hoonagan

Hey guys just trying to figuire out what car would be perfect for me. I was just wondering which of the two to choose from, since the A5 with the Sline package is almost into the S4 territory. How much of a gas guzzler is 3.0 Supercharged engine because I do a lot of driving and that is a lot of money on gas every month. Obviously the numbers on the websites are not completely true but it would be nice to get a personal review of the engine. Also how does the driving experience of the sedan compare with the coupe? Any suggestions or comments from people who have more experience is well appreciated. This will be my first Audi and I am a fresh graduate so not much need for the rear seats other than the odd dropping off of a friend in dire situations.

I am hoping to get a good deal as I will be purchasing my car in July maybe the dealers will try and get rid of the 2012 for a cheaper price. Also on other posts I read and agree with the lights of the 2012 being better, but I think on the 2013 A5 the front hood and stance is a bit more aggressive especially on the model which the had at the Auto Show this year.

Axel

The B8 S4s are damn fast. Depends on your driving style but if you want/like performance, go with the S4. It's more practical and way faster than the A5 (no comparison really).

PLYN18

My personal preference (obviously) is the A5. With city speed limits (or how close we stay within them) what they are, you never get to use the full potential of any of the cars we buy on a daily basis. I loved the sports car styling to the A5 over the sedan style to the S4.

audimontreal

A5 is just stunning, just drove my friend's 2.0T S-Line with APR Stage 1....Gorgeous mags, looks mean and dran classy!

pdks

And of course there is the S5, which can be had used with modest km's, for less than a new S4.

As I understand it, the 2013 S5 will be the last with that beautiful V8 growl. They're going with V6 turbos thereafter.

JSC

I've owned both. The S4 is a much better driver's car. Not only is it faster, it handles much better and corners much better as well. Especially with the sport differential. Without, I'm not sure how much difference there would be between the two. To be fair though, the A5 handles well too. It was the best handling of all my Audis until I got the S4.

From the driver's seat, otherwise the driving experience is mostly the same. The S4 seats are the best I've ever had. The interior is otherwise identical, so when I am driving my S4 I sometimes flashback to the A5. Both are really comfortable, and the layout of the controls is exactly the same.

I got way more stares, smiles and positive comments about the A5 than I ever do with the S4.

As for fuel, this depends a lot on how you drive. When I can be patient enough to cruise in the S4, the fuel mileage is pretty good: 8.5 - 9 L/100 km. However, it's difficult to be that disciplined, so I usually use more fuel. It's so easy to overtake other vehicles on the highway that I find it hard to just sit back and follow. And it's so fun to accelerate from a stop that I rarely do it moderately.

My A5 was a 3.2L V6, so that comparison won't help, but I have an A3 2.0T. It gets driven in a way similar to the S4, so the fuel consumption is roughly comparable. It doesn't go for the same high-speed romps, but also makes more short trips.

In 3 years of driving the A3 the fuel consumption is 8.5 L/100 km on average and in one year with the S4 the average is 10.1 L/100 km.

Whichever you choose, you'll love the car!

sakimano

how about A5 3.0T? Perfect. Or S5 3.0T for a few more bucks.

sakimano

speed limits are certainly in effect, but there is no limit to how fast you get up to that speed, and I can assure you this is half the fun of owning a powerful car.

on top of this, you have a far better put together car (brakes/suspension/appearance/engine sound) when you have an S/RS car vs. an A car. I own a B8 A4 and a B7 Rs4 and I can tell you I never get excited to go somewhere in the A4. Both cars are bone stock. The A4 is a conveyance, and a damn good one...but it's not entertainment. The RS4 on the other hand is a completely different experience. It's a pleasure to drive and I thoroughly enjoy mundane trips in it. I can say the same for my previous S4 sedan (but not my B6 A4 Avant).

The cars serve different purposes to be certain. Shortly, someone will be along to tell me I'm wrong because with a gigantic turbo (that lags till 4700 RPM) and a whole boatload of mods the A4/A5 can do the same things the S4/RS4 can, but again that's an entirely different debate. 300+horsepower from a 2.0T vs. 300+hp from a 3.0 supercharged engine will feel entirely different, one of which will be far more rewarding (and far in front of the 2.0T).

DeusExFan

both are great cars. Still if I have to choose, will pick up the A5. Clearly the best Audi around now, not even talking about the S5 or RS5

Axel

Not sure how it's "clearly the best Audi around now". Curious as to why you think that.