[DailySleeper]

I know these types of threads really come down to personal preferences, but has anyone cross shopped against the new Audi S5? It's not a typical "within class" comparison.

I'm currently in a CTS V-Sport and looking to get into a M240xi. I was looking for a smaller car for DD purposes, short commute. X-drive due to wife stipulations (I have a 550hp RWD MT weekend car).

In my due diligence, I test drove a 2018 S5 coupe today and was frankly surprised for a car of its size. Salesman let me get on it and I found the acceleration to be crisp and for a larger car, it felt as if I was driving a smaller car.

The Virtual Cockpit is cool, but I don't see myself staring at the display while I'm driving so it's a wash for me. The rest of interior did feel higher quality than the BMW however the leather/trim options were slim. Engine/exhaust sound wasn't horrible, but points go to the M240 for me.

With my budget at 65k, it is on the upper end of what I want to spend for a DD. The local BMW dealership is a Dinan retailer/installer and I was planning on spending some of the leftover budget on an Elite, exhaust, and springs, which I imagine will only enhance the performance of the M240.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by DailySleeper

I know these types of threads really come down to personal preferences, but has anyone cross shopped against the new Audi S5? It's not a typical "within class" comparison.

I'm currently in a CTS V-Sport and looking to get into a M240xi. I was looking for a smaller car for DD purposes, short commute. X-drive due to wife stipulations (I have a 550hp RWD MT weekend car).

In my due diligence, I test drove a 2018 S5 coupe today and was frankly surprised for a car of its size. Salesman let me get on it and I found the acceleration to be crisp and for a larger car, it felt as if I was driving a smaller car.

The Virtual Cockpit is cool, but I don't see myself staring at the display while I'm driving so it's a wash for me. The rest of interior did feel higher quality than the BMW however the leather/trim options were slim. Engine/exhaust sound wasn't horrible, but points go to the M240 for me.

With my budget at 65k, it is on the upper end of what I want to spend for a DD. The local BMW dealership is a Dinan retailer/installer and I was planning on spending some of the leftover budget on an Elite, exhaust, and springs, which I imagine will only enhance the performance of the M240.

No, and won't. Have a 2016 Audi A6. Between my assessment of quality and deceptive customer relations related to failure to cover a warrantiable issue, it doesn't matter to me how well their cars drive. I won't have another one.

[WarrENDeatH]

Hard cars to cross shop against each other. I think they both bring something slightly different to the table. You're also in a BMW forum, so not many people will bring a high opinion of Audi here. Sometimes they do, depends on what BMW you do buy.


As far as interior though? Audi wins...hands down.

[aerobod]

The S5 interior definitely looks better than in the M240i (or any BMW for that matter). BMW interiors have better ergonomics in general, though. The use of different shaped buttons, placement and functionality of the iDrive vs MMI controller, direct access to important functions - all are ahead in the BMW. It is really a question if you want the interior to look nice or be easier to operate without taking your eyes off the road.

Sitting in the 2017 S5 interior, it seemed to have similar ergonomic issues to our 2016 Golf R - buttons around the console that all feel the same, so I have to look down to see what I'm pressing and steering wheel buttons that are positioned such that multiple buttons or the wrong one is often pressed.

[p912guy]

You probably already know this, but the S5 is more comparable to a 440i XDrive Coupe. I can't speak to the 2018 Audi which has been significantly upgraded, but my wife's 2016 Q5 MMI tech is so inferior to my 2016 BMW iDrive.

[DailySleeper]

I appreciate the comments! I know it's not the best cross comparison and I do understand there might be some bias here, but as I was pretty much settled on the M240, I had a moment of weakness after actually test driving the S5.

I've never owned a BMW or Audi (MB yes) so it's good to hear some real life experience.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by DailySleeper

I appreciate the comments! I know it's not the best cross comparison and I do understand there might be some bias here, but as I was pretty much settled on the M240, I had a moment of weakness after actually test driving the S5.

I've never owned a BMW or Audi (MB yes) so it's good to hear some real life experience.

From my experience with about half a dozen MBs, 4 Bimmers, and 2 Audis, I believe you can much more likely have a positive experience with two of those three brands, as long as you're not taken in by the "prettiest face".

[Mr Carrots]

65k is m4 money, I wouldn't even consider an understeering FWD VAG car at that price point.

Not to mention the new S5 looks way worse than the b 8.5

[Kidu]

I cross shopped the S5 with the 235 and ended up getting the 235 2 years ago. Its a lot more direct and a lot more fun to drive. If I had regular long trips and wanted an experience that was more GT than sports car, then I would pick the S5. But for fun, the 235 wins hands down.
That said, its interesting, your mention of how the S5 doesnt feel big once you drive. I felt that too. It is a really good GT Coupe. Of course, now that the manual is dead, I'd never get one.

