S5 wins hands down.

335 did take the best prize i think. It ryhmes with "glow nob"
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Reading BMW message boards. 80% of BMW drivers in America are clueless.

If I didn't buy the S5 I would buy a 6 series bmw. I know the 335ix has similar performance numbers and AWD is a coupe yada yada yada....but the S5 carries itself differntly to me -- looks bigger and has a classier style to it. I had a 328ia back in 1996 for several years - I wouldn't buy a 3 series again at this point after having larger more luxurious cars (call me a snob). When I saw the S5 I instantly looked at it as a better option to the 6 series BMW I have consider buying, but never had AWD and the performance numbers are ok and in line with the S5. The fit and finish of both are nice, still prefer audi in this department. S5 is a bargain compared to the 650 - not sure what I get out of the 650 for the extra money other than brand which means nothing to me.

Thats just my perspective. I did not shop this against a 3 series and wouldn't in my mind, but thats all I read about. I have read some reviews that compare it to the 6 series, but more comparing it to the 3. I know I am an annomly I guess.

What I found most funny reading the BMW board briefly is how BMW is superior due to its tunability! Took a long time for BMW to put a turbo in there and now that guy is beating his chest. Cracks me up.

Most people think my car is around 90k because of the 650.

"80% of BMW drivers in America are clueless."

- It isn't just BMW drivers. 90% of all drivers in America are clueless. And even if the drivers are all clueless, does that make the cars suck?

BMW might have clueless drivers , but they also have great cars.

FWIW, I do not think that the S5 should be compared against a 335. The A5 should be compared against the 335 IMO.

I feel like I'm walking into a trap... but ok I'll bite... how/why would you compare the A5 and 335? I guess if price is your only factor... IMO that's a very limited way to view these cars (it should be a factor, but not the primary factor).

I'm pretty certain I could come up a lot of very odd comparables if I used price as a primary filter

Not a lot in that larger coupe category that is not a $70K+ car.

The 335 performance is better than the A5 so it wins there, but gas mileage is good on the A5.

The buyer of the A5 is interested in luxury, sporty style, reasonably good performance and depending on where you live, quattro.

There are many cars that fit at description. If price is your primary filter, then the choices are obviously more narrow.

The analogy on the above xpost actually might make some sense. The 3-series is a 20-something year old whereas the A5/S5 is for a bit more mature group. I think this very much fits the emotion/feel I get from these two cars. For me now in my late 30's and where I am professionally, the S5 feels like the better suited car for me.

hey welcome back Spoonie!

I never said BMW's sucked... But it's the one brand more than any other here in the US that gets purchased by a lot of people for the perceived status value. The branding is strong and they earned it by making really good cars.

But a quick glance at that forum page... one guy claims the A5 leather gave him a headache into the next day and another said the plastic interior parts were much worse that the 3 series. I mean come on have you ever read anything that ridiculous? Sure that's a small sample but they're clearly not car people.

Anyone who says that the 3-series interior is nicer than the S5's is high on crack.

I'm gonna test drive the A5. It doesn't have to perform better or even as good as the 335i. Just noticeably better than what I have now. I'll keep you posted.

You option a 335xi similar to a S5 with 19" wheels and its $56,000...... $4,000 more for a fully loaded S5 and you get a V8. Ok... expensive... Talk to me about leather costing $1500 still in a luxury sedan. Thats like paying for a CD player.

The more I look at the 2 cars 335/A5, the more I realize that they are not direct competitors. The same could apply to the S5/335 comparisons. Do you agree?

I haven't looked at a 6 series in a while but when I did I saw an interior that wouldn't look out of place on a $35,000 car. It was a plastic-fest. The quality of the plastics weren't any better than the 3-series.

The seven series interior is a night and day difference from the 6 series IMO. I find it hard to believe that both cars (7 and 6) are similarly priced.

... but currently I'm getting 17 mpg on the 335 with all city driving only. I was getting only 15-16 on the a3.

