2018 Audi RS5 Review - This car is from a different world!

[REDEV217342]

Originally Posted by Seniorleb

Sorry to break your heart but in real life they look so good! U must see them in person

No heart broken just someone's opinion. The wheels in pictures and in person (I've seen them first hand) are straight off the shelf from Pep Boys nestled right beside the M3/M4 ZCP wheels

[Clark_Kent]

Originally Posted by REDEV217342

No heart broken just someone's opinion. The wheels in pictures and in person (I've seen them first hand) are straight off the shelf from Pep Boys nestled right beside the M3/M4 ZCP wheels

666M wheels are straight off the shelf from Pep Boys?! That's an interesting perspective and one I've yet to hear.

[doberzus]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

So just to be clear a car you haven't driven is uninspiring and dull because it has an engine you've read about and you don't like because it's a v6.

And it's not worth "$80-90k" even though it's within $1200 of the starting price of an m4.

That's some crazy thought process

I have seen most in the $80-$90K range. Special ordered, with the options I would go for, it's easily in the $80-$85K range.

Not really crazy, just realistic. From my past Audi experience's and with certain cars in general. V6 powered, AWD, Automatics are in fact, *dull. If you're looking for a "fun" drivers car, that is.

I will admit, I have never test driven the new RS5. I want to, if I can even find one (no RS5's in stock, all pre-sold special orders). I have driven GTR's (DCT, duh), S5's etc. They were quick/fast, sure! However, they were extremely sterile and absolutely boring to drive. For a daily driver in colder/wetter regions they are great!

I have admitted many times that even my own Audi TTRS, although it sounds fantastic! It is boring to drive... I cannot imagine that the more expensive, slower, worse sounding (V6 vs. I5), GT car will be a more exciting car to drive. Not to mention it is an auto vs. dual clutch.

The F8x was a very raw and "fun" car to drive. IMO, I think it was a lot more exciting than the TTRS/S3 that I had. Didn't realize how many Audi fans we have gained on BimmerPost

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by REDEV217342

No heart broken just someone's opinion. The wheels in pictures and in person (I've seen them first hand) are straight off the shelf from Pep Boys nestled right beside the M3/M4 ZCP wheels

I think they are some of the best looking wheels out there, to each his own.

[Habber]

If you're bored, just get an MT..

[csbear]

Maybe I am off here with this conspiracy theory, but it seems VW group goes out of its way to hold back its Audi RS models as to not "step on the toes" of Porsche.

Considering Audi's racing heritage (Le Mans, etc) I don't remember the last time their RS division even truly outdid BMWs M. The last RS5 was nice, but it still wasn't an E92 M3. The current TTRS is a fun, blistering fast car as doberzus mentioned, but it still seems to be missing the rawness of something like the 718 S (but imagine the TTRS 5 cyl engine in the 718 S instead of that 4 cyl!!).

I understand Audi has a focus on interior quality, is AWD based, and the customer base is looking for more GT sporting characteristics vs true rawness, but this new RS5 seems to be a prime example that Audi doesn't really want to compete with BMW head-on. Even the RS5 release does not coincide with the release times of the M3/M4 and even the C63S.

The new RS5 seems to have some great things about it (I haven't driven one), but I would much rather go for the current M4 or C63S. At least the C63S sounds exponentially better than the RS5 and has a comparable Mercedes interior to boot.

I'm with doberzus... The TTRS and RS3 seem to have garnered some well deserved praise, but the new RS5 has gotten too GT. The engine noise and exhaust itself has been universally panned by almost every review I have seen...clear evidence that Audi had a more GT car in mind.

Seniorleb, good video though!

[Aapparition90]

Looks good fast sophisticated but i just dont love it like a amg or M. I rather go rs7 tbh

[eau_rouge]

Originally Posted by Seniorleb

Sorry to break your heart but in real life they look so good! U must see them in person

I saw them in person. Even more hideuos than on images imo.

The 19" are alright. But I dont like silver wheels on sports cars, especially when the car has some CF bits or the Audi black package. I saw some Belgium registered RS5 with the 19" colored in black/titanium for winter. That looked quite good!

[Seniorleb]

Originally Posted by Aapparition90

Looks good fast sophisticated but i just dont love it like a amg or M. I rather go rs7 tbh

Sorry U said U dont like the M and u drives an M3?

[gatorfast]

Agree the wheels are hideous but perhaps over time they will magically look better. I know I hated the 666m wheels when they first came out and now I actually like them.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by REDEV217342

No heart broken just someone's opinion. The wheels in pictures and in person (I've seen them first hand) are straight off the shelf from Pep Boys nestled right beside the M3/M4 ZCP wheels

This always cracks me up when people continue to say this to others (the you'll love them in person line). I've seen the 666 wheels in person numerous times and nope still don't like them. I agree on these Audi wheels as well. I really like how both the S5 and RS5 look (especially the 4 door sportback), but these wheels are nu bueno either. It is truly nothing personal and it is just an opinion.

