Editor in Chief Scott Oldham didn't share the keys to our 2009 Audi S5 often. Who would blame him? One morning he came into the office and confessed, "I let my neighbor, Bill, drive our long-term 2009 Audi S5."
Oldham continued his story: "He loved it. Bill told me, 'When I'm in it, it makes me feel successful. It's like I made the right decisions in my life. It feels like a reward for all of my hard work.'
"I couldn't agree more," Oldham said. "Too often these days, people think about cars as conveyance and not as a pleasurable part of daily life. People who do are missing out. More of them should try the Audi S5."
Why We Got It
In 2008 Audi introduced the all-new Audi S5 to the U.S. This performance coupe catered to American tastes with elegance, charm and a 354-horsepower, 4.2-liter V8. Audi built the S5 for life at speed on the open highway, a high-performance version of the A5, the first Audi coupe in decades. But there was a problem: We couldn't get our hands on a 2008 Audi S5. Audi later announced the S5 would carry over unchanged into the 2009 model year and we seized the opportunity to add a 2009 Audi S5 to our long-term fleet.
I would tell anybody who's thinking about buying an S5 to do it now.
We had our eye on the S5 since it first won a 2008 Inside Line Editors' Choice Award. But then Audi told us that the V8 was on its way out for the S5 and would be replaced by a new, supercharged V6 introduced in the S4 that offered much better fuel economy than the V8 and almost (almost?!) as much power. This made us nervous. If the V8 wasn't going to survive into 2010, then we better get into one now.
There were many reasons we decided to get a 2009 Audi S5; style, power and comfort all ranked highly. But most of all, this is the car with which Audi hopes to capture the market position carved out by the BMW 3 Series coupe. So when Audi offered us the car for a year, it didn't have to ask us twice. It soon found its way into our garage.
Durability
We stood divided when it came to our reaction to the way the S5 went down the road. A clear majority praised it as the best road-trip car in our fleet. Lead Senior Editor Ed Hellwig broke in the S5 on a trip to Colorado. He wrote, "It's an exceptionally quiet car on the highway. The V8 hum that you hear at idle disappears at higher engine speeds, so phone calls and 'The [Howard] Stern Show' on the satellite radio sounded great." Senior Editor Erin Riches offered similar praise following a run to Las Vegas, "The S5 is quick and capable of turning a corner with haste and grace. Its V8 sounds great. There is a sensory component to driving it that occupies the mind and keeps even the long, straight highways from being boring."
Nevertheless, a vocal faction within our ranks felt the S5's stop-and-go demeanor was nearly a deal-breaker. "This drivetrain isn't for wimps," the bunch quipped. One editor added, "Clutch-pedal uptake is long with an abrupt engagement point. I find myself riding the left pedal more than I feel comfortable with in order to complete a smooth shift from a stop. I'm going to guess I'm not alone." But even the dissenters agreed: "No matter how frustrating the 2009 Audi S5 might be to manage in rush-hour traffic, when the road clears, it becomes a completely different machine. Set the steering to dynamic, the suspension and throttle to comfort and point me to Vegas. This car is spectacular."
Twelve months of service generated a short list of issues with the S5. Interior materials, including its black-leather seats, proved impervious to wear. A mystery tear in the driver floor mat was the only item of note. But mats are installed for the purpose of being worn, so we didn't hold that against the Audi. There was another, more significant issue that arose. A pronounced vibration in the steering wheel at freeway speeds concerned us. The same symptom not-so-coincidentally developed in our long-term Audi A4 Avant. We worked with Audi of America and Santa Monica Audi to resolve the issue, which apparently had fielded similar complaints. With spin-balancing for the tires, about 90 percent of all issues were resolved, Audi told us. But we fell into the 10 percent that also required stiffer lower-front control arms to deliver the refinement we expected.
Total Body Repair Costs: None
Total Routine Maintenance Costs (over 12 months): $448.76
Additional Maintenance Costs: $596.18 for tire replacement and front floor mats
Warranty Repairs: Lower-front control arm replacement
Non-Warranty Repairs: None
Scheduled Dealer Visits: 2
Unscheduled Dealer Visits: 1
Days Out of Service: 1 for control arm installation
Breakdowns Stranding Driver: None
Performance and Fuel Economy
Our first test of the 2009 Audi S5 left us impressed. The 3,900-pound S5 reached 60 mph from a standstill in 5.2 seconds (5 seconds with 1 foot of rollout) and completed the quarter-mile in 13.5 seconds at 102.6 mph. From 60 mph the S5 returned to a stop in just 110 feet. All the while, this sport coupe maintained 0.92g of lateral grip on the skid pad before its tires cried uncle.
