6MT B8.5 S4/S5 or B8.5 RS5?

[18tyweslow]

Hi all, I'm having a hard time deciding here. Maybe some of you owners could provide some input.

I owned a real nice '17 S5, DSG, 034 Stage 1. Mostly stock. Was a great car but was a little boring for my tastes (I've had all manual cars up until I bought it.) I sold it a little over a year ago, and purchased a '13 STI hatchback. I enjoy it, but find myself missing the highway power that the S5 had, and the nicer interior.

So here I am, once again looking at the B8.5 platform.

I have a feeling I'd really enjoy the enhanced driver engagement of a 6mt car. All the right power, fit and finish, and design, with the connected feeling of a manual. But then I thought, okay.. what about RS5? A glorious 4.2l V8 that revs to the moon, same great styling, but only DSG. Seems like folks have noted that the DSG is more aggressive than the one found in the normal S4 and S5. I am also aware that the supercharged 3.0 can make more power than the RS5 with bolt-ons. But that doesn't mean a whole lot to me, I don't think I'd do much to the 3.0 aside from an intake and stage 1 tune.

At the end of the day, I'm looking for input from owners, or people who have owned these cars. What would you take and why? 6MT B8.5 S4/S5, or B8.5 RS5?

[Smac770]

I have no care for manual shifting, so I'd take the V8 all day long. The s-tronic (DSG is a VW term, are you buying a VW?) in the RS does get the crown diff over the Torsen diff, and is certainly more aggressively programmed. But if you need to moving a shifter, then your decision is made. I wouldn't be surprised if someone has tried to swap an 0B4 6MT in place of the 0B5 DCT at some point.

[points]

The biggest thing I noticed going from the B8/8.5 s4 to my RS5 was the different torque curves. The RS5 does not hit you with the torque right away like a tuned 3.0 does so don't expect them to feel comparable stoplight to stoplight. A tuned 3.0 feels much more violent than the 4.2 does. What you do notice is the extra 2000rpm of rev range, it makes me smile every time i get an open on-ramp to let it really stretch its legs. For daily driving, I don't notice a ton of difference between the S4 dsg and the RS5 dsg, the RS5 does seem to downshift more frequently if left to its own devices but that makes sense given that the 4.2 makes it power up high. If you've driven an s4/s5 with a dsg tune i would say the shift aggressiveness on the RS5 is pretty similar to that but I much prefer the RS5 exhaust sound to that of 3.0 if that means anything. Objectively, the 3.0t is probably the more "practical" motor if you want to go fast, but I will say subjectively for me the RS5 feels so much more special when you drive it. It was one of those cars for me that when you walk up to it, the car just has "it" whatever that is even if its not the fastest Audi ever made.

[Riley2011]

I have not had a chance to drive a RS5 but I am currently driving my second B8.5 S5 6MT with a Stage 1 tune. My first one was a 2013 S5, purchased in 2015 when it had 28K and sold it with 140K when I found a 2014 S5 with 43K miles on it. Had it shipped to my current location in Florida. If you take your time, you should be able find a low mileage S5 somewhere in the US that can be shipped. The S5 is the only car I found with a manual transmission that I enjoy driving everyday. But I'm also lucky that I do not have to deal with commuter traffic or I would not have a MT car. My vote is for the S5 if you really enjoy a 3 pedal...

[Wafflehd]

Not really what you're asking here, but I recently sold my '13 WRX with stage 3 mods for a stock b8.5 s5 manual. It is exactly what I was looking for as far as a similar feel to my WRX but faster and more comfortable. I'm really glad I went with the manual again on this one. I will say the shifter doesn't feel as notchy as my wrx but I'm sure that could be changed with a short shifter kit.

[18tyweslow]

I have no care for manual shifting, so I'd take the V8 all day long. The s-tronic (DSG is a VW term, are you buying a VW?) in the RS does get the crown diff over the Torsen diff, and is certainly more aggressively programmed. But if you need to moving a shifter, then your decision is made. I wouldn't be surprised if someone has tried to swap an 0B4 6MT in place of the 0B5 DCT at some point.

