Honestly I've not driven any of them

I bought her last car for her and she has commented a couple times that that made her mad.

I'm making her do all the legwork this time around

She's coming from a Lexus SUV and G35 Coupe (6MT) before that so she wants some performance, but honestly will never mod a car.

I'm sending her to test drive the 328 tomorrow to see if she's ok with its performance, but I think that the genie is out of the bottle.

She just said that, because of some back problems (scoliosis) that the drivers seat will likely make the Audi vs. BMW decision. She likes the BMW seat and has spent close to an hour in it (sport seat of course). She's not a huge fan of my Recaros, but the A5's (with the s-line) Recaros are definitely not as firm as ours. It also has some level of lumbar support...

She just said that a pink saab convertible with the BMW seats would be fine ;-)

 

Goofyfred,

It clearly sounds to me that you definetely did your homework and you already clearly have your options weighted out.

The way I see it is a win t win situation so either way will work nice for you. As per my own personal opinion, I never driven a A5/S5 but I read a lot about them, they are great cars.

I test drove the 135i manual and 135i steptronic and you are very correct, it is a bit difficult to get in but once in the back seat there is just enough room(I am 5-10" 190lbs), I sat in the back of the 135s but again and just like you said, the rear seats are difficult to access.

Best of luck!!

Carlos

 

The A5 forums are fairly good. Already have a line on testing out an A5 (someone's personal car!) in the 'burb next to mine. Doesn't have the recaro's though. Good way to compare though!

Nice

And yes, win-win situation. Only thing that could be better is waiting 2 years to get someone's sloppy seconds -- err CPO'ed car.

 

Pretty funny - I know many of BMW with electrical demons!

 

Actually I was thinking the same thing. I carpool with a guy that drive a Z4 (we alternate days) and yesterday he had the ding of death (the car's seatbelt sensor is messed up and he has to put the seatbelt on before starting otherwise the car beeps the entire time -- when you turn the car off it continues for 2 minutes) and the radio was cutting out.

 

Audi s5 MSRP $50500 350hp
Audi A5 MSRP 39500 265 hp
BMW 335i sedan $39300 but with the option of European delivery(minus 9% off)

The price difference is $11000 and some change and remember the 335i already beat the Audi at the track and is also quicker in aceleration.

Is up to you.. but a 328i would accelerate similar to an audi a5 with 265hp.

Carlos

 

In the first week of my sister getting her 328 xi she had an electrical issue and fan problems! Two months ago.

 

1. We'd not get the S5 (gas guzzler)
2. You can't take the 9% ED price just as that since you actually have to go to Europe... which will likely burn at least $1k if you were to fly over there, stay a night, drive the car to port and fly home (I know there are people that do this, but dayum...).

Remember, wife's car. Performance isn't the most important factor. Front seat comfort and style are the most important pieces.

 

both look nice, but both those brands are prone to having electrical problems. I have owned 4 Audi Quattros and each one was in the shop at least 5-10 times a year :O

 

Within a month of owing my WRX my 6 cd player head unit stopped working. Within 2 months of owning my Z06 the altenator was bad, and within 3000 miles my new 07 VW jetta had a bad fuel pump.

The above were 3 new cars I purchased(within the last 6 years) and they all had electrical failures. It just happens to just about any cars not just BMW.


Carlos

 

Hmm... found a couple A5's in stock in Dallas... one 6 speed with S-line interior black exterior. one auto with cinnamon (brown) regular interior white exterior.

I guess they aren't as hard to find as people make it out to be ;-)

 

 

two different class vehicles;
people who cant afford to buy bmws and mercedez, go for audis.

 

<3 my 335i

 

well she's "narrowed" it down to:

$45k 335i 6MT or AT (same price) (coupe preferred, but sedan ok, coupe = +$2k)
$39k IS350 AT (sport package)
$35k G35 Sedan 6MT (yes, G37 coming, but she'd get the stick so the only change is wheels, 4 pot brakes and the different engine [20-30hp])
$30k Accord EX-L V6 (auto most likely)

(prices are roughly the deals that I've negotiated or have been offered). All cars are similarly equipped.

Sigh.

And her car's in service... and they are having to call in Lexus HQ for some sort of assistance. I'm thinking it's time for a buy back or a really good trade in + smokin' deal on the IS350