How did you choose between an A4, A5/S5 and the A6??

I have a 1998 A4 3.2 which still looks great and runs wonderfully, but I am getting restless for a new car.

I started looking at a CPO BMW 645Ci, but decided the run flats, impossible back seats, and reportedly miserable winter driving (New England) were a no go.

I then spent time looking at the A5/S5 and was quite pleased, but those backs seats look pretty small for grade school aged kids (I saw the thread on car seats).

Then I looked at the A4 and the A6. I was surprised at how much more leg room the A4 had vs my OLD model. I really couldn't figure out what I was getting in an A6 to justify the cost.

So............am I worrying about kid comfort needlessly with an A5 or will I be swearing a year from now if I don't get the A4?

This won't be the primary kid carrier, but I know I will be more prone to use it for family trips then my current A4.

TIA

Mark


So many cars........so little time.

My choice may end up being the one that has a manual transmission.

I've taken my son in the Vette (which I got "instead" of an A5 or S5. I didn't get the A4 (B8)because no manual is/was available with either a V6 or the Avant. A6 Avant seems a lot of $, like over $60k optioned as I would have it. Though the A6 with the 3.0T is enticing.

Um, do you mean your 1998 A4 has the 2.8? My first Audi, a 99.5 had the 30v engine also. ;-)

Sorry yes, 2.8 engine. After all the research, I am mixing things up. The car just keeps going and going. I could probably get another 6 years out of it, but like I said......I'm restless.

I agree on the manual. My 1998 is a manual, I have always driven manuals and the idea of an automatic saddens me. That is a drawback on the A4, you can only get the manual in the 2.0 and I prefer the 3.2.

I can get the manual on the A5/S5 (and my wife can't drive manuals........so that is a benefit).

The way Audi forces you down certain paths for certain options has always bothered me. For the A5 I need to order the Prestige to get the S-line...... I don't want Prestige, I want Premium Plus. I don't need the parking system and the passing assist......I have a head that swivels on my neck for that.

So it keeps looking like the A5, But those back seats in the A5..........I can picture shoe marks all over the back of my front seats.

I then spent time looking at the A5/S5 and was quite pleased, but those backs seats look pretty small for grade school aged kids (I saw the thread on car seats).


I am a tall guy and need the driver's seat all the way back. There is pretty much no way somebody could sit behind me in the A5 - there is simply no room with the seat all the way back. Now, if my wife or somebody shorter was driving that would be different, but I still think it would be hard for any kid over about 12 years old to be comfortable for very long.

disappointed to hear this...i'm not tall (5' 8") but i definitely want enough room for my girls aged 3 and 6. so, if i want a convertible, what are my option? 6 series, A5/S5, or 911 targa? i'm not going to inflict unnecessary pain on my girls so i can get kicks in my car. guess i'll just have to bring my girls with me to the dealers and check them out in person

disappointed to hear this...i'm not tall (5' 8") but i definitely want enough room for my girls aged 3 and 6. so, if i want a convertible, what are my option? 6 series, A5/S5, or 911 targa? i'm not going to inflict unnecessary pain on my girls so i can get kicks in my car. guess i'll just have to bring my girls with me to the dealers and check them out in person

Tremendously disappointed. Mine are 4 and 6 and will obviously grow in the next 5 years. I am 6 feet tall and I thought there were a few inches between the front and back seat, but I guess bringing the oldest with me would definitively answer the question.

Forget the 6 series. The seats were touching on that one. Besides, while I think it is a sexy car, I have heard about so many problems with the car, it seems like a heartache waiting to happen.

I read somewhere about an A7 2 door coupe coming out. I wonder how reliable that info was.............or if I can be disciplined enough to wait.

I am 6' 1" with a 32" inseam. I do not need the seat all the way back. It's usually a few inches forward. If someone is going to ride in back, I just tick it forward another three or four inches, and it's fine. I've had my wife and her sister (both about 5' 5") in back for up to a couple hours, and both said it was fine. Certainly not as comfortable back there as my old A6, but it is tolerable for a mid-sized adult. I think it would be perfectly fine for a kid under ten years old, if you don't mind putting the front seats forward a bit. I think it may be fine as long as you're not looking to have them back there all the time.

Main point: Take your kids and go test one out. You'll never know for sure until you try it. But I bet you'll be okay.

I am 6' 1" with a 32" inseam. I do not need the seat all the way back. It's usually a few inches forward. If someone is going to ride in back, I just tick it forward another three or four inches, and it's fine. I've had my wife and her sister (both about 5' 5") in back for up to a couple hours, and both said it was fine. Certainly not as comfortable back there as my old A6, but it is tolerable for a mid-sized adult. I think it would be perfectly fine for a kid under ten years old, if you don't mind putting the front seats forward a bit. I think it may be fine as long as you're not looking to have them back there all the time.

