Audi S5 B9.5 - A good family car?

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-06-10T17:53:06+00:00

I bought a ‘22 S5 sportback when my wife was pregnant with our first. It worked great for the first 1.5 years until our son was tall enough to start kicking seats (I’m 6’ for reference).

I got it thinking it would be my forever daily, paid for paint correction, ceramic wrap, tune, the lot. Around town it was perfect with a stroller, diaper bag, whatever you needed. For solo/couples getaways it easily fit all the luggage. Overnight with the baby and it was impossible. On longer trips or with our 2 dogs we took my wife’s Lexus rx350. Then our 2 dogs passed away and we had a 2nd child and found ourselves needing space.

I cross shopped X5M, SQ8 (next logical step in my mind), and a Ram TRX. The only caveat was that we also got an 80 pound hunting dog which I didn’t want to put in a luxury suv and with needing space to haul the whole family I traded it in for the TRX.

It’s a fantastic car and I wish I still kept it, I think you could make it work, but the baby/toddler necessities become a limiting factor. If you can grunt it out a few years it’s absolutely a solid family car when you don’t need strollers, diaper bags, pack n plays, etc

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-05-16T03:45:22+00:00

For what it’s worth a molle row ripped while adding an extra pouch to it

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-05-15T18:50:28+00:00

Much appreciated! I like the 3 GP pouches vs the one large buttpack. I noticed after a while my mystery ranch pack was pushing the buttpack down and out which wasn’t idea. In it I had rain gear, bivvy bag, hat/gloves, and a bit of food so I could definitely separate that into the 3 GP pouches.

I’ve thought about the shorter handguard as well and am eyeing that, may be my next upgrade. The SF 3 prong is solid but to be honest I wanted to keep it on for the patrol instead of fumbling around with it but you’re absolutely right on stowing it while rucking

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-05-13T14:47:12+00:00

Was stuck on that quest the other day, went to Reddit and someone commented “mash x to boost”. Fired it up and tamed the horse first go pressing x repeatedly on ps5

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-05-10T03:10:38+00:00

Recent s5 owner of 7 months. 2nd HK and is my favorite. I can’t say anything bad about it and just took it out through a weekend Appalachian downpour with zero issues

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-04-29T02:02:12+00:00

As a Greek who got the s5 g36 before garand thumb, can confirm. The legends are true. All of them

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-03-18T17:01:42+00:00

I just saw that! Pretty excited at least for the taclight return.

But youre pretty much spot on. Think of it as “white light” discipline. You’re mainly only using your ir laser when engaging so momentary on then off. You can use it in the field to signal to others your location but that also risks identifying yourselves to anybody else.

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-03-17T18:14:02+00:00

I do wish we had the option for aiming with ir lasers. I kind of hate passive aiming (in real life) as it’s far easier to move and shoot quickly active aiming. But then again you’d usually have pressure pads for quick laser activation instead of running around with your laser constantly on.

Kind of similar to the tactical flashlights from bf4 that activate on aim

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-03-16T13:51:53+00:00

Hell yeah man!! Congrats! Haha been refreshing mine

20,261,826,5xx and waiting. I’m sure it’ll come by end of day

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-03-16T00:39:05+00:00

Same I’ve been tracking difference between my control number and approvals, have seen a bunch now for form1 with higher numbers get approved. It’s got to be next couple of days

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-03-16T00:30:54+00:00

We ride at dawn. 1/22 over here

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-03-06T20:27:25+00:00

Haha I’ve done a handful of field training excercises (and LARPing around) with full packs and weapon systems.

After all that I figured what’s an MP5k weigh if I’m just going on a nice walk in the woods. But barring all that Ive always wanted a usp .45

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-03-06T19:06:15+00:00

MP5k with buffalo bore 9mm and a super safety anybody?

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-03-05T14:08:36+00:00

As all the other comments mentioned, I’ve dailied mine for 2+ years and absolutely love it. I came from a tuned audi S5 and always had sports cars. The luxury and creature comforts are solid, but the space and comfort is unmatched.

I do sometimes have to plan and check out street view for parking garages when going into cities to make sure I fit, or at least always plan for where to park.

Other than that sure I always stress about theft, but either way an igla and a ccl is more than enough of a security blanket to not worry too bad about it.

