kws87

Hello AudiWorld,

Total newb here. Just got a 2010 S5 Prestige Package. Coming out of an '04 CTS-V. I will miss the GM smallblock, but absolutely love how Audi's drive and their manual transmissions.

I haven't actually ever seen the ride, my pops got it in on trade (he runs a Lexus/Acura store). I'm pretty positive it doesn't have ADS, maybe not even the sport diff. Anyway to tell about the sport diff w/o going under the car?

Aside from that, considering some minor upgrades - any rec's on good changes to the car? Seemed like a tune doesn't help much with the 4.2 , but air intake? exhaust? (<although probably too spendy for me)....anything else? Thanks

KarlFEvans

Performance mods provide minimal gain except for adding a supercharger- which would be quite expensive and a fairly radical mod.

Let us know how the S5 compares to your CTS-V once you've had it for a while. I sometimes regret not getting a 2012 CTS-V with its ~550 HP.

ChipB

For performance upgrades think about working on the suspension rather than the engine. A good set of coilovers and a beefier rear sway bar transforms the handling quite dramatically. After-market exhausts are quite popular, but they're really just for the sound and perhaps the look of the exhaust tips.

KarlFEvans

Chip: What brand coilovers and rear sway bar? How much would that cost?

ChipB

KW and H&R are popular. I have STaSSIS because my Audi dealer is an authorized installer. I think Bilstein PSS9 are pretty good, and PSS10 are excellent, giving you adjustability from inside the cockpit.

kws87

Thanks for the info. Have to say it is interesting how minimal the gains on an S5 are relative to the cost (adding hp wise). Maybe I will look into suspension.

I've had my '04 CTS-V since 2007, but the prices on the new bodystyles just never came down the way they did with the first generation. Really excited about the S5 though