But time and mileage took its toll on the performance of our S5, as there was a significant decline in performance registered in our test at the conclusion of the S5's term with us. Under acceleration to 60 mph, the Audi proved 0.6 second slower, while the same margin held to the end of the quarter-mile: 14.1 seconds at 99 mph. Senior Road Test Editor Josh Jacquot lamented, "This clutch is obviously tired. It won't hold power at high rpm for a clutch drop with the stability control off, which prevents a good launch and quicker acceleration numbers." Brake stopping distance also grew to 120 feet. Jacquot continued, "The brake pedal feel is still good. Fade resistance is still good. But what happened to the distance?"
Dynamic testing provided the clue. Slalom speed actually improved from 66.8 mph to 68.6 mph over time — the kind of thing that we attribute to tire wear. New tires are sticky, and this contributes to shorter stopping distances, but the relatively tall tread blocks squirm under cornering loads, and this means less grip as the tires flex back and forth between transitions. Conversely, our S5's tires had 22,000 hard miles, which meant less stick under braking, yet also less tread squirm and so, better slalom speeds. (This is part of the reason why racers of showroom stock cars shave down the tread of their new street-spec tires.)
On the other hand, skid pad testing is more of a steady-state evaluation. The tire tread basically rolls to one side and remains pinned while the vehicle circles, so wear and stick are less of an issue. In the case of the 2009 Audi S5, this explains why its final test on the skid pad returned cornering grip identical to its first: 0.92g.
Best Fuel Economy: 22.3 mpg (326 miles on best tank)
Worst Fuel Economy: 10.8 mpg
Average Fuel Economy: 16.4 mpg
Retained Value
Our long-term 2009 Audi S5 arrived one year ago with a "52" emblazoned on the odometer and a $61,915 adhered to the window. By test end, both the mileage and value fluctuated by over 20,000 — only in opposite directions.
According to Edmunds TMV Calculator, a private-party sale of the S5 garners the seller just 67 percent of its original MSRP. This level of depreciation is on par with that of a similarly equipped BMW M3 coupe. If you're in the market for either, resale value will not be a deciding factor. But reading our comparison of the two could help your research.
True Market Value at Service End: $41,493
Depreciation: $20,422 or 33% of original MSRP
Final Odometer Reading: 22,141
Summing Up
We've made up our minds. Cash in the 401(k). Send the kids back to public school. Take out another mortgage on the house. We'll do what it takes to get a V8-powered S5. As it turns out, Audi agrees with us because the V8 is still part of the S5 program, thanks to the enthusiasm of all of you.
We can cite numerous reasons as to why an S5 is worth our hard-earned cash. But more than any other, this car reminds us of our love of driving. It can induce a smile merely by glancing in your direction. Its engine is so melodic that the windows remain permanently submerged within the doors. It is the kind of car that makes you want to take the long way home.
Lead Senior Editor Ed Hellwig said it well: "I would tell anybody who's thinking about buying a 2009 Audi S5 to do it now. They're not getting much better than this."
The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
Add A Comment »
truecarfan says:
10:36 AM, 06/14/2010
My good friend has the new A4 that shares the same chassis as the A5/S5 and it's been flawless so far. The only issue is that oil needs to be added in between service intervals. It appears that overall this new Audi platform is more reliable than some of their former efforts.
Their dealer is the one in Greenwich, Connecticut and they have an excellent relationship (but then again this dealership has been repeatedly voted the best for Audi in the U.S. - so I'm sure there are some that aren't as good).
As far as the S5....I'd rather one with the 3.0T with 6-speed manual and sport differential. I think the supercharged V6 will probably be even more "tossable" because of the lighter engine. Goergeous (and luxurious) car with any engine!!
myob says:
06:57 AM, 06/08/2010
Nice lookin' car. Drops $20K in a year(a high mile one, granted). That plus the initial purchase price show it's for those with money to burn. The problem is, we all know that it won't just be purchased by those types. It won't be purchased at all by many. It will be leased by a lot of folks who can't really afford it. What's sadder is many of those will be buying it because of its looks and "image" and not because of the things that go into it that make it so expensive.
