[MrFergus]

Dan,
I cannot comment about a V6, never had one but purchased my RS in 2018. Absolutely no regrets but if you venture in do so with eyes wide open. I did 100% research and bought “a good one” but even then you have to prepare for unexpected heavy bills. Last year out of nowhere I was £1400 to replace my oil cooler alone. Tyres are circa £250 each. If considering the RS go for facelift after 2012 and make sure discs and pads are either new or have a lot of life left in them as to replace all round sets you back £2k. Ask if it’s been walnut blasted to remove carbon build up. I got an ecu print out that revealed if it had ever been mapped and how many launches it had and even if there were any outstanding error codes. Do I love my RS…you bet. My advice would be to try a test drive of V6 and V8. Research and others advice is fine and does prove beneficial but to drive both back to back gives you the ability to decide based on real experience. All the best.
PS: the torq vectoring rear diff is brilliant! It also has ability to split power 85% to rear and 15% to front.

 

[ScoobyDoo555]

Thanks for this - yes, I'm not unaware of the unwelcome experience of a car throwing you big bills despite the research prior The Porsche stung. Hard. But like the RS, we're dealing with cars that originally were circa £90k...... they require a certain level of looking after. It's not a bargain-basement motor

My local dealer despite getting virtually everything bar the brand wrong, has a v6 S5 (petrol) in, so I'm going to have a look at it tomorrow hopefully (now my LFT tests are "good")..... doubt I'll get a run in it unless they're quiet. The bigger challenge is the V8 as there isn't one in a 60-mile radius (tried both Autotrader and Pistonheads), so that might be a little harder.
Again, time is on my side though

Dan

 

[Mars2k]

Hi Ray,

Wow - thankyou for taking the time to write such a detailed response. The comparison between the S & RS is really useful. I didn't mean to cause any offence when saying about the V8 sound (if anything it was a little "witty", perhaps misplaced ). V8s in general in the UK are a not a common occurrence tbh, so personally, my only experience of them was in a 360 F1, Gallardo and an AM V8 Vantage, where let's be honest here, the sound is kind of "king"
My own cars have been V6 twin-turbo (previous Audi), Flat 4 boxers (2 heavily modded Subarus), a raft of 2L turbos, and the flat 6 in the Porsche, so V8s (and potential ownership) are new venture. So it's really useful to hear your thoughts and experiences Even the mpg doesn't put me off - I'm only getting 22 (at best) in the Porsche

Thanks also for the comparison between the transmissions - again, my experience of them was various DSGs, the Lambo had e-gear (irrc), and the 360 was F1. The rest were manuals, so not really a fair comparison. I did drive the 911 with tiptronic, which as far as I can tell, is the same in Audi speak. The S-tronic is audi's DSG.

I am a nerd, so I'm going to be delving deeper into the whole concept of RSNav too As an audio engineer and producer by trade, audio is a "thing" for me

I do get the whole - S vs RS thing: one is meant to be a development of where the other leaves off imho. I'm getting the general vibe that the S is easier to live with as a daily though (says the guy dailying a Porsche )

Thanks again - super useful

Dan

Dan no offense taken just wanted to allign objectively on perspective there. So kind of you to describe my reply as "detailed" the usual description is "OMG what a windbag" Also I get the witty thing too so we're good. That engine in the later years is essentially a racing engine modified by cutting 2 cylinders off the Lambo V10 used in other Audi products for a while. It rocks! I this RS just wants to go! I find myself rolling at much higher speeds than normal a lot. V8s were the rule here for decades. Somewhat sadly they will be going away.
I mention gas out of awareness of the petrol thing in UK, it just costs more. Much cheaper in the US even more so in Texas. Meanwhile in the RS it can still be an attention getter. I love long drives at very hi speeds (for the US) at 130 mph the mpg is in the low teens per gallon. At 170 the gas would come very close to the cost of the solitor I need to get out of the speeding tickets.
Dan, props for the music thing. I'm a music head and love my long road trips primarily to listen to music collection. I like to pull out new albums to play from begining to end without interuption. The new RSNav allows for attaching a large USB SSD with a huge library of files. Also it has a very good equalizer and can play HI-Rez files. I use Flac in a mix of new downloads at hi sample/word length and CD ripped and converted to 192Hz/24 bit. You are talking to a guy who has purchased at least 10 different releases of Dark Side of the Moon.
The Audi system allows only MP3 and has contraints on how many total files you can store on a single SD card, I use 4 64GB SDs. My Hi Res library is more than 4 TB. The current RSNav is S3 winth Android 9. My RS has that with an 8.8" screen. My S has the RSNav S2 with a 10.25" screen. I would go with the larger screen. The 8.8" looks like it came with the car (only better) 10.5" looks like it belongs but stands out from the stock dash nacel. The 10.25 is more usable because of size and the way it mount a few inches closer to the driver. RSNav also sells a 12" screen but some say thats a little large and somehow looks out of place.
RSNav is coming out with its S4 which is better still but delayed untill 2022 some time. I bought the S3 knowing I could upgrade with an S4 mainboard at a discount from RSNav. They are also coming out with a main dash replacement that compares very well with the new Audi digital screens. Theses guys are a small boutique shop and are super responsive. Their gear works great and they go the extra mile to get things correct.
Just so you know the stock Audi and B&O will need to be upgraded if you want good sound. At the very least you will need to augment subwoofer. My S came with a coupe of blown speakers so I replaced all the mids/woofers and added a powered Sub . B&O uses paper cones all around and the cone surrounds desintegrated after a few years. If you get stock Audi you may consider a full amp replacement as well. There are tons of good articles on forums for addressing that. I will forward my links and info if you like when you settle on your car.
PS. During my reply I began to think about keeping the S for a daily driver. If so I would have 2 black on black pearl with black cabrio tops side by side in my driveway...a bit much?

