Pick up new car tomorrow - S3 going

[PNH80]

But people are loyal to the marques they drive. While I agree with what your saying I can understand the Audi drivers arguing the toss.

What I don't agree with is the sweeping statements that the majority seem to come out with about other marques and BM's in particular (on the forum as a whole most of the 8p chaps seem to be fairly rounded)

J.

I for one am always defensive of my own car. I am an Audi fan...hence i chose to drive one! The whole 'posh golf' thing never fails to enrage me or "should have saved yourself £8K and bought a Seat Cupra, mate!".

As long as any comment is an educated one, positive or negative....It should be welcome.

 

[Spin140]

By the way Spin... Where are your photos??!!

Not had chance to get any decent shots yet as it rained for my first few days of ownership and I've not got around to cleaning it yet, I have got a few phone shots that I'll upload tonight.

Spin

 

[Sundoo]

There is no doubt, BMW makes some very decent performance cars! But honestly if I had to choice between BMW 335i and Audi S5, my choice would be the S5, without even considering the BMW. For me the S5 have the engine note, the look, the interior and all weather performance advantage (Quattro) and before you guys say that the BMW is better, let me show you guys some facts:

Hockenheim track times tested by the german magazine called Sport Auto

Audi S5 : 1:17,2
BMW 335i : 1:18,0

Another german car magazine called Autobild, Sportscars ranked the cars in there test like this:
1. Audi S5
2.BMW 335i
3.Mercedes CLK 500

And even at the mighty ring the times by sport auto are:

Audi S5 : 8.24
BMW 335i : 8.26

So in my world Audi are doing a hell of a good job and the difference isn´t that much between the to cars and as a daily driving car in all kind of weather my choice is clear. For me the S5 is the true winner!

BTW at the ring GP track Autobild had a group test ( BMW 135i vs Audi S3 vs VW R32) and the track time were:

BMW 135i : 1:50,29
Audi S3 : 1:50,04
VW R32 : 1:54,23

So even if the BMW is RWD and has more horsepower, it still isn´t faster on that track. So the S3 isn´t that much slower, then the more powerfull RWD 135i

 

[Spin140]

There is no doubt, BMW makes some very decent performance cars! But honestly I had to choice between BMW 335i and Audi S5, my choice would be the S5, without even considering the BMW. For me the S5 have the engine note, the look, the interior and all weather performance advantage (Quattro) and before you guys say that the BMW is better, let me show you guys some facts:

Hockenheim track times tested by the german magazine called Sport Auto

Audi S5 : 1:17,2
BMW 335i : 1:18,0

Another german car magazine called Autobild, Sportscars ranked the cars in there test like this:
1. Audi S5
2.BMW 335i
3.Mercedes CLK 500

And even at the mighty ring the times by sport auto are:

Audi S5 : 8.24
BMW 335i : 8.26

So in my world Audi are doing a good job and the difference isn´t that much and as an daily driving car in all kind of weather my choice is clear. For me the S5 is the true winner!

BTW at the ring GP track Autobild had a group test ( BMW 135i vs Audi S3 vs VW R32) and the track time was:

BMW 135i : 1:50,29
Audi S3 : 1:50,04
VW R32 : 1:54,23

So even if the BMW is RWD and has more horsepower, it still isn´t faster on that track. So the S3 isn´t that much slower then the more powerfull RWD 135i

Yes but is the Audi as enjoyable to drive ?!?

The figures you have quoted are very impressive but the differences minor, out of the 135i and the S3 I would take the S3 based mainly on looks, for the S5 versus 335i comparison I would take the 335i because the S5 looks like a boat when the 2 are side by side, the S5 is externally massive and internally tiny - IMO its a pointless car, I'll admit I was very fond of them initially but that was before I drove the 3.0TDI back to back with the 335D, I'm a real die hard Audi fan but the 335 is far better than the A5/S5 in every respect save wet weather traction then you factor in MPG and road taxation as the winner becomes clear but again it all depends what you are looking for. One final point refers to the percieved interior quality, no doubt Audi use the very best of materials but have you taken a good look inside any A5 variant, reminds me of cars of the 80's with its boxy approach to dash board design, very very dull, an A3, TT it certainly isn't. How many of us would actually take a second look at the A5 if it didn't have those sexy LED's ?!?

 

[Sundoo]

Yes but is the Audi as enjoyable to drive ?!?