Haha sorry, just going by the verbiage all the tuners use. S-tronic is right. I think I've actually seen a video of a guy who 6MT swapped his B8 RS5. Way too much work and money for me however! The V8 is much, much more special. And something about the wider fenders and more aggressive bumpers really does it for me. I found myself envying RS5 owners with my S5.

The biggest thing I noticed going from the B8/8.5 s4 to my RS5 was the different torque curves. The RS5 does not hit you with the torque right away like a tuned 3.0 does so don't expect them to feel comparable stoplight to stoplight. A tuned 3.0 feels much more violent than the 4.2 does. What you do notice is the extra 2000rpm of rev range, it makes me smile every time i get an open on-ramp to let it really stretch its legs. For daily driving, I don't notice a ton of difference between the S4 dsg and the RS5 dsg, the RS5 does seem to downshift more frequently if left to its own devices but that makes sense given that the 4.2 makes it power up high. If you've driven an s4/s5 with a dsg tune i would say the shift aggressiveness on the RS5 is pretty similar to that but I much prefer the RS5 exhaust sound to that of 3.0 if that means anything. Objectively, the 3.0t is probably the more "practical" motor if you want to go fast, but I will say subjectively for me the RS5 feels so much more special when you drive it. It was one of those cars for me that when you walk up to it, the car just has "it" whatever that is even if its not the fastest Audi ever made.

I do enjoy "slow car fast" (even if by no means the RS5 is slow.) Having to work the car to get power is fun. My Miata was like that until I boosted it, now it's just wild all the time. Part of me thinks I'd really enjoy the fact that my car is special. I even like that with my STI, although much less so.

I have not had a chance to drive a RS5 but I am currently driving my second B8.5 S5 6MT with a Stage 1 tune. My first one was a 2013 S5, purchased in 2015 when it had 28K and sold it with 140K when I found a 2014 S5 with 43K miles on it. Had it shipped to my current location in Florida. If you take your time, you should be able find a low mileage S5 somewhere in the US that can be shipped. The S5 is the only car I found with a manual transmission that I enjoy driving everyday. But I'm also lucky that I do not have to deal with commuter traffic or I would not have a MT car. My vote is for the S5 if you really enjoy a 3 pedal...

I my commute to work is almost entirely through the country, so having a manual car is no issue for me either. It's all backroads (albeit boring ones unfortunately.) I wonder how much Nogoro edition S4's go for. I really wish the S5 got a fun special edition too.

Not really what you're asking here, but I recently sold my '13 WRX with stage 3 mods for a stock b8.5 s5 manual. It is exactly what I was looking for as far as a similar feel to my WRX but faster and more comfortable. I'm really glad I went with the manual again on this one. I will say the shifter doesn't feel as notchy as my wrx but I'm sure that could be changed with a short shifter kit.

That's really good to know! You were familiar with the EJ feel then haha. I figured the shifter would feel a little more numb, but there indeed seems to be ways to fix this.

At the end of the day, I feel like I should just test drive them. Obviously I know how the S5 feels around corners and such (my old one had sport diff as well) but I have never driven or been in a 6MT car, or an RS5. There's a guy local to me who has an RS5 that actually offered to let me test drive it this coming spring/summer, so maybe that's what I'll do.