I drive a pig of a 2.7T everyday (allroad 6spd) and get 21 on a mix......I have got to believe the A6 3.2 is getting 24/25 on the highway, maybe 19/20 in town.

I drive fast FWIW.

Funny thing is I own the Bimmer, but I keep coming over here to see what you guys are doing to your cars. I can't believe how long some of you guys have had to wait.

I'm done reading these types of comparo threads. Both cars have their pros and cons and everyone has their own opinions.

interior seems extremely cluttered.

&lt;/troll&gt;

Roadfly fails miserably in comparison.

I think the 335 and S5 are very much competitors it just happens the S5 is more expensive.

But you are entitled to compare any two cars you want, I simply believe The S5 was very much ment to attack the 3 series coupe, and more over the S5 was meant to be a notch below the RS 5, in the same way the 335 was the best you could get before the M3. I don't think Audi minds, nor feels, their cars have to be cheaper than their competitors. And that's what irks some people, and hence why the A5 is compared to the 335.

I've owned both Audi and BMW and currently have a VW Passat 4Motion and Honda CR-V. I'm currently in the market for a more sporty performing vehicle.

I'm comparing the Audi A5 to the BMW E92/E93 328 and 335, have driven all and am using the following criteria which are weighted differently: Price, Style (interior and exterior), Roominess of rear seat and trunk areas, Acceleration, Handling, Gas MPG, Ride etc. For some criteria, reasonably objective date is available, e.g. MPG, Acceleration etc. Other criteria are subjective to the individual.

In some areas the A5 is superior to some of the BMWs and in others it is not in only my experience but also the objective data.

No doubt, each of us will arrive at different conclusions depending on how we select and view the criteria important to us.

My .02$. YMMV

For less money nicer interior and my opinion, better looks. BMW used to make a true drivers car back in the days of the 2002 and old M3 but now a bloated luxo car like Mercedes and Lexus.

I was thinking of the new 1-series but way overpriced almost 45k for a loaded 135i coupe. Heck if I am gonna spend almost 50k on a car, you really might as well go with the Audi S5 or Porsche Cayman S. Both solid cars. The S5 is more of a GT and the Porsche Cayman S is pure sports car.

What I am waiting for is to see if Audi actually builds a true mid engined sports car like the R4 or RS4 models to compete with Porsche Cayman.

Also the Cayman is due for redesign in 2-3 years and with more power so need to see.

I drove both the S5 and Cayman and for long drives and daily car, the S5 is overall the best and I have driven the fully loaded 335i and just does not have the solid feeling- it does have more sporty feeling but not as nice as the S5.

Since I am on the road so much and home only 1-2 days a week, I would rather have a pure sports car. So will need to wait a few years.

You are right- the BMW forums stink and I am a current BMW owner of a 1996 328is coupe. Great car but have had it several years now and looking to buy a new replacement in couple more years.

Demand is sky high for the S5 so no good deals on it. Caymans have been out for a while now so can land a better deal. Both great cars.

Cayman is a fantastic car and if I did not have 3 kids and like to carry stuff in my car I would have gotten a Cayman over the S5.

For guys like me the S5 is an attractive 3rd car/fun car. Gives near the same performance, but is useful.

I think the most interesting thing coming from BMW is the X6. If that was available sooner I may have considered it. Twin turbo V8...and full utility is very fun.

Exterior Looks, S5 looks more expensive but I think the 335 is more aesthetically pleasing.

Interior Looks. S5 Wins Hands down but 335i is very ergonomically laid out.

Driving feel. BMW wins

Performance. A virtual tie, S5 a bit more grunt, 335 better handling.

Value for $$$$, I think S5 is a better value. 335 is overpriced, should have been 2-3K less then 335 would have won.

Modding potential. 335 wins, turbos rule.

Interior room: 335 wins, roomier backseat.

To summarize: good luck picking between the two. Toughest choice I had to make in a long time. Went with 335 and it has turned out to be one fantastic automobile but I will always think fondly about the S5 as well.