A5 3.0TDi or BMW 330/335d Coupe

[V8BJC]

I am struggling to decide on my next car so interested to hear views on the 3 possibles to help make my mind up.

My situation
Currently have A3 2.0TDi for daily commute - approx 12k mile pa.
Want something a little more fun for daily drive but not concerned about out and out sports as have 6.6ltr Cobra Replica for driving thrills. We have 18mth old baby that only goes in car on odd occasions and family holidays twice per year.

The coupe's seem like a good comprimise with good performance, reasonble load space and can fit roofbox if need more space for occasional holidays. Issofix baby seat fits in both, Audi a little tricky but not bothered as only put it in infrequently.

I have narrowed down to:
BMW 330d - Not as nice looking as A5 but prefer interior, great drive and cheaper than A5.

BMW 335d - tempted by the extra power but performance figures look very similar to 330d with 20% more fuel consumed and higher costs to tax & insure. Is it really worth the £3k premium. Especially as cannot get the coupe with DCT box.

A5 3.0TDi Quattro - I love the shape, interior OK, drive was great. Main downside is less cabin space compared to BMW. Is it really worth the £3k ish extra to get one of these over the BMW?

Any thoughts or experience welcomed.

[98C4S]

doogz said:

IMO, the Audi costs more, is smaller inside, doesn't drive as well, and is slower. And i'm not sure, but probably thirstier too. I'd have a 330 i think. The 335 is nice, but if you have a fun car, it's maybe not worth the extra outlay, and the hit in the fuel consumption dept.

+1,

Drove the A5 3.0TDi and a 335D M Sport when looking for a replacement.

As mentioned above, the 335 was more spacious inside, even though the A5 was bigger.

But what nailed it was the Drive, the A5 was boring in comparison, the 335 felt much more fun, and was noticably quicker.

I would get the 335D over the 330D, you cant subsitute power

[volvoforlife]

I think the A5 looks too big. The beemer is better proportioned and I only hear good things about the 330D/335D.

[edo]

3 series all day long. Yes they are more common on the road, but for good reason.

I ran a 335d for a year or so - monster pace for a diesel. I think the new 330d is much closer - and the only choice if you want manual or dct.

[Jw Vw]

The 330d for me, the Audi is a non runner IMO as it costs a lot more to buy and not really worth the extra outlay all things considered, slower, small in the rear seats, not as fun to drive,uglier,and, i'm not 100% on this but the BMW should hold its value slightly better than the Audi. Same applies to the 335d, is a slightly better performance worth the extra £3K outlay? IMO I don't think so.

[Chris Hinds]

I'd have the 330d - I love the Audi 3.0TDI engine but the BMW 3.0d is much better still. I think the 3-Series Coupe is a nicer looking car too though interior wise I'm not sure there's much in it. I'm on my third Audi and still think the first one I had was the best (A3 2.0TDI).

Cheers

Chris

[V8BJC]

Thanks for the replies.

In the opening post I missed the biggest plus that the Audi has - the DSG box. I have it now in the A3 and it is brilliant. The BMW does not compare, shame you cannot get the DCT in 335d Coupe.

I have driven a 330d but not a 335d. Specs show performance very close. For those that have driven both, does the 335d really feel much quicker to justify the £3k premium? I like the twin pipes but other than that, think I an heading for a 330d for 49mpg (42 in 335d), cheaper insurance and tax.

[edo]

Bit more mid range shove from the two turbo setup, but I think 330d with dct and cheaper tax/fuel/insurance would be the way to go now the 330d has caught up on the 335d.

[Mr E Driver]

I chose the 335d and I'm glad I did, huge midrange acceleration makes overtaking quick and safe and I get a min of 36mpg to 42mpg if I'm driving like Miss Daisy, which admittedly is difficult at times. You can use the gearbox like a manual with the paddles but I don't usually bother or I put it in 'sport' and it goes a bit quicker.
The difference in insurance or MPG for me wasn't enough to make me choose the 330d and at £170 road tax it was a no-brainer.

[fatboy b]

The performance of the 335 & A5 is pretty matched. I personally think the BMWs look shiite, and the dashboard with the two humps just looks like a after thought. I've had 3 of the E46 coupes in the past, and I still think that they were the last good looking cars BMW made.

On the other hand though, I love my A5. The quattro is great when I want to really use it. I've got the 18" wheels, which make the ride a whole lot better too. Much better side profile than the BMW coupe. The BMW rear wheel looks woefully out of place when viewed on the side IMO, and just makes the car look very wrong.

Edited by fatboy b on Wednesday 26th January 13:13

[RobM77]

I've driven both and they're both excellent cars (the A5 I drove may have been a 2.0TDi I think). On balance, I would go for the BMW - the handling is better balanced and I find the seats more supportive and comfortable.

[TrevorH]

My two-penn'orth - I'm happy with my current-model 330D, but the quoted mpg is not realistic. I'm averaging 40.9 on the trip (16k miles) compared with 44.8 on my previous 320D (52k). The Audis look slick but don't drive as well.

[V8BJC]

Thanks for all the replies. I thought the drive of both cars was pretty similar but favouring the BMW due to the extra space inside, cheaper price, fancy a change from current Audi and far superior customer service from BMW.

EDO - DCT box is only available in 335 models & in the Coupe, only the pertol variant. Shame that.

I am trying to get a test drive in a 335d to help decide on that or 330d so hopefully can get some new wheels soon.

Thanks again

[wackojacko]

330D and a Remap would be suitably quick without the extra fuel consumption of the 335D but still a tough choice

[plg]

The 335 will feel quicker and be quicker.
The A5 is better long haul cruiser in my experience.
The 335 can be hard over potholes, and very hard sprung in the back though it took my passengers to point this out.....

Given both and having driven both in current guises, I'd go for the A5. Or an S4 Avant and save the difference towards fuel at only 12k miles per annum.

[alfabadass]

On looks alone, the A5 wins.

not driven either but I tend to value looks quite highly. Owning a TT, I can guess what the A5 will be like. Solid and boring to drive.

If you have a 6.6ltr cobra for fun, you might as well get the A5.

[Thankyou4calling]

Don't buy either of these without driving a Jaguar XF. The new 3.0 diesel gives amazing performance and economy and it looks fantastic IMO especially in black. 4 doors but looks like a coupe.

[1]

635d.

[Debaser]

I'd have one of the BMWs over the Audi every time.

[Wills2]

Either the 330d or 335d both cracking cars, the A5's pedals are so far to the right it's not even funny.

Plus when you zoom up behind me on the M1 I won't automatically think you're a cock.