Main point: Take your kids and go test one out. You'll never know for sure until you try it. But I bet you'll be okay.

Valid points. I just checked my A4 and I tend to drive with the seat far closer to the front. I guess my kids will be with me this weekend at the dealership...............that will be an experience.

You can fit in the back if you are a kid. I do when I go with my family and I don't drive. I am 6 feet tall, if I sit in the back I would say I am comfy for about an hour, though I lean to the side a little for my head. My brother, at 5 foot 8 inches is perfectly fine. I would say that is the tallest you can be for the back of the car, so if your kids are not that tall, you are fine.
If they are that tall, tell them suck it up, you are a kid, you can do it.
(For the record, I am a kid).

My 11 year old finds the back seat quite comfortable. He has lots of room, and will for a few more years. I am not as tall as some of you (5' 10"), so that's a factor, but even adults can sit behind me comfortably, if they are not too tall. For sure anyone under about 5'6" is fine in the back.

I'm 5'10. My car is always the one picked if we go out for lunch. The guys too slow to call shotgun always comments on how surprisingly comfortable the rear seats are. But, this is only for a 10-20" drive.

Considering you're just 2 more inches, I'm sure the kids will be fine. But uberlinkA5 is right: take the kids on the test drive. Bonus - kids will love the car.

From what I've seen in the A5/S5 it has more room in the back than my 135 convertible and I have a 9 and 6 year old and they fit fine. It's a bit tight for my 6 year old behind me but he fits fine and I am 6' tall as well.

The only issue I had was fitting a hockey bag in the trunk which is tight which is why I'm looking forward to seeing the A5/S5 cabriolet when it comes out as it has a way bigger trunk.

BOTTOM LINE:

I am 6-3 with a 9 year old and an 11 year old.

They love riding in the car.

I came from an Acura TL 4dr and this was a HUGE concern of mine.

My only inconvenience is having to wait for the kids to get into the back seat before I can climb into the front seat and drive. I let the child sitting behind me adjust the seat so that THEY'RE comfortable, then I climb in. I find this fit a little tight usually, but nothing major. Yes, I do enjoy it more when I am in the car alone and no kid is behind me...but...and here is the imnportant part...being a little tight with leg room so that my kids can fit is NOT an inconvenience!

This car is so damn hot, that this tiny compromise is completely worth it.

Just left the dealership.

Looks like my kids will fit. It isn't any worse than my 98 A4. Hurray.

Offering $300 over invoice on the A-5 S-line

Trying to see if they will do the same on the S-5.

BOTTOM LINE:

I am 6-3 with a 9 year old and an 11 year old.

They love riding in the car.

I came from an Acura TL 4dr and this was a HUGE concern of mine.

My only inconvenience is having to wait for the kids to get into the back seat before I can climb into the front seat and drive. I let the child sitting behind me adjust the seat so that THEY'RE comfortable, then I climb in. I find this fit a little tight usually, but nothing major. Yes, I do enjoy it more when I am in the car alone and no kid is behind me...but...and here is the imnportant part...being a little tight with leg room so that my kids can fit is NOT an inconvenience!

This car is so damn hot, that this tiny compromise is completely worth it.


I was going ahead anyways with my purchase (coming in April) but your post pretty much made me feel a lot better. Thanks for the heads up!

I do not know if you are still checking this but, I am 6'3" 225 pounds and myslef and 3 of my friends all fit in the A5, be it that it can be a tid bit tight, you did say it wasn't your primary kid mobile. As I stated above, I am a big guy, and 2 of the others in the car are usually big guys, linemen on my football team. I don't think you have anything to worry about.

I do not know if you are still checking this but, I am 6'3" 225 pounds and myslef and 3 of my friends all fit in the A5, be it that it can be a tid bit tight, you did say it wasn't your primary kid mobile. As I stated above, I am a big guy, and 2 of the others in the car are usually big guys, linemen on my football team. I don't think you have anything to worry about.

That must be tight. I guess my 7 month old will fit fine. Thanks.

6' and no problem with kids, including 5'10" 15 year old and my A5 S Line. One thing that no one mentioned that I think is brilliant is the seat control button on the top of either front seat.. put the seat back forward, push the button and it goes all the way forward so ingress is greatly improved. Then put the seat back to normal and simply hold the button down and it will stop where you had the seat before. If you have an adult, you can stop the backward adjustment by visually looking at the passenger's knees.