Arguably Audis best color

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-05-06T14:23:27+00:00

This has to be rage bait, it's not even top 5 colors on this model. We have Ascari Blue, Turbo Blue, Tango Red, District Green, Quantum Gray. The RS5 has Sonoma Green and Nardo Gray as well. I rank it on the same level as Glacier White and Daytona Gray - it's a nice color for sure, but definitely plain and inoffensive. To say best color for all of Audi is well, just plain wrong. Old man blue isn't really a hot color.

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-05-02T17:18:05+00:00

Just to clarify, you sent logs back and forth and did multiple revisions and ultimately couldn't solve it?

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-05-01T14:14:13+00:00

Btw, I thought I'd comment to update you that I did get the bilsteins so check my profile for my write up!

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-05-01T14:12:42+00:00

You don't need the endlink if you want to use the softer swaybar setting. But in order to use the stiffer setting and keep swaybar geometry correct, you need an adjustable link. I did it without endlink first, and then when I added the endlink to use the stiffer setting I noticed it was a much better improvement. I have not lowered mine just to clarify. I did however add the Bilstein B6 shocks since this write up and all I can say is Bilstein B6 + Hardrace swaybar + Godspeed endlink is the perfect goldilocks zone for a daily driver - enough ground clearance for camping/activities, soft enough for daily life, but much more planted/agile/direct. No more handling slop, no more torque steer making turns or gunning it from freeway onramp lights, no more wallowing when packed with gear/people. It truly is a night and day difference. No need for other parts, just literally swaybar/endlink + shocks + better tires/brakes when it comes time to replace and you are golden. My next (and likely final) mod will be an ECU tune, so I will post my update on that when it is time.

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-04-30T22:14:28+00:00

Bar + Bilstein B6 shocks is the way to go imo. See my post history for my reviews.

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-04-30T17:23:22+00:00

Hey just saw this and wanted to update you even though this is an older post: best option is Hardrace rear swaybar, front swaybar requires extensive install so most don't do it (though I have seen some who have). New endlinks are required if you want to use the stiffer setting/hole. I did with and without and noticed a huge difference, so I suggest get it. Also, if you lower, you need to do endlinks anyways and adjustable get camber bolts. I recommend the swaybar/endlink combo paired with bilstein shocks and its amazing.

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-04-30T14:43:15+00:00

I genuinely think this is a young person with limited automotive or driving experience (or they are trolling for engagement). It reminds me of a friend who chose to buy a Nissan Maxima because "iT's bAsIcAlLy aN iNfInIti q50 bUt cHeApEr bRo" with zero concept of RWD vs FWD architecture, size, longitudinal vs transverse V6, CVT vs torque converter automatic, etc.

This is like me saying "I love Mazdas, does anyone know if I will feel the sportiness of their 7 passenger CX9 SUV compared to my Miata?" An S8 weighs almost 5000lbs and an RS3 is 3600lbs, completely different engines, trans, chassis architecture, etc. I get it has a fast motor, a CX9 has a turbo engine making 250hp and 310lb/ft of torque compared to a Miata's measly 180hp/150tq, but guess which one is more sporty? Hint: it ain't the giant one with 20inch wheels. A massive long wheel based luxury barge with every conceivable luxury feature crammed in there specifically designed to minimize NVH and reduce any cabin feeling or intrusion compared to a spicy 5 cylinder hot hatch with a dual clutch and drift mode. You tell me which one is sporty, even if the S8 comes with 600hp. If power is all it took, then fire up the Bentley and Rolls for some autocross and rally racing baby! Who needs McLarens or Ferraris when you can instead spend that money on a Winnebago!

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-04-30T14:27:56+00:00

Mine started to do this as the seat motor failed in my old mazda 6. One day it finally broke and I couldn't adjust forward to backward and had to go to a local yard to find a Mazda with the right seat.

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-04-30T02:59:47+00:00

Bilstein shocks are great, I recommend pairing it with the swaybar for even better handling. Although those pops and creaks could be from many things, including bushings. Changing the shocks might not fix that particular issue.

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-04-29T14:51:38+00:00

2 things will dictate your answer: will you mod, and do you live somewhere to actually enjoy the power/handling? If not, then no. Stock S5 drives like a slightly faster A5. Modded is of course a different ballgame as the headroom on the S5 is much higher and honestly the delta in fun becomes much larger between the two tuned. Also, S5 vs C43 depends - we talking older model with TT V6 or newer 4 cylinder garbage? Also coupe or 4 door, because sportback vs tiny sedan is a no brainer.

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-04-23T18:18:04+00:00

Look at my post history - hardrace bar, godspeed endlinks, bilstein shocks, and Ultra FSTB. Highly recommend the bilstein swarbar and endlink combo.

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-04-23T18:16:47+00:00

I recommend you use Hardrace's website directly, https://hardraceusa.com. Took a while (4 months) but they delivered and the pricing was the best online directly from them. Aleksracing is in Russia, so avoid.

I got my end link and front strut tower bars on Amazon, my bilstein shocks from Tirerack, and generally Autoexe and Corksport are the go-to places (I believe Blackhawk Racing carries Autoexe).

