My take on B8.5 RS5 vs B9 RS5

[Bullhorn717]

So, I made a choice to get into a B8.5 after selling by B9 RS5 a few months ago. Drove an extra car we have while looking for a well maintained B8.5 locally. In a sense, I’m probably justifying my purchase and I’m likely biased but who doesn’t think their own car is better. Just figured I’d share my take.

Biggest difference is the obvious one. Looking at the engine bay, you can instantly tell the V8 is very special vs TT V6. V6 is a torque monster but the engine bay isn’t much to look at. With red valve covers and cover with CF, it’s something proudly displayed whenever I popped the hood. Sound from the V8. I had a e92 M3, and the V8 from the rs5 has more scream up top stock for stock. And it’s no contest vs the V6. Resonator delete on the B9 made the car sound pretty good though. I didn’t care much for the pops and farts but some love it for what it is.

Ride quality. The throttle mapping and response on the B9 in comfort mode is sluggish and not immediate. It’s really noticeable and many put a box to remedy this. B8.5 doesn’t have that at all in any mode. B8.5 rides somewhere between B9’s dynamic and comfort modes. Although I found B9 to be bouncy at times in dynamic mode. B9 is definitely more comfortable cruising around town in comfort. It could be just my B8.5 but there’s also a bit more body roll than the B9. Could be aging bushings?

Sensation of speed is more alive in the B8.5. I honestly don’t speed too often but I found myself doing close to 100 several times in the B9 in the blink of an eye. It hides its speed much better. B8.5 is no s2000 in that sense but the engine/exhaust note let’s you know a bit more.

Acceleration…B9 has so much torque off the line that it can make you nauseous and it’s seriously quick off the launch. B8.5 doesn’t feel quite that way but the visceral sensation of the exhaust note makes more drama? It’s no slouch either off the line. Plenty quick.

Interior and tech: B9 obviously has more tech and better interior. And it even had basic massaging seats, along with diamond stitching. I did wish the screen was retractable though. No complaints on the B8.5. It’s functional and I added CarPlay which will do for now. For some reason, Bang and Olufson sounds better to my ears in the b8.5 but it could be the cabin size between sportback vs coupe.

Exterior: subjective obviously but I like the front end of the B9 better. It’s more aggressive for sure. Rear on B8.5 appears wider and that retractable spoiler is super cool. Sets it apart from non RS cars.

Overall, I’m pretty happy with the B8.5. I do miss the torque sometimes but I honestly don’t get to launch my cars too often. What worries me is the reliability and cost of keeping this car out of warranty. But this car was literally half the price of the B9 off the lot. I had the B9 for about a year before I got bored of it. We shall see how long I keep this one. I am on the waitlist for the new rs3, number 12 as of today. Lol.
This is just my take for whatever it’s worth for some peeps.


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[hahnmgh63]

Change the oil no more than every 5k miles with a top quality oil and the 4.2 will last. Audi's 10k oil changes are ridiculous and there have been RS5 engine failures, usually the Rod bearings. No way a 8k+ revving motor should have the same oil change interval as a 2.0t or 3.0t for that matter. High RPM's is hard on the oil (Shear). Enjoy, with some mods and a tune she'll really scream.

[NoggieRS5]

I actually only change my oil every 10k miles cause my previous car, the rs3 was tuned on e85, i changed that one every 5k. Was told by my mechanic friend that I wouldn't need to do the same with the RS5. Reliability-wise, just keep up with the fluid changes, sparkplugs, injectors (Transmission ATF/MTF, Oil Changes) @redmistracing or Michel has a ton of documentation on what you should be doing to maintain it.

Oh, and what's the reason why you're interested in the new RS3? Is it speed? Cause I think that's all the RS3 is good for.

[Bullhorn717]

Thanks guys for the tips. I don’t think I’ll follow through on the rs3. I feel like it’ll be the repeat of my B9 experience. You’re right. I actually love this b8.5. Sort of the bastard child of my old B9 RS5 and my old e92 M3. Like the perfect mix. I missed my V8 and loved the Quattro AWD with Audi interior.


