335i or Audi S5 Convertible

[DoctorCD]

I am ready to buy a new convertible ride, have narrowed it down to two choices, the 335i and the Audi S5 convertible. I test drove them both last weekend.

The S5 seemed to have more front end grunt, and I liked the AWD esp around corners and has a fantastic sport mode that is very easy to distinguish from "soft" or normal drive mode. Did not quite notice the same difference in feel with the 335i sport switch engaged. I found the 335i front end turbo lag a bit long while Audi just seemed to kick in quicker.

On the other hand the 335i seemed to have far better rear seat leg and head room, and the folding hardtop to me is a very big attraction vs softop. I preferred the BMW interior in terms of finish quality but the Audi came close, though gadget and buttonwise the Audi reminded me more of an airplane cockpit while the BMW seemed to have less of the pretty buttons.

I could be very wrong about this and will test drive both again before I decide.

Pricewise at 270k for the Audi and 275k for the 335i they are set up to battle.

I recognise am on a BMW forum but don't mind biased opinions. Also realise much of this will just come down to personal choice. If anybody share any thoughts / advice /facts/ experience or recommendations would be appreciated.

Doc

 

[blackknight88]

Re: 335i or Audi S5 Convertible

get the Audi S5, newer model but using supercharger..BMW 335i, facelift coming this year? Turbo charged, thats why u feel a bit of initial lag.

 

[Slater]

Re: 335i or Audi S5 Convertible

agreed. go for the S5. newer model and nothing sweeter than that 4.2L V8!

 

[SpeedLover]

Re: 335i or Audi S5 Convertible

Hmmm.. 1st of all S5 is a newly launch model in the market, in term of value it does give S5 ahead of 335i. Like blacknight mentioned, 335i could be going for facelift this year which is something that we are not so sure as yet. Do you need the car now?

As for price, 335i only slightly more ex then S5, but the OMV I am very certain that 335i is much better than S5. In term of Power and Torque, S5 is definitely win 335i, 333bhp and 440 Nm as compare to 335i at 306bhp and 400 Nm respectively. As for Acceleration, S5 clocked 5.6s and 335i clocked 6s. Oh yeah, based on the specs, you bet the S5 KICK in faster and more powderful!

S5 comes with 7 speed S-tronic which has a very smooth transmission (believe me is very the smooth I test drive it before). 335i is just a normal 6 speed auto. ;-( More over, I believe S5 comes with the Quattro which is a fantastic technology that Audi has invested, dam!!

Interior and exterior is pretty much a personal choice. I like both. But as for the exterior, I prefer, I just love those day running light, is soo…. Geee… NICE and visible on the road! However, Bimmer's angel eyes look very NICE too, to me a Bimmer without an Angel eyes are not a Bimmer, hahahaha.... I am not so much of the Cabriolet person, so… that has to depends on you. But, I was told that soft top will have one problem… noise! Then again, I am not sure with today technology this has been minimise. Actually I saw a A5 on the road with Teakbraun Metallic geee.. Such an interesting color combination. I am not sure if they offer in S5. Whatever is the case, I always find that A5 or S5 look dam solid on WHITE… again, personal choice ya!

Seriously, is the real leg room that important to you?

Finally, for me… I will go for S5, as I do have a soft spot for Audi nowadays… ;-)

As for you, most important thing is to test drive the car, nothing beat to test drive the car and get the feeling of driving it. After all, it is going to be your baby… YOU must feel GOOD!!! Especially when you have to spend some serious money on it!

So, don’t forget to take me for a ride whichever model you go after and good luck on your decision.

agreed. go for the S5. newer model and nothing sweeter than that 4.2L V8!

Bro Slater, actually S5 only a 3.0 TFSI, hmm... I wonder what kind of power it will produce with 4.2L

 

[Markus]

Re: 335i or Audi S5 Convertible

The 335 is now 7-speed DCT; has been for about a year. Audi is nicer to look at but not so sure about handling - tends to oversteer and prone to wheel spin unless its AWD. Get a PI 335i and the 40k difference in price may make the decision easier :chinese:

 

[Slater]

Re: 335i or Audi S5 Convertible

Hmmm.. 1st of all S5 is a newly launch model in the market, in term of value it does give S5 ahead of 335i. Like blacknight mentioned, 335i could be going for facelift this year which is something that we are not so sure as yet. Do you need the car now?

As for price, 335i only slightly more ex then S5, but the OMV I am very certain that 335i is much better than S5. In term of Power and Torque, S5 is definitely win 335i, 333bhp and 440 Nm as compare to 335i at 306bhp and 400 Nm respectively. As for Acceleration, S5 clocked 5.6s and 335i clocked 6s. Oh yeah, based on the specs, you bet the S5 KICK in faster and more powderful!

