German Car Zone

335i is just like a 330i. I strongly belief there is more of a difference between a S5 and normal A5 than its between a 335i and 330i.

What the 335i really need is diff, its going to improve the laptimes considerable.

And more importantly, it should improve the overall driving experience.

For me its still the same, S5 over 335i, M3 over S5 no what the comparos say.

M

Ja but that's the way it ought to be no? Audi's S cars are just that: 'tweener cars that sit at the top end of the sport-packaged, highly optioned mainstream Beemers and below the M cars.

I'd still have the 335i Coupe with Sport Package over the S5. I just prefer it - and the engine is a masterpiece.

So the S5 deserves it's moment in the limelight. If BMW's focus on efficient dynamics lives up to the internet hype it's been given then the 135i / 335i Tii will redress the balance of power in their respective price ranges.

On another note, Michele Lupini is a long-time motoring journalist, CEO of a successful publication called Cars in Action and experienced motor racer. He probably has enough laps (as in frikken plenty) around Kyalami (a world-class racing circuit) to have an objective and insightful opinion as to car dynamics and performance around this track. He has been known to be a big fan of fast BMWs and is well connected in the local industry - so much so that he bags exclusives like the 599 GTB looong before anyone else in SA. So the article has credibility.

This is nothing new... remember the 5th gear comparison a while ago? The results were close too.

The fact is, the BMW is better value for money, is very tunable (check E90post, half those cars are chipped and making serious HP) and most tests have concluded, handles a tad better than the S5. There's no denying that the S5 is indeed a looker though, and definitely more exclusive.

I'm not even going to address those ridiculous MPV and SUV comments in here, it's been beaten to death in 10 other threads

They won't respond cause they are too busy counting how many sedans Audi will have in their lineup once A5 Sportback is released.

Audi will be updating the S5 with the new 3.0T engine currently in the S4 and A6 (detuned). This engine will further increase the cars handling aspects incrreasing the torque and over a wider rev range and making it lighter over the nose. Will likely receive new differential from S4 also so will totally eclipse the 335i when it arrives.

Yes, unfortunately I do - Zippy Butler Henderson's blatant bias against anything that isn't rear wheel drive is often excruciating to watch. IIRC the gap was only a few thousandths of a second so it was hardly conclusive, but the comparison gets mentioned time and time again on forums while other more reliable ones are usually overlooked. For example:

Nordschleife: S5 - 8:26; 335i - 8:26
Hockenheim Short: S5 - 1:17.2; 335i - 1:17.8
Autozeitung test track: S5 - 1:44.6; 335i - 1:45.8
SportAuto wet handling test: S5 - 1:29.8; 335i - 1:35.8
Serres Racing Circuit S5: - 1:34.80; 335i - 1:35.25

I'm not trying to criticise the 335i as it's clearly a superb car, but credit where credit's due.

I did! The test was just one example, plus even that test, the cars were within 1 second of each other. What I was trying to say is that this test wouldn't be the first time where both cars had pretty much the same times... well minus the wet handling circuit, that's just a stupid comparison. This was an answer to the people that claimed that BMW should do something about it.

But again, I am giving the S5 all the credit in the world. Imo, it's making almost as many headlines as the R8. However, the 335i more than holds its own imo... even if it is a standard guise/ho hum/regular 3er.

I wasn't having a go at you Warot - sorry if it seemed that way and I agree with your post. It's just that on one of the other forums I frequent that 5th Gear 'review' is referred to ad infinitum by the BMW fanboys on there because a 335i - 'in SE guise' - 'beat the S5 around the track' whereas the results of those other tests are conveniently ignored. It is for this reason that I have a slight sense of humour failure when the episode is mentioned.