 

[ScoobyDoo555]

Thanks again for the info about the audio

TBH, I gave up trying to chase the "best" audio in a car as there's too many other factors that get in the way. But that said, I like a nice sound system in place. (The Porsche has 2 x 8" subs, and Alpine components in the front & rear, all going through a Pioneer double-din.
It's not perfect, but it's better than the dreadful PCM system that Porsche put in.

Surprising that B&O are still using paper cones in the prestige car installs. So yes, they'll be changed out. The sub option is always fun - I've had virtually every size (the 2 x 12" subs in my Subaru, both fitted the stereotype and the music I was into - getting close to detatched retinas with the loudness Fun, but I'm older and technically more grown up now )

We went to look at the S5 V6 3.0T at the weekend, taking the bull by the horns, especially as the dealer didn't contact me back as I'd requested. Irritating, but not really an issue as it reinforces that I won't be buying from there - just using them for my research.
As for the car, yes, it was nice (got a big thumbs up from the Wife.... "if we're going to change the Porsche, that's the sort of thing I'd be happy with"...... yes, she still has a "thing" for the existing car, but she's "on-side" now )

Time to start looking a little more seriously. And it IS nearly the weekend - she said she wants to be taken out, so that's what we'll do! Granted: she thinks it's for a nie meal etc.... I'm thinking visiting dealerships

Dan

 

[TonyP]

Granted: she thinks it's for a nie meal etc.... I'm thinking visiting dealerships

I can't see a problem with that, I'm sure SWMBO will love nothing better than fast rides and the smell of burning rubber.....

 

[ScoobyDoo555]

I can't see a problem with that, I'm sure SWMBO will love nothing better than fast rides and the smell of burning rubber.....

Hopefully after that disappointment, she’ll like the car too 😂😂😂😂

 

[ScoobyDoo555]

As it turns out, my local dealer has a V6, but apparently the art of communication is lost on them. My preferred dealer that I went close by at the weekend only has Sportback diesels.
But it gave me opportunity to do a little more prep to the Porsche for selling, so not bothered really - here's hoping I can sell it without too much hassle with tyre-kickers etc.

So options for funding - I've got cash. Don't want to go down the loan route etc (no need with the sale of the Porsche)

There appear to be several options though:

1. Pay cash - buy outright. Simple. Effective
2. Some Audi dealers are interested in putting a vehicle on a PCP option - so low initial deposit and then pay a monthly sum until the end of the agreed term. Then simply hand it back.
I've never done this before. It sounds too good to be true - I'm assuming that the dealer (a) makes a profit on the purchase of the car in the first place when they buy it in (b) makes a profit on the sale of said car, (ie their markup).... and (c) makes a profit on the monthly payments due to the %?
Is this a good way to buy or as my "spidey-sense" is tingling, a sure-fire method of giving the dealer more money?
I suppose with used car values at an all-time high in the UK right now, the only way is down from here. SO..... if you get a dealer to agree the hand-back price, you might be quite well off when it comes to returning the car (due to used prices settling down?)

Dunno.

Oh, this is a private purchase, not through a business or anything.

Answers on a postcard

Dan

 

[nigelbat]

Pay cash, its yours.
PCP
Purchase = a
Work out total payments inc deposit =b
Work out rough residual value =c

a-b =d
a-c = e
If d is less than c you see true cost and uopi have no deposit for next car
e is your deposit on cash purchase
look at a loan and see how the rateswork out.
You also have to look at mileage allowance on PCP and you may have a final settlement fee and that can depend on condition.
Good luck.