S5 comes with 7 speed S-tronic which has a very smooth transmission (believe me is very the smooth I test drive it before). 335i is just a normal 6 speed auto. ;-( More over, I believe S5 comes with the Quattro which is a fantastic technology that Audi has invested, dam!!

Interior and exterior is pretty much a personal choice. I like both. But as for the exterior, I prefer, I just love those day running light, is soo…. Geee… NICE and visible on the road! However, Bimmer's angel eyes look very NICE too, to me a Bimmer without an Angel eyes are not a Bimmer, hahahaha.... I am not so much of the Cabriolet person, so… that has to depends on you. But, I was told that soft top will have one problem… noise! Then again, I am not sure with today technology this has been minimise. Actually I saw a A5 on the road with Teakbraun Metallic geee.. Such an interesting color combination. I am not sure if they offer in S5. Whatever is the case, I always find that A5 or S5 look dam solid on WHITE… again, personal choice ya!

Seriously, is the real leg room that important to you?

Finally, for me… I will go for S5, as I do have a soft spot for Audi nowadays… ;-)

As for you, most important thing is to test drive the car, nothing beat to test drive the car and get the feeling of driving it. After all, it is going to be your baby… YOU must feel GOOD!!! Especially when you have to spend some serious money on it!

So, don’t forget to take me for a ride whichever model you go after and good luck on your decision.





Bro Slater, actually S5 only a 3.0 TFSI, hmm... I wonder what kind of power it will produce with 4.2L

sorry. mistook it for S5 coupe.

the 335 0-100km/h is 5.3 secs btw. and the 335 also comes with 7 speed DCT.

 

[g75y]

Re: 335i or Audi S5 Convertible

S5 for all the reasons mentioned : latest model, great engine, quattro, DRL, beautiful interior, audi drive select

If you prefer the 335, then why not consider pre-owned. There are plenty on the market and they show up all the time.

 

[TripleM]

Re: 335i or Audi S5 Convertible

For 335, if I were ya, I'd consider a used one only at this stage..shud be quite a few in the mkt
S5 on the other hand is diff coz it's so new..

 

[kenntona]

Re: 335i or Audi S5 Convertible

I disagreed with almost everything you observed, Doctor, but heck, just for sharing sake, I will pen my personal perspectives down.

Power/Torque - I am not sure how you feel the "lag". I test drove both cars, and I still think the 335 cab is much more responsive. Its 400NM torque band ranges from 1500 to 4000 RPM, while S5's 440 NM peaks around 3000 RPM. Definitely felt different from your take.

Handling - Audi's AWD system felt funny, given it rear 60/40 biased power split versus its 58/42 weight distribution. Around corners, it understeers. The bimmer cabrio's weight distribution is 53/47 and much more nippy around corners. Again, cannot agree with your observation on handling.

Weight - 335 cab is 1.8 tons. S5 cab is 1.9 tons. Diff is about 100 kgs. This perhaps explain the sluggish feel on the S5 cab.

Soft/Hard Top mechanism - there are 700 parts in BMW's hardtop, compare to the soft-top of the S5. Imagine the creaks and sounds after a few years. My previous ride is an e46 cabrio, soft-top, and I had minor creaks here and there...... S5's canopy takes 15 secs to open/close, BMW's hardtop is over 20 secs.

Exterior and interior, S5 cab beats the 335 cab hands down. The S5 softtop is more elegant and sexy than the hard-top look of the 335 cab. Again, we differ here.

 

[hitmee]

Re: 335i or Audi S5 Convertible

My heart says BMW
My head says AUDI

either choice, U win.
If u dun intend to mod, go for S5.

 

[ac323]

Re: 335i or Audi S5 Convertible

I am ready to buy a new convertible ride, have narrowed it down to two choices, the 335i and the Audi S5 convertible. I test drove them both last weekend.

The S5 seemed to have more front end grunt, and I liked the AWD esp around corners and has a fantastic sport mode that is very easy to distinguish from "soft" or normal drive mode. Did not quite notice the same difference in feel with the 335i sport switch engaged. I found the 335i front end turbo lag a bit long while Audi just seemed to kick in quicker.

On the other hand the 335i seemed to have far better rear seat leg and head room, and the folding hardtop to me is a very big attraction vs softop. I preferred the BMW interior in terms of finish quality but the Audi came close, though gadget and buttonwise the Audi reminded me more of an airplane cockpit while the BMW seemed to have less of the pretty buttons.

