The never-ending battle for the best daily wage for non-SUV drivers. I wish there was a way to choose a winner, but there are just too many to choose from. The Audi RS5 is a good choice.
Many Exotic Car Hacks members are looking for a high-performance everyday vehicle that will combat depreciation and retain its value even with normal to moderate use. Bonus points if the car costs less than $100,000.
That’s exactly what the Audi RS5 is, and while it might not be as big of a buzz as the Mercedes S63 or BMW M5, I think it should be.
Whether you’re looking at the older V8 variant or want something with the newer technology and turbocharged V6, we’ve got the answer to the question you’re asking now: Is the Audi RS5 right for me?
Experience behind the wheel
My personal favorite in the RS range is the RS6. To me, this thing is just the ultimate everyday car, but it’s a little outside the sub-$100,000 price bracket, which is what makes the RS5 so attractive.
If you compare another RS in the same price range, the RS5 has a cheaper drive than the RS7. Every RS7 I’ve ever driven has had a slightly firmer suspension than I would like in my everyday vehicle.
The RS5 is nimble, shorter and flatter, which makes driving this car to and from work, on the highway and even at a drag strip exciting and engaging.
The RS5 had two different engines: a naturally aspirated V8 in the early body style and now the twin-turbocharged V6 in the newer generations. However, both are tuned to the same 450 horsepower, with a 0-60 acceleration of just 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 178 miles per hour. Quite fast.
Audi RS5 General problems
So the RS5 can be a bit tricky when it comes to the problems it’s notorious for, as the things that go wrong can be quite expensive to fix.
V8s are known to allow carbon to build up in the engine, causing problems with the intake valves.
The V6 is known to suffer from spark plug and ignition coil failures on higher models.
Both models appear to have transmission issues, mainly thermostat failures, solenoid failures, etc. Fortunately, continued maintenance will prevent many of these issues.
Oil leaks, coolant problems and electrical problems also plague the RS5 and especially most RS models from Audi, regardless of equipment.
This may sound scary – but don’t worry. Remember that these cars are labeled as everyday vehicles. Therefore, these issues can occur in more mass-produced vehicles that get good highway and city miles while offering higher performance.
A good way to ensure your potential RS5 is free of these known issues is to have the vehicle’s PPI checked. Most reputable shops can perform these inspections before purchasing these Audis for only about $300 to $400.
Audi RS5 Operating/maintenance costs
Audis are fairly easy to own and maintain, most RS5s are out of warranty at this point unless you buy a 2021 model (which I don’t recommend as you will lose value – written in 2023). This may be scary for the average person because car hackers know that a car without a warranty is nothing to be afraid of.
You should already be friends with or know a local mechanic who you trust and respect when it comes to exotic and luxury cars. An Audi is a beautiful Volkswagen, so routine repairs and maintenance aren’t too much of a challenge and can even be cheaper than you think. Sure it won’t cost as much as your neighbor’s Jetta, but it certainly won’t cost as much as my Bugatti either.
Because these cars are everyday vehicles more than anything else, most of the operating costs come from wear and tear like service, tires, and maybe even brakes. Luckily, all of this can be done at a trustworthy store for pennies on the dollar compared to what a dealer would cost for the same work, and you won’t have to deal with nosy salespeople.
Audi RS5 Trim differences
The Audi RS5 is the highest trim level of its make/model/class.
Preferably Audi RS5 Buy
When it comes to buying the best RS5, I really want to focus on the difference between generations.
The 13-15 series are significantly cheaper in terms of the asking price. But considering that these are almost ten-year-old cars, it is imperative that a PPI check is carried out. There’s no way around it, and it’s not something you want to miss out on. That $300 could save you thousands upon thousands of dollars in repairs.
The brand new generation 2021 and above is a little too new and could see hard hits in its depreciation schedule. At the moment (2023) it would not be wise to get involved in this.
From a hackability perspective, I encourage you to take a look at the 18-19 year range of the RS5. They show good depreciation over time and are far more reliable than the previous generation, given their age and the improvements in Audi manufacturing over the last six to seven years.
Obviously, the higher the sticker the better, with base models typically costing around $69,000 (nice), and a loaded example with exclusive paint and other expensive options would cost around $85,000.
Diploma
The bottom line is that the RS line is solid for Audi. They make great everyday cars, whether it’s a station wagon, SUV, sedan or midsize four-door. They are cars that are often overlooked in favor of other makes and models that are perhaps more notorious, but that is a mistake. These cars are prestigious, fairly maintained and hold their value well in the current market. So if you’re wondering which daily driver you should add to your lineup, I’d consider the RS5 or one of its family members.
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