[vladinecko]

First of all, I've been to two BMW driving experiences (OH an NY), one Mercedes (San Francisco) and now this Audi event in Sonoma. Out of the 4, this was by far the very best. Not just marginally but by leaps and bounds.

There was no bullshit at the registration desk (BMW made me feel like even though I'm there, they can still blow me off and offer the ticket to someone else). They had my badge ready in under 2 minutes and a nice lady personally walked me into the classroom. The instructor was Morgan, who also does a lot of BMW events. The guy is a really good presenter and seems to know his stuff too. He was praising Audi's quattro system and all advantages of it.

After a short theory lesson, we went to a parking lot full of A4s, A8s, and A6s. Unlike the BMW event, there were only 2 persons per car (BMW was 3 people + instructor in just 3 cars). That means we got a LOT more of driving time. We got to drive all of the above-mentioned Audis + an A8 L, an A3 S-line and a Q7. As far as driving experience goes, they're Audis and I will leave it at that.

About an hour later, after conquering various road tests (high speed lane change, acceleration & braking, slalom, etc) we were off to the track. Yes, Audi actually rented out Sonoma's Infineon Raceway! We had a choice of a bunch of S5s (sticks) or S4s (automatics). I chose the S5 not only because it was a stick but also because I was enormously curious to drive one.

The S5 interior is undoubtedly far more superior to the 335i's. It's elegant, functional yet simple, very intuitive and overall feels very nice. When I pressed the Start button and heard the V8 roar, I was instantly in love. Again, I'm not going to compare the driving experience with the 335i because we all draw our own conclusions about that, but all I can say is, WOW! After I got out of the car I had "that" smile on which stayed on for the rest of the night. Before this event, I was 90% decided to get an E92 335i in a couple of months. Now, I'm 100% sure I will be giving the S5 a very serious consideration.

They also had two R8s on the site but you had to pay $495 to get to drive one. The price also included a full day on the track with the R8 and an RS4. There was one guy who paid the money so we all got to jealously watch him beating the crap of the car around the track.

Overall, I am incredibly impressed by the whole event. Audi sure didn't go cheap on you and really let you enjoy and evaluate the cars. By providing a real race track, they made you get a good feel for the S cars as well as the thrill of being on a track.

I don't want to sound like an Audi lover now but BMW should take a lesson from them in this respect. I know one could argue BMW doesn't need fancy driving events to sell their cars and blah blah blah, but after having experienced this, I really think they do.

(excuse the picture quality, it was quite dark and my iPhone did what it could)

[vladinecko]

more pics...

[Josh49]

Great cars, great pics. I agree with you about Audi interiors. I sat in the S5 at the Auto show, the RS4. The interiors are levels above. Definitely made me miss my A4.. That car was a blast to drive.. (when it wasn't at the shop )

[val3ntin3s]

I went to the one at California Speedway and I'd have to agree w/ the OP the event was the best one i've been to yet. Got to drive the S5 and there's a slight noticable power difference between the S5 and my 335, felt like the S5 was more torquey most likely due to the V8 under the hood. Got to also see the R8 in action and man that thing is awesome in person sound and looks wise, pictures just don't cut it.

[bronco]

Thanks for the info and pics.

PS -- BMW should take a LOT of lessons from a lot of different car makers...

[GoRedSox]

I always loved Audis and that takes nothing away from BMW. Both Audi and BMW make great cars and Audi really has caught up bigtime in the last 10 years.

[RIP-A4]

yup if the S5 would of costed less I would of loved to pick one up.

[alexckma]

in Canada, it costs around the around the same, with the S5 being a bit more pricey.

But the R8 looks really nice

[BMWE90]

Man those R8s sure look good!

[val3ntin3s]

In the US the A5 is about as much as the 335 and the S5 is about 10K more, starting around 50k. However the power produced in the A5 is not a whole lot of comparison to the 335 where as the S5 feels about the same if not a lil more than that 335.

[purplewidow]