The figures you have quoted are very impressive but the differences minor, out of the 135i and the S3 I would take the S3 based mainly on looks, for the S5 versus 335i comparison I would take the 335i because the S5 looks like a boat when the 2 are side by side, the S5 is externally massive and internally tiny - IMO its a pointless car, I'll admit I was very fond of them initially but that was before I drove the 3.0TDI back to back with the 335D, I'm a real die hard Audi fan but the 335 is far better than the A5/S5 in every respect save wet weather traction then you factor in MPG and road taxation as the winner becomes clear but again it all depends what you are looking for. One final point refers to the percieved interior quality, no doubt Audi use the very best of materials but have you taken a good look inside any A5 variant, reminds me of cars of the 80's with its boxy approach to dash board design, very very dull, an A3, TT it certainly isn't. How many of us would actually take a second look at the A5 if it didn't have those sexy LED's ?!?

I have actually driven both and I like the way the S5 goes. For me the S5 has the whole package and im not talking about track days but here in Denmark it rains and snows alot. My S3 is perfect and the S5 is even better. As for the A5 3.0 TDI, I think it´s more of a comparison to the BMW 330d and then in my book the A5 is the winner. The biturbo diesel from 335d is fantastic and better then the 3.0 TDI, but then I dont think that 335d compare to A5 3.0 TDI. Audi should make a biturbo diesel as well.

As for the looks, I love the way the S5 looks. I know that those LED make a huge difference, but that is like the BMW´s xenon lights. IMO If I see a black S5 and a black 335i with M sports package I would´t even look at the BMW. Interior wise I like the A/S5 interior...have you seen the interior in BMW....that is so boring. Sorry to say, but the only 3 series I like is the new M3 coupé.

 

[Spin140]

. IMO If I see a black S5 and a black 335i with M sports package I would´t even look at the BMW. Interior wise I like the A/S5 interior...have you seen the interior in BMW....that is so boring. Sorry to say, but the only 3 series I like is the new M3 coupé.

Couldn't help but laugh out loud at this bit, I have a 2 week old Black 335D M Sport coupe!

My car is anything but boring with full red leather and privacy glass.


Without personal taste we wouldn't be individuals, The A5/S5 didn't tick all the boxes for me especially dynamically, strange that I set out to buy a 335i manual and ended up with a 335D, I wouldn't of even considered the S5 as to me its the poor relation to the inevitable RS5 but I guess thats testimont to the very satisfying test drive in the BM, the twin turbo 286bhp derv really is a revelation and once mapped with its 340bhp the S5 is relegated to a big, thirsty marketing excercise.

 

[PNH80]

My opinion on the S5 is from real world experience and every review i've ever read comparing the 2 cars. None have ever placed it above the 335i. Track times are great but no car of mine will ever see a track so it's of little significance.

The S5 has 50bhp more and yet only reaches 62 in a straight line 0.4 secs quicker (on paper) but when you hit the twisty stuff...forget about it. The S5 has too much body roll and the engine doesn't get the power down rapidly/agressively enough in and out of tight corners (long sweeping track corners may be different). This also applies to overtaking at low speeds (going on all reviews i've read). In the real world, the 335i is the faster car. Oh and it's considerably more economical...Again a real world factor worth considering.
I personally would compare the A5/S5 more to the 6 series than the 3 series coupe. The 335i coupe is a true performance sports coupe wheras the S5 is a bit more flabby, the interior detracts from the hard-edged sporting feel (it's more like a luxury GT car) and it has more buttons and switches than the starship enterprise.

Don't get me wrong though, would i have an S5? F**k yes, course i would. But my point is they haven't really given a definitive answer to the 335i.

This is the conclusion MSN cars reached:

"Would we buy it?


The S5's biggest problem is the BMW 335i. Admittedly the Audi feels a bit more premium but the BMW blows it out of the water in almost every other respect. It's comprehensively far more enjoyable to drive, looks sharper, arguably has a better interior, uses much less fuel and, to cap it all, is significantly cheaper. Against the CLK the Audi fares a lot better and carries the day against the aging and overpriced Mercedes, although it's still not as nice to drive. Ultimately though the S5 infuriates as much as it delights and, in this sector at least, Audi has failed to land a decisive blow on either of its domestic rivals."

Anyway sorry to have hijacked this thread!! I'll shut up now.....

 

[simon-s3]

I'm glad I got the 135i. Personal preference and all that. S3 and 135i times on the ring were so close you couldn't pull them apart, so the 135i can handle and it is certainly fun to drive. To be though, I love the feel of the pull coming out of a corner, the push into the seat going up slip roads and away form traffic lights, the back end twitching up the road and hangin out on corners needing a bit of reverse lock. I didn't get any of this in the S3, that is why I changed. Don;t get me wron I liked th S3 but I couildn't "enjoy" driving enough and that is why I changed. The 135i is just raw fun and more of a driver involved car and in a straight line will eat the S3 for dinner. Every time I fool it I grin and the power......ooooooh what remap shall I choose ?????? NO ! stop me, I must finish running it in first, only done 1995 miles so not fully loose yet, but being ragged at every opportunity.

