Sell my '13 Audi S5 - replace with 996 4/4S or a 987?

Hi everyone I�m new on this board. I have a 2013 Audi S5 that I have a pending offer on so I need to decide pretty quickly whether I want to sell it. The Audi is a pleasure to drive, a good GT type of experience. I�m looking for something though that would be more suitable for a handful of HPDE/lapping days over the course of a year. Nothing too crazy just a chance to get out and enjoy the car. I do live in a northern climate and where I live we get about 40 inches of snow through the winter so snowfall nov - feb is pretty common. The Audi does well with that but it�s not my daily, more of a secondary vehicle, but if someone in the family is driving our Subaru in the winter the Audi is the next one to be pressed into service. Because I do have to live within a budget, I see realistically two options after selling the S5: 911 996 4/4S or 987 Cayman + awd winter �beater� i know of the IMS issues with the 996 and the Early 987 Cayman. The question is: with the IMS fix in place, or if it�s the larger IMS (that�s not fixable without a tear down), are these okay to track occasionally on 200+ tread wear street tires? I�ve read that oil starvation can be an issue with lateral forces on the track. If so does that effect both the IMS fix kits as well as the stock factory larger IMS, or is one �safer� than the other for the occasional track day? I've read about X51 baffles, deeper pans etc but wasn't sure if those are needed or if that is when you get more extreme than HPDE days. I�ve read 2009+ Cayman no longer have the IMS issue so that admittedly peaks my interest. If I give up my AWD Audi then I still ideally need AWD. So I�m thinking 996 4/4S or if I go Cayman I have to set enough aside for a secondary winter car like an older Subaru Legacy. The early Cayman S (2006-2007) are at a price point it appears where I could get one and a low cost winter car. But I worry about the IMS issue on the track. The 996 4/4S are about the price of the early Cayman + Subaru and allow me to have just one car due to awd. Another option is 2009+ Cayman base model and an older Subaru for winter. Not sure if the base model will give me enough power to feel satisfied. i need something with enough power to feel a little push back in the seat and also stand up to occasional tracking. I�ve read a lot but under short timelines here to decide if there is a good direction. If I need to put a larger pan in and baffles to help with oil starvation for the 996, that adds to the price. I am seeing some higher mileage (100k) 996 in low/mid to upper $20k�s. Just need a feeling for how much more $$$ to make them trackable. I see the 2006-2008 Cayman S in the same price range or 2009+ base model Cayman in the range (with some low enough to get another winter car if needed). So really torn on which direction to go and welcome advice. I know this is the 996 forum here but lots of activity so hoping to get some guidance. thanks!

Subaru WRX or an Evo would seem like a potential fit?

Have you done any track days yet? The Audi Club has a great program in the PNW, and the S5 will be more than capable for anyone novice to intermediate.

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Yes to track days but not in the Audi. Maybe I�m being too hasty (just have potential buyer for the Audi which is pushing me to look at my options). I could put pads, high temp fluid and stainless lines on the S5 and give it a go and see how it does and how I like it.

I've got a B8.5 S5 and 997.2 C4, - only piece of advise is that a 996 compared to S5 will feel under-powered, not as crisp handling and exhibit tons of other issues that will need to be sorted prior to tracking or even driving. Unless you get a nice cream puff. If you must, I would go with 09+ 987 car any day of the week, even if its a base - if you can even swing it look for a base 981 they can be had for high 20s / 30s with higher mileage or some history. Many of the issues are sorted, and most items have been improved. Don't start with a 20+ year old car and not expect to spend $5-10k on making it derivable on track unless you budget for it.

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Good pads and fresh fluid should do it. Don't waste your money on braided lines. Your car is likely more capable than you are (not meant as an insult, true for me too and I've been instructing for years). Just make it safe and get some seat time with a good instructor/coach.

The S5 will run well. I had a guy in a S5 stomp on his brakes in front of me on the interstate for no reason. I was in a 2001 C4 996. mostly stock. I quickly tried to go around him. A race began. It took me till over 150 mph to pass and move over into his lane. I was not aware of this until shifting from 5 to 6. I found out later they had a rev/speed limiter. I slowed carefully as I could. He wanted to run on. I felt I had pressed my luck enough. The 911 looks much better but the S5 will run quite well. Mean exhaust note through AM exhaust.

Check out this, I have a full article, I can scan. It's an interesting comparison. https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...-2011-audi-s4/

Have you considered something like a TTRS? The last generation with the manual. Those are relatively solid cars, will provide you solid power, and should be enjoyable for your purposes, still having all wheel drive. Or consider something like an E92 M3, just do the rod bearings before you need them and do throttle actuators as well if you don't want to be stranded somewhere in limp home mode. 996 is a great choice but will be more maintenance involved and has more engine issues, in my experience, than either of the cars I listed above. Also will be less practical compared to what you're used to. I know you mentioned you have the Subaru, so this is less of an issue. 987.2 Cayman is probably what I would be looking at but it will be down on power, however, I think that is better for the street. Too much power is not always a good thing.

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Thanks for that advice. Yeah I have no complaints about how the S5 runs and handles on the street. That is interesting thanks for sharing. All good points here. Thought about keeping the Audi S5 and picking up something like an E46 (perhaps 330ci) for getting involved with tracking. I agree that the 987.2 Cayman for price point and what it gives me is also a good option. Just have the winter consideration if moving to one car other than the Audi. It might make sense to start with the Audi with pads and fluid and see how that goes first. thanks to everyone for the feedback provided!

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An E46 330zhp would be a great enthusiast car to get into tracking with. Resale on them is also very good.

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1. Any car is a good track car. Track driving is about the driver, not the car. 2. The ship has saled on the ZHP. I've had my eyes open for a nice clean one, but their priced like M's ;-)

The oiling issues are not related to the IMS. I have tracked many different M96 variants, instructed in many more. I have yet to see one that doesn't drop oil pressure in sustained right hand turns. Wether this is likely to result in engine damage in a reasonable amount of time is a question I've asked many times and have not been able to get an answer to... I do want to say, I think the 996 would make an excellent winter car with a 2nd set of wheels/tires, even as a RWD car. I have pulled quite a few people out of ditches in several versions (even my GT3 if I remember correctly), and Boxster... Rearward weight bias, some knowledge of how to drive and physics + tires = fun in low traction.

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Perhaps ironically, this is where the IMSB design shines. Oil? The IMSB don't need no stinking oil! LOL

I don't see a reason to need AWD. If the conditions are such that winter tires won't do the job, then the bumper on these is too low to clear the snow anyway. A second set of wheels with good winter tires is cheaper. My vote is the 2010+ 987. And I don't care how much more power the S5 has, weight is weight, and on the track there will be a world of difference, especially several laps in. My brother tracked mine before it was mine, no baffles or anything other than GT3 brakes ducts actually, and that was in Phoenix. No issues, 114k miles on it now.

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Good point on ground clearance. AWD definitely feels more sure footed though even on compact snow/ice, but I understand what you are saying. I keep finding 2006 - 2008 Cayman S w/6MT pop up in in low to mid $20s with 50-70k miles. So many advise though to go with 2009+.

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I believe it's because the 06-08 have the M97 engine with all the IMSB & bore scoring and other happiness, while the later cars have a 9A1 derivative which is allegedly better about those things.

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I really don't think there's too much wrong with the 06 to 08, but I think its value will always be marred because of the IMS. On the other hand, you'll be less sad is your wreck it on the track since it was never really going to appreciate in value anyway.