Happy Holidays, CL: Special Review: 2009 Audi S5 Quattro
#16
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mmarshall, you really missed the mark on this one. Your reputation for insightful and accurate reviews just drove off the cliff...
How could you miss the remote seatback release levers in the trunk?
(sorry for the crappy photo)
Happy Holidays to you too. And thanks (seriously ) for the well written and objective review!
(sorry for the crappy photo)
Happy Holidays to you too. And thanks (seriously ) for the well written and objective review!
#17
Lexus Fanatic
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Originally Posted by snowday
mmarshall, you really missed the mark on this one. Your reputation for insightful and accurate reviews just drove off the cliff...
How could you miss the remote seatback release levers in the trunk?
How could you miss the remote seatback release levers in the trunk?
If they ARE on all S5's, then I'll stand corrected (along with them). I don't mind a fellow CL member (or anyone else) correcting me if I am, in fact, wrong.
One thing I DID forget to mention in the trunk, though, was the nice real chrome-metal tie-down rings, instead of the more usual plastic.
Happy Holidays to you too. And thanks (seriously ) for the well written and objective review!
Last edited by mmarshall; 12-04-08 at 08:03 PM.
#18
Lexus Champion
Another excellent review.
I had contacted Audi a year and a half ago to get on the wait list for this car....until the wife pointed out that a coupe wouldn't work if we are going to have kids....lol. I agree with you, it is certainly one of the sexiest cars on the road.
I had contacted Audi a year and a half ago to get on the wait list for this car....until the wife pointed out that a coupe wouldn't work if we are going to have kids....lol. I agree with you, it is certainly one of the sexiest cars on the road.
#19
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Looks like the dealers in your area, then, are either trying to profiteer off each one (they make money on options as well as on the base car), or that is what local S5 customers are demanding.
#20
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Thanks. I may have missed a couple of things, as some other posters have noted. I've been working hard on them the last few days....did three in just the last 5 days. I'm going to take a breather after this one for awhile.
A coupe will probably work OK with just one baby or small child, although putting the child in and out of the back (or the child seat itself), can get rather tedious.
When you family starts growing in numbers, though, as well as in physical sizes, then, I agree, it may be time to start looking at something more roomy.
I had contacted Audi a year and a half ago to get on the wait list for this car....until the wife pointed out that a coupe wouldn't work if we are going to have kids....lol. I agree with you, it is certainly one of the sexiest cars on the road.
When you family starts growing in numbers, though, as well as in physical sizes, then, I agree, it may be time to start looking at something more roomy.
#21
I love these cars. WOW, inside out. Never owned an Audi, but this is so tempting. I am not in the market for a new car at the moment, but that price is very reasonable. I will be looking at it next year. IS F, M3 and an S5 are the cars I would be looking at.
Your reviews are done so thoroughly. Exactly what I want/need to know. Though I must admit that I skim through em sometimes, but I love the details. You can write man.
Your reviews are done so thoroughly. Exactly what I want/need to know. Though I must admit that I skim through em sometimes, but I love the details. You can write man.
#22
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Regardless of what it was or wasn't offered on, though, I think you'll agree with me, though, that that was a honey of a gearbox....IMO, one of the best transmission designs ever. It is expensive and complex to produce, though.....I suspect VW/Audi is cutting back on its availability to save money.
Also, one correction. The A5/S5 line is based on the B8 architecture. The current Passat/Passat CC is based on the B6 platform. They are very different cars.
But great review (hardly suprising ). How did you like the Audi colour display in the middle of the guages? It displays nav directions as well.
#23
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Another thing in the trunk is the battery you couldn't find up front. It's a gigantic battery directly under the spare tire, along with a well-stocked tool kit.
#24
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I've reviewed a couple of recent cars with batteries under the spare, but they were usually visible one way or another. It wasn't visible under the spare in this car....but I didn't actually unbolt the spare and pull it up.
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#26
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Thanks. I've been checking out cars since I was a teen-ager.....some 40 years. I was also a pilot and flew small planes. But I'm not young any more, and some things get past me once in a while. Cars are also a lot more complex today (sometimes TOO complex), especially in the dash electronics.
#27
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Yep - Even lowly 2000 Jettas had chrome tie down hooks and first-aid kits in the trunk. My Passat came with a totally Euro- triangle reflector which has a housing in the trunk lining. Love the details
#28
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Thanks. In the 2009 models, it is (apparantly) a conventional fluid-filled torque converter Tiptronic, like in the A4. The DSG is basically all-mechanical/computer-operated, with multi-clutches, and has better efficiency than a torque converter. I heard some rumors it would return soon, but nothing concrete. If what you say is correct, that will verify it. Thanks.
#29
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by FKL
There is a next generation line of DSG sthat will phase out and fully replace the 6-Speed conventional tiptronic. The new 2011 Chattanooga-built car will feature a standard DSG.
Also, one correction. The A5/S5 line is based on the B8 architecture. The current Passat/Passat CC is based on the B6 platform. They are very different cars.
But great review (hardly suprising ).
How did you like the Audi colour display in the middle of the guages? It displays nav directions as well.
#30
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Thanks.
I'd buy this car in a second before an M3, although, admittedly, nothing beats a BMW steering system/chassis. M3's, though, come only with RWD, have substantially less torque than the S5's 4.2L V8, and have to be revved to a stratospheric 8000 RPM to get their maximum 414 HP. In addition, the M3 I looked at had several substantial and embarassing factory assembly goofs.
I'm not sure I'd buy an S5 before a BMW 335xi, though....that 3.0L BMW twin-turbo in-line 6 is a honey of an engine, for a lot less $$$$$ than an M3 or S5.
How does it compare to the M3? I know you reviewed it not too long ago.
I was seriously thinking about S5 before the M3. IMHO, it's one of the most sexiest car on the road, and I love the noise it makes. But I am not sure about the performance/price.
I was seriously thinking about S5 before the M3. IMHO, it's one of the most sexiest car on the road, and I love the noise it makes. But I am not sure about the performance/price.
I'm not sure I'd buy an S5 before a BMW 335xi, though....that 3.0L BMW twin-turbo in-line 6 is a honey of an engine, for a lot less $$$$$ than an M3 or S5.