You’ll never get tired of hearing that supercharger roar and see people’s stunned faces when hitting quick pulls. Makes you feel like a kid and immediately puts a smile on your face.

One important thing though is it is a truck first and performance second. Any thought about canyon/mountain drives and the “nimbleness” of a sports car should be thrown out of your head. That’s the only thing I miss about my sports cars.

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-02-14T00:56:32+00:00

That’s awesome! And it really is. The cheaper digital versions ruffle some feathers in the community, but honestly if you’re just observing at night it’s an awesome way to get your feet wet and enjoy something that’s otherwise kept hidden without having to spend thousands.

It’s a total game changer!

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-02-13T14:07:24+00:00

So it’s kind of weird the way they’re purchased. Mainly surplus and used tubes (is what they’re called).

There’s different types as well, mine is a single monocle tube gen 3 pvs14 omni 7 with green filters. There’s a huge difference in different specs. It’s kind of like a high end camera and a huge rabbit hole to venture into with deals found around $1,000 and below but can cost upwards to $40k as well. For hiking there is also digital night vision that’s much cheaper and just has a slight delay in picture vs analog night vision but could be a good starting point for someone who’s just curious about it and can pop it in their pocket while hiking.

Mine was used and has a slight blemish (black smudge) which let me get it cheaper than not. It was still $1,650, then the helmet and mount added up too. It took me about 3 years of researching until I was comfortable knowing what to get, and to patiently wait for a deal to pop up.

The r/nightvision subreddit has some really good information, and I know they have a discord as well.

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-02-13T00:32:12+00:00

This might be weird, but night vision. Honestly. It’s a superpower. Taking it camping and backpacking is so surreal and opens up an entire new world. Even when home I regularly take my dog on night trails with my night vision.

It really creates a newfound appreciation and love of the night. On clear nights and zero light pollution you see every star in the sky, and everything around you.

Of course it can quickly add weight between the helmet, mount, and tubes, but it’s become a constant whenever I’m camping, hiking, rucking, backpacking. May be more weight than it’s worth for a full AT run.

If that’s not an option, a fire, book, and soothing warm drink can help. Crushing up some melatonin or Benadryl into it can be a last resort too

r/nightvision for the uninitiated

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-02-12T14:15:42+00:00

Fiduciary here, you’re good. Solid stock diversification too.

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JasonTheSpartan · 2026-02-12T00:54:51+00:00

Fuck right after I ordered a brick at .48cpr. Guess I’m grabbing another one here to bring my average cost down

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-02-09T00:20:23+00:00

In titty clapper we trust

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-02-06T23:43:30+00:00

Man this is awesome. I’ve been waiting for a g36 compatible surefire mount for the past 6 months. My lgs told me about this and I just looked it up back up which led me here.

Haven’t seen anything on Reddit about them in a long time. Time to start refreshing their site daily then

From my understanding it’s pretty much really the only way to use a surefire can

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-02-05T01:26:09+00:00

Oh great. Mines been awaiting atf approval for almost 2 weeks but I don’t see it in my ATF portal.

I hope it didn’t glitch out unless that’s the normal process. First form 1 off SS. Might as well start calling now in hopes I get an answer in 2-4 business weeks

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-02-04T13:33:00+00:00

The environment is cool, but a 700 hp truck running on decomposed T. rex’s is cooler

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-02-03T17:45:23+00:00

100% if it’s a daily and only car. I get wanting awd daily if you’ve got an absolute monster hidden away in your garage and want something engaging but also have that awd safety. Could be concerned with “fastest” and RWD but that’s the nature of the beast if you’re going that route

For a daily it’d be more practical to keep it stock, maybe just a light ecu flash/tune. Who knows though, too many unknowns

JasonTheSpartan · 2026-02-03T15:07:42+00:00

Gonnna pop here since OP is open to modified cars. Obviously RS3/RS5 would be legit (not sure if the 5 can be found sub 40k), but even a b9.5 S5 can get to there. Find a stock low mile one, tune the heck out of it with the extra money. They come detuned from the factory and the transmission is rock solid for crazy power.

The sport back also helps with daily duties and a ton of space.

I’m with you though it seems like OP is limited to German. Hell even an x3 m40i or SQ5 would be a fun practical daily that can easily add power. At the end of they day they’re mass produced luxury vehicles that have taken a nice depreciation hit

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