S5 vs 335xi : Any thoughts? [Archive]

deak

11-04-2007, 03:44 PM

audiwop

11-04-2007, 04:41 PM

No substitute for Quattro!!!

Brian@AudiMV

11-04-2007, 04:47 PM

Tiesto

11-04-2007, 06:27 PM

S5 simply because I love Audi interiors over BMW and all iDrive sucks.

Monizzle

11-04-2007, 09:56 PM

there was a time when i would just say "S5" without hesitation but I'm not so sure anymore. Interior is amazing, exterior is amazing but i'm still skeptical about it's performance in comparison with a car that's a lot less and has a "better name" and more potential.
Not to mention the video i saw of an xi equipped vehicle getting out of a situation that a same class Quattro car couldn't get out of.
But judging by the needs you listed, the S5 is the way to go!

Titanium

11-04-2007, 10:19 PM

I'd personally go with the S5 for a couple reasons.... 1) It's brand new. 2.) I question the reliability of BMWs AWD system. I feel if you're looking for a car as you describe, there's no other choice than an Audi with quattro!

Have you checked out the latest reliability study?

http://www.thetorquereport.com/jdpowerdepend1.jpg

hmmm...

Speedymon

11-04-2007, 11:02 PM

Buick!???!?!?!? WOW

edit: Just thought about it. Probably because old people don't beat or drive their cars too much. Unless of course grandma is putting the car through its paces to and from the pharmacy.

marcus1701

11-05-2007, 12:32 AM

there's no way mercedes is more reliable than Audi. This is just on JD Power. There are other studies such as Consumer Guides which give the A4, A6, and A3 a Good Buy rating based on reliability scores. Also for the original post I think BMW will be the more practical car, and that's only because I would never want to put the S5 though snow because it's so beautiful. You said you wanted good ride quality and what not so obviously every magazine raves about the 335i. It's definitely a car you can't go wrong with. It's practical, fast, and just about everyone else knows that. I think S5 guys want to have something special, different, and that to-die-for interior...reliability is important to, just not at the top of the list which would put the BMW on top. I'd take the S5 but I'm 22 where I want to be different. If I were 20 years older it'd be the BMW duh. I'm waiting a couple of years for it though when Audi gets the kinks and bugs fixed. Not to mention when their ready to haggle.

deak

11-05-2007, 03:04 PM

You guys are great. Love the honesty! The BMW is hard to beat...but I'm not going to make a final decision until I see the interior of the S5. That may be the deal breaker because I looked at a 335i interior today and it is pretty pedestrian!

astris

11-05-2007, 03:35 PM

I'll start by saying I'm a M3 owner, a fan of the 335 and will probably be picking one up in the near future.

That being said, I feel the S5 mirrors the traits you are looking for much more so than the 335. Solid feel, fit and finish, highway cruiser, awd snow capable, technology, and interior are the best qualities of Audi and more indicative of the S5 than the 335. All other traits the 335 is better.

Summation: For your personal needs, go with the S5.

EDIT: Just noticed you are waiting to see the S5 interior to make your final decision. If that is the deal breaker, you'll be ordering an S5 the day you sit inside one. You will be nothing less than amazed in comparrison to the 335. Interior design and material quality are Audi.

Seire

11-05-2007, 04:29 PM

To be honest, I think you'll be happy with both cars. You can't go wrong with either unless you get a lemon.

Titanium

11-05-2007, 04:33 PM

The Audi S5 is a very good looking car. Probably the best looking Audi yet. I think the price difference might be around 6k in favor of the 335. But you should test drive both. I have heard a lot of mixed reviews for the S5 when it comes to performance driving.

Lets not forget the performance of the 335 with a couple of mods.

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=1175174&postcount=181

Monizzle

11-05-2007, 04:39 PM

having owned cars from vw, audi, mercedes, and bmw, the bmw was by far the most reliable. my a4 is in and out of the shop almost like clockwork-it gives me maybe a month or two of rest before racking my nerves again-not to mention vag vehicles seem to be the only cars in the history of cars to have the dreaded coilpack issue. never once had an issue with the mercedes and my vw was a mkiv golf so nothing really went wrong with that either. to sum it up, i would definitely agree that BMW is more reliable than Audi. Definitely. Not to mention we had an overall better experience with BMW -especially their service.

Brian@AudiMV

11-05-2007, 08:06 PM

Have you checked out the latest reliability study?

http://www.thetorquereport.com/jdpowerdepend1.jpg

hmmm...

I don't question the reliability of BMWs as a brand, it's their AWD system that was designed poorly. BMWs are great cars, I love the 335, but an xi wouldn't be the way to go on it.

maybachgt

11-05-2007, 08:20 PM

I'd take the 335. chip it and throw some nice coilovers on it and destroy the S5. To me the S models of Audi have really dropped in their status. The 4.2 V8 isn't too strong and has no potential. Interior quality is good but are you going to be more impressed by how well your airvents are made or how quickly you can pass the anoying truck on the highway. 335s are incredible cars. So much potential

redline_redline

11-05-2007, 09:00 PM

^ he is not looking to see what car is better in general.

he needs a car that can handle itself in awful snow conditions if you read his post. That is why everyone is saying go with Audi's quattro because BMWs xi may not be at its fullest potential and have the kinks worked out yet.

no doubt both cars are incredible, but i would go with the quattro if your winters are as bad as it seems you are saying. 335 is a beast no doubt, but the S5 will impress anyone still i'm sure. it can holds its own.

Jurjen

11-05-2007, 09:13 PM

vag vehicles seem to be the only cars in the history of cars to have the dreaded coilpack issue. .

Other brands hand their issues with bosch coilpacks, they just replaced them immediately vs waiting 4 years to finally recall them.

