BMW 335i vs AUDI A5/S5

str8nm · 12-14-2009, 03:03 PM

With all this talk about fuel pump failures I am starting to get cold feet about buying the 335i coupe. I have started researching the Audi A5/S5 coupe. Would appreciate any thoughts or opinions either way.

kred · 12-14-2009, 03:04 PM

ive drove an a5 and its a very solid car. i would expect the s5 to be the same way

jrougeux · 12-14-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by str8nm

With all this talk about fuel pump failures I am starting to get cold feet about buying the 335i coupe. I have started researching the Audi A5/S5 coupe. Would appreciate any thoughts or opinions either way.

The A5 is a good looking car, I'll say that much! What kind of engine/tranny options are available on the A5/S5?

-=Hot|Ice=- · 12-14-2009, 03:07 PM

How much do you guys want to bet that someone's going to post the Fifth Gear 335i vs S5 video?

Alan l. · 12-14-2009, 03:07 PM

335's may the hpfp issue but the rest of the car is pretty solid. Seems like bmw over engineered this car being its first trip back to the FI world in a long time.

Audi's look great but they have their fair share of issues. I'm not familiar with the newer cars but my buddies who have audis all visit their dealers almost monthly for all sorts of electronic and mechanical issues.

jlstyle · 12-14-2009, 03:12 PM

If I could do it again, I would seriously consider S5, but not A5.

roadkillrob · 12-14-2009, 03:15 PM

A5 is closer to a 328, if you are looking at a 335, then the S5 is the better match performance wise, but is a bit more money.

Interior - top notch, power seems to be pretty close, tunability is a major + for the 335, unknown a bit on the S5 for now, but most superchargers are just a pulley away form more boost!

I don't think you can go wrong with either car, the S5 is a really good looking car, the awd system is better than previous gen's with more rear bias and it is early in it's like, so will be a new car longer!

Zero.7 · 12-14-2009, 03:21 PM

I don't think you will be disappointed IF you got the S5. The one big area where I still feel that BMW has the advantage is the overall steering feel/dynamics. There is just something about BMW's steering feel that makes the car more engaging to drive. On the other hand, I came from a V8 RS4. The Audi V8 engines create a beautiful exhaust/engine growl/note (second to none IMO). I haven't driven the S5, but if its low end torque delivery is similar to the B7 RS4, then you'll be in for a real treat! It takes off and pulls quickly.

On the reliability side, Audis do have their problems as well. I would definitely do a research on common problems with the A5/S5. My B7 RS4 was notorious for having leaky suspensions and the infamous carbon buildup.

Bottom line for me: (335=S5 for the most part) > A5.

DJKhan85 · 12-14-2009, 03:32 PM

I would say wait for the 3.0t engine to get dropped in the S5. Then I will seriously consider dropping the 335.

Roth517 · 12-14-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

How much do you guys want to bet that someone's going to post the Fifth Gear 335i vs S5 video?

:P

akack79 · 12-14-2009, 03:42 PM

S5 looks very sharp, and of course the interior is light years ahead of the E92 imho.
Disadv is it cost more than a comparably equipped 335i.

SebringS2k · 12-14-2009, 03:42 PM

honestly, if the S5 was more reasonably priced, I would've seriously considered getting it over the 335i, but it's not...and I'm happy with my decision

Javier · 12-14-2009, 04:07 PM

M3>S5>335i>328i>A5

BMWFanatic2008 · 12-14-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Javier

M3>S5>335i>328i>A5

You almost got it! 328 should be at the bottom of the food chain

M3>S5>335>A5>328

jopa489 · 12-14-2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWFanatic2008

You almost got it! 328 should be at the bottom of the food chain

M3>S5>335>A5>328

And why is that?

The 328 is a far better car than the A4/A5.

-=Hot|Ice=- · 12-14-2009, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 517

:P

vwong · 12-14-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJKhan85

I would say wait for the 3.0t engine to get dropped in the S5.

I totally agree.

stressdoc · 12-14-2009, 04:46 PM

Quattro is great w/ fancy LSD; if I lived in the mountains I would be sorely tempted. But I don't. For <39k the 335 is unbeatable.

e92sfv123 · 12-14-2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwong

I totally agree.

You're going to be waiting for a long time....

The one thing I HATED about my 335, was whenever the gas light came on, it took up the entire god damn dash. That godforsaken ugly ass puss looking gas station graphic. and it kept saying "refuel" on the bottom of the i-drive, totally disregarding all important information from the radio station to the miles left to my destination.

I would keep clicking off that ugly dreaded gas station graphic, and it would go away yes, but in less than a minute it would just revert back to that god damn graphic everytime. I know i need gas, now shut the fuck up, go away, and let me see what radio station im on and how many miles till i hit the damn commerce casino!!!!

Javier · 12-14-2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWFanatic2008

You almost got it! 328 should be at the bottom of the food chain

M3>S5>335>A5>328

i dissagree. i prefered my old 328i over the A5, not the S5 though

anowlan · 12-14-2009, 07:45 PM

There's something to be said for "free" maintenance, too. In the 3 years I've owned my wife's Audi, I've spent $1550 in brakes and battery. That's money you don't spend in a BMW. And the lease rates are worse. And the car is more expensive, comparably equipped. The S5 makes the 335i look like a good value. Which it is, if a $45K-50K product can be a good value. Compared to other cars that perform like that, it IS a good value.

bavarian19 · 12-14-2009, 07:50 PM

I don't want a heavy AWD car. If I wanted that, I would go get an SUV.

rwd BMW for me.

