cross shopping E550 coupe and audi S5

[jbrinkley]

First off I just drove the 350 coupe because there weren't and 550s on the lot, I love the look of this car. Absolutely I think this coupe looks just as good or better than the audi S5. I have not driven the S5, only sat in one in 2008, have not driven the A5 yet but will tomorrow. I thought before seeing the E coupe in the flesh that the audi S5 was the best looking, new, sub 65K car out there, but now I'm not sure. I'm done with porsche and bmw at the moment, none of them look as good as these two cars IMHO. So I'm wondering if anyone here has an S5, or any time in one and can compare. I've never had an audi or a benz. my experience is bmw, lexus and porsche. I'm remembering now why I don't like test driving. I almost just signed on the line for this black black 350 coupe. I really liked it. lol. My car addiction is bad.

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[DaCeptak0n]

I was cross-shopping the Audi A5 against the G37s and found the Audi A5 severely underpowered when having driven the G37s. The pick-up wasn't just there but my boy picked up an Audi S5 which matched up comparably with the former.

I wish I had an extra 20K to drop on an Audi S5 but since I didn't, had to go wit the G37s. Now the Audi S5 is a beast in all dimensions and definitely a sick car. I know a few people who took an E550 coupe out during the Ray Catena launch party and they swear by it.

The Audi's interior is much nicer than the Benz's and I think it's a beautiful car inside and out. Go with the Audi S5, it's a rare sighting still so don't worry about that. But then again, you'd probably be the first in your neighborhood with an E550 coupe. Both are status coupes indeed...

[AsianML]

The S5 is so sleek and sexy.

[K-A]

I'm pretty underwhelmed by the E-Coupe, and usually would have never considered to own an Audi over an M-B, nor have I ever particularly liked Audi's.

But the S5 is a gorgeous car, I think it is definitely a better and smarter buy than an E550 Coupe. Right now the E-Coupe is hot because it's the newest thing, unless you "need to have the newest thing", I would wait and see how your tastes toward it change as it becomes a normal car. I personally think it will be in the same vein as the CLK's are once it's been out there for a while.

No experience here that you're looking for, but that's my opinion.

[rkao]

I'm a big fan of Audi's products - if not their lease schemes which make them impossible to lease.

I had an '04 A8L for 42 months and my brother currently has an '08 S6 - both cars are quality products with great interiors; IMHO the current Audi lineup has better interior design and overall quality than BMW or Mercedes-Benz.

I've not driven the S5 or A5, but aesthetically speaking, they are beautiful cars and worthy of serious consideration. To me, the S5 looks more svelte and flowing, while the W212 coupe looks more angular, brutal and in your face. My wife does not like the W212 lines compared to my W211 but I don't mind it; for me it's a bit of a throwback to the more square design themes of Mercedes of yore.

[Dema]

I did cross shopping between A6 and E class. E class is no doubt. I was considered A6 because was short on budget. Luckily E class was cheaper in result.

[jbrinkley]

thanks people.
We'll see what happens after today.
BTW, S5 is a little cheaper but harder to find. I did plan on waiting till at least november, that'll give me time to see what happens with the coupe.

[RJC]

FYI For the 2010 MY only the S5 cab get the new 3.0 liter 333 hp supercharged engine and the new dual clutch 7 speed where the coupe keeps the current 353hp V8 and the old trans. The V8 guzzles fuel and the new engine is better especially with the new 7 speed. I like the S5's very much and am still having some trouble with the lines of the E coupe (except fpr the front).

[DCist]

Originally Posted by RJC

FYI For the 2010 MY only the S5 cab get the new 3.0 liter 333 hp supercharged engine and the new dual clutch 7 speed where the coupe keeps the current 353hp V8 and the old trans. The V8 guzzles fuel and the new engine is better especially with the new 7 speed. I like the S5's very much and am still having some trouble with the lines of the E coupe (except fpr the front).

Some people on this forum love Top Gear...and especially rambling of the old fart, Jerimiaja Not So Amish Clarkysson. Well, if you look up Top Gear's official S5 test drive you will find the following bottom line - Underwhelming. 333 hp for a V8 is underwhelming indeed. And it shows.

Not that I fully agree...but Audi, in my view, appeals to a certain unsettling human personality. It represents someone who might feel rebellious, cheated and craving more for no particular reason...

I would venture to generalize that Audis are annoying vehicles (except for A8 and TT) driven by annoying people.

A8 is the only car that stands out. The rest of them are just repackaged VWs.....or vice versa.... depending really on your outlook.

MB coupe is somewhat awkward at the moment because people are not used to the new reality, which is - The Curve is Temporarily Dead. This of course concerns mainstream vehicles mostly. Italian high end makers are exempt from this rule.

I personally test drove many Audis. A5 and A6 feel like they were assembled from many pieces. Not that the materials were bad...no they were nice...but the feel of unity was not there.

That's my 2.5 cents on the matter.

[220S]

Audi needs a lot of help in their engine department. They're still in the stone age by comparison with the rest of the bunch. Underwhelming indeed.

[jbrinkley]

audi is turning me off a bit, hard to find, not so email friendly dealers.
Engine issues I see in a few places online, could be BS but there seems to be a few. The mechanic I talked to said a little about it, not much, but did mention the 3.2 issues.

[K-A]

That is a helluva weak output for an "S" V8.