Im pretty sure my Dads Saab 9-5 uses the same coilpacks as 1.8T's,once they started showing signs of trouble, the dealer replaced them all under warranty, no questions asked.

A4_Mike

11-05-2007, 09:25 PM

I would recommend the Audi S5 based on the criteria you have established. As for the reasoning, several users above me have already explained the certain advantages the Audi S5 holds over the BMW 335xi when one focuses on the aspects that you are most concerned with.

Best of luck with the new car purchase! I'm sure you will enjoy whichever car you go with considering they are both fine pieces of engineering and design.

toaster

11-06-2007, 06:35 AM

Not to mention the video i saw of an xi equipped vehicle getting out of a situation that a same class Quattro car couldn't get out of.

video? story?

and for you deak, if you are at all concerned with winter driving, the s5 is a no brainer.

i agree the interior of the 335 is very bland, as are all bmw interiors.

b6onboost

11-06-2007, 07:56 AM

They are both great cars. No one can tell how reliable the BMW twin turbo setup will be long term...I've been told by bmw technicians 'don't own one out of warranty'.

The BMW is much more low key. It has a simple design inside and out and gets the job done. The S5 is newer, edgier, and has more aggressive styling. Plus the interior is much better than the 335.

Go sit in an A6. The interior quality and layout is nearly the same as the S5...except the S5 will be much sportier.

I looked at a 335i interior today and it is pretty pedestrian!

coryliv

11-06-2007, 12:03 PM

Not much to add based on what everyone has posted so far. I've owned a bunch of VW's and now an A4 and all seem to have their fair share of problems. But I guess I've just learned to expect that from VW/Audi (they are improving though). Nice advantage for the BMW is that you truly get full maintenance on the car for the life of the warranty. Except for maybe tires most if not all of the wear and tear items are covered. All that aside based on your criteria for the new ride the S5 seems to fit. Be sure to post pics of whatever you pick up and good luck.

Monizzle

11-06-2007, 12:04 PM

video? story?

and for you deak, if you are at all concerned with winter driving, the s5 is a no brainer.

i agree the interior of the 335 is very bland, as are all bmw interiors.

let me find it, i believe it was an A8 vs i think it might have been a 745i xi, i THINK. i saw the video about a year ago.

Silververtu

11-06-2007, 02:04 PM

let me find it, i believe it was an A8 vs i think it might have been a 745i xi, i THINK. i saw the video about a year ago.

There's no xi in 7 series.

toaster

11-06-2007, 02:11 PM

BS!!!

got him!

j/k, really curious to see where anything else beat the quattro...

jonmiles

11-07-2007, 12:46 PM

Hi Guys,

I have always found these forums a goldmine of information. I currently need to buy a new car for a winter driver and am looking for advice. I have narrowed my choices down to two cars; a 2008 BMW 335 xi coupe vs. 2008 Audi S5, both manual transmissions. I need a car that is capable in very poor winter driving conditions on ice, snow and poor visibility. I always fit four good quality snow tires. The car must also be a good highway and “B” road cruiser as it is my back-up car for the rest of the year. I value a solid feeling, well-balanced ride. The quality and fit and finish and technological efficiency of the interior are also very important. I hate thing that don’t work well (i.e. early iDrive).

What are your thoughts?
Thanks in advance.

Zero comparison when you compare the xi to the audi. BMW's all wheel drive system is simply a poor weather aid, and actually ruins the handling in of the car in normal conditions, whereas the Quattro system actually improves it. Further, the BMW was never designed to have two axels, so if you actually look underneath the car- you will see that the front axle actually goes THROUGH the oil pan (lol). I'll eat my shirt if this car doesn't leak oil after 40k...

Drive both cars, there really is NO comparison.

jonmiles

11-07-2007, 12:48 PM

Not to mention the video i saw of an xi equipped vehicle getting out of a situation that a same class Quattro car couldn't get out of.

?? I've never heard of a bmw awd beating ANY other awd system... much less audi..

Groove1797

11-07-2007, 01:03 PM

I think Audi needs to re-up on the Allroad..... They are perfect for colorado winters. All i'm going to say is this....... Come onnnnn

MylesPH

11-09-2007, 07:53 PM

?? I've never heard of a bmw awd beating ANY other awd system... much less audi..

There was a youtube video of an A8 and a 5-series xi in a garage, where they jacked up both cars so that the rear wheels were completely off the ground. In that situation, the system in the Bimmer figured it out and moved forward, the Audi didn't, don't remember why - it was in German too. Not a realistic scenario, but that was the outcome.

There's also this youtube video of an uphill slope covered in snow, and they tried about 10 cars - BMW X5, Volvo XC90, Lexus RX300, Mitsubishi truck, Audi Allroad, etc. - and only the Audi made it all the way up the hill.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8zfKRdgoRo4

Noffy

11-12-2007, 09:49 AM

S5 or BMW 335xi as a winter driver. That is funnnnnnny. How about an older toyota land cruiser, thats a winter driver.

Monizzle

11-13-2007, 12:15 AM

There was a youtube video of an A8 and a 5-series xi in a garage, where they jacked up both cars so that the rear wheels were completely off the ground. In that situation, the system in the Bimmer figured it out and moved forward, the Audi didn't, don't remember why - it was in German too. Not a realistic scenario, but that was the outcome.

There's also this youtube video of an uphill slope covered in snow, and they tried about 10 cars - BMW X5, Volvo XC90, Lexus RX300, Mitsubishi truck, Audi Allroad, etc. - and only the Audi made it all the way up the hill.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8zfKRdgoRo4

yeah that's the one, i knew there was no xi in the 7 that's why i wasn't sure...