I could be very wrong about this and will test drive both again before I decide.

Pricewise at 270k for the Audi and 275k for the 335i they are set up to battle.

I recognise am on a BMW forum but don't mind biased opinions. Also realise much of this will just come down to personal choice. If anybody share any thoughts / advice /facts/ experience or recommendations would be appreciated.

Doc

Hi Doc,

both are great cars..........after reading thru your view i think if you prefer a soft top than S5 will be the choice if not otherwise 335i................if it is the interior that you like most then 335i is the choice (since you mention interior 335i is nicer)

for me i also have this issue last August when choosing the Boxster or the new Z4.......after all the look see look see and test drive on both ride finally i prefer the Z4 interiror 100percent more than the Boxster (as i will be driving inside and not outside) so for me is the new Z4 over the Boxster when doing my search last year...................

but then again S5 is the newer model vs an out going model (soon).....is like comparing the current SLK and the new Z4........(argh.................) How about the z4 (S35i)???

in terms of power department i will have to agreed with Kenntona.............(moreover can still juice-up the 335i)

anyway in sg alot of start stop driving unless you track it................

go with your heart is the best after all you will be the one enjoying it...........

happy searching......

vroom vroom
cheers

 

[kuvesh]

Re: 335i or Audi S5 Convertible

IMO the bmw has better re-sale and the look does not go stale as fast as the audi's.

dont get me wrong, i was jealous the first time a s5 pulled up along side me last year (the first thing i actually noticed was the exhaust rumble and led lights), however, these days i actually prefer the bmw look (and its not because i own one...)

 

[ac323]

Re: 335i or Audi S5 Convertible

BMW = Sheer Driving Pleasure......................

cheers

 

[Solidgold]

Re: 335i or Audi S5 Convertible

335 is a 3-series cab. S5 is not an A4 cab.

Note that there is a 3.0L turbo version with Quattro and DSG. This is using the new 5 cylinder implementation if I am not wrong with super response at the low-end rev.

This is good because it is not the same as the S5 coupe which is 4.2L V8. So for fuel efficiency and lower road tax..definitely a plus point.

 

[Slater]

Re: 335i or Audi S5 Convertible

335 is a 3-series cab. S5 is not an A4 cab.

Note that there is a 3.0L turbo version with Quattro and DSG. This is using the new 5 cylinder implementation if I am not wrong with super response at the low-end rev.

This is good because it is not the same as the S5 coupe which is 4.2L V8. So for fuel efficiency and lower road tax..definitely a plus point.

A5 is a A4 cab and S5 is a supped up A5. so why isnt S5 an A4 cab?

 

[stefman]

Re: 335i or Audi S5 Convertible

IMO the bmw has better re-sale and the look does not go stale as fast as the audi's.

dont get me wrong, i was jealous the first time a s5 pulled up along side me last year (the first thing i actually noticed was the exhaust rumble and led lights), however, these days i actually prefer the bmw look (and its not because i own one...)

+1 pretty much my opinion as well. The only thing I liked better about the S5 over the 335 at the time I was choosing was that I could get a V8 for the price of the 335 as compared to getting an M3. In the end, I'm happy with my choice and lower road tax

 

[zag]

Re: 335i or Audi S5 Convertible

+1 pretty much my opinion as well. The only thing I liked better about the S5 over the 335 at the time I was choosing was that I could get a V8 for the price of the 335 as compared to getting an M3. In the end, I'm happy with my choice and lower road tax

RS5 will be meaner though...

 

[Solidgold]

Re: 335i or Audi S5 Convertible

A5 is a A4 cab and S5 is a supped up A5. so why isnt S5 an A4 cab?

I remember there was an A4 cab. Maybe they dropped that in 2010. S5 and A5 look totally different compared to A4.
335 has the same shell as the 3-series. Like a 2 door version of 3-series. A5/S5 is not a 2-door version of an A4..
That's my observation.

 

[Slater]

Re: 335i or Audi S5 Convertible

I remember there was an A4 cab. Maybe they dropped that in 2010. S5 and A5 look totally different compared to A4.
335 has the same shell as the 3-series. Like a 2 door version of 3-series. A5/S5 is not a 2-door version of an A4..
That's my observation.

335 cab does not look like its sedan sibling in many ways. knowing the A5 and S5 its definitely a coupe/ cab version of the A4 models that audi produces are similiar to bmw. not difficult to see where the A5/S5 are derived from.

 

[Terry]

Re: 335i or Audi S5 Convertible

buy e class convertible la