[808MGuy]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

No shit. I said it looks and feels nicer. I also said it wears prematurely.

Never had an issue with the silver leather (basically off-white like the bamboo leather in the M3) in my 01 S4 but I did clean it at least 3-4 times a year. I didn't notice any excessive wear and it wasn't greasy but I didn't use anything on it that would introduce that greasy feel to it.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by GatorBlue371

BS

fosho

[Bols]

Originally Posted by footie

Maybe I'm wrong but is this not the 335i verison that is normal in the US? If they get the M/Sport as standard then I should have used it but I did recall that in the US the Sat-Nav is an extra so at least the interior comparison shot was correct.

Thought the comparisons needed an update now they both look killer as they deserve

[MrHarris]

badass car

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by Bols

Thought the comparisons needed an update now they both look killer as they deserve

nice.

[footie]

Originally Posted by Bols

Thought the comparisons needed an update now they both look killer as they deserve

Nice, but it doesn't look stock which was the point of the comparison.

[footie]

One of the first reviews of the S4 on American soil, by Winding Road Magazine.

From the Article

The new 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet looks good from any angle. Even from the inside of the back seat with the soft-top snuggly closed. The room isn't adequate for someone six-foot six, but that's not the point. Viewed from this slightly cramped vantage, the fact that Audi attends to details in a most exhaustive manner seems abundantly clear.

A textured, seemingly mass-less material forms the smooth underside of the multi-layered fabric top. No crossbars or hinged joints show. Set into this impossibly thin material are LED reading lamps intended to benefit both rows of seats. I can't recall ever having the need to read anything whilst in the back seat of a convertible with the top up, but those Germans from Ingolstadt knew someone else might.

The balance of the interior is typically Audi, meaning excellent detailing from the stitched seats to the S-trim only red lines around the gauge pods. Ample room awaits front-seat passengers and their liter-size bottles of fancy water.

The 2010 S5 replaces the 2009 S4 Cabriolet as the most affordable convertible in the Audi line. It shares the wider and longer stance of the S5 Coupe, as well as many of that car's most beautiful exterior lines. An elegant detail is the way aluminum trim artfully wraps around the windshield and then rearward around the perimeter of the cabin in an unbroken line. Design magic.

The new S4 lacks panache when parked next to its more costly stable mate, but that doesn't make it an unattractive sedan. The interiors look similar, as do some exterior details, including the handsome LED DRLs and LED taillamps.

Audi's new supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 with direct injection powers both cars. Those who need a V-8 can still find it in the S5 Coupe. With nearly equal power, about the only thing missing from the blown V-6 is the familiar is pleasing exhaust note of the eight. The smaller, more efficient (28 mpg highway) engine makes 90-percent of its torque from 2100 rpm, with a peak torque of 325 pound-feet and 333 horsepower. Getting used to the auto industry’s downsizing trend won't be so hard with engines like this.

Pedal buried in the plush carpet, the power comes on in a linear fashion. There are no flat spots or peaks. In fact, the delivery is so smooth that it leaves the more aggressive driver wishing for more power to scare themselves with.

Two gearboxes are available, the standard six-speed manual and optional S tonic dual-clutch transmission. Being a fan of what works best, we heartily recommend the paddle-equipped gearbox. While there's nothing wrong with the manual, it's unexceptional in nearly every regard. The throws are light but the action lacks the feeling of mechanical satisfaction. Ditto for the clutch. Neither encourages much involvement.

The S tronic, on the other hand, feels perfect in these two cars. Keep in mind that these are not sports cars, but sporting cars. The difference is important. For this convertible and saloon, the automated manual matches these personalities perfectly, and is likely totally in line with the driving style of their owners.

Automatic mode, the gearbox moves up and down through its seven ratios seamlessly. In the S5 with the top down, the sound of the engine and exhaust add a little something extra to the experience. With each upshift, the blower bleeds off some pressure that the attuned ear picks up. While not as boisterous as the turbocharged 2.0-liter in the Audi TTS, it's still fun. Shifts are nearly instant, with rev-matching on the downshifts.

During this same press event, we also drove several different R8 models with V-8s and V-10s. The S tronic of the S5 and S4 performed better than the R tronic in the R8. The former lit off smoothly from a rest and delivered silky part-throttle shifts. The latter can't seem to deliver a smooth shift to save its mechanical life, or impress a journalist. While fast and firm shifts make a difference during track days, they ware on an owner during everything less than eight-tenths driving.

Suspensions are likewise dialed into what the expected owner should love. The goal was a Goldilocks' blend of handling and comfort. Biased toward day-to-day driving, the compromise delivers a ride that is controlled but never harsh.

We were totally shocked to realize how little of the suspension we were using on the road. This snapped into focus during laps at what will forever be Sears Point Raceway in our minds (currently called Infinion, of course). The vastly increased demands of track driving and the tossable nature of S4 (the only car we drove on the circuit) showed the vast reserve of suspension travel laying in wait for the spirited driver.