The first non-lux company that makes cars that LOOK like BMW 335i's and Audi A/S5's and perform decently will sell a lot of them. Because what so many car buyers want is not a luxury car with high performance, it's simply the appearance of luxury and high performance. This same phenomena explains the faddish popularity of the Chrysler 300. Many of them were not even the C model with better power and handling, but folks would just slap on some 22" wheels and few could tell the difference.
Personally, I feel that if you can't pay cash for these cars, much less purchase one vs lease, you probably need to rethink your financial priorities. If it was really all about driving excitement you'd be in a 5 y/o M3 or S4 instead. A used 335i can be had for well under $30K if you shop around.
The editorial comment about "this car makes me feel successful" made me nauseous. He didn't even own it! A stupid car makes you feel successful? Is anything real anymore? Is it all about superficial outward wealth displays? Are we a nation of poseurs? $500K in the bank would make me feel a lot better than a leased car even if money were a valid measure of success.
I drove BMWs (2 used, 1 new) and took a break from time to time and drove frankly inferior substitutes because I got sick of the whole image/status end of these cars. People make all kinds of assumptions about you when you drive one. I prefer reality.
For many here the car is loved for its attributes. Just be sure you are into it for how it looks and drives and feels to you, not for how you think it will raise you up in others' eyes. I know of a big spending newly "rich" guy who later spent much of a year living out of his 2 y/o $75,000 luxury car. Needless to say that status-based admiration of him lost much of its luster when he was sleeping in the thing. $75K buys a lot of rent during a downturn.
2 years of deep recession, 20% true unemployment, and the average length of unemployment reaching record highs are telling me that many who lease/buy this car now will regret it within a year or two, as a certain percentage of them will join the ranks of the jobless. They are foreclosing on homes here well over $1M. If the party ends for those guys, don't think it can't happen to you. One day you're making $125K, the next you're making zero with no prospects. It happens.
Sorry to rain on the parade. But if this saves even one wannabe intoxicated from this review and pictures from making a big mistake, it will be worth the barbs.
audirs4 says:
06:46 AM, 06/07/2010
I have a 2008 A6 S line with the 4.2 motor. After logging 30k miles plus, it's been absolutely flawless since day 1. Not a single check engine light or anything wrong with my car in over 2 1/2 years. And I've got every tech gadget on my car.
All I do is put gas in my car and go. Audi's V8 engine and Quattro AWD are pretty bulletproof. So long term, I don't think you have to worry about a V8 S5.
As far as trim pieces and bulbs - there are far worse things than you can worry about. Crying because you have to pay for a light bulb or latch is far less dramatic that having your car bought back as a Lemon for a major mechanical problem.
At 30k miles, I do have a few buttons that are starting to wear and part of the black is starting to rub off. But most of that is my fault, as I use lots of lotions on my hand and the oils can make the coatings wear off quicker.
The S5 is a lot of car for the money. Used ones are expensive and the resale on both the A5 and S5 are quite high. So you can't go wrong with buying one.
The M3 is a wonderful car. But it has it's shortcomings with a HARSH ride. And to have 295 lb ft of torque in a car like that is questionable.
The S5 is a far better everyday driver, IMO.
You can get a 6 speed manual S5 for 53 grand w/o some of the pricey navigation and tech stuff. It's a lot of car for the money.
19's, xenos/leds, silk nappa seats, bluetooth, sirius, heated seats, sunroof are ALL standard. BMW nickels and dimes you for every option.
BMW is still making 50k cars with vinyl seats.
bimmerjay says:
07:27 PM, 06/06/2010
"Both marques have had their fair share of ignoring problems. HPFP (High Pressure Fuel Pump) anyone, on the 335i?"
BMW didn't ignore the problem. They've extended the warranty on HPFP's to 10 years/100,000 miles. Dealers are required to stock them to fix customer's cars quickly. Letters were sent to owners to pre-emptively replace ones before they switched to the updated units (which still had problems, but less-so). You can't always prevent bad parts, but BMW has stood behind the product. BDC summarizes pretty well how Audi sometimes treats warranty work. Audi may have been first with free maintenance but they later dropped it, and it covers less than BMW's anyway.
"Seriously - I fail to understand how anyone could think AWD a hindrance."
Well, for starters it's heavy, saps power, reduces steering feel, and can add understeer. It's less fun to drive. Being able to floor it without wheelspin has its advantages but I'd much prefer the feel of a neutral RWD chassis pushing me around an offramp than an understeering AWD one. I've driven both extensively and I much prefer RWD. I'd also rather not pay for an AWD system I don't want.