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[BuyTheWarranty]

If you want snappier throttle and more torque it would be good to consider the LWFW and stage 2 take car off that from JHM.

My brother has the E92, and compared to the RS5 there’s pros and cons. M3 is a little more playful, drift happy and the DCT with tune is quite snappy. Sound isn’t even close IMO, and with supporting mods and launch control, the B8.5 is up there with an R8.

[850tgul]

If you want snappier throttle and more torque it would be good to consider the LWFW and stage 2 take car off that from JHM.

My brother has the E92, and compared to the RS5 there’s pros and cons. M3 is a little more playful, drift happy and the DCT with tune is quite snappy. Sound isn’t even close IMO, and with supporting mods and launch control, the B8.5 is up there with an R8.

You’ve obviously never heard an S65 with a full carbon plenum. Induction roar an RS5 could only wish for. It’s not all about exhaust noise, though the S65 has that too.
Look, the RS5 sounds amazing but the E9X cars are also one of the most amazing sounding machines ever. M3 comes with a real transmission too.

[BuyTheWarranty]

You’ve obviously never heard an S65 with a full carbon plenum. Induction roar an RS5 could only wish for. It’s not all about exhaust noise, though the S65 has that too.
Look, the RS5 sounds amazing but the E9X cars are also one of the most amazing sounding machines ever. M3 comes with a real transmission too.

The plenum on the M3 is amazing, and I agree, from an induction standpoint, not much can touch the E92. I know that the Eventuri guys bought a stock, 6 speed E92 and just did a stage 1 tune and plenum, to make it kind of the ultimate “drivers car”.

From an exhaust perspective, the exhaust note on the M3 cars are missing something. Once you go catless, most exhaust systems have a brassy note, which is why they opted for just the plenum.

The debate on 6 speed and DSG/DCT will go on forever and I’m a fan of both, for different reasons.

[850tgul]

The plenum on the M3 is amazing, and I agree, from an induction standpoint, not much can touch the E92. I know that the Eventuri guys bought a stock, 6 speed E92 and just did a stage 1 tune and plenum, to make it kind of the ultimate “drivers car”.

From an exhaust perspective, the exhaust note on the M3 cars are missing something. Once you go catless, most exhaust systems have a brassy note, which is why they opted for just the plenum.

The debate on 6 speed and DSG/DCT will go on forever and I’m a fan of both, for different reasons.

You might be the only person on the face of the planet who thinks the S65 doesn’t have an amazing exhaust note. I had one with stock primary cars, gutted secondary cats, and a simple Borla catback. The exhaust note was unbelievably good. I also had the Eventuri plenum and the combination of the exhaust and intake made it the rare example of a car that has an amazing induction and exhaust noise.
Now, if you’re talking the E46 M3, I wholeheartedly agree, the exhaust on that car is shite. When I had one of those, I left the exhaust stock and put a CSL plenum on and just listened to the induction roar.
When I test drove an RS5 with a capristo, I thought it sounded great but not necessary better than my e92 M3.

[Bullhorn717]

Having owned both. Stock for stock, I think they are both pretty amazing! Both are high revving and have a lot of personality. Sad thing is V8 era is more or less over…gotta enjoy these for what they are.


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[NoggieRS5]

in my opinion, the dsg downshifts is what makes it more desirable and the jhm tune raises the rpm to 8800! Can't beat that. RS5 Interior > E9X Interior.

[850tgul]

RS5 Interior > E9X Interior.

Absolutely, the E9x interior is fine, but pretty bland. Any B8/8.5 based interior is miles better. I find the RS5 exterior prettier than the E92 M3 as well. This coming from a former E92 M3 owner.

Really the only thing that made me chose an E92 M3 over an RS5 was the manual option on the M3. The more balanced RWD chassis is nice too, but neither the M3 nor the RS5 is a real sports car, so either chassis is pretty great for a DD type car.