Audi S5 vs BMW 335i: It all comes down to pricing

Audi claims that the new Audi A5 and S5 handle better than any Audi ever made, but can it take on the king of handling? Mike Duff of AutoCar put the Audi S5 up against the BMW 335i and here is what he found.

Handling: Handling is said to be better than previous Audi’s with the use of the 40:60 front-rear torque distribution found in the RS4, but BMW counters with steering response and perfect handling balance. The Audi S5 still keeps up by being more agile than the 335i with near-perfect traction out of slow corners. Basically the sportiest non-RS badged car made by Audi, Audi S5 holds handling up to par with the 335i.

Engine: Audi S5 takes this one with its 4.2 liter V8 354 horsepower. The BMW 335i uses a 3.0 liter inline-6 300 horsepower engine.

0-62 mph: Audi S5 leaves the BMW 335i in the rear-view-mirror with 5.1 seconds while the BMW 335i takes 5.5 seconds.

Room: One six-footer can fit in the rear-seat of the BMW 335i more comfortably than the Audi S5, where they will find their knees crushed and their heads pressed against the roof lining.

Pricing: The Audi S5 costs a whopping £6030 more than a 335i in SE trim, and £4155 more than the 335i M-Sport trim.

Winner: BMW 335i. While the Audi S5 offers a little more kick than the BMW 335i, the huge price difference, according to Duff, can’t be justified.
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david999 - 5/21/2007 11:18:32 AM

0 Boost

The 335 is a much better buy as pointed out. I think it looks nicer as well.
Both nice cars.

SupraNeverBack - 5/21/2007 12:46:48 PM

0 Boost

I haven't seen the S5, but 335i looks dull in person.

0-62 in 5.5s for 335i? No wonder Edmunds IL suspected BMW sent them an over-boosted 335i to test. ^0^

S4cabriofoxone - 5/21/2007 12:55:49 PM

+4 Boost

Those 0-60 times are Audi and BMW's estimates. Usually, both brands underestimate their times.

Rupert - 5/21/2007 4:55:05 PM

+1 Boost

0-62...remember those 2 mph make a big difference.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/21/2007 12:56:53 PM

+3 Boost

"Audi claims that the new Audi A5 and S5 handle better than any Audi ever made..."

Really? Because both the R8 and RS4 are probably better handlers.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 5/21/2007 1:27:10 PM

+1 Boost

It's not because those 2 cars are more sporty that they are better handling cars. The new A5 chassis is without a doubt the best it has ever produced. But against a BMW it's nothing.

Personally I prefer the S5. Why? one word: style. And that V8 sounds way better. But you do have to put Eisenmann or Tubi on it.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/21/2007 1:50:03 PM

+4 Boost

Sevor, I'd have to disagree with you there. The RS4 was the best-handling Audi ever until the R8 came along; I'd be damned if the S5 was better. There's just not quite as much of a difference between A5 and current A4 as there is between A4 and RS4 in terms of handling.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/21/2007 1:50:49 PM

+3 Boost

Oh and, have you driven any of the three? I've driven the RS4, and was mightily impressed, of course. I don't think anyone on this site has ever driven an A5 or R8.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 5/21/2007 2:26:04 PM

+2 Boost

Ok I haven't had the opportunity to drive the RS4 or R8. But let's not forget the R8 is basically a Lambo so of course it handles mindblowingly good. But the new chassis found in the A5 isn't pushed to the max like they did with the RS4. To be honest I'm pretty sure the next RS5 will be a better handling machine than the RS4.

But in terms of ranking the handling I totally agree with you.(1st: R8, 2nd: RS4, 3rd: S5)

By the way, it's nice to be back on Autospies. But I still don't get it why they have banned me..

S4cabriofoxone - 5/21/2007 8:55:05 PM

+1 Boost

I agree on the RS5- it would be a shame if a more powerful, better-endowed, two-door RS4 doesn't handle than the original version. But the S5 is different.

Will_ - 5/21/2007 4:45:27 PM

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I like the 3-Coupe. Very elegant exterior for a BMW nowadays. The 335i sounds very interesting.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/21/2007 8:56:30 PM

+1 Boost

The E92 is the epitome of Bangle's original ideal for the brand, and I just love it. A5/S5 vs. 3 Series coupe is going to become one of the fiercest rivalries in the luxury car world.

Rupert - 5/21/2007 7:19:48 PM

+2 Boost

I agree - it's probably the fact that an S5 sounds better than "just" a 3 series with a bigger engine. It's like it's a different car from the A5, and I think it looks amazing.

Steve - 5/24/2007 4:11:44 PM

+2 Boost

I have 3 pre-Bangle BMW's in the garage. Love 'em all. If I had to get a new car today, it would probably be an Audi. Much better looking interior than BMW's. Exterior styling, though non-descript, is arguably better than the awkward and inelegant forms coming out of BMW AG.

BMW arguably has the edge in handling, but considering that Audi with quattro handle very well, and that I spend all my driving time off the track, and not at the limits, Audi does handles extremely well.

Kudos to Audi for standing up to BMW, and holding your own rather nicely!