I just cant justify the the 30k pricing difference. I didnt say anything about racing between the cars in my original posting. I understand that the S5 has all the luxury amenities ( even back seats! ) but only 354 hp? Look at what the M3 gives you. All i was trying to bring up was that Audi could have done a better job with the hp output.....

If you want performance you should have bought a c5z06.

If you want luxury you should have bought an S5.

If you wanted the middle of the road (for just about any car comparison) you should have picked the 370z.

Audi RS5

NO
http:
//www.roadandtrack.com/tests/updates/2010-nismo-370z
''Power for the 3.7-liter dohc V-6 has been increased to 350 bhp at 7400 rpm and 276 lb.-ft. of torque at 5200 rpm (up 18 bhp and 6 lb.-ft. over the base model). The extra power enables the flamboyantly styled Z to run to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds and to the quarter-mile mark in 13.5. This is 0.2 sec. quicker than the base 370Z in both categories.
In overview, the Nismo feels — and looks — more like a race car than the stock 370Z, with sharper handling responses and better acceleration. At $39,540, the Nismo is the ideal vehicle for Z lovers who want just a little more in their daily sports car. ''

Yes, Audi could have given the car more horsepower, but they didn't. Nissan could have given the 370Z a better paint-job, but they didn't. Chevy could put coil-overs on the Z06 instead of leaf-springs, but they didn't. Ford could have kept the IRS idea from the 03/04 Terminators, but they didn't. Dodge could have evolved the Viper and made it lighter and more driver-friendly, but they didn't. BMW could have kept the V8 in the M3, and a manual transmission in their Z4 top-end model, but they aren't and they didn't.

There are lots of "why couldn't they's!?!" in the automotive world, I agree. We just have to pick the one that makes us sulk the least and go with it. Apparently the S5 has enough followers.

Drive an S5 and you probably won't care that it "only" has 354 hp anyways. It's still pretty quick and the car as a whole is just an awesome, stylish, luxury ride.

My boss at my former employer had an A5. It's very nice and luxurious...plus it has a back seat for 2. Sad though, because it wasn't but like two months when he started experiencing engine problems. Come to find out some poor schmuck left off a piston ring on one of the cylinders. His A5 was in the shop for about 3 months. They did at least ship over a brand new crate engine and replaced the whole engine instead of repairing the damaged one.

Sober German engineering, drunk German quality. :icon17:

i was talking to an s5 owner the other day at a meet. he said the wheels are like 29lbs, which is really heavy for a 19.

If they aren't forged aluminum then 29 lbs is kind of normal for a wide 19" rim. It's on the high end but I think most 19x9-19x10 cast wheels would come in around 26-30 lbs.

the point being that it definitely affects how the car feels stock

Damn that sucks, there is no way i would be able to wait 3 months for my car to be fixed......unless they gave me a GT-R to use as my daily driver...then i would be fine with it...on another note, how much better would the Z be with back seats? so many people at my work always want a ride in it......

It would look wierd!

Zs HAVE back seats.. Back seats for small children and small girls!

The joy of having a 2-seater is that you have a legit excuse not to take groups of people around in it. I would hate to have a 4-seat sports car. I hated it when I did. Never again.