018 Audi S5). I personally love a HUD. I like having information directly in my line of sight. What I find interesting is the information shown between the various ones that I have had. The '01 Vette had basic info speed and RPM, but comparing the Camaro 1LE and the S5 (both 2018 models) it is very interesting. The 1LE was very focused on performance, Speed, Tach, G meter and shift lights (it was 6-spd manual) while the S5 is more for driver info, Speed, Traffic Signs and turn by turn nav info.

I would have liked the Audi to be a bit more performance focused like the 1LE was, but having said that - I like having the info that is there.

[HyperM3]

I’ll be one of the few people to crap on the hud. It’s distracting to me. I don’t like having it in my field of view, I have it turned off. It’s worthless if you wear polarized sunglasses which I do, and at night it clouds my vision.

I’ll not require it in my next car, but I definitely want the ability to turn it off it’s a feature.

For the record it was one of the things I thought I really wanted when I got the car. Turns out it’s much less practical to me than I thought it would be.


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Im in the same camp here. For me its just too distracting. When Im looking through the windshield the HUD is blurry, when I focus on the HUD everything outside the windshield is blurry. Im generally stuck behind someone most of the time anyway so Im barely looking at my speed/dash. YMMV, if you like it you like it. I have customers that refuse to buy a car without it, and are literally having fits because the manufacturer(I sell) is no longer including it as an option in order to use the microchips elsewhere.

[Jeff in MN]

A very mixed bag of responses. I first had a HUD in my 2015 435ix, and I got used to it very quickly. I have it in my current '18 S5 Prestige, and I miss it anytime I'm driving a different car. I like having my speed right in my field of view. One of my pairs of glasses is polarized, and all I have to do is tilt my head slightly to see the speed. I actually wish the HUD had more info in it. The BMW had music track/station listings which was nice to be able to select without looking down. I like having nav info in the HUD, but I end up using CarPlay/Google most of the time, which obviously doesn't show up. In my opinion, it would be nice to have a link between CarPlay and the HUD for a more seamless experience.

--Jeff

[Dan99]

Add this to your equation... If you wear polarized sunglasses, the HUD is useless... Can barely see it unless I tilt my head. To the point where when I drive at night I'm like wow, I forgot this car has it!

That is not true for me. I can see the HUD in sunlight with my polarized prescription sunglasses. It's not as bright, but it's not useless. It is just less intrusive on your field of vision. I would say, however, that the visibility does vary from one set of polarized sunglasses to the next, so I would recommend that anyone with doubts should take their sunglasses to the dealer and decide for themselves.

[ToroTheShibe]

I find the HUD pretty annoying/distracting when driving around the city. I don’t find the speed limit and MPH useful at all. With that said, it’s normally off, and only time it gets turned on is when I’m cruising 30min+ drives with lane assist on the freeway..

Now if the HUD had rpm readings or shift indicators, I’d use it a lot more.

[SHCKR]

That is not true for me. I can see the HUD in sunlight with polarized sunglasses. It's not as bright, but it's not useless. It is just less intrusive on your field of vision. I would say, however, that the visibility does vary from one set of polarized sunglasses to the next, so I would recommend that anyone with doubts should take their sunglasses to the dealer and decide for themselves.

Perhaps, but so far I can confirm that lenses by Oakley, Ray-Ban, Revant, and Fuse all have the same effect

[CurvesAhead]

Perhaps, but so far I can confirm that lenses by Oakley, Ray-Ban, Revant, and Fuse all have the same effect

Serengeti and Nikon sunglasses don't work either. I bought some non-polarized and they work great.

[CurvesAhead]

I find the HUD pretty annoying/distracting when driving around the city. I don’t find the speed limit and MPH useful at all. With that said, it’s normally off, and only time it gets turned on is when I’m cruising 30min+ drives with lane assist on the freeway..

Now if the HUD had rpm readings or shift indicators, I’d use it a lot more.

Turn on the Lap-Timer in the VC and see what happens in the hud.

[DCB1951]

I have Transition lenses, so when they darken in the car, I can still see the HUD just fine. I have a pair of fitted polarized clip-on sunglass lenses to give me extra protection in the car if what I have isn't enough. In that case, I can't see the HUD unless I tilt my head. I think I've needed them once in the year that I've had them. So, with Transition lenses, you may get the best of all worlds.

[Liquid Smoke]

well the HUD is available on the S5 Prestige trim if i'm not mistaken, so it's not like only the RS5 has it.

as for a comparison, i would recommend you get the S5. it looks as good, and with a stage 2 (?) tune you can get it pretty close to RS5 power and save alot of money. also it's worth it to get the Sport package with the adaptive suspension, you can set it to dynamic for sporty, or to comfort and it really makes a difference in the comfort of the suspension. the RS5 doesn't have that adaptive control and the suspension is just harsher overall.

the RS5 would only make sense to me if you really needed the extra power and planning to track it, etc. otherwise i feel the S5 is almost as good with a tune, much more comfortable and a better daily driver, and definitely a better value.

