Audi A5 Coupe S Line 2.0 TFSI 252PS Quattro S Tronic auto 2d Owner Review

The A5 is a great GT car that you can daily drive but you have to choose the version carefully! In terms of spec level the minimum in my view is the S-Line - I would avoid SE and sport trim levels. Back then (In 2017) S-Line got you LED headlights, electronically adjusted heated seats with lumbar support made from an excellent blend of alcantara and leather, an extremely nice-to-touch perforated leather steering wheel and gearknob, interior lighting and cool exterior styling with 18inch wheels. Overall, this may be the best trim line in the range as higher specs like the Black Editions get larger wheels (look great but more expensive tyres and noisy) and a few other upgrades like the black piano trim in the interior (which scratches incredibly easily and would find annoying - I actually prefer the aluminium trim in the S-line which feels very expensive). Additional equipment in order of importance: 1) Must have additional equipment in my opinion is the technology package which gives you the virtual cockpit and wireless phone charger under the center armrest. The virtual cockpit really looks nice and will ensure the car won't look dated when it comes to selling it. 2) recommended options would be the comfort and sound pack for the B&O sound system and folding external mirrors (one of the weaknesses in my view is that folding mirrors are not standard in what is otherwise an expensive car - and they are very difficult to retrofit). 3) Not a necessity, but the 3rd tier in my book of nice to have equipment are the 360 degree cameras and massage/memory seat function. The flat bottom steering wheel looks nice in pictures but having driven cars with both I prefer the S-Line circular steering wheel with perforated leather. Privacy glass really suits the character of the car but it is easy to recreate this with tint if you can't find a car that has it. Engines: Most versions sold were the front wheel drive diesels. I personally do not feel that configuration suits the car at all, there is no character with front wheel drive in this particular body style of car and you get annoying wheelspin often under common conditions (e.g. setting off at a damp roundabout which is a daily occurrence in the UK). Unless you want to buy the car just for the looks of it I would avoid the front wheel drive versions. For me, for the character of the car the quattro versions are the ones to go for. I chose the petrol as it produces 252bhp and because diesels have recently been demonized by politics and unfortunately looks like they may get banned from city centers. The 2.0 TDI quattro is the most economical of the quattros however and because of the move away from diesels they can be bought at a discount relative to a similar spec petrol. From the 2.0TFSI I get about 39-40mpg on motorways and that is really the best you can get cruising at 70mph (i.e. ignore the official figures). Mixed driving in stop/start traffic gives me an average of 28-32 on the trip computer. For a 252bhp GT coupe I am very pleased with that and depending on your mileage fuel costs are reasonable considering the type of car that you get. Also the rear seats are actually usable in post 2017 versions and the boot is very large easily holding 2 large suitcases and a few smaller ones at the same time. Criticisms: 1) The power. 252bhp sounds like a lot but in reality does not feel as much as you would expect. It is probably a combination of the car's weight, gearing, traction and composure that make it not feel as fast. It feels slower than you would expect but then you see the speedometer and realise how fast you are actually going. It is more than enough for the purpose of the car as a GT and in real driving conditions you will have one of the fastest (in real terms) cars that covers ground very easily with loads of traction out of every corner. Just don't expect to be shocked every time you accelerate. Of course this is relative, if you are coming from a 100bhp car you will be addicted to the A5s acceleration. 2) The gearbox. The gearbox is overall good except for the downshifts. When in comfort mode (the one you will use most often) if you decelerate gradually from say 70mph (when 7th gear is in use) it will hold on to that gear until you drop your speed to 30-35mph. That means there is no engine braking and you are relying on the actual brakes. When it does eventually kick down you get the engine braking in a way that is not as smooth as it could have been. Later versions of the gearbox have improved on this. 3) Missing options - I feel that LEDs, virtual cockpit and folding mirrors should be standard and in fact some of these became standard in later years - so chose the spec on a used car carefully. 4) Not a criticism as such because all coupes are the same but these sort of cars have long doors that open very wide. Parking in tight car parks may often mean you can't get out so be aware it is not like a usual car in that instance. C-class coupe, M3/4 coupes are the same by design so not a weakness but a characteristic of the car. Conclusion: It is amazing that you can buy such an accomplished 3 year old car for 25k, if you don't buy it thinking you are getting a lightweight sportscar but instead want to get an extremely competent, classy and elegant GT car that can be daily driven and serve you with comfort and tech then go for a quattro A5 and you won't regret it. The following may sound extreme but is the best way I can think of describing it is that a well specced quattro A5 almost feels like the value for money Continental GT type of car which is an extremely impressive feat in my opinion!