[bazz780]

Hey Guys,

We are a friendly bunch on here so i feel its safe to discuss non bmw at times too lol

Currently drive a e90 330d msport

Ants in my pants again and I have the chance to acquire a 10 plate Audi A5 3.0TDi Quattro S Line Sport back in White.

What do you guys reckon? any one had first hand experience?

I will be using the car over the weekend to see if it suits but any comments will be appreciated

regards

[KAnderson]

I've never personally driven one, but they look absolutely stunning. Use the search bar there's a millions similar threads and you'll usually find the same answer - The bimmer is better.

[Ess]

I've never personally driven one so can't comment, but my colleague has one and he previously had a BMW - he often comments that the RWD was much more enjoyable than the Quattro. Then again, he also no longer gets stuck in the snow

[KM79]

Driven the entire range of A5's through work.Its a great car and stunning inside but the drive is a tad dull.Its sprung quite soft and doesn't feel that sporty.The 3 litre V6 is a beast though but I would say there would be very little difference in performance than a 330D.

[SO8]

I love the A5 and it looks great ... but the 330d is so good - I think you would find the difference minimal with the A5 being a bit boring in comparison.

I had a 330d LCI and am kicking myself for having bought something else - I sold it and have lost a great car. Do be careful changing to something almost equal apart from looks ! I bought a new smaller car for the warranty ... but was foolish.

[ukbeemerboy]

330d all day long. A5 is good don't get me wrong but the drive is no where near as good as a E90 330d....

[bazz780]

Wow, some instant decisive answers lol, i was considering it for the newer car aspect plus change of brand tbh.

Can get a 60 plate lci 330d for a lot less but cabin does feel small and i am a bit bored of the dash, dash in a5 looks stunning not to mention the seat comfort, and i am sure a remap would bring the car to life

This is why i am taking the car for a 2 day test drive,

[SO8]

Originally Posted by bazz780

Wow, some instant decisive answers lol, i was considering it for the newer car aspect plus change of brand tbh.

Can get a 60 plate lci 330d for a lot less but cabin does feel small and i am a bit bored of the dash, dash in a5 looks stunning not to mention the seat comfort, and i am sure a remap would bring the car to life

This is why i am taking the car for a 2 day test drive,

The LCI 330d is a fair bit different ...quicker everywhere to a non LCI 330d. 6.7 to 62 down to 6.1 is noticeable ... and I remapped mine to 305bhp via DMS - though preferred it standard !

[Jase 320d]

A5 needs to be a coupe as looks quite fugly in sportback guise

It would be a tough call for me to choose between the 2

Id buy the better condition car

[bazz780]

I have the 330d already in pre lci, lovely car but getting a bit old on 56 plate and can be quite uncomfortable on long journeys and traffic

[ukbeemerboy]

Originally Posted by bazz780

I have the 330d already in pre lci, lovely car but getting a bit old on 56 plate and can be quite uncomfortable on long journeys and traffic

If your looking for an A5 in S Line guise then the ride will be worse than a E90 LCI. The Quattro system makes the ride fidgety and very firm. The transmissions assuming your going for Auto is also very lazy compared to the BMW set up and don't even get me started on the typical Audi light no feel steering. Other than that, the Audi is ok!

Also make sure the 3.0TDi is the 245bhp as they also did a 204bhp model.....

[Soul_Glo]

Just basing it on my experience with the 3.0T engine that was slicker than the BP oil spill.. the thing burned oil at an alarming rate and apparently it is very common. Loads of theories on how there was a bad batch of rings that left the factory. It is probably just poor design. Talking of design I hate the dashboard too. It looks like some kind of failed 80's sports car... like shelf with a box stuck inside... and since coming from an A5 to an E92 I have never looked back. The ride, comfort and handling of the BMW Coupe is in a league of its own. The Audi ride was much more crashy and harsh... I mean there is firm but then there is over doing it and not getting it right type firm.

[bazz780]

I will definitely report back once I take the decision and use car for the weekend, i guess its the only true way to find out if i will take to it or not.

interesting comments and as yet i am still undecided lol.

[bazz780]

thanks mate

this does look appealing:

http://www.approved.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/...tance_ASC|list

[bazz780]

Originally Posted by benharding

I've driven both today. The audi is very nice. But for me too placid. The 335i is awsome and honestly has really impressed me. I'm planning on speaking to a guy on here selling a modified one that is for sale but with a dct box as apparently its faster and better than the usual auto box.

Hmmm, although you did compare to a 335i which is bound to be better and comparable to the s5 not tdi

Its a tough call as id be switching brand for same 3.0tdi engine so will be interesting

The audi does look cracking though and less dated than the lci bmw imo

[bazz780]

Finally drove the audi a5

Initial thoughts -

Very pleasant place to be
Comfortable
Modern
Refined
Powerful
Sounds lovely

The drive was solid and overall the car felt refined and smooth, using the paddles the gears changed effortlessly and the car has plenty of punch, i understand about the steering not being as responsive as the e90 but it is speed sensitive and i can live with that.

However for some reason i am not completely sold on it,
The spec of the one i drove is not great with 18 inch alloys and no electric or heated seats, all it has is xenons, black leather and navigation/bluetooth etc

Although it looks better than the e90 and is an 11 plate, i can not really justify paying double my cars value for it

Il see how it goes over the weekend but looks like its going back.

Perhaps if the spec was better id have considered it so i remain undecided

[makkan00]

Gain v/s money is not there as you cant justify the price of another 330d just to have audi A5.
I have recently compared all the cars (audi, merc, beamers, honda and toyota) to see max gains v/s returned economy.
Bmw ticked most of the boxes except the interior is slightly outdated.
Can't complain especially if you have 6 pot diesel.

[bazz780]

Went out for another spin in the audi and i am taking a liking to it, seats are far more superior, ride is not as harsh as the e90 and the interior/dash at night is really well lit and looks busy. Even the way the speedo and revs flick up when you start the engine makes the car feel special,

I think one more round in the e90 tomorrow and i will see if i prefer the audi or not, but its looking more likely

Regards

[ukbeemerboy]

Originally Posted by bazz780

Went out for another spin in the audi and i am taking a liking to it, seats are far more superior, ride is not as harsh as the e90 and the interior/dash at night is really well lit and looks busy. Even the way the speedo and revs flick up when you start the engine makes the car feel special,

I think one more round in the e90 tomorrow and i will see if i prefer the audi or not, but its looking more likely

Regards

Not sure if your E90 is LCI or not, but if it isn't I'd grab a test drive in a 11 plate 330d. The LCI refined the E90 quite a lot.

Another point to bear in mind, the current A5 is coming to the end of its life with the new one due next year so prices will drop when this happens.

I moved from BMW to Audi a few years ago, it was a switch I wouldn't do again lightly. If you could have the drive and looks of a BMW and the interior of an Audi, you'd have the perfect car in my opinion!