[bimmerfile]

Cross shopped both the C43 AMG cabrio and the S5 cabrio as possible replacements for my M235xi cabrio. My youngest son wanted to buy my M235xi and I had planned to replace it with the 2018 M240xi cabrio, but the LCI "updates" were so meh, that I looked for alternatives.
The C43 ragtop was gorgeous inside and out, but was a major disappointment for handling and performance - not on par with the 2-series (IMO).
The S5 ragtop didn't make it past the 1st test which is that a ragtop must be able to hold 2 sets of golf clubs with the top down. Amazing that Audi would build a ragtop with a trunk width narrower than the length of a std driver (golf club, not the idiot behind the wheel).
So I've decided to hang onto my M235xi 'til next gen or something better comes along and my son can look elsewhere.

[USA-RET]

Originally Posted by DailySleeper

With my budget at 65k, it is on the upper end of what I want to spend for a DD. The local BMW dealership is a Dinan retailer/installer and I was planning on spending some of the leftover budget on an Elite, exhaust, and springs, which I imagine will only enhance the performance of the M240.

I shopped Audi and like you I like the Audi interior better (seating only). I was underwhelmed w/ performance and having all the info in front of me isn't a plus IMO. I found out in heavy traffic, in a strange city on an expressway (where everyone is going 90 MPH and weaving in and out), it's nice to have the co-pilot watch the Nav for upcoming exits rather than me try to do everything). Much prefer the center stack arrangement for Nav and media.

You have a really nice budget so an M240i w/ the Dinan upgrades is a nice option. I can tell you that the Elite really changes the car's performance. So you are giving up virtually nothing to a M car in straight line acceleration. Additionally you still have a mild mannered DD. Honestly, unless you track the car (which I assume you will not), the route you plan makes more sense to me.

Good luck on whichever route you go.

[cloewe08]

BMW has 2 major advantages over Audi:

1. RWD-based layout with most of engine behind front axle when Audi has engine over front axle.
2. I6 turbo is superior to Audi's 90 degree V6 turbo (Audi engine needs/has balance shafts and split-pin crank to offset the unnatural 90 degree angle and unbalance of a V6, while the I6 is inherently a superior design and doesn't need balance shafts and weaker split-pin crank.)

[Luftwaffe1O1]

I like the quality of Audi interiors a lot, but overall, I think the initial quality dissipates quickly.

One of my colleagues bought a 2016 TTS launch edition, and man, the amount of crap and rattles in that car is surprising. There is some constant clunking coming from the front dash, the rear hatch makes constant rattling and clunking noises. His seat trim started to come apart, took it in for warranty work, he is sitting at 6 months now, and they haven't gotten the "new" parts for this. Initially they just gave him the car back without the seat trim attached at all, looked terrible.

If I spent north of 60k on a car like that, and had these issues I would have taken a flaming dump at the dealer's doorstep.

There is obviously going to be some bias here, but at 65k budget, you can hit slightly above what you are looking at. I have noticed the Audi offerings tend to be quite overpriced, rather than an M240, you could probably end up in an M3, or M2 quite easily, and S5 vs M2, I would take the M2 10/10 times. If AWD is a requirement for you, that puts things in a bit of a pickle.

In any case, while I have not personally driven the new C43 AMG, I have to say, the benz interiors are killer. My brother in law had just a C250 or something vert with the AMG sport package, and it was quite nice. Id give the C43 coupe a little whirl see how you like that.

[DailySleeper]

Test drove the M240 again today and placed an order to take delivery in November! It's just a fun little car.

[MartyMcFly88MPH]

What is the 550hp RWD MT car?

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by MartyMcFly88MPH

What is the 550hp RWD MT car?

My oldest son recently sold his 2008 135i cabrio & ordered the 2018 Ford GT350 (Shelby) RWD & MT and it comes close with 526 HP & 429 ft-lb torque.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by MartyMcFly88MPH

What is the 550hp RWD MT car?

Why limit it to only 550hp? 707 has a much nicer sound to it! (And, that's not even the Demon!)

https://www.dodge.com/build#/powertr...GM,25R,3EJ,APA

[DailySleeper]

Originally Posted by MartyMcFly88MPH

What is the 550hp RWD MT car?

2011 Camaro SS with some engine work. It's loud, somewhat stripped out, and a lot of suspension work too. Fun to throw around, just big.

[MartyMcFly88MPH]

Originally Posted by DailySleeper

2011 Camaro SS with some engine work. It's loud, somewhat stripped out, and a lot of suspension work too. Fun to throw around, just big.

Fun I'm sure. I assumed either that or a corvette.

[USA-RET]

Traded my 2015 Corvette for the M240i.

Overall the Corvette was great, the A8 automatic was pretty awful. If the C7 had the ZF 8 speed, I'd likely still be driving it.

[CAMOETO]

Originally Posted by DailySleeper

2011 Camaro SS with some engine work. It's loud, somewhat stripped out, and a lot of suspension work too. Fun to throw around, just big.

I had one of those, a 2013 6-speed, but with only 500 HP. That car was fun in many ways but always had the feeling of an incomplete car. Too big, too heavy, limited visibility, etc.

[mike@x-ph.com]

I would pick the M240