Talbot

Negligible means there is no difference, thus no edge.

Yes, you should test drive comparable configurations. If you cannot discern a difference yourself at the end of that test, then why does it matter what anyone here thinks?

leetjon00

+100000. Great simile.

LeadToRome

Since we're just speculating, I'll say that the S4 was designed as a Sport Sedan around the 3.0T from the ground up while the S5 was designed (and marketed) as a "Grand Tourer" around the 4.2 V8. Those terms have different meanings (especially in Germany) and what it boils down to is that the S4 is sharper and more precise and the S5 is more comfortable and forgiving for a long drive, with a resulting lack of precision in its handling. Vehicle dimensions, weight, fore/aft weight distribution, center of gravity, suspension geometry etc. are all slightly different and when added up they mean S4's are way cooler than S5s. And handle better.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Now maybe I should drive an S5 sometime.

StevehamS4

Judging by the 2012 dimensions the S5 is 2.3" lower to the ground than the S4, and 1" wider stance. That along with the single door opening in the chassis, the S5 should handle better and also feel more solid of a car.

And if the posted weight differences are correct I can't see how the S4 can be seen as a better handling car. Although the biggest difference should be the 3" higher stance.

just my $.02 and an S4 owner

StevehamS4

correction 2.3" higher stance

LeadToRome

Hm. But that single opening is much bigger than either the front or rear door on the S4 and on the S4 there's a column in the middle there to provide rigidity. Toss-up? Advantage S4/S5? I dunno.

4wdFan

There are minor differences: S5 weights slightly less, is slightly lower, has a slightly smaller wheelbase, and is slightly wider. Also, 2-door cars are usually more rigid, but again the difference is probably small. S5 probably has a slight edge, but without driving similarly equipped cars back to back it is hard to tell if the difference is noticeable.

IncredibleMulk71

IMO, Audi is going the wrong direction with their entire lineup.

How could one justify paying an additional $10,000 for an S5 over an S4 when they are the exact same car, with the S5 literally having less material. Yeah, the S5 looks a little better in the rear, but you are literally getting 2 less doors, less space, less everything but paying a premium for it?

Audi is rumored to have turbo 4 bangers in the 2014 S4/S5 models. If they do this, it's not even remotely close to justifiable to pay $50,000 for a S4 or $60,000 for an S5. Lets face it, if you can afford and S4 and S5, saving a few dollars each month on gas isn't going to be a worry for you. At what point do you just say, well screw Audi, I'll pay $20,000 less and get the same performance from a Subarau or Mitsubishi. Before I purchased my 2011 S4, I was going to buy an A5 and found out they put 2.0T's in them. There is no way I could justify $45,000 for a car with a 2.0T 4 cylinder engine as it's not like Audi's "A" line is overly luxurious compared to other cars these days.

For the money, you want that V6/V8 growl which is what separates say an S4/S5 from a GTI, STI, Evo, Civic (yes I said Civic because they have 2.0L 4 cylinder engines) etc. Audi isn't Porsche and doesn't have true sports cars, so I don't see how they can justify putting smaller engines in cars and charging a premium. Yes, better gas mileage is welcomed, but not at the cost of making my car a $50,000 turbocharged AWD VW GTI.

dmbcrew36

As someone who cancelled their 2013 S4 order to order a 2013 S5, I can tell you the difference was far less than $10,000.

L0U

The weight bias is better in the S4, with 30kgs more in the back. On a track there would be no difference in lap times. It would come down to who had the better tires.