[Birdman86]

I owned a 2010 S4 6MT with a stage 2 tune, and now own a 2013 RS5. There is no comparison for me. The tuned S4 was just another tuned/boosted Audi, even with the sport Diff. It was just like every other Audi I had, I was always looking for the next thing to upgrade or MOD. The RS5, is "just right" in almost every way for me. Ride height, comfort, styling, and my god, that exhaust note and redline. I'm 10 years older now than when I had that S4, and I know I'm not the fastest car around, and I simply just don't care. While the 3.0T crowd is out trying to change this, or mod that, and be faster than that boosted civic/sti or whatever, I'll just be cruising around listening to my V8, smiling from ear to ear, downshifting the S-Tronic in Sport mode and giggling like a little girl. I truly love this car and I think it is one of the most slept on future collectors cars out there right now. It is the last Naturally Aspirated V8 Audi Sport will be producing, they are moving to electric, and the 4.0 V8T just isn't the same. This RS5 is the first "automatic" I've owned, other than my truck, and even at the track over the weekend, I didn't miss a manual transmission once. It was effortless and exhilarating coming into the braking zone on turn one, in the brakes, and just blipping the paddle shifter into lower gears. No heal-toe nonsense, no mis-shifts, no clutch management, just concentrating on being smooth, and running the line. Everything in this car is purpose built as a sendoff for the venerable 4.2L from Audi. They put everything they could into this car to make it the best shining example of what was possible on a road legal coupe you can toss your family and car seat in on the weekdays, and take to the track on the weekend, like I do. It's tame enough my wife can drive it to work if she wants. No boost leaks, vacuum leaks, pulleys, worrying about if the transmission or clutch can take the boost and power etc.

Just watch this "review" from Throttle House on youtube if you haven't already.

https://youtu.be/_Kf-2D1vge8

[hahnmgh63]

I have a '13 S5 DSG & a '13 RS5. The S5 is Stg2+ & the RS5 is Stg2. I've got a couple of manual cars (911 & 944T (track car)). For a daily driver the DSG is so much better but everyone has different wants/likes. The DSG is much better on the track (wish my old 944T had a DSG). Both DSG's shift about the same, I've upgraded the TCU tune in both of mine but it is only a slight change. The RS5 is geared a little lower since you have the extra 2k in RPM's to work with so it does shift a little more often due to the lower gearing. The sound of the RS5 is hands down the best, and it does blip the throttle more agressively on downshifts. As mentioned above the Torque curve of the 3.0t keeps you shifting less, but it isn't a bad thing as the RS5 sounds so good when shifting. RS5 tends to have a better interior, Premium plus to Premium plus, Prestige to Prestige. A few more standard items that are optonal on the S5, better brakes, wider fender flares and more agressive nose, better looking overall, enough that I put a BKS tuning RS5 look front bumper on my S5. If you were here in WA I would let you drive both of mine around the block and see what you think, everyone's choices are different. I do like manuals but in my S5 I don't miss it.

[RockJGC]

6MT car all the way. I have zero interest in an automatic unless it's something like an SUV.

Some day when we're all driving electric cars, you're going to wish you got a manual transmission Audi....lol

[boneyxy]

6MT S4/S5 all day.
RS5's V8 howling at redline is probably one of the most satisfying feelings, but other than that it's a pretty tame daily driver.

If you enjoy shifting, with only a few mods (specifically solid linkage and short throw shifter), the B8/B8.5 manuals feel truly special.

[carrrnuttt]

I'm biased, but I've never had a non-manual as my personal car.

Even when I commuted almost 100 miles daily, I did it in a manual. I felt the manual kept me safer even then since it kept me awake and aware.

- - - Updated - - -

If you enjoy shifting, with only a few mods (specifically solid linkage and short throw shifter), the B8/B8.5 manuals feel truly special.

Solidly agree.

[18tyweslow]