 

[TonyP]

I guess it depends on how you view car ownership. I like to own my car's outright and I live with the depreciation as I keep them untill it's no longer viable. My Land Cruiser is 17 years old, and the S5 will be 6 this year, motorbike is 14 this year.

PCP and lease deals give you a new car every three years with a fixed monthly payment that you understand, so for some this is perfect as they don't have to worry about long term issues etc. But car dealers (or the financiers) are making more money this way, it's not for free.

I'm a bit old school I suppose, if I can't afford it l, then I don't have it, goes for cars, TVs and any thing else. I just don't see the point in paying more interest.

 

[ScoobyDoo555]

My personal preference is to own outright. The only caution is that at the moment, prices are at an all-time high. Which may sting at the time of selling. Crystal ball time TBH.

And yes, giving the dealer/finance co. more money through interest is not an option I would like to pursue, but it's certainly interesting at the moment

Thanks for the replies

Dan

 

[ScoobyDoo555]

Got someone looking at the Porsche in a week or so, so I went to look at an S5 this weekend - and LOOK was all I could do:
Sat in a coupe A5, and a Sportback S5. Moreso to get an idea of trim. And to show the wife.

All good from that front - it's a shame that Herefordshire's stock of S5's is woeful. Closer to the time, I might need to cast the net wider - something I didn't really want to do, but needs must.

Baby steps.

Dan

 

[ScoobyDoo555]

OK, this is getting silly

I found a 3.0 V6 to try, and contacted the trader. They couldn't be bothered to contact back until tonight, just to say that car had been sold. The only went live on Monday!
At least they eventually contacted me, but irritating nevertheless.

So, I'm attempting to think outside of the box.

Is there an A5 that has the same handling as the S5, just to try. TBH, I'm not bothered about the power-delivery yet (I've got a 330bhp Porker so, it's not going to surprise me too much), but I am interested in the handling.

Just looking at options.

OH, and the potential buyer for the 911 was a time-waster (not overly surprised tbh).

It appears that unless I'm willing to either travel some 60-70 miles to look at a car, let alone drive it, I'm going to struggle.

Reminds me why I hate buying cars - a joyous occasion is usually a total pain in the a$$.

 

[ScoobyDoo555]

OK, today was a really nice day

I test drove a couple of cars. We'll gloss over the fact that the dealers had to be coaxed into the test drives, despite my booking some appointments with the cars. (I went to dealers rather than private sellers to avoid the whole "time-waster" moniker). I did tell both dealers that I was also looking at another vehicle, just for full disclosure.

Started off in a 2011 V8 Tiptronic coupe with circa 64k on the clock. Grey with white leather.

Verdict? Rather quiet on cold start, and got even quieter SMOOTH would be an understatement. Tight as a drum too.
Lovely effortless sense of urgency when pressing on the loud pedal. Kick down provided "fun", albeit slightly "delayed".
Changing to the flappy-paddle, the change was quite quick too, which was good.
Handling was detailed and didn't offer any concerns compared to the Porsche (highlighting that while comparing to the 911 is going to happen (it's my only reference point), the point at which you notice the differences is SO close to the edge, most drivers will never get there, including me).
The interior was great and the seats were VERY comfortable. Wifey loved the car too, which tbh, really helps.

So, later, I went to drive a 2016 V6 Black Edition - again, auto (albeit S-tronic) and with 82k on the clock. Black interior, and tbh the seats weren't as "comfy" as the V8. More like my old S4 bi-turbo. That did surprise me tbh.
However, while the handling was the same, as was the performance, how the car behaved due to the gearbox was night and day.
The S-Tronic was spectacular. Rifle-bolt action gearchanges.
I was really impressed with it.

So, finally I have some comparisons - the V8 vs V6. Yes the sound is different. Th V8 smooth and quiet until you press the accerator. Same performance as the V6 BUT the sound is, well, "V8" Something I doubt I could ever get bored of.

The V6 also sounded great tbh - the little blips and attitude of the S-Tronic/DSG were addictive.

BOTH cars made some serious progress - I was constantly having to check the speed, as I invariably found myself on the wrong side

I'd be happy with either car I think. The V8 will be more expensive in the UK due the sh1tty road tax. BUT, that V6 with the gear-change.....

So either way, the Porsche is up for sale this weekend - I've even done a "promo" sale video

The hunt is now on for a circa 2014/15 S5. Unless a super-low mile V8 comes up in the right colour combo etc, I suspect it will be a V6 (Sepang Blue with graphite wheels, white leather desirable! )

Looking forward to this

Dan

 

[ScoobyDoo555]

FYI, still here, still looking
Porsche still on the driveway - I guess it's a tough time to be selling a car (for what it's worth, rather than giving it away!)

I'm testing the phrase, "patience is a virtue"

Dan