Tankman Posted November 18, 2010 Report Share Posted November 18, 2010 This is what I was having to do in May . . . Just after this shot was taken, it started to drizzle slightly. Just enough to put a fine layer of moisture on top of a previously dry for over a week track. Just over the brow at Pflanzgarten where we stood our instructor then proceeded to make a circle on the tarmac with his shoe and told us to do the same. I kid you not when I tell you that one of the guys nearly slipped over at this point on the glassy surface underfoot. Having driven RS4, TTS, R8 RS6 and now the RS5, my feeling about the newest addition to the RS line up is one of solidness. A car that feels so heavy and large compared to the nimble RS4 and TTS that it is difficult to feel like you are in a sportscar at all. It is akin to the S8 and not the RS4 that's for sure. For some people that is a good thing, for me, I would rather have an RS4 as it is still a car to beat for real driving pleasure whilst still able to transport 4 people in comfort. The rear of the RS5 like all A5 series cars is a tad claustrophobic for me. Don't get me wrong, the RS5 is a fabulous car in it's own right showing off the technical efficiency that we come to expect from top line Audi models. Easy to drive and easy to drive very fast. Not the brilliant point to point car that the RS4 was and still is but a lovely car to drive both effortlessly and rapidly at the same time. On the Nordschliefe was where the extra weight showed. The bulk of the car causing slow transition during weight changes on faster corners like Pflanzgarten means that concentration and forward planning is needed to get the best out of the chassis. The long flowing corners from Bergwerk up the country were despatched with ease but slowing for Mütkurve and then the tightening Steilstrecke shows up just how heavy this car really is. I think this car would be perfect for a blat down to Monaco and St. Tropez. If I had one of these it would be the wifes car, she loves them. I think I would rather have an A8 or S8 over this as they don't seem so far apart, unlike the RS4 which is still the RS benchmark to beat in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted November 19, 2010 Report Share Posted November 19, 2010 Nice thoughts and write up! (ya b4stard!!) Welcome to TSN! No hint of jealousy at all........ I do like the chunky look of the A5/RS5/S5 coupe! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted November 19, 2010 Report Share Posted November 19, 2010 Very interesting. (And welcome! ). Your comments do seem to tie in with those of EVO magazine, the only crop of journalists I actually trust to talk sense about a car. When the A5 came out many said it felt like a big fat intercontinental GT more than a nimble coupe, so I guess the RS accentuates that. The problem is, that puts it into a market sector it can't possibly compete in. Who in their right mind, apart from the most faithful Audifile, would buy an RS5 in preference to an XKR? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted November 19, 2010 Report Share Posted November 19, 2010 Welcome to TsN Tankman - nice write-up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted November 24, 2010 Report Share Posted November 24, 2010 M3 VS RS5 and C63. Interesting aya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 I tested the RS5 before buying the e92. I found it bland, uninspiring, and not like an RS car at all. If I were after a reasonably quick A5 then it ticked the boxes, it just doesn't feel like an RS car to me. I get your point though about it being a GT cruiser, kind of puts it in a different space. I think I went in to the test drive expecting more of an RS4 coupe, and because of this was quite disappointed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Anyone whose fantasy island car has an Audi badge on it really needs help, and possible seclusion from society. On a fantasy island, perhaps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP27 Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Anyone whose fantasy island car has an Audi badge on it really needs help, and possible seclusion from society. Garcon - we get the script !! You might need some Professional help to get over this hate fixation !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 It's not a fixation, honest. More of a fishing rod, really. (With apparently excellent bait...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 I tested the RS5 before buying the e92. I found it bland, uninspiring, and not like an RS car at all.If I were after a reasonably quick A5 then it ticked the boxes, it just doesn't feel like an RS car to me. I get your point though about it being a GT cruiser, kind of puts it in a different space. I think I went in to the test drive expecting more of an RS4 coupe, and because of this was quite disappointed. Mac, I know what you mean - five years on, it hasn't exactly moved the game on much from the V8 RS4. Tbh I don't think any RS product is ever going to feel as special as your original B5 did. However, did you get a chance to open it up and chase the red line in Dynamic mode? Thought it was pretty savage, 7000-8500 rpm was absolutely mental, I wasn't expecting it to be so brutal. The snort on the downshifts in Dynamic mode was tasty too. My pilot was an MK Audi HQ employee who absolutely loved the thing and wasn't hanging around!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP27 Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 More of a fishing rod, really. (With apparently excellent bait...) Professional concern from me only, I assure you !! Have you heard how good the new RS3 is !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 I tested the RS5 before buying the e92. I found it bland, uninspiring, and not like an RS car at all.If I were after a reasonably quick A5 then it ticked the boxes, it just doesn't feel like an RS car to me. I get your point though about it being a GT cruiser, kind of puts it in a different space. I think I went in to the test drive expecting more of an RS4 coupe, and because of this was quite disappointed. I test drove one and found the same really, Nice interior (for two) but torque way up the rev range spoiling the cars drive IMO, economy was dia as well for a supposed "Latest technology Car".Shame really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Had the car to myself for about an hour so did have a good go. Admittedly I didn't play with all the settings. It felt like a fast-ish cruiser, certainly doesn't have the urgency of any of the V8 RS4s I've been in. To be clear, I'm non slating the car, what I'm saying is it's not an RS4/M3 competitor. I went into it expecting something else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Had the car to myself for about an hour so did have a good go. Admittedly I didn't play with all the settings.It felt like a fast-ish cruiser, certainly doesn't have the urgency of any of the V8 RS4s I've been in. To be clear, I'm non slating the car, what I'm saying is it's not an RS4/M3 competitor. I went into it expecting something else. I had the 2010 E90 M3 Saloon at the time and it was much better than the Audi, I expected the Audi to be really good................ Disappointed though.I just don't see Audi's ever bettering BMW's IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 I just don't see Audi's ever bettering BMW's IMO. Now then, even I would suggest that's a little harsh. It all depends what you want from the car. BMW's M division cars are too focussed for some - best example I can think of being the M5: its one flaw was that gearbox when you weren't at 10/10ths. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 I agree, it's difficult to see how anyone could really say that and substantiate it. The RS4 and M3 are both excellent cars - but they're for different types of owners/drivers, so one is better than the other for a specific purpose - so how does that mean Audi can't better BMW when, for many people, they already have? Oh and the R8 - what a stonking car that is. Where is BMW's equivalent? Major disappointment there in my opinion. The original TT was better than the Z3 too, massively so. Oh and if I was buying an estate car I'd probably buy an Avant instead of a Touring - because I think they look a lot better and with the right engine (i.e. not a diesel where I'd accept BMW are better) I think the cars look a world apart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 BMW diesels are outstanding aren't they? Avants are the way forward though - there was absolutely no question of me buying a Cab or saloon. Call me an old man but I absolutely love the new A6 Avant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Now then, even I would suggest that's a little harsh.It all depends what you want from the car. BMW's M division cars are too focussed for some - best example I can think of being the M5: its one flaw was that gearbox when you weren't at 10/10ths. Re-Frased "Driving Wise". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 I agree, it's difficult to see how anyone could really say that and substantiate it. The RS4 and M3 are both excellent cars - but they're for different types of owners/drivers, so one is better than the other for a specific purpose - so how does that mean Audi can't better BMW when, for many people, they already have? Oh and the R8 - what a stonking car that is. Where is BMW's equivalent? Major disappointment there in my opinion. The original TT was better than the Z3 too, massively so. Oh and if I was buying an estate car I'd probably buy an Avant instead of a Touring - because I think they look a lot better and with the right engine (i.e. not a diesel where I'd accept BMW are better) I think the cars look a world apart. I think the Audi Interiors are good, but technically NOT as good IMO, after owning lots of new Audi's my last one ( B7 RS4) was not quite as good as I expected, however as you say the TT is at the moment better than the Z's, but BMW are close to bringing out some new stock which could address this.My new car is on Order for next year (january ish). It's the new X3 M Sport 313 BHP diesel, fully specced. Should be quick and economical + usable 12 months a year (I Hope). Looked at the Audi offerings, they just did not cut it for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 (edited) BMW diesels are outstanding aren't they? Yes, probably the best in the world and by some distance - and I'd buy a Touring if I had to buy diesel. If it was petrol though, I'd just the better styled and closer engineered Audi Avant. I still think the TT was a better drivers car than the Z3. I didn't say the TT of today was better the Z - cos' I personally don't think it is a patch on the Z. It's lame, soft and numb. I've driven the supposed performance version and I thought it was pants, albeit 2 years ago. I may well be a big critic of the ride of the Z, but there is no way in this world the TT is anywhere near it. In my opinion. Why are you changing the 550i so soon Golfer? That's a cracking car and I'm amazed you're replacing it with an X3. Edited August 30, 2011 by MrMe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 The Jaguar 3.0 diesel isn't far behind the BMW offerings, arguably better on refinement but some way behind on economy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 It's a Jag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 I still think the TT was a better drivers car than the Z3. I just can't agree with that, the TT was all about how it looked, not how it drove, and it wasn't a great drive, most of them being FWD, or pretend 4WD at best, I've said it before, I still admire Audi for having the balls to bring the original TT out, even though I personally didn't really like it, and from that moment on, they've just progressively gone down hill in my opinion, but the TT was never a drivers car, it was for posing, and never had the performance or handling to match a Z, even with the mega understeery 3.2 V6 fitted. Now the Z3, was, right from the start, a drivers car, ok so you looked like a poof if you drove one, and they weren't pretty, in fact it's probably the gayest car ever made by anyone, but even the ones with the entry level engine were still a proper entertaining drivers car, and a million miles away from the averageness of the parts bin Audi TT, fortunately the Z3 just got more focused as time went on, and when the Z4 came out, it addressed completely the girly looks, although being a two seater soft top, it's still a bit gay. Why are you changing the 550i so soon Golfer? That's a cracking car and I'm amazed you're replacing it with an X3. Can't help wondering the same thing, and particularly the X3, Eurgghh. I'm no fan of the X5 as is well known on here, but the X3 is even worse, it doesn't even look like it fits it's own wheels, the body looks ungainly and cumbersome sat on some Citroen 2cv wheels, which are too narrow for it's fat body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 I drove a Z3 1.9 for 7 weeks. It was ****. My MX-5 decimated it. I then drove a TT for 2 weeks - it wasn't as good as my MX-5, but it was a whole lot more engaging than the Z3. p.s. I'm talking about the FIRST GENERATION Z's. Not the ones that have just gone out... Personal views again of course, and each to their own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldavo69 Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Funnily enough it was pretty much a straight choice between an A4 Avant and 3 Series Touring for me, both diesels and I went for the BMW. It was very close and the Audi was better specced for the money but didn't drive as well as the BMW. In the end it came down to the fact that the BMW engine is far better on all fronts, plus I prefer the looks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now