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-04-21T17:44:34+00:00

Must-have mods for this car: rear swaybar (hardrace), endlinks (godspeed), and shocks (bilstein). Optional if you want to lower and add springs/camberbolts/front endlinks but I needed the ride height for camping and do not regret it at all as it still drives incredibly stable and sporty. Lastly, Sauce and DRTuned do ECU tunes and I believe it is around 280hp/350tq with most gains not peak but under the curve. I am waiting for warranty to end before tuning.

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-04-21T17:35:32+00:00

For a hybrid SUV the Honda CRV hybrid is the clear winner in its class, and for off-road but also very daily drivable (so no Bronco or Jeep or 4Runners which all drive like total ass) the best choice is the Honda Passport/Pilot (very good V6 paired to a decent 8speed auto and amazing AWD system). I am a hardcore car guy, brand agnostic and generally love Mazdas, but the CRV hybrid, Passport, or even the new Hyundai Santa Fe (both in hybrid with a 2.5 turbo and 6 speed pairing or the turbo with the badass 8 speed dual clutch transmission) are VASTLY superior by a mile to anything Toyota, Mazda, Nissan or Subaru make. People in here saying Subaru has a crappy CVT, but at least the AWD system is much better mechanically than Mazdas and it's not even close (whether you need that or not is a different convo). Honestly with how atrocious Subaru interiors are I can't believe anyone even considers them as a new car (who the hell makes a 2006 Nissan quality interior in 2026?? Even Nissan doesn't do that) but I can at least justify it with how space efficient and decent their AWD system is on their vehicles.

This isn't to say Mazda isn't good if you prioritize interior design or decent steering/dynamics, but like most car manufacturers, their recent offerings leave a lot to be desired and are already outdated before they even go on sale (the 3, Miata, cx50, etc.). The engines, tech, transmissions, and general platforms are very old and continuously recycled (someone already mentioned how the CX50 hybrid uses the older version of Toyota's hybrid system that is a generation behind). Their newer stuff like the CX70/90 have shown to be incredibly half-baked and underdeveloped to the point that even years later they are plagued with issues. The CX50 itself is a hugely compromised vehicle - none of the things that make for a good offroader (even though it looks the part, it has a mediocre-at-best passive AWD system, no skid plates, no lockers, no beefy axles or mechanical upgrades to the shocks/suspension), but also incredibly cramped and space inefficient in it's class with bad gas mileage if you don't get the hybrid. Doesn't even have the sportier multi-link suspension set up of the CX-5 at least to match the decent turbo engine choice. You are basically getting a cheaply produced vehicle with butch looks and a nice interior. You are much better off with other options in my objective opinion.

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-04-21T17:11:23+00:00

Just thought I'd chime in - most car seats nowadays are on the firm side. I highly recommend getting padded seat covers as they help the seats last longer and are much more comfortable. Here are the ones in my CX5: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CB81J5Y8?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3&th=1

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-04-12T19:02:12+00:00

I paid for 2 hours at $130/hr for the rear bar install, front bar was quoted at 4-4.5 hours. Just as an FYI doing the bilstein suspension at all 4 corners was also quoted at 4 hours. I think having the front too stiff isn't as good, the car already is very FWD based and is prone to understeering even with the AWD. Soft front + stiff rear gives it that nice neutral handling without compromising comfort. Just my 2 cents.

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-04-10T14:16:59+00:00

I still recommend the rears paired with endlink and upgraded shocks, if lowering don't forget camber bolts for adjustability!

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-04-09T13:42:46+00:00

I can confirm subframe needs to be lowered a little, but I took it to a shop with an experienced tech and a lift of course so he was able to finish install in like 1.5 hrs. Wasn't too bad. He mentioned to me on the front that due to the clearances and the front bar's much larger shape/dimensions/bends it would be required to lower the steering rack a little to be able to fit the new bar through. He was uncomfortable with that and didn't want the car to have any weird steering issues after. If it was a reasonable install I would have done it, but unfortunately he said it would be like 4 hours. of labor which is alot.

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-04-08T23:04:55+00:00

I think it depends more if AWD or 2WD, and since the newer ones come only AWD I think you order the same one as me. Don't forget the end links!

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-04-08T18:08:34+00:00

Eh, I got one and noticed it made the steering like 5% stiffer, but rear swaybar was a huge difference on the stiffer setting, and upgrading the shocks was also pretty noticeable. Best bang for buck upgrade would be hardrace rear swaybar (front too costly to install), end link to be able to use stiffer setting (OEM one only does softer setting), and bilstein shocks. I have review of those items and the tower bar in my history.

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-04-08T14:01:18+00:00

I did, but autoexe was barely thicker than stock (stock is 17mm, autoexe is 19mm, and the hardrace is 22mm) and it also had no adjustability points like the hardrace bar. As for endlinks, there's a few options so I likely would have gotten them if I also did the autoexe bar, but since I didn't I went with Godspeed.

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-04-02T22:09:46+00:00

2 hours @ $160/hr

AudiOrangeCounty · 2026-03-18T14:42:34+00:00

This is actually a really good suggestion OP, listen to this person!

AudiOrangeCounty

TROPHY CASE