[POLYPOD]

Still pondering what to replace my 2002 E39 530i with. I want to stick to 6 cylinders petrol engines. Should I wait for a one year old M340i (still not released in the UK) or buy now a used Audi S5 Sportback. Great review for M340i re, driving, comfort etc but not sure about the weird instruments and weird grille. Audi also has very good reviews, brilliant cockpit and I like the quad exhausts (silly I know!). Any views, guys?

[MmmmmM2]

The Audi is definitely a nice car and I'm not sold on the M340i yet. It's a tough decision for sure.

[tturedraider]

NOTHING beats an inline six.

[siegester]

I ordered the m340 over the S5. The S5 was more expensive and the 2019 S5 lacks a lot of features found on the m340 and I didnt want to wait on the 2020 S5 to see what new features the update brings. The S5 is a lot slower and softer than the bmw, but has a nicer set of digital guages.

[giorgoXXI]

Originally Posted by POLYPOD

Still pondering what to replace my 2002 E39 530i with. I want to stick to 6 cylinders petrol engines. Should I wait for a one year old M340i (still not released in the UK) or buy now a used Audi S5 Sportback. Great review for M340i re, driving, comfort etc but not sure about the weird instruments and weird grille. Audi also has very good reviews, brilliant cockpit and I like the quad exhausts (silly I know!). Any views, guys?

I agree about Audi's cockpit, its the best out there. Other than that, I think the BMW is better, more powerful, newer tech and a more modern interior in my opinion (Audi's feels dated).

[RedKloud]

S5 is a nice car but the ZF 8 transmission is not as well programmed as the 3 series. The "D" (Drive) mode is almost useless, and even in the "S" (Sport) mode, the car doesn't feel sporty enough.
I had a F30 previously and got into an S5 because the M340i was delayed, now I wish I could have waited for the G20.

[Transfer]

The S5 SB is arguably the nicer car but drive them back to back and the M340i wins without question. The Audi S4/5/SQ5 has a terrible tuning problem when it comes to transmission, throttle, and turbo. Typical Audi steering remains a joke as well compared to BMW. Our SQ5 has been fine and is certainly luxurious but I'm looking forward to lease end in a year.

[MmmmmM2]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

NOTHING beats an inline six.

Oh yeah I forgot about that lol

[POLYPOD]

Originally Posted by Transfer

The S5 SB is arguably the nicer car but drive them back to back and the M340i wins without question. The Audi S4/5/SQ5 has a terrible tuning problem when it comes to transmission, throttle, and turbo. Typical Audi steering remains a joke as well compared to BMW. Our SQ5 has been fine and is certainly luxurious but I'm looking forward to lease end in a year.

A few comments here about the Audi transmission. I haven't test driven the Audi yet but am interested in more details about what the issue is here. Thanks guys.

[xlover]

Originally Posted by POLYPOD

A few comments here about the Audi transmission. I haven't test driven the Audi yet but am interested in more details about what the issue is here. Thanks guys.

From my s5 test drive before I got my 440... the Audi s5 throttle and transmission programming, even in sport, generally seems to be set up for economy and laziness. At anything less than full throttle it holds onto high gears, shifts are slow and the motor feels laggier than it probably is.

I would equate Audi sport programming similar in feel to the bmw comfort mode and even then not quite as quick to react to an impromptu sporty situation

My recommendation would be go test drive a new one of each ... if you are shopping for a only a year old they won't be meaningfully different

[RedKloud]

Originally Posted by xlover

From my s5 test drive before I got my 440... the Audi s5 throttle and transmission programming, even in sport, generally seems to be set up for economy and laziness. At anything less than full throttle it holds onto high gears, shifts are slow and the motor feels laggier than it probably is.

+1 or shift manually.

[Sportstick]

My position regarding Audi: NEVER AGAIN.
Quality, reliability, factory not standing behind warranty (zero mods...defective brake rotors) made us dump a 2016 A6 in less than two years at quite a loss. Buyer beware. We have 4 BMWAG products now...two BMW, two new Mini Countryman..all excellent quality and service.

[golferboy2312]

Originally Posted by xlover

From my s5 test drive before I got my 440... the Audi s5 throttle and transmission programming, even in sport, generally seems to be set up for economy and laziness. At anything less than full throttle it holds onto high gears, shifts are slow and the motor feels laggier than it probably is.

