Tested an A5 S-line tip
03-03-2008, 08:14 AM
#1
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Tested an A5 S-line tip
I have an S5 tip on order, due mid-May.
Dealer called to let me know they got an A5 tip in and available for a drive. Quartz gray on black, s-line. Let me take it home for a few hours so had the chance to tinker a bit. I think was MSRP about $51K. S-line, tip, tech, nav, B&O, pretty loaded. Nice car, but for $5K more, the S5 looks to be a pretty good value IMO.
In the looks department, the A5 s-line looks terrific, as good as the S5. Same imposing, wide, sporty look. The Quartz Gray looked way better than I expected. Not as aggressive as the black cars, but really looked refined and sporty.
Still don't really like the y-spoke wheels even in person.
It did lack a bit on power. For 90% of daily driving, it was plenty powerful. Accelerating while moving (i.e. freeway, etc.) was also quite good. The start from a dead stop was a little on the sluggish side if I tried to give it a little gas. There's one freeway onramp here that is a long uphill starting from a standstill. It was working pretty hard to overtake a the cars on the adjacent lanes. I'm expecting the S5 will remedy this.
The tip transmission was much improved. I've had a BMW 5-series and currently a B6 A6 and this was better than both of those AT. Smooth power delivery, and fairly responsive when using the paddle shifters.
Was a little overcast and even rained later, but pics do a pretty good job capturing the color, but in real life, it's not quite as flat as these images. It was a nicer shine & presence.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/125032/p1000141.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/125032/p1000142.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/125032/p1000145.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/125032/p1000148.jpg">
Dealer called to let me know they got an A5 tip in and available for a drive. Quartz gray on black, s-line. Let me take it home for a few hours so had the chance to tinker a bit. I think was MSRP about $51K. S-line, tip, tech, nav, B&O, pretty loaded. Nice car, but for $5K more, the S5 looks to be a pretty good value IMO.
In the looks department, the A5 s-line looks terrific, as good as the S5. Same imposing, wide, sporty look. The Quartz Gray looked way better than I expected. Not as aggressive as the black cars, but really looked refined and sporty.
Still don't really like the y-spoke wheels even in person.
It did lack a bit on power. For 90% of daily driving, it was plenty powerful. Accelerating while moving (i.e. freeway, etc.) was also quite good. The start from a dead stop was a little on the sluggish side if I tried to give it a little gas. There's one freeway onramp here that is a long uphill starting from a standstill. It was working pretty hard to overtake a the cars on the adjacent lanes. I'm expecting the S5 will remedy this.
The tip transmission was much improved. I've had a BMW 5-series and currently a B6 A6 and this was better than both of those AT. Smooth power delivery, and fairly responsive when using the paddle shifters.
Was a little overcast and even rained later, but pics do a pretty good job capturing the color, but in real life, it's not quite as flat as these images. It was a nicer shine & presence.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/125032/p1000141.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/125032/p1000142.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/125032/p1000145.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/125032/p1000148.jpg">
03-03-2008, 10:58 AM
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Thanks, finally some Quartz Gray pics!
Ordered Quartz Grey myself when I saw an A4 at the dealer in that color. I have always been a silver guy (hopefully it will be the new "rare" color now, since I keep seeing black and white orders on this board) but the ice silver was just too bright. The darker quartz gray really shows off the lines better (notice the shadows in the cars' contours on your pics).
03-03-2008, 11:30 AM
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What'd you think?
Better looking in Quartz than I expected... I have phantom on its way, quartz would have been a much lower maintenance choice and still nice...
How's the upkeep on the PB here with seattle winter? Where and how do you wash your car?
How's the upkeep on the PB here with seattle winter? Where and how do you wash your car?
03-03-2008, 11:31 AM
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You'll be happy i think
I had some second thoughts about going Quartz vs. the PB which I ultimately decided on.
After seeing it, I think I would have been very happy with Quartz as well - and easier to care for sure.
After seeing it, I think I would have been very happy with Quartz as well - and easier to care for sure.
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03-03-2008, 11:43 AM
#8
I liked it, but didn't love it. Quartz isn't my sort of color... if I went with a light color, I'd..
... go with Avus or Lake silver, maybe Ibis. However, as a "not the same old silver" type color, Quartz is nice.
Phantom is challenging with the upkeep, but I knew what I was getting into. I wash my car at my house (1-3 times per week... LOL), and I'm meticulous about rinsing the mitt and using plenty of water... and it *still* swirls (though the swirls are minor). Frustrating, but it's amplified by the flatness of the winter sun. In the summer, swirls seem to be slightly less apparent.
I'd say what's really challenging is the shape of the car; its draft pulls a ridiculous amount of dirt and debris and deposits it directly on the rear bumper and trunk. Even with short drives, the rear gets super dirty, so you have to just accept that it's only going to look clean for the first ten seconds on the road, then it's dusty/dirty back there. LOL.
Phantom is challenging with the upkeep, but I knew what I was getting into. I wash my car at my house (1-3 times per week... LOL), and I'm meticulous about rinsing the mitt and using plenty of water... and it *still* swirls (though the swirls are minor). Frustrating, but it's amplified by the flatness of the winter sun. In the summer, swirls seem to be slightly less apparent.
I'd say what's really challenging is the shape of the car; its draft pulls a ridiculous amount of dirt and debris and deposits it directly on the rear bumper and trunk. Even with short drives, the rear gets super dirty, so you have to just accept that it's only going to look clean for the first ten seconds on the road, then it's dusty/dirty back there. LOL.
03-03-2008, 01:41 PM
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Nope, $5,850 to be exact
The MSRP on the A5 s-line was $51,640.
The MSRP on my S5 tip on order is $57,990.
But subtract the $500 for the carbon trim to be apples to apples w/ the A5 I drove.
Difference is $5,850.
And I'm assuming based on the EPA website and other posted info that S5 tip has no GG tax. Seems this one is still being debated, but I'm guessing no.
And for those considering leases, I think the comparable residual at 36 mo is 56% or 58% for the S5 vs. 51% or 52% for the A5... so would largely negate the difference in MSRP impact on the monthly.
The MSRP on my S5 tip on order is $57,990.
But subtract the $500 for the carbon trim to be apples to apples w/ the A5 I drove.
Difference is $5,850.
And I'm assuming based on the EPA website and other posted info that S5 tip has no GG tax. Seems this one is still being debated, but I'm guessing no.
And for those considering leases, I think the comparable residual at 36 mo is 56% or 58% for the S5 vs. 51% or 52% for the A5... so would largely negate the difference in MSRP impact on the monthly.