"There's one 1000+ HP production car available - the Veyron. Think it's a coincidence that it has AWD??"
For extremely powerful cars - like the Veyron and 911 Turbo - it does make sense to fit AWD for traction. For most cars on the road, including the S5, it's wholly unneccessary.
ba27 says:
05:40 PM, 06/06/2010
bimmerjay:
It's a shame that your Audi dealer has treated you that way. There are definitely good Audi dealers and bad ones. Mine has been great. My buddy's notsomuch. (he lives in a town with only one Audi dealer, whereas I have access to 5+)
You know as well as I do that not everybody who's had an HPFP problem has been as fortunate as you in getting it fixed (or bought back) once and for all. Good on ye for working that one out for yourself.
I'd also never buy a car based on looks alone. It's the whole package that counts, and that we have to live with in the end. Where I live, AWD is a definite advantage. On most roads, most of the time, I think it's an advantage. I also grew up with RWD cars, and with 4 distinct seasons. RWD cannot compare when the road is anything but dry, so that's why I choose AWD vehicles. I get to use all of my vehicles' performance more of the time. That works for me.
The the latest Audis (B8 S4, for one, and the latest S5 as well) offer the torque-vectoring Sport differential, and so will power-oversteer like an RWD car, if that's what you're looking for.
In the end, though, quattro is not and never will be "horrible". It's one of the few "enabling" dynamic technologies, as compared to traction control or stability control, which are "disabling" technologies. Power to all 4 wheels all the time makes quattro-equipped cars extremely "able".
Better luck, then, with your next vehicle. My wife and I both love both of our cars - my Audi and my wife's Acura MDX. The MDX features SH-AWD, which Audi and the rest of the industry are only now catching up to, 4 years after its introduction...
blueguydotcom says:
02:02 PM, 06/06/2010
@ba27,
Funny thing. I own an Audi right now. It had "free" maintenance. They barely covered anything and flat out refused to fix many problems with the car while it was still under warranty. Broken trim - not covered. They were willing to fix interior and exterior trim pieces for a price - rubber seals around doors, broken buttons inside the car, broken trunk latches, bulbs burning out, etc. Blistering/peeling interior pieces were not covered but were fixable for a price. Everything not covered - which was substantial - could be fixed for a price.
I've had the 335i with the HPFP problem. BMW kept fixing it and then they bought the car back from me. It was as easy as a phone call to BMW saying, "This car's engine keep breaking down. I told you if it happened again I would lemon the car." They took it back within weeks of that call. So easy. And my previous BMWs always it was deliciously easy to get everything fixed. I was never told "that's not covered but we'll fix it for X dollars." I've had problems they couldn't fix (engine stutter on my 2003 ZHP) but never have I been told, "This is not covered by our warranty." Peeling interior trim - they fixed it immediately. Steering wheel fraying - replaced. Light bulb out - replaced. Everything but tires.
I've had my fair share of poorly made cars from BMW (one recalled, one with engine and braking problems and one with broken stuff from the factory - like HVAC). I don't own a BMW right now. Maybe I'll go back one day. Maybe not. My experience with Mini makes it impossible for me to say "no way" considering the car was almost perfect for 2 years and the service always top notch. But I know BMW always treated me right and tried to fix everything. Audi has not been that congenial.
It's easy to accept a badly made product if the people handling your claims are always helpful and contrite. It's really tough to go back to a brand that essentially always has its middle finger directed at you.
and no, I've never thought, "I wish I had AWD for pulling out of the parking lot." I grew up driving RWD in much worse weather than I ever see in So Cal. I have no issues with getting a RWD car to go when I need it to. I have had issues with AWD not giving me what I want in corners (including BMW's xDrive but also Subaru's system and Audi's too).
The S5 is a sexy damn car. Just really pretty. Stylistically it's head and shoulders above anything made by BMW (well the new Z4 is pretty nice) currently (not ever as the Z8 is the bee's knees) or MB. But I won't buy a car based on looks. That's like determining my mate based on cup size. There's so much more to consider. And in this case, I gave into my wife in 2007 with the Audi and 3.5 years later I'm convinced that Audi as a brand isn't any better than it was in 2001 or 1995 or ever really.
ba27 says:
08:23 PM, 06/05/2010
Bimmerjay:
A few comments:
Seriously - I fail to understand how anyone could think AWD a hindrance.