I would equate Audi sport programming similar in feel to the bmw comfort mode and even then not quite as quick to react to an impromptu sporty situation

My recommendation would be go test drive a new one of each ... if you are shopping for a only a year old they won't be meaningfully different

I compared the Audi S5 Sportback to the M340i, test driving them back to back. I agree with these comments, there is definitely something funky going on with the transmission/turbo lag in the Audi. It is still a great car, the cockpit display is tremendous, the interior is very nice, the seats especially. The M340i won me over for a couple of reasons:
1. I felt very little if any turbo lag (or the transmission tuning was better)
2. I am a big HUD fan, the HUD in the BMW really wowed me
3. I felt overall that the technology was more up to date in the BMW (iDrive 7, the stage 2 ADAS stuff, etc.)
4. I liked the looks of the BMW better (the Audi looks great too, I just preferred the BMW)
5. The G20 is a newer design

[Transfer]

With 2 years in our B9 SQ5 which is basically the same setup as S4/5, I agree that with the transmission in D it just does NOT want to downshift. It will drive nicely for passengers until you really do need to get on it so you hit the kickdown on the throttle and then it jumps like it's out of control. It goes from 1 to 9 but very little in between. S mode works pretty well and keeps revs about where I want them but it's a makes the car ready to pounce all the time. Even at a stop in S the revs sit a little higher and you have to hold the brake harder. Then if you are accelerating quickly and need to let off rapidly (like someone pulled out in front of you) it keep accelerating for a second after you let off the throttle! It's like it pushes forward and even braking you have to push harder even though the brakes are more than adequate.

It's just a really weird programming that Audi did with the transmission and throttle/turbo mapping. Combine that with shitty light no-feels steering and it's not a responsive drivers car. However, the looks, interior, and handling+comfort are fantastic. That's the saving grace. FWIW I'm on 21" wheels with sport pack air suspension, big brakes, and torque vectoring rear Torsen diff.

[Ilyam5]

What about RS 5 sportback. Anyone driven that? same turbo lag? those 440 HP must be nice

[drexplode]

Originally Posted by Transfer

The S5 SB is arguably the nicer car but drive them back to back and the M340i wins without question. The Audi S4/5/SQ5 has a terrible tuning problem when it comes to transmission, throttle, and turbo. Typical Audi steering remains a joke as well compared to BMW. Our SQ5 has been fine and is certainly luxurious but I'm looking forward to lease end in a year.

I was trying to find the words to describe my test drive experience in a b9... you nailed it.

I really wanted to like this car especially considering my time with a b8.5 s4. Even though my second one would not stop when it was raining :-/

[MmmmmM2]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

My position regarding Audi: NEVER AGAIN.
Quality, reliability, factory not standing behind warranty (zero mods...defective brake rotors) made us dump a 2016 A6 in less than two years at quite a loss. Buyer beware. We have 4 BMWAG products now...two BMW, two new Mini Countryman..all excellent quality and service.

Yep. VW products are shoddy.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by drexplode

I was trying to find the words to describe my test drive experience in a b9... you nailed it.

I really wanted to like this car especially considering my time with a b8.5 s4. Even though my second one would not stop when it was raining :-/

I would love the exterior and interior of a B9 mixed with the powertrain/handling of a B8.5. In my opinion, Audi really screwed up in dropping both the supercharger and manual, the B8.5 was a pretty competent car and could really handle well despite its FWD roots.

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

I would love the exterior and interior of a B9 mixed with the powertrain/handling of a B8.5. In my opinion, Audi really screwed up in dropping both the supercharger and manual, the B8.5 was a pretty competent car and could really handle well despite its FWD roots.

Agreed. But the B8/8.5 was a 40/60 RWD biased Torsen split. Definitely not from a FWD platform but with the engine overhanging the front so terribly it understeered like one when pushed hard. The 3.0 supercharged V6 was the better powertrain though!

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

The B9 S5 is a great car but it is not as sporty as a BMW. I've had mine for a year and seven months now and I do love it because it is the best daily driver I have ever owned. It's comfortable and somewhat sporty. The car does lack emotion though. I also think the S5 was the best styled coupe/ four door coupe at the time. Do you notice 58% of the weight over the front axle? Absolutely. Steering is also very light no matter what mode you're in and I can't believe I am saying this, but the suspension might actually be too soft for a sports coupe. The Audi is also missing a couple features that Mercedes and BMW offer. Things like adaptive headlights and automatic heating mirrors. (You have to turn a switch to turn them on and if the temp is over a certain degree, they won't turn on so you're left with fogged up mirrors) I love the standard S Sport massage seats though.

Audi didn't get the tuning of the ZF8 speed transmission right either. It's clunky at times and gets confused. It tries to get to 8th quickly and holds onto higher gears in order to save fuel. The problem becomes the engine bogs and the car starts clattering like it is about to stall out.

A couple things have to get ironed out with the B9.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Also: The S5 eats tires. You'll probably be changing them out around the 10,000 to 15,000 mile mark depending on how you drive it.

[RedKloud]

You can rotate the tires on an S5, though.