12-14-2009, 03:03 PM	#1
str8nm Major 100 Rep 1,143 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C DCT Join Date: May 2008 Location: Baton Rouge iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW M2C [0.00] 2011 335is [10.00]	BMW 335i vs AUDI A5/S5 With all this talk about fuel pump failures I am starting to get cold feet about buying the 335i coupe. I have started researching the Audi A5/S5 coupe. Would appreciate any thoughts or opinions either way.
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12-14-2009, 03:04 PM	#2
kred Lieutenant 80 Rep 532 Posts Drives: '07 e92 328i 6mt Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	ive drove an a5 and its a very solid car. i would expect the s5 to be the same way
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12-14-2009, 03:07 PM	#5
Alan l. Major General 5475 Rep 8,821 Posts Drives: 2020 F95 X5M Competition Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: United States iTrader: (9)	335's may the hpfp issue but the rest of the car is pretty solid. Seems like bmw over engineered this car being its first trip back to the FI world in a long time. Audi's look great but they have their fair share of issues. I'm not familiar with the newer cars but my buddies who have audis all visit their dealers almost monthly for all sorts of electronic and mechanical issues. __________________
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12-14-2009, 03:12 PM	#6
jlstyle Lieutenant Colonel 357 Rep 1,762 Posts Drives: Porsche Panamera Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Audi S7 [0.00] 2015 BMW X5 [0.00]	If I could do it again, I would seriously consider S5, but not A5.
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12-14-2009, 03:15 PM	#7
roadkillrob Major General 866 Rep 5,452 Posts Drives: 08 335i,22 X3M, 2012 C63 Black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (15)	A5 is closer to a 328, if you are looking at a 335, then the S5 is the better match performance wise, but is a bit more money. Interior - top notch, power seems to be pretty close, tunability is a major + for the 335, unknown a bit on the S5 for now, but most superchargers are just a pulley away form more boost! I don't think you can go wrong with either car, the S5 is a really good looking car, the awd system is better than previous gen's with more rear bias and it is early in it's like, so will be a new car longer! __________________ 2022 X3M Brooklyn Grey 2008 E93 335i FBO 2012 Mercedes C63 Black Series Alanite Grey
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12-14-2009, 03:21 PM	#8
Zero.7 Colonel 97 Rep 2,415 Posts Drives: F30 340i AW M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SOCAL iTrader: (6)	I don't think you will be disappointed IF you got the S5. The one big area where I still feel that BMW has the advantage is the overall steering feel/dynamics. There is just something about BMW's steering feel that makes the car more engaging to drive. On the other hand, I came from a V8 RS4. The Audi V8 engines create a beautiful exhaust/engine growl/note (second to none IMO). I haven't driven the S5, but if its low end torque delivery is similar to the B7 RS4, then you'll be in for a real treat! It takes off and pulls quickly. On the reliability side, Audis do have their problems as well. I would definitely do a research on common problems with the A5/S5. My B7 RS4 was notorious for having leaky suspensions and the infamous carbon buildup. Bottom line for me: (335=S5 for the most part) > A5. __________________ '16 f30 AW 340i M-sport 8-speed Auto BMW ///M Performance Power and Sound Kit with Carbon Tips / Gloss Black Performance grilles
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12-14-2009, 03:32 PM	#9
DJKhan85 Major 24 Rep 1,190 Posts Drives: 2011 4dr 6mt Golf GTI Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boston Massachusetts iTrader: (1)	I would say wait for the 3.0t engine to get dropped in the S5. Then I will seriously consider dropping the 335. __________________ 2011 VW GTI 4dr-6mt-Sunroof-Nav-Xenons OLD: 08 335i AW/CR/Poplar 6mt-ZSP-ZPP-ZCW-iPod-iDrive-PDC-Style 230s w/FK 452-Dinan LSD
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12-14-2009, 03:42 PM	#11
akack79 Brigadier General 142 Rep 3,161 Posts Drives: '18 F80 M3 ZCP Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: T E X A S iTrader: (18)	S5 looks very sharp, and of course the interior is light years ahead of the E92 imho. Disadv is it cost more than a comparably equipped 335i. __________________ 2018 F80 M3 6MT ZCP
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12-14-2009, 03:42 PM	#12
SebringS2k Private First Class 6 Rep 183 Posts Drives: '08 E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wilmington iTrader: (0)	honestly, if the S5 was more reasonably priced, I would've seriously considered getting it over the 335i, but it's not...and I'm happy with my decision
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12-14-2009, 04:07 PM	#13
Javier Major 80 Rep 1,109 Posts Drives: 335i E92 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Puerto Rico iTrader: (0)	M3>S5>335i>328i>A5 __________________ 2007 328i Crimson Red SOLD 2010 335i MSport AW E92
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12-14-2009, 04:46 PM	#18
stressdoc Moderator 618 Rep 10,855 Posts Drives: BMW i8; Toy 4runner TRD pro Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Waco TX iTrader: (0)	Quattro is great w/ fancy LSD; if I lived in the mountains I would be sorely tempted. But I don't. For <39k the 335 is unbeatable. __________________ My recent ED photos: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1026808 my not-so-recent ED: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31829 Please join BMWCCA http://bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=c...&ref_by=300279
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12-14-2009, 07:45 PM	#21
anowlan Private First Class 13 Rep 171 Posts Drives: 2021 330e Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Maintenance Costs There's something to be said for "free" maintenance, too. In the 3 years I've owned my wife's Audi, I've spent $1550 in brakes and battery. That's money you don't spend in a BMW. And the lease rates are worse. And the car is more expensive, comparably equipped. The S5 makes the 335i look like a good value. Which it is, if a $45K-50K product can be a good value. Compared to other cars that perform like that, it IS a good value. __________________ 2012 SG 740i
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12-14-2009, 07:50 PM	#22
bavarian19 General 517 Rep 18,858 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)	I don't want a heavy AWD car. If I wanted that, I would go get an SUV. rwd BMW for me.
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