[christate99]

Hi,

Picked up the 330d M Sport on Saturday after handing back the Audi A5 3.0 TDI Quattro that I had for about 3 years.

They are like chalk and cheese to drive, and the 330d is a LOT better.

It seems nippier, it seems quicker to accelerate and it is much more fun to drive.

I guess the A5 must have been a lot heavier, it probably was a tad more comfortable and the interior was better, but from my early experince, the 330d is a better car.

Cheers

Chris

[Jon D]

I nearly bought an A5 3.0 Quattro a year ago, but fortunately drove an E92 330d before making the final decision.
I've driven 12K miles in the BMW and I'm still extremely pleased with it. At the risk of severe disappointment, I took an A5 for a drive after I'd had the 3er for about three months and, to my great relief, my decision was 100% vindicated.
It's all about rear wheel drive, chassis balance and steering feedback.
Enjoy your car.

[BanziBarn]

Is this the old engine in the Audi?

The new one is supposed to be nearly as good as the 330 LCI - albeit not quite as powerful or economical.

[christate99]

It was an 07 A5, one of the very first.

Nice, but not as nice as the 330d.

[dxb335d]

Glad you took the plunge. The E92 330d is a cracking motah!

PICS PICS!

[TMP]

What version / suspension did it have, as that can really change the handling on Audi's? I am surprised there is such a difference in performance...very similar stats.

You may well miss the the quattro on wet / cold days.

Reading up on the new Quattro sports diff, this gives a rwd bias (like the RS4), so that could again change the S4 / A5 handling for the better.

[dxb335d]

At the wheels the A5 has approx 170-175HP the new 330d has approx 200.

[mexicomark]

Correct decision in my book .

I test drove an A5 3.0tdi Quattro and found the steering way too light (no feedback).
It just didn't have the feeling of power or acceleration that the beemer gives .
It also felt heavier.

The R8 is the only good car Audi make - watch out tho , BMW are making its superior rival !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[beemerbird]

Originally Posted by mexicomark

The R8 is the only good car Audi make - watch out tho , BMW are making its superior rival !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can't possibly agree with that sweeping statement. You must have driven the whole range including the RS cars......you lucky bugger!!

Glad you're pleased with the big D, competent all rounder for an oil burner........I had one once but only kept it for 7 months.......Cayman S was more 'exciting'........and still got stuck in the snow and ice (gotta love RWD and summer tyres eh).

Agree about the R8 especially the V10 I had a play in one for an hour courtesy of my friendly Audi dealer. Not sure about the price tag though and the V8's are holding their value way too well!!

[leeadam]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

At the wheels the A5 has approx 170-175HP the new 330d has approx 200.

but i thought the standard 330d had 230bhp not 200...

[Oli]

He has stated at the wheels, not the flywheel

[leeadam]

ah yeah

[mexicomark]

[QUOTE=beemerbird;7271049]Can't possibly agree with that sweeping statement. You must have driven the whole range including the RS cars......you lucky bugger!!

I would add the TTRS to that list , but TT's are for girls .

The RS4 is a great car too , but why no Auto/Tip option ? It's nearly as good as an M3 .

As for all the new A4's A5's , they all share the same platform and that just isn't as good as the Beemers .

Also , RWD rules . All the greats have it .

[BanziBarn]

Originally Posted by leeadam

but i thought the standard 330d had 230bhp not 200...

Also, the new 330d is 245 at the flywheel, 230 is the old one

[TMP]

Originally Posted by mexicomark

I would add the TTRS to that list , but TT's are for girls .

The RS4 is a great car too , but why no Auto/Tip option ? It's nearly as good as an M3 .

As for all the new A4's A5's , they all share the same platform and that just isn't as good as the Beemers .

Also , RWD rules . All the greats have it .

All the greats...except the Quattro greats eh ?

Lets not be too BMW fan-boyish here peeps . Don't get me wrong, I prefer my BMW and I would say on a like for like basis, a stock M Sport does offer more driving feedback, but that is at the expense of ride and comfort. Some days, I do want the GT ability of an A5.

The latest generation quattro sport diff and steering wheel feedback may go someway to put the Audi in front as the better everyday car. I do want a play with one.....

As for the stats guys, the A5 is quicker 0-60 based on mfr times . Any anybody who has actually owned a 4wd car will know you can nail any equiv 2wd car off the line, and even more so if its wet. However, once the 4wd drive train losses start building and traction is no longer an issue, the 4wd becomes a disadvantage. Maybe this is why the 330d feels quicker mid range, but cant be much in it

[beemerbird]

Originally Posted by mexicomark

I would add the TTRS to that list , but TT's are for girls .

The RS4 is a great car too , but why no Auto/Tip option ? It's nearly as good as an M3 .

As for all the new A4's A5's , they all share the same platform and that just isn't as good as the Beemers .

Also , RWD rules . All the greats have it .

One of the forum spnsors has an Audi TTRS if you read O/T section.

No all opinions I'm afraid at the end of the day and I base my opinions on actual facts and having driven various cars.

You've failed to explain how many of these cars you've actually driven ........rather a flawed argument but it doesn't matter.

How old are you btw?

[Kris335d]

Whats your opinion?

A5 or 3 series?

[beemerbird]

In all honesty if talking 3.0d varients then the new A5 quattro would just nudge it as an overall package for me. I'm not in company car territory so tax doesn't come into it.

A5 looks, BMW 35d engine, quattro, certainly as an option, BMW idrive, Audi build quality and interior........that would be an oil burner and a half imo.

[Kris335d]

I just find the Audi's look and feel alot newer almost more futuristic whereas the BMW is catered for good looks but albeit more towards the drive and feel of the car.
Might be wrong but again personal opinion.
Looking at bidding for an A5 quattro as we speak.

[beemerbird]

Out of interest, I've driven both the A4 2.0tdi and BMW E90 320d, the Audi being a loan car and the BMW being my neighbours, both '09 plates.

First things I noticed was the Audi is a nicer place to 'sit' and very well screwed together BUT that FWD to me, is so noticeable and uninspiring. The BMW immediately gives the perception of being more involving and 'busier' in the way it delivers the power and drives. More fun.

Audi seem to stick to the 'civilised' and 'comfortable' approach whereas BMW seem to go for the more driver involvement and sod the passengers lol (have to agree btw).

Point is, whereas BMW appear to deliver and produce this consistent package, Audi's can and do vary model and drivetrain dependant.

[ghosty]

yeah the 3 and the A5 both have different characteristics. im looking at the A5 also (obviously being from the audi stable), but the 3 does seems to suit my circumstances slightly more right at this moment, not to say the A5 isnt a good enough car.

well, it would be shit if we didnt have choice wouldnt it.

also very nice to find balanced opinions on the beemer forums

[Kris335d]

Yeah your probably spot on with the variation between model, i had a few A4 diesel avants both 2.0d and a manual and a tiptronic and just feel very plasticy to drive almost if you get my meaning.
Never a constant delivery of power. I think as a manufacturer they've come on leaps and bounds but i still say BMW is the benchmark in the sector audi are trying to crack.
Anyway back to the point in question you think the A5 is qorth a crack?