Discussion
Anybody have direct experience of the S5 vs the 335xi?
I am moving to the US in March, and due to the weather conditions (lots of snow) between Nov - March I really need a 4wd car. So gone are my thoughts of a Shelby Mustang GT500!
It will be my only car so am after a sports coupe. Ideally I would have an R8 bit they are a little out of my price range! I also thought about a used 911 C4 coupe but seeing so many in London on a daily basis has put me off.
So currently I am considering either an S5 or a 335xi (shame the M3 doesn't come in 4wd or else would have got a used one of those!). I prefer the styling on the S5 and am always a fan of V8's, however the 335xi has glowing reviews.
Anybody offer any advice? Any S5 owners out there can comment on how they find the car, exciting? Or uninvolving (as some reviews seem to indicate)?
I am moving to the US in March, and due to the weather conditions (lots of snow) between Nov - March I really need a 4wd car. So gone are my thoughts of a Shelby Mustang GT500!
It will be my only car so am after a sports coupe. Ideally I would have an R8 bit they are a little out of my price range! I also thought about a used 911 C4 coupe but seeing so many in London on a daily basis has put me off.
So currently I am considering either an S5 or a 335xi (shame the M3 doesn't come in 4wd or else would have got a used one of those!). I prefer the styling on the S5 and am always a fan of V8's, however the 335xi has glowing reviews.
Anybody offer any advice? Any S5 owners out there can comment on how they find the car, exciting? Or uninvolving (as some reviews seem to indicate)?
I wouldnt be buying an S5 as a 4x4 because of the snow, sure it might be a bit better than the BMW but if you really need a snow vehicle you should be looking at something else.
The S5 is a good car, but dymanically not as good as the BMW, although that is not really true depending on how you drive. I am always interested in the 4x4 cars because of the advantage you get in the wet.
I have driven the S5 and it is quick, but probably not much to choose from over the BMW, but the V8 is nice. The S5s main advantage I think is that you can get them relatively cheaply second hand so I wouldnt be looking at a new one if I was you.
Also I think if you want to tune the cars further, the S5 cant really be upped without lots of money being spent.
It is obviously down to personal choice, I am heavily Audi bias but it would be a toss up between the two you talk about, do you really need a snow beater?
The S5 is a good car, but dymanically not as good as the BMW, although that is not really true depending on how you drive. I am always interested in the 4x4 cars because of the advantage you get in the wet.
I have driven the S5 and it is quick, but probably not much to choose from over the BMW, but the V8 is nice. The S5s main advantage I think is that you can get them relatively cheaply second hand so I wouldnt be looking at a new one if I was you.
Also I think if you want to tune the cars further, the S5 cant really be upped without lots of money being spent.
It is obviously down to personal choice, I am heavily Audi bias but it would be a toss up between the two you talk about, do you really need a snow beater?
I've not driven the 335xi, but I would follow the advice of others and get a car with 4wd if you can. The increased stability in the snow (lack of involuntary fishtailing etc) makes it far more relaxing when you want it to be, with fun only a squeeze of the right foot away.
All the reports I have heard suggest that Audi's 4wd system is better than BMW's and Audi's, but I have no idea if that's really true. Besides, unless you're in certain parts of the USA where they have good driving roads, such as Colorado etc, you won't necessarily get to enjoy any dynamic benefits that the S5 has over the 335i.
One other point, apparently the 335i doesn't have the fast response on the Audi and has some lag, although I understand that this has only become apparent due to the arrival of the new six cylinder S4 which makes the 335i engine feel slightly less responsive.
All the reports I have heard suggest that Audi's 4wd system is better than BMW's and Audi's, but I have no idea if that's really true. Besides, unless you're in certain parts of the USA where they have good driving roads, such as Colorado etc, you won't necessarily get to enjoy any dynamic benefits that the S5 has over the 335i.
One other point, apparently the 335i doesn't have the fast response on the Audi and has some lag, although I understand that this has only become apparent due to the arrival of the new six cylinder S4 which makes the 335i engine feel slightly less responsive.