Unlike many cars that go flaccid and floppy when pushed hard, the S4 took what might have been construed as abuse and played along. The big 18-inch wheels and tires begrudgingly gave up their grip only after a long fight and always jumped right back in the game in time to slow for the next corner. Brakes stayed strong and fade refused to be an issue.

Both new Audis can be had with a fancy-smanchie torque-vectoring rear-differential. Articles equal to this one's entire length have explained the new technology. Oversimplified, it benefits drivers by countering the systemic understeer that is standard thanks to the added traction of Quattro all-wheel drive. Suffice it to write that when in a corner with the power on, the outside-rear wheel gets spun up to an ever-so-slightly higher speed than the opposite rear wheel. The effect is one of helping to push that side of the car around the corner, aiding rotation (yaw) through the corner.

It works as advertised.

On the track, the S4 also responded appropriately to lifting the throttle mid-corner. A sign of a well-balanced chassis, the nose tucks in predictably, and helps the car feel responsive and forgiving.

While we used up the better part of a day with the S4 at Sears Point, we spent most of our on-road time in the S5 with the top down. This soft top drops in under 20 seconds, and in the warm fall sunshine, it was one of the finest ways possible to enjoy the sights and smells of Northern California.

Top down, rougher roads did excite some shake in the windshield header. The side-to-side movement wasn't wholly objectionable, and pointed out a compromise the engineers must have made to keep the S5's weight down (4,350 pounds!) as opposed to adding even more structure. Trunks also showcase interesting tradeoffs in convertibles, and the S5's told some more stories. The opening is narrow (in deference to a stiff chassis) and the size is limited in height and width to accommodate the top mechanism. The volume is still reasonable, and a split pass-through made possible by the individually folding rear seats add to the interior utility.

Top up, the S5 felt tight and capable of being as much of a four-season car as any retractable hard top.

The 2010 Audi S4 and S5 Cabriolet are a two-model attack directed at the BMW 3er and the Mercedes C-Class. Compared on a feature-equalized basis, the Audis present a compelling argument for cross shopping.

[Bols]

Originally Posted by footie

Nice, but it doesn't look stock which was the point of the comparison.

that's true, but it's both from the manufacturer tho , s-line vs performance line so i kind of see them in the same context

They could have called it the A4 3.5 or something and that would look like nothing without the s-line aswell

It looks to me there's a tendancy going on, BMWs always need a lot of extras put in to look awesome, Audi makes the mix for you

[footie]

Originally Posted by Bols

that's true, but it's both from the manufacturer tho , s-line vs performance line so i kind of see them in the same context

They could have called it the A4 3.5 or something and that would look like nothing without the s-line aswell

It looks to me there's a tendancy going on, BMWs always need a lot of extras put in to look awesome, Audi makes the mix for you

S-Line is the same as M/Sport. I understood the Performance line was a level above the M/Sport or is it just the same only labeled differently from country to country?

Another thing, what ever happened to the OEM BMW alloys, their optional ones always looked great but now I can understand why everyone goes aftermarket.

I know it's a very personal thing but in my opinion no one does estate cars as nice as Audi and no one makes their performance estate models as stunning as an Audi RS Avant.

[Bols]

Originally Posted by footie

S-Line is the same as M/Sport. I understood the Performance line was a level above the M/Sport or is it just the same only labeled differently from country to country?

Another thing, what ever happened to the OEM BMW alloys, their optional ones always looked great but now I can understand why everyone goes aftermarket.

I know it's a very personal thing but in my opinion no one does estate cars as nice as Audi and no one makes their performance estate models as stunning as an Audi RS Avant.

Never really understood the performance line and where it's positioned actually, we have Msport aswell, but the parts cost about as much when compared.

And you are right, most rims look really small and take every agressive part away of the car. Some of the M types are pure win in the right sizes though.

I see very much where you are coming from, the Audi's have perfect lines as you'd expect them to run and no surprise kinks anywhere, especially the A6 & RS6 demonstrate that to the fullest. The 5er & 3er touring have a personality to them but to me the 5er touring full M-sport is one of the sexiest cars around. I don't know if you see many of those though. the 3 touring is a love or hate car, it has a special sight to it and is worthless without the right gear on. Audi vs BMW has become a seriously confusing tie-game to me concerning looks, i'd like to say the E92 is the looker, but then I see the A5, i'd like to say the A4-A6 etc are the looker, but then i see a packed 335i or 5er M-sport ... Only thing i really like more is the fact BMW doesn't have any LED DRL's. I love them on the R8 & S5, but hate what they have become since on every other model around and they can't beat the angel eyes for me.

[footie]

Originally Posted by Bols

Never really understood the performance line and where it's positioned actually, we have Msport aswell, but the parts cost about as much when compared.

And you are right, most rims look really small and take every agressive part away of the car. Some of the M types are pure win in the right sizes though.

