How is the S5? I have a 440i GC on the list as a practical but nice next car, gut feeling is I'd always pick the BMW over Audi but that's a smart looking car. What's the extended warranty situation with Audi? Did you consider the GC?
My previous car was a 2014 320d, so I know the F3x platform well.
When I was looking for a new car, I narrowed it down to 2 final options: F3x x40i and the B9 S5 Sportback/S4.
I love the look and drive of Mercs, but their reliability issues don't instil confidence.
I test drove a 340i and my S5 back to back, both for >2 hours x2 sessions on roads I know REALLY well.
£28k - Late 2018 340i: sunroof, adaptive dampers, HK options wise (it DIDN'T have M Sport brakes).
£33k - Early 2018 S5: Virtual cockpit, B&O, extended LED lighting, matrix LED
Here were my thoughts:
340i
Was a very lovely every day car with great performance and good driving dynamics. The adaptive dampers are great. I love the sunroof. But that's all it offered over my 320d. When I got in the car, it felt much the same - that is, it's a very good cabin, but it doesn't give you the "wow" factor. It felt like I was having to spend an extra 14k just for the B58, and I just couldn't justify it emotionally.
It didn't really make any sound (PPF) and BMW wouldn't put the MPPSK on it either due to the build date. So it felt sporty, but it didn't sound it.
It also didn't have M Sport brakes, and the standard ones were AWFUL, relative to the very quick 70 mph you can do. I had no confidence to drive it hard on B roads.
S5
The moment I got in the S5, I was excited. The cabin just feels more driver/person-focused. This makes sense, because it's newer, but still - it is nicer.
The EA839 is a fantastic engine, with great pull low down, like the B58, and super smooth. But the biggest thing I noticed drive-wise was how much better calibrated the ZF8 and engine were, compared to the BMW.
It's REALLY intelligent, and the custom, specific, driving mode you can make is fab. It means I can drive the car with better throttle/engine response in D mode for the gearbox. The BMW felt either really sporty or really mushy, to me.
By mushy, I mean that you would try and squeeze the throttle while doing 55 in 8th, and not much would happen. You'd have to press it harder and harder until it would change down a gear/respond.
The S5, by comparison (as long as it's in my individual mode) will use the torque of the engine to build speed quite easily at 55 in 8th. This doesn't come at a sacrifice to how relaxed it is, either. It often goes into N while coasting downhill/coming up to a bend or roundabout, and seems to be in the right gear most of the time.
This is in stark contrast to the BMW I owned and the 340i, which just seemed to be in the wrong gear all the time - I annoyed me more than I found it useful, as an auto, even if it was very smooth like the S5.
Warranty/Running Cost
I got my car from Audi main dealer, so I have a year warranty included in the price, plus they were doing a £800 discount on the day so I paid £32.2k in the end. Tyres are cheaper, servicing will be about the same.
There are comments in the community about an issue with the rocker arms on the EA839 engine, though - they're expanding and the bearings are falling out, causing complete engine failure. 3-5k preventative fix, but I've also heard that the issue may stem from the recommended oil being too thin for the amount of heat the EA839 produces. It uses 0W20, and specialists are recommending 5W30 instead.
HOWEVER, it isn't all perfect.
The lack of touchscreen is very annoying - surprisingly so. There are things which using a wheel for is useful, but there are things were it's so bad I just throw a hissy
Example - you're in Spotify on Carplay, looking at a playlist. You want to quickly switch back to maps. On a touch screen, you just press on maps, but with the wheel, you have to either go back out of the playlist and scroll until you get to maps, or scroll ALL the way through the playlist until you get to it.
The driving position is okay, at best. It's quite high up, and the (sport) seats are poor. I just can't get really comfy. Wheel is too high/I'm too high/too far back/no where to rest arms/too upright/head rest too far back.... I just can't find the right place for everything. I ache when I get out, which I didn't do as much in the BMW. Oh and I never use the massage functionality.
The B&O system is terrible. I like my music - in fact, I don't drive without it. The HK system was tolerable, once I got the right settings, but with the B&O system, I've spent £1.2k on speakers/adapters to get it sounding as good as the HK.
Build quality is no better than a VW. I have a lot of rattles/buzzes in the S5, even with sound treatment. I think I know what they are, but it's not great for a 45k+ car.
But that's all forgotten when I just pull back the gear lever and put it into Individual (S). Exhaust flaps open, it drops a couple of gears and the turbo lag is imperceivable. It's properly rapid in all conditions, and it's an absolute blast to hoon. Sound - amazing. Drive - great. Confidence - too good.
It's a Jeckyll and Hyde car for sure, and better at it than the BMW.
Recommended options for the S5
Matrix LED -
YES
Virtual Cockpit -
NO - doesn't offer anything as you can't use CarPlay/Android Auto maps on it.
Extended LED lighting -
YES - really transforms cabin
Adaptive dampers -
YES - the sport suspension is a little too firm for UK roads
Sports diff -
YES - will help counter the understeer if you like to push quite hard, and tighten up the front axle.
I'm based on the south coast, and always happy to give a demo - if you ever fancy one, give me a shout