I've got an S5 and I really like it, not sure how it stacks up against the 335 as I havent driven that.
Dynamically it actually handles and grips pretty well but you do feel a bit removed from it, you can also feel the weight. However, on the move it can be hussled along and when needed is pretty rapid. On long runs its awesome as it is bearly ticking over at legal speeds and kind of wafts along. When you give it beans it goes and the noise is lovely, not like the RS4 V8, slightly more refined...
I have the 6 speed tip which I would take very day over the manual, it just suits the car much more. As a box its great, in boggo auto mode it just does its thing but in sports mode it does adapt to driving style and there is a real difference between sport and normal modes. If yoy use the paddles, the changes arent Ferrari fast but they are fine.
Inside it is top quality as you would expect, once you get used to how the MMI works, then it is pretty easy to get round and everything works well. I have the B&O stereo which is awesome, sounds much better than the stereo in my house!
The only downside is the obvious one, fuel consumption! But you don't buy cars like this by accident so you need to know what you are going to get. I can get mid to late 20s on a steady motorway run if I go easy. Its teens in town and single figures are more than attainable if you really boot it!!
All good fun though, I certainly dont regret getting it and will happily keep it for a while yet! Also , to the OP I can see you have an Elise. I went to the S5 from a Europa and I havent missed the Europa much, day to day not at all!
Dynamically it actually handles and grips pretty well but you do feel a bit removed from it, you can also feel the weight. However, on the move it can be hussled along and when needed is pretty rapid. On long runs its awesome as it is bearly ticking over at legal speeds and kind of wafts along. When you give it beans it goes and the noise is lovely, not like the RS4 V8, slightly more refined...
I have the 6 speed tip which I would take very day over the manual, it just suits the car much more. As a box its great, in boggo auto mode it just does its thing but in sports mode it does adapt to driving style and there is a real difference between sport and normal modes. If yoy use the paddles, the changes arent Ferrari fast but they are fine.
Inside it is top quality as you would expect, once you get used to how the MMI works, then it is pretty easy to get round and everything works well. I have the B&O stereo which is awesome, sounds much better than the stereo in my house!
The only downside is the obvious one, fuel consumption! But you don't buy cars like this by accident so you need to know what you are going to get. I can get mid to late 20s on a steady motorway run if I go easy. Its teens in town and single figures are more than attainable if you really boot it!!
All good fun though, I certainly dont regret getting it and will happily keep it for a while yet! Also , to the OP I can see you have an Elise. I went to the S5 from a Europa and I havent missed the Europa much, day to day not at all!
Edited by Twit on Friday 8th January 17:54
Obviously the cruxt of the issue here is the 4wd.
Does anyone know for sure what 4wd system the BMW uses? Visous Coupling? Torsen Diffs?
Personally I would go with the Audi system with it's Torsen diff and the fact that it is a mechanical system. Mine has been great in the snow, especially now that I don't have bald tyres.
Particularly when trying to get up Icey hills it has been better than anyone else trying. (although most cars were hindered by retard drivers)
Does anyone know for sure what 4wd system the BMW uses? Visous Coupling? Torsen Diffs?
Personally I would go with the Audi system with it's Torsen diff and the fact that it is a mechanical system. Mine has been great in the snow, especially now that I don't have bald tyres.
Particularly when trying to get up Icey hills it has been better than anyone else trying. (although most cars were hindered by retard drivers)
T89 Callan said:
Obviously the cruxt of the issue here is the 4wd.
Does anyone know for sure what 4wd system the BMW uses? Visous Coupling? Torsen Diffs?
Personally I would go with the Audi system with it's Torsen diff and the fact that it is a mechanical system. Mine has been great in the snow, especially now that I don't have bald tyres.
Particularly when trying to get up Icey hills it has been better than anyone else trying. (although most cars were hindered by retard drivers)
Seems similar to the VW / Audi Haldex 4wd??Does anyone know for sure what 4wd system the BMW uses? Visous Coupling? Torsen Diffs?
Personally I would go with the Audi system with it's Torsen diff and the fact that it is a mechanical system. Mine has been great in the snow, especially now that I don't have bald tyres.