Ever wanted to "stand on it" while pulling out into traffic? Ever had the traction control decide that your "standing on it" was too much for the rear tires to handle? That NEVER happens with quattro. You just go, at whatever speed 4 contact patches can manage (which is a lot quicker than what 2 can manage). No fuss, no muss - just instant forward motion, and never even a thought about slipping or sliding.
There's one 1000+ HP production car available - the Veyron. Think it's a coincidence that it has AWD??
Regarding BMW's no-charge maintenance: How quickly everyone forgets that it was AUDI who first offered this on a luxury car - starting in 1998! That same service is now a $650 option for a car like the S5, which would take its price advantage over the M3 to just over $10K, instead of nearly $11K. Still a LOT of money.
Both marques have had their fair share of ignoring problems. HPFP (High Pressure Fuel Pump) anyone, on the 335i? I don't think anyone could make a case that either company is "better" than the other when it comes to this kind of thing. Both companies have had good and bad moments on this front....
bimmerjay says:
11:48 AM, 06/05/2010
I really love the S5. It sounds awesome, it is one of the most gorgeous cars on the road, it's smooth and fast, it has a class-leading interior, and it comes with a 6-speed manual.
A couple things prevent(ed?) me from buying/leasing one:
- Boat-anchor mandatory Quattro. It serves no benefit for someone like me who never deals with inclement weather other than the occasional rain. I agree with BDC, make it optional over a proper RWD chassis for those who want it
- Lame non-opening sunroof. Sorry but vent-only doesn't cut it here just like it doesn't on the 650i
- While its performance envelope is more than satisfying for everyday driving (and the V8 sounds magnificent), I prefer the 335i's responses, and ultimately the higher performance and visceral abilities of the M3. Yes I know the M3 costs more
- Audi service and warranty. On paper they're similar with BMW, but Audi is notorious for being a pain in the ass when it comes to warranty repairs. BMW really stands behind their cars - I've always had excellent service experiences. Plus, BMW's 4-year warranty period also gives you free maintenance, free BMW Assist telematics, and free real-time traffic for the nav
One of my neighbors has a white '09 S5 with the 19" wheels. I still stare at it every time I see it.
ba27 says:
10:34 AM, 06/05/2010
Sigh. Once again the BMW fanbois can't see beyond their propeller emblems, so here are some facts to help this discussion along:
RS5 is Audi's M3 competitor.
S5 is Audi's 335xi competitor, in coupes at least.
BUT, if you insist on comparing the S5 and M3, then the price difference (comparably equipped) is OVER $10K. Where most of us live, $10K is real money. From TrueDelta:
Price Comparison (MSRP)
Model Year 2010 2010
Model S5 4.2/M3
Body 2dr Coupe 2dr Coupe
Base Price $52,400/$58,400
6-speed shiftable automatic STD/$1,200
7-speed automated manual STD/$2,900
Active rear differential STD/$1,100
Alarm STD/$400
Aluminum trim STD/$500
Heated front seats STD/$500
Leather door panel trim STD/$2,000
Metallic paint (extra cost) $475/$550
Satellite radio - one year subscription STD/$350
iPod integration STD/$400
Total options $2,775/$7,600 (!!!!)
Destination $825/$875
Gas Tax / Credit $1,300/$1,300
Net Price $57,300/$68,175
Price advantage: S5 4.2: $10,875 (!!!!)
M3 would win a track test, but the these cars are driven on the street 99+% of the time, where things like so AWD to handle any weather or road condition, a bigger trunk and a more useable back seat become more important.
Regarding FSI carbon build-up: ALL DI engines exhibit this problem - it's far from an "Audi-only" issue. BMW and all other makers of DI engines are facing the same thing. Look it up.
Oh, and remember Edmund's comments - everyone loved the S5.
sinphil says:
04:41 AM, 06/05/2010
desiccant,
You are 100% correct! How do they not know about the Audi (FSI) and gunk build-up on the valves stems. It starts to get bad at 12K. For $600 they should have Audi do a valve clean up and retest.
"desiccant says:
11:37 PM, 06/03/2010
You guys should pop open the engine and check for carbon build-up on the valves and intakes. I would imagine you will see a significant mess in there after 20K miles on this direct-injection engine. I would also imagine that is partially to blame for the loss in performance."