 

[Spin140]

I'm glad I got the 135i. Personal preference and all that. S3 and 135i times on the ring were so close you couldn't pull them apart, so the 135i can handle and it is certainly fun to drive. To be though, I love the feel of the pull coming out of a corner, the push into the seat going up slip roads and away form traffic lights, the back end twitching up the road and hangin out on corners needing a bit of reverse lock. I didn't get any of this in the S3, that is why I changed. Don;t get me wron I liked th S3 but I couildn't "enjoy" driving enough and that is why I changed. The 135i is just raw fun and more of a driver involved car and in a straight line will eat the S3 for dinner. Every time I fool it I grin and the power......ooooooh what remap shall I choose ?????? NO ! stop me, I must finish running it in first, only done 1995 miles so not fully loose yet, but being ragged at every opportunity.

There is no doubt the 135i is very, very quick. Evo have just managed 5.0 sec 0-60 in their longtermer using timing gear so just imagine the performance once mapped.

I have always maintained the S3 is a fantastic car but would agree with you on the driver involvement theory to use a well used quote "... a little too clinical..." the same argument is also being levelled at the new TTS.
This doesn't make either of the Audi's a bad car in fact for the majority it will tick all boxes and provide a real grin inducing form of transport in a safe manner - some of us rightly or wrongly like our cars to require a bit more input, I never realised what side I sat on until I swapped the S3 for a FWD TT, I actually enjoyed the torque steer and excessive wheel spin that was on offer when in the mood for some fun, I found I was grinning at lower speeds and often which made the fun more readily available, I often referred to the mapped TT as a hooligan which led me to try cars outside of the Audi brand.

The 335d is a little more sedate than the 135i but when the mood takes me I put it into Manual Sport mode, disengage the TCS and woo hooo!!!

I'm pretty confident I'll return to the Audi brand but I can also see the BMW staying in the family to provide a contrast.

The main thing is we are all happy with our choices, if not ****** sell it lifes too short ....

 

[simon-s3]

There is no doubt the 135i is very, very quick. Evo have just managed 5.0 sec 0-60 in their longtermer using timing gear so just imagine the performance once mapped.

I have always maintained the S3 is a fantastic car but would agree with you on the driver involvement theory to use a well used quote "... a little too clinical..." the same argument is also being levelled at the new TTS.
This doesn't make either of the Audi's a bad car in fact for the majority it will tick all boxes and provide a real grin inducing form of transport in a safe manner - some of us rightly or wrongly like our cars to require a bit more input, I never realised what side I sat on until I swapped the S3 for a FWD TT, I actually enjoyed the torque steer and excessive wheel spin that was on offer when in the mood for some fun, I found I was grinning at lower speeds and often which made the fun more readily available, I often referred to the mapped TT as a hooligan which led me to try cars outside of the Audi brand.

The 335d is a little more sedate than the 135i but when the mood takes me I put it into Manual Sport mode, disengage the TCS and woo hooo!!!

I'm pretty confident I'll return to the Audi brand but I can also see the BMW staying in the family to provide a contrast.

The main thing is we are all happy with our choices, if not ****** sell it lifes too short ....

Agree.

My mate has the 335d and it is a very fast car despite being diesel. I was so tempted to get on myself. The mad monster in my held be to petrol one more time....maybe next time it will be a TD, but with the MPG etc I can get form this 135i, who knows ?

 

[Iggu]

Evo have just managed 5.0 sec 0-60 in their longtermer

I'm confused Spin - evo haven't got a 135i in Fast Fleet and have never had one as far as I can recollect.

 

[Spin140]

I'm confused Spin - evo haven't got a 135i in Fast Fleet and have never had one as far as I can recollect.

Getting my magazines mixed up, think it was performance car the latest edition but will confirm later.

Spin

 

[Oli.]

, I found the 135i to be great fun with a particularly playful rear end, the performance was amazing with a slight edge over the 335i I suspect due to the weight advantage,

I know what you mean, Ive only driven the 123d, but it was a lot more chuckable than the 3 series. There is only 40kg difference between the 135i and the 335i!!!!, where is all the weight on the 1 series???

 

[simon-s3]

I know what you mean, Ive only driven the 123d, but it was a lot more chuckable than the 3 series. There is only 40kg difference between the 135i and the 335i!!!!, where is all the weight on the 1 series???

Much if the weight was in making the chassis far more rigid to improve handling over the 130i which was rather poor. Also it is only 8 inches shorter and 1.5 inches narrower with all the same spec equipment inside.