I didn't like my stock GT350 wheels either from both look and weight so I bought Forgelines. First world problem solved.

[Aapparition90]

Originally Posted by Seniorleb

Sorry U said U dont like the M and u drives an M3?

No brother what i am saying is i respect the rs5 for its technically a superb car but i dont really love it. I love m3 and the c63s on the other hand even though they have a lot of defencies.. its a heart over mind obstacle for me when it comes to the new rs5.

[Seniorleb]

Originally Posted by Aapparition90

No brother what i am saying is i respect the rs5 for its technically a superb car but i dont really love it. I love m3 and the c63s on the other hand even though they have a lot of defencies.. its a heart over mind obstacle for me when it comes to the new rs5.

Oh that makes sense! my bad... M3/M4 still the wildest this time.

I am going to review the c43 AMG curiously to see how to feels compares to its big sister

[Rambler]

OP, great review and thanks for sharing. Seems like such a great car but was hoping they would have kept a dual clutch in it.

I also agree that the rims could have used different styling. I saw a newer Tucson today and couldn't believe how similar the wheels are. The new Honda Accord also uses similar wheel design cues. Must be a new trend. Count me as one who really didn't like the 666 wheels at first but now I love them, especially in black so maybe these will grow on me.

[gatorfast]

I think those RS5 wheels are actually heavily VW influenced imo. Definitely looks like something they would put on a GTI.

[Habber]

And in typical Audi handbook, look for this style of wheel to be shared with most of the other models.

[REDEV217342]

Originally Posted by Snappy Phoenix

I think they are some of the best looking wheels out there, to each his own.

Like they say....beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I personally would never own the RS5 with those wheels or the M with the 666 wheels. Look super cheap to me.

As long as you like 'em if you have 'em

[REDEV217342]

Originally Posted by minn19

This always cracks me up when people continue to say this to others (the you'll love them in person line). I've seen the 666 wheels in person numerous times and nope still don't like them. I agree on these Audi wheels as well. I really like how both the S5 and RS5 look (especially the 4 door sportback), but these wheels are nu bueno either. It is truly nothing personal and it is just an opinion.

I didn't like my stock GT350 wheels either from both look and weight so I bought Forgelines. First world problem solved.

Wow...really surprised you didn't like the looks of the stock GT350 wheels. I love 'em. A bit heavy yes but I really like the styling. Forgelines are serious wheels for quality and weight savings. Almost bought some GA1R's for my former 911 turbo.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by REDEV217342

Like they say....beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I personally would never own the RS5 with those wheels or the M with the 666 wheels. Look super cheap to me.

As long as you like 'em if you have 'em

Especially since you can have the lighter better looking M Performance wheels that look like they are BBS FI-Rs.

Originally Posted by REDEV217342

Wow...really surprised you didn't like the looks of the stock GT350 wheels. I love 'em. A bit heavy yes but I really like the styling. Forgelines are serious wheels for quality and weight savings. Almost bought some GA1R's for my former 911 turbo.

It was funny when my wife came with me to pick it up the car one of the first things she said was “you are going to get new wheels aren’t you.” Gotta love it when your spouse knows you so well.

It’s not that they are bad looking, just not my taste as I found them kind of bland. And they are really heavy around 33 pounds. I got Forgeline VX1Rs that I love.

I don’t think I’d get that expensive of a wheel for the RS5, but I’d definitely go aftermarket over the stock choices and use the stock one for winter rubber.

[Seniorleb]

Originally Posted by Rambler

OP, great review and thanks for sharing. Seems like such a great car but was hoping they would have kept a dual clutch in it.

I also agree that the rims could have used different styling. I saw a newer Tucson today and couldn't believe how similar the wheels are. The new Honda Accord also uses similar wheel design cues. Must be a new trend. Count me as one who really didn't like the 666 wheels at first but now I love them, especially in black so maybe these will grow on me.

Attachment 1826140

Check the one with half black and half allow (Silver) they aren't so bad really! they just looks different

[instarand]

Originally Posted by REDEV217342

Love the looks of the car except for those hideous wheels. Good lord what in the hell were they thinking? Also, why does Audi not put a full leather dash in an $80K car? Blasphemy.

Agree to all that! Plus, where's the MT?????

[Seniorleb]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Agree the wheels are hideous but perhaps over time they will magically look better. I know I hated the 666m wheels when they first came out and now I actually like them.

Exactly! they will definitely grown on you