wow that's funny my budddy who went to the one here in Chicago said he didn't get to beat up on the r8 and rs4 too much he wishes he had more time...nevertheless glad you had a good time...and with Porsche buying VW the company will only get better...Porsche's quality has gone through the roof in the last two years since the 997 was unveiled...they really corrected a lot of sqeaks and stuff on the 911's!!! can't wait but until that happens i think i am more than happy with my 335 the audi is awesome but the transmission and the weight killed it for me...it is a big car...and the 335 is just right for me...i would be lookng more at 6 series if i looked at the s5 and if that was the case i would grab one over a six...but not a 335...i felt the dsg in the audi was not nearly as smooth as the BMW's and it doesn't shift as fast either...nonetheless you tried the manual and i don't know about that...but even a vw journalist who makes his living driving and writing about audi's and vw's said the BMW zf in the 335 was much better than highly touted dsg system used by vw and audi....still the s5 is sexy just a lil too big.. i bet the next 3 we will see the jump to a little larger 3 cause of the 1 series but for now with technology the way it is it would cost bmw too much to make a slighty larger car and still maintain around 3500 lbs...which the 335 really weighs closer to 3300...driving characteristics mean soo much more to me than a nicer interior which i think audi messed up a lil with how the MMEI or whatever interface is semi connected to the odometer dash section...not a fan just like how merc has it in the s classes but not in a smaller car it looks ugly but the materials...i would kill for bmw to release the nicer leather in they offer in the 6 series it is sooo hot!!!! and looks like it will last too which is where bmw was going with the crappy leather pre dakota and all the m's...this dakota leather does last a long time and won't crack and fade easily and that was what bmw wanted to bad they had to settle for the rough look...the leather in the new 6 is just perfect for the e92 coupe at least i bet they have it as an individual option!!! anyways glad you had fun and got to whip that r8 around they are beasts can't wait till they put the v10 bi turbo in that beast then it will be a real 911 killer maybe a Nissan gtr killer...can't wait!!!! i am sure Porsche has something up there sleeve though...i just can't wait till audi wises up and ditches awd mandatory on so many cars i wish they had more rwd cars and i wish they could solve there weight problems!!!tracking an audi is a pita i have so many horror stories from friends!!! they break so damn much...finnally they are starting to look good now they have to fix the weight and get more into drivers cars not luxery boxes that require awd to perform...not a fan holy shiz i just posted it it is huge sry uguys!! i just started at it only took 3-5 mins lol i am a typing machine i guess damn work!!
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marijuana vaporizers
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[vladinecko]

Originally Posted by val3ntin3s

In the US the A5 is about as much as the 335 and the S5 is about 10K more, starting around 50k. However the power produced in the A5 is not a whole lot of comparison to the 335 where as the S5 feels about the same if not a lil more than that 335.

i had the same exact opinion about it until i saw how many options Audi offers standard on the S5.

http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/n..._Features.html

i test drove the 335 and the S5 pretty much in succession and while i don't very much believe in ass-dynos, the S5 felt a LOT torquey-er than the 335.

[alexckma]

S5 over in Canada (BC to be exact) has a waiting list for at LEAST till next summer... It's like 335i when it first debuted.

S5 looks really nice, BUT has anybody actually inquired about the Parking brake?

I don't like the fact that it's a button.... so if my brakes fail, and my electrics go haywire, I can't stop my car at all....

I inquired it at the local audi... the parking brake being a button is pretty cool, but for safety reasons.... no... wont get it

[E90SLAM]

Now I cannot wait till the 16th~!!!

[Greeney]

Originally Posted by vladinecko

i had the same exact opinion about it until i saw how many options Audi offers standard on the S5.

http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/n..._Features.html

i test drove the 335 and the S5 pretty much in succession and while i don't very much believe in ass-dynos, the S5 felt a LOT torquey-er than the 335.

I agree, I did the same while I was home in NY. Needless to say we tried to locate a local S5 in the colors I wanted and the other dealer would not give it up, even in a trade! So im stuck ordering, the list at most dealers extends to March/April/May, depending on your market.

[Year's_End]

I love the S5. I'd like to take it to a track as well, cuz I wasn't very antiquated with the stick during the test drive.

[footie]

Originally Posted by alexckma

S5 over in Canada (BC to be exact) has a waiting list for at LEAST till next summer... It's like 335i when it first debuted.

S5 looks really nice, BUT has anybody actually inquired about the Parking brake?

I don't like the fact that it's a button.... so if my brakes fail, and my electrics go haywire, I can't stop my car at all....

I inquired it at the local audi... the parking brake being a button is pretty cool, but for safety reasons.... no... wont get it

You must not have driven a 7 series as it too has a button parking brake, as for if your electrics fail, think of all the systems that only work right with the engine on, there's the steering, the brakes, gearbox if it's automatic/SMG. Trust me the parking brake is the least of your problem if the electrics fail.

Another great thing about the S5 is hill assist, it's a brake which holds the car when you come to a complete stop and stops the car rolling back until you drive off, brilliant.

[astris]

I have been to an Audi event before. It was great. Audi definitely puts on a good show. Fully catered at the Four Seasons. I got to beat on an RS4 on public streets before the car was released in the U.S. Good times.

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by footie

Another great thing about the S5 is hill assist, it's a brake which holds the car when you come to a complete stop and stops the car rolling back until you drive off, brilliant.

I have this on my Z4 and I love it! So nice to not have any roll on big hills

[gonzo]

I started the S5.
I gave it some gas.
I shut the car off.
I am getting the car.
I did not floor it with Mr. Sales guy sitting next to me. I need to go back and go drive the car hard.
I have found available cars at sticker. I would like the silver leather and it is not out there....:sad0147:
Meteor with silver.
Phantom with silver.

[Tonybest]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

I have this on my Z4 and I love it! So nice to not have any roll on big hills

I have it on my 2007 E90 328i... It's a great feature..

[Greeney]

Originally Posted by gonzo

I started the S5.
I gave it some gas.
I shut the car off.
I am getting the car.
I did not floor it with Mr. Sales guy sitting next to me. I need to go back and go drive the car hard.
I have found available cars at sticker. I would like the silver leather and it is not out there....:sad0147:
Meteor with silver.
Phantom with silver.

Put an order in, rumors are that after january production is going to increase quite a bit!