Audi has come to do battle with our CLKs (W208 and W209) with their new A5 and S5. I just read the article on the Fourtitude website where they are testing a BMW 335 vs. G37 vs. Audi S5 and they got the following results in a QTR-mile test. These guys are not your typical Motor Trend/Car and Driver BMW ***********, they are Audi guys. Here is the quote with the numbers:

"The BMW 335i was fastest, putting down a 13.693 1/4 mile, then the Audi S5 at 13.801, followed by the Infiniti G37 at 14.293 seconds."

I haven't timed my car yet, but I am confident that a W208/209 CLK55 AMG with K&Ns only can be faster than a 13.801 in a QTR mile.

After reading the article, I'm a bit more content with my CLK55!

without K&Ns, we should be able to do 13.3. some ppl here did 13.2. i'm going for 13.1

Have you guys been to the drags yet? What about dyno?

I consider the S5 as a possible replacement for my CLK55, but at $62k + gas guzzler + sales tax, it is getting too close to a base model M3 (incl. gas guzzler + sales tax and maybe an option or two).

I felt more engaged and thrilled in the cheaper 335i than the S5 to be honest but I did like the S5's interior and sound (sounds amazing actually)

The quattro also made it stupid easy to accelerate out of corners. That being said, I'd save the cash (or debt :-p) and get the 335i.

Are they making an RS5? Will it come here?

Nice post, Holson. For me, the next possible replacement would be a BMW M6 coupe. It offers a lot of room and supercar performance, but is more reasonably-priced than a CL63.

I've seen the S5 up front and the front end is more bulbous than the photos allure, and the grille looks like cheap plastic. The rear end doesn't thrill me either.

Plus, the CLK55 is just more of a red-meat eating, German muscle car. The S5 is more for the Maroon 5 set.

Maybe the RS5 would change your mind?

Perfectly said.

One thing is rear seat space in the M6 is non-existent but the trunk and front seats are indeed roomy.

I cant wait to see what the new RS5 does!!!

Perhaps. But the way Audi would price the RS5 would push me towards an M6 or CL63 anyway!

Other than handling ,the S5,335i stck,G37 cannot compete with the CLK55 W208 in a straight line run especially past the 1/4 mile! I have proven this against a modded V8 RS4!

The RS5 is coming t othe U.S, but the lease rates on S5s right now is 13 to 1400 a month, for a $65000 car. Even the salesman at Downtown LA Audi told me its insane. Not worth it at all.

$1,300 a month for an Audi, yikes. The problem is that money just evaporates during the lease and one never gets it back when selling private party or trading it in.

Better to get a Porsche for that payment!

I test drove the M3 on Monday - now that is a proper muscle car! The sound, the sight of it, the smell of the interior.. perfect!

I did think it was a little too quiet as I was just driving around... however once you open the throttle it's a different story.

Admittedly, the S5 makes more noise (good) down low.

close to $70k for the one specced out as I want it though...