I owned a 2010 S4 6MT with a stage 2 tune, and now own a 2013 RS5. There is no comparison for me. The tuned S4 was just another tuned/boosted Audi, even with the sport Diff. It was just like every other Audi I had, I was always looking for the next thing to upgrade or MOD. The RS5, is "just right" in almost every way for me. Ride height, comfort, styling, and my god, that exhaust note and redline. I'm 10 years older now than when I had that S4, and I know I'm not the fastest car around, and I simply just don't care. While the 3.0T crowd is out trying to change this, or mod that, and be faster than that boosted civic/sti or whatever, I'll just be cruising around listening to my V8, smiling from ear to ear, downshifting the S-Tronic in Sport mode and giggling like a little girl. I truly love this car and I think it is one of the most slept on future collectors cars out there right now. It is the last Naturally Aspirated V8 Audi Sport will be producing, they are moving to electric, and the 4.0 V8T just isn't the same. This RS5 is the first "automatic" I've owned, other than my truck, and even at the track over the weekend, I didn't miss a manual transmission once. It was effortless and exhilarating coming into the braking zone on turn one, in the brakes, and just blipping the paddle shifter into lower gears. No heal-toe nonsense, no mis-shifts, no clutch management, just concentrating on being smooth, and running the line. Everything in this car is purpose built as a sendoff for the venerable 4.2L from Audi. They put everything they could into this car to make it the best shining example of what was possible on a road legal coupe you can toss your family and car seat in on the weekdays, and take to the track on the weekend, like I do. It's tame enough my wife can drive it to work if she wants. No boost leaks, vacuum leaks, pulleys, worrying about if the transmission or clutch can take the boost and power etc.

Just watch this "review" from Throttle House on youtube if you haven't already.

https://youtu.be/_Kf-2D1vge8

I've seen that TH video - that's actually what made me want to buy one. And also is what made me envious of RS5 owners when I had my S5! Hah. I'm younger, so no family or wife to worry about needing to drive with a third pedal. But something about how special the engine is really drives me towards the RS5. I think to decide I really need to drive both. I prefer the entire RS5 package over the 3.0t cars, except for not offering a manual. I've never owned a V8, and I reckon this would be one hell of an entry!

I only a '13 S5 DSG & a '13 RS5. The S5 is Stg2+ & the RS5 is Stg2. I've got a couple of manual cars (911 & 944T (track car)). For a daily driver the DSG is so much better but everyone has different wants/likes. The DSG is much better on the track (wish my old 944T had a DSG). Both DSG's shift about the same, I've upgraded the TCU tune in both of mine but it is only a slight change. The RS5 is geared a little lower since you have the extra 2k in RPM's to work with so it does shift a little more often due to the lower gearing. The sound of the RS5 is hands down the best, and it does blip the throttle more agressively on downshifts. As mentioned above the Torque curve of the 3.0t keeps you shifting less, but it isn't a bad thing as the RS5 sounds so good when shifting. RS5 tends to have a better interior, Premium plus to Premium plus, Prestige to Prestige. A few more standard items that are optonal on the S5, better brakes, wider fender flares and more agressive nose, better looking overall, enough that I put a BKS tuning RS5 look front bumper on my S5. If you were here in WA I would let you drive both of mine around the block and see what you think, everyone's choices are different. I do like manuals but in my S5 I don't miss it.

Man I'd love to try your car - (I've owned a DSG S5 so I know how that feels for the most part.) I'm in Wisconsin though unfortunately - that would be quite the drive! The wider fenders and more aggressive body really makes me like the RS5, but man.. the 3rd pedal. I'm just afraid of getting "bored" with the DSG like I did with my S5, fast or not.

6MT car all the way. I have zero interest in an automatic unless it's something like an SUV.

Some day when we're all driving electric cars, you're going to wish you got a manual transmission Audi....lol

If I could find a 6MT Nogaro S4(yeah.. right.), or a 6MT Misano S5, I think I'd yoink either of them. But the V8... sigh. This is so tough!

6MT S4/S5 all day.
RS5's V8 howling at redline is probably one of the most satisfying feelings, but other than that it's a pretty tame daily driver.

If you enjoy shifting, with only a few mods (specifically solid linkage and short throw shifter), the B8/B8.5 manuals feel truly special.

Good to know. The manual in my STI is.. okay. Certainly not like my Miata, but it's just "ok." I think what kills it for me is the powerband - this is fixable with a downpipe and such, but EJ engines terrify me, and I want to keep it as stock as possible. I loved the 3.0t in my S5, just wasn't completely in love with the DSG. I feel as though I'd love the 4.2 a whole lot too.