[rkao]

Originally Posted by 220S

Audi needs a lot of help in their engine department. They're still in the stone age by comparison with the rest of the bunch. Underwhelming indeed.

I'd have to disagree with you on this comment...

My brother has an '08 S6, the 5.2 litre V10 in that car is a very nice engine - the same as in the S8. Revs beautifully and sounds brilliant.

The FSI technology that Audi has deployed adds fuel efficiency without sacrificing power. Though admittedly, the new S4 with the supercharged V6 will probably lack some character compared to the soon to be departed 4.2 V8, but makes more torque while gives up some bhp. MB is just getting into the direct injection technology - which is not yet available here.

The not for our lousy North American drivers and roads RS6 FSI TT V10 should stir the blood of most, if not all, motoring enthusiasts.

So I'm interested in your comment on why you think Audi's engine department needs "a lot of help" and is "in the stone age"?

[220S]

What they currently offer is bland in comparison with other mfgs. I've seriously shopped Audi before and hp per liter and mpg per hp was not competitive, imho. The V8 is nothing to write home about. They're still relying on the older motors to sell their base cars. Their engine technology (aside from the V10) just has not been exciting. fwiw, auto journalists complain about the same thing.

[150shot]

I had some quality time with an S5 at a dealership that a friend bought a diff. car from.

I would take the E550 coupe 99% sure. Although I havent even driven or seen one I know what kind of product MB makes and the driving experience behind it.

Although Audi does win in the interior, its VERY techy and does all kinds of stuff , probably cause its geared towards a generally younger crowd, seats were great and the CF added was NICE. All kinds of gizmos and buttons...PLUS it has a manual tranny, something I've always loved.

The AWD is great but straight line power was a bit lacking, or at least felt that way. I could swear my old CLK430 with a few mods "felt" faster.

Take this into consideration if this is a daily driver:Even though its an "S" model from Audi, you will fly by under the radar to most public, it looks great, but blends in well. The E coupe I'm sure will get more attention just cause most 2 seat MB Coupes always do, and also that its a new model will just add to it.

[BakerBenz]

Why would anyone even want to drive an Audi if you can drive a Mercedes??? The pecking order is still--Mercedes; BMW; Audi, VW- in that order--in the German car world....besides; from what I hear, most, if not all, Audi dealers are awful....

[Wig]

Originally Posted by BakerBenz

Why would anyone even want to drive an Audi if you can drive a Mercedes??? The pecking order is still--Mercedes; BMW; Audi, VW- in that order--in the German car world....besides; from what I hear, most, if not all, Audi dealers are awful....

BakerBenz is right. I used to own an A6. Audi's dealers are ignorant, dishonest and believe their product is better than it is.

The whole experience was awful. Reliability of electrics was terrible, rough engine which three separate Audi dealers described as 'within manufacturers specs', exterior trim falling off, alignment issues, water in taillights, the list goes on...

I will never go back to Audi. It was a compromise choice at the time, and one I have regretted ever since.

[gaazmon]

I have to say, I think the exterior of the S5 is beautiful. You don't see too many on the roads compared to CLKs and 3 series'.

I think I would really consider an S5. The exterior of the E coupe just doesn't appeal to me right now (from the back and side). However, the front looks nice with the LED lights.

Honestly, and generally, I don't like Audis. The ONLY Audi I would buy would be the S5 (maybe an R8, but probably not, and only with the V10 engine, not the V8).

[DaCeptak0n]

Bell Audi in Edison, NJ has the worst service/salespeople hands down!

[bzliteyear]

Originally Posted by jbrinkley

audi is turning me off a bit, hard to find, not so email friendly dealers.
Engine issues I see in a few places online, could be BS but there seems to be a few. The mechanic I talked to said a little about it, not much, but did mention the 3.2 issues.

i've heard dealers/service depts are expensive and difficult to work with, and that's from an audi owner who worked there. imagine if one did not work there or have the connections. the worst, i hear, was was the v6 turbo engine that failed all the time. i do like the new audi's interior, but no way i could deal w/ their service reputation/records.

PL

[jbrinkley]

well, this was fast.
I bought a 09 E63 two days ago. Rear end of the new e class isn't cool in my book, and for 61-64K I couldn't see any reason why I shouldn't add 10k for a e63. Still think the S5 is very good looking

[220S]

Originally Posted by jbrinkley

well, this was fast.
I bought a 09 E63 two days ago. Rear end of the new e class isn't cool in my book, and for 61-64K I couldn't see any reason why I shouldn't add 10k for a e63. Still think the S5 is very good looking

You made the best choice for sure. Trust me

Post pics.....

[jbrinkley]

it's not here yet. next week probably.

[220S]

Hah. We have twins. How did you know that Flint Grey is the fastest color AMG?

Congrats on the purchase. You got a great deal. You got a hefty discount and saved a helluva lot by not paying top dollar MSRP on a new release (W212) Always better to wait at least a year before getting any new release, imho.

Remind yourself that the W211 E63 was the top of the heap just last year. It's not old technology and it's still the same amazing M156 motor. And you won't have to endure any bugs and issues of first release models. The 2009 W211 E63 is tried and true.

Next up: Kleemann tune, maybe?

ps what's that sticker next to the plate on the rear? Some kind of dealer's sticker or something?

[jbrinkley]

it's a dealer sticker thing, it was a transfer vehicle from another dealer. I couldn't get over the price, seemed like way to good to pass up.
thanks man.