S5 vs. A5 chipped?

[DHS]

I am sure this has been discussed before so forgive me if I am going down that road again. I am replacing my '01 S4 after appx 250,000 wonderful miles. I heard the Siren song of the V8 S5 and spent some time studying the market. There are several '09 CPO's with asking prices in the low 40's with 38k to 44k miles. I suspect they could be had for $40k or less. With 103 CPO S5's listed, one might assume that it is a buyer's market. I am only looking at manual transmissions. I suppose it is the gas mileage that rasies the biggest concerns for me. I know what the EPA says. But I also know that one's driving style has as much to do with efficiency as any other factor. I tend to be light footed. I typically get 29-30mpg with the B5 S4. Much of that has to do with the fact that I drive 100 miles round trip to work each day and average about 50mph on back Maine roads. But that also means I am drivng a good 25,000+ miles per year. With ever increasing gas prices, the difference between a car that gets an average of 20mpg and one that approaches 30mpg is not inconsequential. It probably amounts to around $2500 per year. Since I tend to keep cars a long time (had the S4 for 9 years), that is no small differential. I also found a '10 CPO A5 (2.0) that could be had for about $5k less than an S5. It is an S line model with Nav, B&O, etc. A basic APR chip would boost hp to 234hp and tq to 333tq. Compared to the V8, hp is still considerably less than the V8 (at 354hp), but the tq is slightly more. I would assume that the gas mileage would be substantially better than the V8 - perhaps even improved with the chip. So for an outlay of appx $5k less, I could get a very nice S Line A5 that is similarly equipped to an S5. I could chip it for $600 and save, perhaps, a couple thousand a year on gas. Over six or seven years, that is a fair chunk of change. Perhaps the A5 may handle better with a lighter nose as well - I know my B5 A4 with the 4 banger was much more athletic than the S4. Only thing is that you had to make a reservation to pass someone. Am I missing something here? Am I too optimistic on the gas mileage differential between the chipped 4 vs. NA 8? Is the Siren song of the V8 worth the price of admission? Thanks David Since posting this I went over to Fuelly and was surprised to discover how little differnce there is between the A5 and S5 mileage: http://www.fuelly.com/car/audi/a5%20quattro/2011 http://www.fuelly.com/car/audi/s5 Basically, the average for the S5's was 18.4 mpg. The average for the 2011 A5's was 21 mpg. I accept that this is a small sampling. But I was expecting the A5 to be more in the mid to high 20's. Rather surprising that there is so little difference between the big V8 in a heavier vehicle vs. smallish V4 in a lighter one.

[Huey52]

I'm biased of course but went through a similar decision process and have a similar daily driving environment [and perhaps also similar Yankee frugality that tugs at me even when I don't want it to!].

A tuned A5 2.0T has remarkable punch when you need it, but maintains excellent fuel economy when you take it easy. Also as you surmise, the lighter 2.0T also provides greater agility with its lighter nose (I've test driven S5's on a number of occasions).

I get consistent high 20's myself, but 50/50 highway/byway with relatively sparse traffic. And that includes some spirited driving on occasion.

The pre-owned S5 V8 siren's song (V8 rumble and abundant top end power) is strong indeed and I've almost succombed myself even tho' my A5 is barely a year old.

At the end of the day it was the right choice for me, and with ever escalating fuel prices will continue to be so. At least that's what I keep telling myself.

[DHS]

Originally Posted by Huey52

At the end of the day it was the right choice for me, and with ever escalating fuel prices will continue to be so. At least that's what I keep telling myself.

A voice of reason - hate that....
Sounds like you got your cake and ate it too, which is, of course the holy grail of car ownership. Resale is another consideration which would likely favor the A5 alternative. The '09 S5's have lost approximately 1/3 of their value in three years - and this is for CPO cars. I would think that a private sale would suffer more. While I tend ot drive my cars till they drop (254k - B5 S4; 150k B5 A4), it is still a consideration if my plans should change.
So why did you go with the Stasis vs. APR vs. ? Warranty?
Thanks for your input.
David

[Huey52]

Yep, I too hate that little voice of reason sometimes!!

I went with Stasis for two reasons:

1. The two APR rep shops in my relatively immediate area are less than competent (the kindest way I can put it). YMMV
2. Yes, the Audi-matching warranty that Stasis provides. I was assured by both my dealer and regioanl Stasis rep that any warranty needs, which should be very rare, will be transparent to me.

Interestingly, on the road just this afternoon I had to avoid a suddenly shifting lane tractor trailer and the boosted torque and agility were all I needed, but I do realize that the S5 would provide much more top end performance. And oh that V8 siren's song! Do keep in mind tho' that as a more senior driver I've had my time in the V8 Sun, and everyone should have theirs.

[DHS]

Originally Posted by Huey52

Do keep in mind tho' that as a more senior driver I've had my time in the V8 Sun, and everyone should have theirs.

You just put your finger on it. Perhaps you and I are of the same generation - I have been on the road for 37 years. But never in a V8. Perhaps that is what I need to fuel that mid-life crisis. After all, if you are going to have a crisis, you may as well go in style. Happy trails.

[xradman]

Originally Posted by DHS

Since posting this I went over to Fuelly and was surprised to discover how little differnce there is between the A5 and S5 mileage:
http://www.fuelly.com/car/audi/a5%20quattro/2011
http://www.fuelly.com/car/audi/s5

Basically, the average for the S5's was 18.4 mpg. The average for the 2011 A5's was 21 mpg. I accept that this is a small sampling. But I was expecting the A5 to be more in the mid to high 20's. Rather surprising that there is so little difference between the big V8 in a heavier vehicle vs. smallish V4 in a lighter one.

I find that your best mileage (typical highway mileage where you are maintaining constant speed in top gear) has more to do with the car's weight rather than what engine the car has. Higher performance engine will only require more fuel during acceleration, so that survey is not too surprising.

[CJLimacher]

Have you looked inot the new 2013s from what ive read the new v6 will have similar pwer to the v8 and similar to the mpg of the 2.0t. I just wished they would offer up the desiel in the us then we could get 270 hp 360 tq and 50 mpg

[Huey52]

I'm actually next considering the new-to-the-US '13 S5 Coupe with the [Cabrio-similar] s/c V6. Best of both worlds, but again lacking the naturally aspirated V8 rumble.

If you've never had a V8 DHS this is an optimal time to buy a current S5 Coupe. Many attractively priced CPO'd ones out there.

(43.5 licensed years on the road myself; geesch I'm gettin' old!!)

[DHS]

Originally Posted by Huey52

I'm actually next considering the new-to-the-US '13 S5 Coupe with the [Cabrio-similar] s/c V6. Best of both worlds, but again lacking the naturally aspirated V8 rumble.

If you've never had a V8 DHS this is an optimal time to buy a current S5 Coupe. Many attractively priced CPO'd ones out there.

(43.5 licensed years on the road myself; geesch I'm gettin' old!!)

Huey, I spent a long weekend with the s/c 6 in a '10 S4. I did not do an mpg test but thought it was pretty thirsty by the way the gas gauge moved on my daily 100 mile commute. And I was driving very conservatively. Others have said that the mileaage from the s/c 6 is on par with the V8, without the aural sex. In other words, the worst of both worlds.
By the way, how many "unlicensed" years on the road?
Cheers
David

[Huey52]

I'm starting to see that the s/c V6 may not be all that in terms of fuel efficiency. Although the weight savings in the Coupe vs. the V8 should be significant and of course the tuning options should be a big plus. The hunt continues (always the best part)....