zekeman

Thinking of purchasing one or the other; for those of you who own one, how is the comfort of the RS5 or the S5 on long drives? Particularly if you have owned other Audi's, how does the comfort compare with A4, 6, 7 or 8?

Also, for those who have the Sports Exhaust option on the RS5, is the more aggressive tone (drone) bothersome?

Candid opinions are most welcome....! Thanks in advance

Archimedes

Just bought an RS5 recently. On the freeway and smooth roads, its great. Firm, but well damped. On crappy pavement, its a bumpy ride, similar to any firmly suspended sports car. Either way, much firmer than the typical Audi A4/A6. I like it, but it is a bit of a bumpy ride on rough stuff.

Exhaust note it a non issue. Very sedate when you're cruising, and sounds wonderful when you get on it.

smokeybreeze

I have never driven the RS5, but my track-setup 2010 S5 4.2 6MT with Alu Kreuz, upgraded eCode Tuning sway bars, H&R OE Sport Springs and AWE track exhaust was very comfortable for multiple 12 - 17 hour road trips (straight through, only stopping for gas and pee breaks).

nghiaho58

I haven't driven an RS5 but I just took my 2014 S5 on a 600 miles road trip on interstate freeway. I felt really comfortable with it; smooth, firm and quite. I kept my speed around 75-80 and I got an average of 28.3 mpg, No complaint at all.

Egan917

I've owned an A4, S4, and now an RS5, and the "comfort" in my opinion is in that exact order. A sports car is going to always have a much "firmer" ride, and as others have said on well paved, smooth roads it's a pleasure to drive, on terrible Chicago roads after the winter we had it can be a little rough.

I have the sports exhaust and to be honest don't know what the car sounds like without that option, but you can control it via the MMI. When the exhaust is in the quietest setting in comfort mode, unless you're up around 5-8K RPMs you wouldn't really even know you're driving an RS5. When you switch it over to the loudest setting in dynamic mode, then it sounds like a true V8 sports car.

On long drives I would think the RS5 is just as comfortable as say an S5 or A5 in terms of the ride assuming you're on a fairly smooth highway. But of course it wouldn't really stack up against say an A6, 7, 8 which are larger cars designed more around comfort.

superswiss

Can't speak for the S5, but the RS5 imo is the ultimate GT. I love doing road trips in this car. In comfort mode, with the adaptive cruise control on, it's a luxurious smooth ride. At US highway speeds the exhaust is absolutely quiet when cruising.

I've done over 6000 miles in road trips during my first year of ownership. From the German Autobahn to the California Highways IMO it's very comfortable and the ultimate road trip car for a weekend out of town for two with luggage. Even going 174mph for extended periods of time the car is super smooth. Not quiet at that speed, though as the rpm is at ~7500 if you are going that fast, but at 75-85 the rpm barely goes over 3000 in 7th gear.

As others have said. I find the RS5 suspension firm, but compliant. It's firmer than my previous B7 S4, but it does a much better job at absorbing bumps and rough surfaces. You can feel that the suspension is mostly aluminum. It feels very light and settles very quickly. Even though the suspension is firmer, I find it more comfortable than the B7 S4.

mikejaeggi

i had a 2007 A4 B7 before I bought my 2014 S5. obviously the drive and feel in the car is different than the A4 but the S5 seats are WAY more comfortable, especially on long drives.

2014Q5TDI

What other cars did you compare the S5/RS5 to and why did you select the S5/RS5 over those other cars?

mhblaw

Made a trip from central ND to WA, once in the 2012 S5 and just two weeks ago in my 2013 RS5. 2700 miles round trip. Other than a speeding ticket in Mineral county, MT, a great trip. 24.3 average mpg on I-94/90 at usually 80 to 85. Sport exhaust not noticeable at highway speeds. Great road cars, both of them.

zekeman

Panamera - too costly and frankly, I think, overrated. Previously owned a 911 and 987S but they were too small.

BMW - 535/550 - nice cars but no legroom & collectively, seems as though their quality control has slipped a bunch. Many complaints on various items, some of which appear to be chronic.

MB - 350 coupe; previously owned and had some chronic issues with it. Their customer service wasn't tops either.

Lexus GS350F - nice car, haven't driven it yet; lots of gadgets but they have become fairly commonplace.

Drove an S5 as RS5 wasn't available. Like the feel/looks of the car - the RS appears to be a beast. My dealer has placed an order for the '15's and could configure one for me with delivery in July. Would love to drive and compare an RS but don't see that happening.