I'm biased, but I've never had a non-manual as my personal car.

Even when I commuted almost 100 miles daily, I did it in a manual. I felt the manual kept me safer even then since it kept me awake and aware.

- - - Updated - - -



Solidly agree.

My DSG S5 was the first auto I owned as well. It's good, really good, but not the same. That's why I was curious if the DSG in the RS5 with it's supposedly more aggressive tuning is a little more violet. I have a friend with a newer C43 and that thing is ROWDY. The trans is super aggressive in sport modes.

[Birdman86]

I've seen that TH video - that's actually what made me want to buy one. And also is what made me envious of RS5 owners when I had my S5! Hah. I'm younger, so no family or wife to worry about needing to drive with a third pedal. But something about how special the engine is really drives me towards the RS5. I think to decide I really need to drive both. I prefer the entire RS5 package over the 3.0t cars, except for not offering a manual. I've never owned a V8, and I reckon this would be one hell of an entry!


Man I'd love to try your car - (I've owned a DSG S5 so I know how that feels for the most part.) I'm in Wisconsin though unfortunately - that would be quite the drive! The wider fenders and more aggressive body really makes me like the RS5, but man.. the 3rd pedal. I'm just afraid of getting "bored" with the DSG like I did with my S5, fast or not.


If I could find a 6MT Nogaro S4(yeah.. right.), or a 6MT Misano S5, I think I'd yoink either of them. But the V8... sigh. This is so tough!



Good to know. The manual in my STI is.. okay. Certainly not like my Miata, but it's just "ok." I think what kills it for me is the powerband - this is fixable with a downpipe and such, but EJ engines terrify me, and I want to keep it as stock as possible. I loved the 3.0t in my S5, just wasn't completely in love with the DSG. I feel as though I'd love the 4.2 a whole lot too.


My DSG S5 was the first auto I owned as well. It's good, really good, but not the same. That's why I was curious if the DSG in the RS5 with it's supposedly more aggressive tuning is a little more violet. I have a friend with a newer C43 and that thing is ROWDY. The trans is super aggressive in sport modes.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...Misano-Red-RS4

Misano - CHECK
4.2L V8 - CHECK
Manual- CHECK (I think...)

[18tyweslow]

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...Misano-Red-RS4

Misano - CHECK
4.2L V8 - CHECK
Manual- CHECK (I think...)

Different 4.2 I believe, but that does look like a gorgeous car.

[carrrnuttt]

Different 4.2 I believe, but that does look like a gorgeous car.

Similar, in that they were both in R8s.

Except that the one in the RS5 went into the R8 V10...

[nj2016s5]

Ok i will weight in here. I had a 2013 STI sedan stage 2 and it was a blast to drive in the corners and snow, but always felt cheep , sheet metal was always like "ping" when you closed the doors.

also have a 2016 S5 coupe six speed with awe exhaust, intake, stage 1, intake and loved the shifting, solid car when you closed the doors, it just sucked driving in traffic, i live in NJ and stop and go traffic will wear out your right leg, i am in my 50's.

have had a 2021 RS5 coupe now for almost 2 years, AWE non Res exhaust and awe intake, love it, however in my opinion, when not driving in sports mode or RS mode, it will shift to like 6 gear at 30 mph and is ok for tooling around town, but 90 percent of the time i drive it in sports mode.

I do miss the shifting so i bought a 2011 Mazda Mitia to cure the itch, it is a great little 2 seater. I do not track any of my cars just street use, I guess as i get older i just wabt the car to shift itself now! ha ha

[RockJGC]

.... i live in NJ and stop and go traffic will wear out your right leg.... ha ha

These cars have a feather-light clutch pedal. I've been in the worst stop-and-go traffic imaginable and never had an issue. I'm also in my 50s, FWIW.