[Burrcold]

well the HUD is available on the S5 Prestige trim if i'm not mistaken, so it's not like only the RS5 has it.

as for a comparison, i would recommend you get the S5. it looks as good, and with a stage 2 (?) tune you can get it pretty close to RS5 power and save alot of money. also it's worth it to get the Sport package with the adaptive suspension, you can set it to dynamic for sporty, or to comfort and it really makes a difference in the comfort of the suspension. the RS5 doesn't have that adaptive control and the suspension is just harsher overall.

the RS5 would only make sense to me if you really needed the extra power and planning to track it, etc. otherwise i feel the S5 is almost as good with a tune, much more comfortable and a better daily driver, and definitely a better value.

RS5 has dynamic ride control (DRC) so you can put it in comfort and it's very comfortable. Looks are subjective but in my opinion the RS5 looks better. Wider, lower, and faster from the box.

[Liquid Smoke]

RS5 has dynamic ride control (DRC) so you can put it in comfort and it's very comfortable. Looks are subjective but in my opinion the RS5 looks better. Wider, lower, and faster from the box.

i get that but the Adaptive Suspension is still more comfortable and better for daily driving/bad roads than the DRC. i mean it's not a bad thing thats just naturally how it is, the RS5 is going to be a bit stiffer more geared towards performance.

and i agree IMO the RS5 does look better and of course i'd personally take the RS5 over the S5 (IF money wasn't an issue). i mean the S5 still looks very similar of course so it's not like a completely diff looking car but it looks nearly as good is what i meant. but my suggestion to the OP was just based off his needs and the better value for him. but if money isn't the issue and you think you'd enjoy the RS5 better then go for it.

[Lord XL]

i mean the S5 still looks very similar of course so it's not like a completely diff looking car but it looks nearly as good is what i meant.

I bet if you put a B9.5 S5 & RS5 side by side and took all the badges off 95 out of 100 people couldn't tell the difference. Hell outside the exhausts I bet 85 out of 100 Audi drivers couldn't tell the difference. But that probably can be said for most performance sedans vs their non-performance siblings. Auto makers usually make minor styling changes to their performance cars. Usually changes only "car people" notice.

[CurvesAhead]

I bet if you put a B9.5 S5 & RS5 side by side and took all the badges off 95 out of 100 people couldn't tell the difference. Hell outside the exhausts I bet 85 out of 100 Audi drivers couldn't tell the difference. But that probably can be said for most performance sedans vs their non-performance siblings. Auto makers usually make minor styling changes to their performance cars. Usually changes only "car people" notice.

You could probably debate that the 4 exhaust tips look better on the S5 than the the two large tips on the RS5. To me the 4 tips look more refined and higher up the performance ladder like other brands that use the 4 tip setup.

[Burrcold]

You could probably debate that the 4 exhaust tips look better on the S5 than the the two large tips on the RS5. To me the 4 tips look more refined and higher up the performance ladder like other brands that use the 4 tip setup.

Personal opinion of course but I disagree. My thought were similar when I was going from an S to an RS but once I saw how big and aggressive looking the pipes were on the RS5, I fell in love. Now whenever I see the four pipes on an S model they look so small.

[SHCKR]

Personal opinion of course but I disagree. My thought were similar when I was going from an S to an RS but once I saw how big and aggressive looking the pipes were on the RS5, I fell in love. Now whenever I see the four pipes on an S model they look so small.

Until someone does what @BrockDM did and put the large tips on the S5...

[Burrcold]

Until someone does what @BrockDM did and put the large tips on the S5...

Conversely, you could easily put quad exhaust tips on an RS5.

[Liquid Smoke]

You could probably debate that the 4 exhaust tips look better on the S5 than the the two large tips on the RS5. To me the 4 tips look more refined and higher up the performance ladder like other brands that use the 4 tip setup.

i do kind of agree on that, i like the S exhaust tips because they're quad, over the dual. but i will say the RS tips still look sick because it's the big oval ones. but the S model tips are a bit underwhelmingly small like @Burrcold said. but in general i personally do like the quad tip setup the best, just have to get some nice 4" quads on there and that's the best look IMO.

[CurvesAhead]

i do kind of agree on that, i like the S exhaust tips because they're quad, over the dual. but i will say the RS tips still look sick because it's the big oval ones. but the S model tips are a bit underwhelmingly small like @Burrcold said. but in general i personally do like the quad tip setup the best, just have to get some nice 4" quads on there and that's the best look IMO.

I'd like some 4 inch tips too, have you located any nice ones that would be an easy install on the S5?

[Liquid Smoke]

I'd like some 4 inch tips too, have you located any nice ones that would be an easy install on the S5?

I did it on a B8 S4 exhaust, but it would be the same thing for the new S5 exhaust too. But there's no easy way, the stock quad tips are welded on so you have to get those cut off and then weld or clamp on your own tips. check ecstuning or also amazon, i got some polished slant/angle cut ones and had them welded on.

[CurvesAhead]

I did it on a B8 S4 exhaust, but it would be the same thing for the new S5 exhaust too. But there's no easy way, the stock quad tips are welded on so you have to get those cut off and then weld or clamp on your own tips. check ecstuning or also amazon, i got some polished slant/angle cut ones and had them welded on.

Thanks for the info, will take a look at those sites for tips.

[ToroTheShibe]

Nothing happened. I still don’t get rpms in the hud

[DCB1951]

Nothing happened. I still don’t get rpms in the hud

If you have a B9, you're SOOL. To the best of my knowledge, if you have a B9.5, RPM in the HUD is available in the hockey-stick format.

Someone with a B9.5, please correct me if I am mistaken.