I see very much where you are coming from, the Audi's have perfect lines as you'd expect them to run and no surprise kinks anywhere, especially the A6 & RS6 demonstrate that to the fullest. The 5er & 3er touring have a personality to them but to me the 5er touring full M-sport is one of the sexiest cars around. I don't know if you see many of those though. the 3 touring is a love or hate car, it has a special sight to it and is worthless without the right gear on. Audi vs BMW has become a seriously confusing tie-game to me concerning looks, i'd like to say the E92 is the looker, but then I see the A5, i'd like to say the A4-A6 etc are the looker, but then i see a packed 335i or 5er M-sport ... Only thing i really like more is the fact BMW doesn't have any LED DRL's. I love them on the R8 & S5, but hate what they have become since on every other model around and they can't beat the angel eyes for me.

Here is my opinion on the winners and losers in both brands based on looks alone.

Small Hatchback
A3 Hatch & Sportback (Winner) - 1 series 3dr & 5dr (loser)

Small Coupe
TT (Winner) - New Z4 (Winner) - 1 series coupe (loser)

Small Saloon
A4 (loser) - 3 series (Winner)

Small Estate
A4 Avant (Winner) - 3 series touring (loser)

Mid-sized Coupes
A5 (Winner) - 3 series coupe (Loser)

Mid-sized Saloon
A6 (Winner) - 5 series (Winner)

Mid-sized Estate
A6 Avant (Winner) - 5 series touring (Loser)

Large Saloon
A8 (Winner) - 7 series (Loser)

SUV
Q5 (winner) - X3 (Loser)
Q7 (Loser) - X5 (Winner) - X6 (Winner)

Performance
RS (Winner) - M (Loser)

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by footie

Here is my opinion on the winners and losers in both brands based on looks alone.

Small Hatchback
A3 Hatch & Sportback (Winner) - 1 series 3dr & 5dr (loser)

Small Coupe
TT (Winner) - New Z4 (Winner) - 1 series coupe (loser)

Small Saloon
A4 (loser) - 3 series (Winner)

Small Estate
A4 Avant (Winner) - 3 series touring (loser)

Mid-sized Coupes
A5 (Winner) - 3 series coupe (Loser)

Mid-sized Saloon
A6 (Winner) - 5 series (Winner)

Mid-sized Estate
A6 Avant (Winner) - 5 series touring (Loser)

Large Saloon
A8 (Winner) - 7 series (Loser)

SUV
Q5 (winner) - X3 (Loser)
Q7 (Loser) - X5 (Winner) - X6 (Winner)

Performance
RS (Winner) - M (Loser)

Good list. I agree with everything except the RS/M comp and the A8/7 (I think they tie, but I have a feeling the next gen A8 will win).

If we were comparing RS/M:

RS3 > 135i with all the Performance Accessories (closest I can think of)
RS4 < E90 M3
RS5 will probably be > E92 M3
RS6 = M5
R8 > All modern BMWs. Period.

[footie]

Originally Posted by Nikkahtropolis

Good list. I agree with everything except the RS/M comp and the A8/7 (I think they tie, but I have a feeling the next gen A8 will win).

If we were comparing RS/M:

RS3 > 135i with all the Performance Accessories (closest I can think of)
RS4 < E90 M3
RS5 will probably be > E92 M3
RS6 = M5
R8 > All modern BMWs. Period.

I'm only considering the looks, not the performance from each. And in my opinion the RS models look far more aggressive and purposeful than any of the M cars.

I didn't want to be objective about performance because that's becomes a lot more than just pure figures, it involved emotion.

One thing I am sure of is that the RS5 will blow the M3 away with it's looks, it will sit a full 25mm below the S5 and get the full ur-quattro arches.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by footie

I'm only considering the looks, not the performance from each. And in my opinion the RS models look far more aggressive and purposeful than any of the M cars.

I didn't want to be objective about performance because that's becomes a lot more than just pure figures, it involved emotion.

One thing I am sure of is that the RS5 will blow the M3 away with it's looks, it will sit a full 25mm below the S5 and get the full ur-quattro arches.

lol I was referring to looks too. That's why I agreed with your list.

[Bols]

[QUOTE=Nikkahtropolis;5883100]Good list. I agree with everything except the RS/M comp and the A8/7 (I think they tie, but I have a feeling the next gen A8 will win).

If we were comparing RS/M:

RS3 > 135i with all the Performance Accessories (closest I can think of)
RS4 < E90 M3
RS5 will probably be > E92 M3
RS6 = M5
R8 > most modern bmws QUOTE]

yep this with modifications

I really think the M's are on par lookswise , it's a different look do mind, but they both pull it off

The agressiveness of the E92 M3 is a completely different kind than the S5 look (for upcoming RS5). I'm really excited to see what the RS5 is going to become although i don't expect that much difference from the front ... it is and stays a huge grille minus the small differences at the bumper etc imho.