Particularly when trying to get up Icey hills it has been better than anyone else trying. (although most cars were hindered by retard drivers)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_xDrive
EK993 said:
T89 Callan said:
Obviously the cruxt of the issue here is the 4wd.
Does anyone know for sure what 4wd system the BMW uses? Visous Coupling? Torsen Diffs?
Personally I would go with the Audi system with it's Torsen diff and the fact that it is a mechanical system. Mine has been great in the snow, especially now that I don't have bald tyres.
Particularly when trying to get up Icey hills it has been better than anyone else trying. (although most cars were hindered by retard drivers)
Seems similar to the VW / Audi Haldex 4wd??Does anyone know for sure what 4wd system the BMW uses? Visous Coupling? Torsen Diffs?
Personally I would go with the Audi system with it's Torsen diff and the fact that it is a mechanical system. Mine has been great in the snow, especially now that I don't have bald tyres.
Particularly when trying to get up Icey hills it has been better than anyone else trying. (although most cars were hindered by retard drivers)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_xDrive
If you genuinely want to get through snow then I would go for the Audi due the the type of 4WD system, I managed to get up a steep icey slope on Wednesday with near bald tyres in my S4.
The other thing is people have been saying that the BMW will be better 'dynamically' which the standard 335i is but how many of these people have driven a 4wd 335? This is bound to impare a car that has been designed for RWD, at least the Audi was always designed to be a 4WD car.
I have an S5 and it's excellent. Different car to the BMW though. Fifth gear compared the two and you can see the episode on Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHj0zbhjLZI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHj0zbhjLZI
A few of the guys on www.e90post.com have gone from the 335i to the 335xi and said there is hardly anything in it drive wise, cam just notice it when the snow arrives.
The BMW awd system is actually very good, there was a German test done about 18 months ago with a BMW, Audi and Volvo driving up a Ski slope, all had Mud+Snow tyres on and the BMW was the only one that made it up without a problem.
Why not tale them both out and decide??
I like the A5, however I think the S5 feels extremely nose heavy and the steering feels really, really wooly, just no feedback at all. But looks great and a really nice cabin. If it were me though I would get an S4 avant with the new 3.0T engine or the A6 avant with the 3.0T engine, just don't think Audis suit sporty coupes.
The BMW awd system is actually very good, there was a German test done about 18 months ago with a BMW, Audi and Volvo driving up a Ski slope, all had Mud+Snow tyres on and the BMW was the only one that made it up without a problem.
Why not tale them both out and decide??
I like the A5, however I think the S5 feels extremely nose heavy and the steering feels really, really wooly, just no feedback at all. But looks great and a really nice cabin. If it were me though I would get an S4 avant with the new 3.0T engine or the A6 avant with the 3.0T engine, just don't think Audis suit sporty coupes.
Also have an S5 and fairly frequently am in a 335 (though not driving) - the 335 to me seems to have a really harsh suspension setting compared to the S5. Also as someone said above you really can't beat Audi interiors.
Obviously theres the sound of the V8 too
Are you looking at a new S5 as a new S5 with options is getting close to a second hand R8 value, at least in the UK
Obviously theres the sound of the V8 too
Are you looking at a new S5 as a new S5 with options is getting close to a second hand R8 value, at least in the UK
starmonkey said:
Also have an S5 and fairly frequently am in a 335 (though not driving) - the 335 to me seems to have a really harsh suspension setting compared to the S5. Also as someone said above you really can't beat Audi interiors.
Obviously theres the sound of the V8 too
Are you looking at a new S5 as a new S5 with options is getting close to a second hand R8 value, at least in the UK
The pricing is quite a bit different in the US. A new S5 with prestige spec (nav, MMI, keyless entry) tri spoke wheels, driver assist package (rear view camera etc), Drive Select for the adaptive suspension, sport rear differential and some carbon interior bits comes in at around £38k GBP. The equivalent specced UK vehicle is well over £60k.Obviously theres the sound of the V8 too
Are you looking at a new S5 as a new S5 with options is getting close to a second hand R8 value, at least in the UK
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