Audi S5, or BMW 440i/435

[anonymous-user]

Hello,

So for a while I have been considering changing my car. I have an Audi A4 2l ultra diesel s line. Its a great car, gives me close to 60mpg on my commute and is a relaxing haven following a tough day. However a friend turned up in his mental C63 AMG s the other day and following a drive i thought.... I need to do something.

Not being a major fan or Merc, and being put off by the prices, I started to look at M4 and RS5 as options. I ruled these out as I was worried about their appeal to less scrupulous people while sat on my drive as although I live in a nice area, most the neighbours have more normal cars. Also the MPG's and running costs of these put me off.

That brought me to the more sensible S5 or BMW 440i and recently the 435d xdrive when I realised performance wise it matches the S5 for performance but with a few extra mpgs.

Having driven the S5 it feels great, but I fear on my commute will feel quite like my own now, while behind the typical outside lane hogs, but getting half the mpg.

The BMW would feel different as its a different cockpit and reminds me of my younger days when I stupidly got a Z4 2.5 litre which was fun but so impractical - white with red leather looked superb, but I am not the type of guy who looks good getting out of a car like that.

I suppose my question is, does anyone have experience of living with any of the cars I am considering, and how have people consoled themselves when going from a steady saloon to a more outrageous car in terms of the monthly outgoings, mpg and this new horrible tax system?

[anonymous-user]

juggsy said:

Costs other than mpg definitely have to be factored in, my VED renewal is £450, and obviously look at insurance if you’re moving from a lower powered diesel. I was in a Golf GTD before this, and to be honest other than the VED it doesn’t feel like I’m paying huge amounts more, that’s the main yearly sting outside of insurance (which isn’t much more than the Golf). I also have a service package in the deal which helps the running costs, so try and get that thrown into any deal.

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 10th November 18:44

cheers for the quick reply. Yeah I think its just the idea of me not needing to do this, but wanting to and justifying it so I have gone through all these extra costs. The insurance isnt too bad. The VED one does seem mad (£40k is such a small amount now and so many cars are impacted).

Did you consider any others when moving to the BMW?

JonChalk said:

Well this was my S5 economy on a long, relaxed motorway drive back from France this summer - best I've ever managed. Suspect the 440i about the same. Usually 35mpg is the very best I get day-to-day, but there's no mway in this. Averages 30/32.



If you're not prepared to accept something around this, then I would suggest sticking with the diesel.

I agree on your last point, and I think that is the thing I need to get round. As a % of salary the z4 was a silly decision back when I was freshly qualified, and now the S5 would be less than half as a % but it is something I need to come to terms with.

My big concern before driving it was whether it was going to feel too like mine under normal driving and if I would have enough of the fun driving to justify it. Some mornings you just want that relaxing run into work. Weekends are different as my youngest is only 7 months and hates being in the car. Over time it will be easier and the excuse may become more sound.

What did you have prior, and what did you consider when getting the S5?

I guess the other aspect is whether to wait to see the impact of Brexit. My prediction is that it will lead to higher prices, but we may also see Diesel get more expensive as they try to wipe that out first....

Decisions decisions. Not a bad situation to be in of course

[anonymous-user]

JonChalk said:

Came from a mk3 TTS, so the S5 is actually larger, faster, more economical and considerably more relaxed and comfortable, so a bit similar to a Z4 > 440i move.

Ah cool. Yeah my car history has been odd.

A4 then Z4 when i was finished with my PhD - was a stupid impractical purchase. Then went to Evoque as the plan was kids, but only when we bought prams did we realise it was absolutely awful So I then looked for something decent and the A4 hit the mark - with incredible mpg (from around 30 in the old two) to 58 and I have driven in in eco practically all the time.

This would be a change in mindset, and obviously have to factor in some negative equity as I am 2 years into a 4 year deal

Test driving the bmw tomorrow and then looking to make a decision.

Would you buy the S5 again?

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

If you want the best of all worlds do what my OH did after (after buying a Macan that she decided she didn't like after a week) her commute changed, which was to buy an Alpina D3.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If you're not sure then check out these reviews:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7yi6Ivgqh4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoRAeL8qgSM

They're very hard (because most people that buy them keep them, that & the fact that Alpina only produce 2700 cars per year) to find but so worthy ours has been fantastic the only thing the she misses from her previous C63 is the noise, the ride is amazing how they make it ride better (on 20's) than my M3 is beyond me & then there's the performance which is just plain M3 fast when you want it to be.

Or if you want 4wd then go for the XD3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or the bigger D5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Now some will say that you can buy a 335d cheaper map it change the spring & that you virtually have the same car, you don't.

Before buying the D3 we tried a standard 335d & a Schnitzer fettled 335d neither were a patch on the D3, then there's the interior that whilst being similar feels that bit more special (ours has a fair few options ticked) than either of the two mentioned above.

Cheers - the alpina's do look quite smart. Availability may be a challenge, but I will have a look.

[anonymous-user]

Bit bullet. Ordered the S5

Plenty of fun to be had, just need to ensure I don't misfuel it

Thanks for comments. They all helped

[anonymous-user]

JonChalk said:

Good man, well-bitten bullet.

Sportback or Coupe? Colour? (Daytona Grey is the only colour.

Coupe - went navarro blue. My A4 is Daytona so had to do something different. Also my previous A4 and my evoque prior were greys too. First blue car....

My big concern now is ensuring i don't misfuel it

[anonymous-user]

ironically stalling decision until tomorrow - agreed in theory over email - yet to pay deposit.

The thing that concerns me is the idea of someone seeing it and the car making my house a target. The M4 would be a bigger beacon again. How have you guys got round that aspect? I live in a nice area, have a drive, but not garage.

Got to feel for the poor dealer having to deal with me

[anonymous-user]

juggsy said:

I’ve got to disagree there. Having had a 420 as a courtesy whilst my 440 was being repaired, they are massively different engines. I found the 420 4-pot much slower, muted noise, and far less engaging overall. The 435 is more comparable.

M4s are great, but given the OP’s considerations on cost a 440 gets you well on the way there without the extra buying/fuel/insurance/maintenance costs and is still a perfectly quick car for everyday driving.

It’s a moot point though, he bought the S5

For what its worth - to me the M4 is the crazy choice. Mental in so many aspects and superb. If you can take it on a track that is where you will see the true power of it.

On the road however, yes you will get the added noise, but the performance advantage does not really justify the bigger costs in everything from servicing, fuel, mpg and overall cost. I mean, if you are on roads where you have to stick to the limit, does it matter if you get to 70 0.5 seconds quicker. Also what is the delta between 40 and 80 - the speeds you need for overtaking etc. When I have watched the S5 vs RS5 on the autobahns and they do the comparative speeds from 0 to flat out, you are doing illegal speeds in 5 seconds (uk wise) in both and then the RS5 finds it way through the 100mph+ numbers quicker, but we dont get that chance.

Also the S5 feels like the sensible option, as would a 440i (if they did 4 wheel drive) 95% of the fun, at 70% (at a guess) of the cost.

finally, - my drive to work is quite a lot of motorway - were it across the moss (an area of bends and great driving roads) then that would make that M4 feel a more suitable option, on the days its not raining, snowing or a tractor hasnt been out putting crap on the roads

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 11th November 16:39