opinions on the Bmw 320d coupe v Audi A5 coupe

teednab-el

Seeming im on the lookout for one of coupe cars above (2010-11 reg)

I put the question to 25 different friends of mine if they had the choice of buying one of these in the morning, 19 of them went for the A5 and there main reason was that they believed it was a better looking car than the 320d coupe.

I saw two of those cars parked beside each other at the beach last week and I still dont know which one I would go for, they are both equally stunning as each other.

One of these will definately be my next car.

In a dilemma now, anyone have anything to add......

Blazer

Take both for a nice long test drive.
Both are pretty nice cars and I like the looks of both of them.
Whichever one you feel most comfortable with and enjoy go for that one.
You'll always have people saying you should have got either one

tfitzgerald

The Audi would win for me . I think it's one sexy car

Anan1

teednab-el wrote: »

Seeming im on the lookout for one of coupe cars above (2010-11 reg)

I put the question to 25 different friends of mine if they had the choice of buying one of these in the morning, 19 of them went for the A5 and there main reason was that they believed it was a better looking car than the 320d coupe.

I saw two of those cars parked beside each other at the beach last week and I still dont know which one I would go for, they are both equally stunning as each other.

One of these will definately be my next car.

In a dilemma now, anyone have anything to add......

Yes, does nobody buy cars based on how they drive any more?

GavMan

Anan1 wrote: »

Yes, does nobody buy cars based on how they drive any more?

To be fair, most people have no call to be overly critical on how one car drives compared to another.

For example, if 90% of your driving is in Dublin, you'll have no need to over analyse over/under steer, chassis performance, etc.

Once it has good pick up in the engine, a smooth transmission and a comfortable suspension setup then they will be happy motorists. Its not what you or I might look for in a car but each to their own

After all, 95% of people in the country will never attempt to throw their car around a disused Airfield...

gollywog

Anan1 wrote: »

Yes, does nobody buy cars based on how they drive any more?

90% of people I know actually couldnt care less how a car drives as long as it looks nice believe it or not, and id imagine a majority of people who wouldnt be enthusiasts or have a real interest in cars would be the same...

garhjw

i would go for the bmw. i've driven both and they are very nice places to spend time.

IMO, the A5 has started to look a little dated. however, there are probably less A5s about than BMWs.

its a nice decision to have to make all the same.

both good cars but image issue with the 3 series imo. go for the A5.

teednab-el

glasso wrote: »

both good cars but image issue with the 3 series imo. go for the A5.

Can you get quattro with the 2.0tdi A5 version just wondering?

Colts

teednab-el wrote: »

Can you get quattro with the 2.0tdi A5 version just wondering?

I don't believe so. It wouldn't be worth while anyway when you take the extra weight & fuel consumption into account.

Mr. Presentable

I wouldn't call the 320d "stunning" to look at, and believe me, I've seen plenty. Which reminds me, too many on the road to feel special in having one. I'd have the Audi from those two, but neither with open choice.

Zubeneschamali

OSI wrote: »

Both the 2.0TFSI and 2.0TDI are available with Quattro, but the the 3.0TDI would be the better option.

According to the Audi website, the 2.0 TDI is not available with quattro.

Oral Surgeon

BMW everytime... RWD much nicer to drive than the FWD audi. I've driven both and the audi was very disappointing....
If getting the BMW, get the M kit, looks way nicer than SE spec....

Anan1

GavMan wrote: »

To be fair, most people have no call to be overly critical on how one car drives compared to another.

For example, if 90% of your driving is in Dublin, you'll have no need to over analyse over/under steer, chassis performance, etc.

Once it has good pick up in the engine, a smooth transmission and a comfortable suspension setup then they will be happy motorists. Its not what you or I might look for in a car but each to their own

After all, 95% of people in the country will never attempt to throw their car around a disused Airfield...

I don't even mean right on the ragged edge, there are differences in the way cars drive that you'd notice even in Dublin driving. You guys are right, though, most buy cars to make themselves look better.

bazz26

Really depends I suppose what the OP wants from a car, something that is good to look at or something that is good to drive. The A5 definately wins on the looks front but the BMW would win at drivability especially against a fwd A5. A Quottro A5 might have a different outcome though.

Anan1

bazz26 wrote: »

Really depends I suppose what the OP wants from a car, something that is good to look at or something that is good to drive. The A5 definately wins on the looks front but the BMW would win at drivability especially against a fwd A5. A Quottro A5 might have a different outcome though.

OP could cover all bases by buying a 330i saloon, spending the money saved on art, and ditching the 19 friends.

Northern Monkey

I've been driving my BMW coupe for 3 years and the only thing I can think of to replace it is another one.

bazz26

Isn't there a regular member on here with an A5, though it is the 1.8tsi? Mickdw I think is his name, I remember him talking about how he said the A5 needs Quottro.

Not sure if they are similar but I've driven a fwd current model A4 and found the drive to a bit disconnected compared to my 3 Series. Again depends on what the OP values more I guess.

Anan1

bazz26 wrote: »

Isn't there a regular member on here with an A5, though it is the 1.8tsi? Mickdw I think is his name, I remember him talking about how he said the A5 needs Quattro.

That's right, wasn't he getting awful wheel hop out of corners or something?

bazz26

I think so.

wgk

Had the exact same dilemma OP up to a few months back when I bought a 2011 320 d m sport coupe.

As someone who spends about 10 hours a week in a car, one of the key priorities for me was the cabin. Tested both A5s and 320ds extensively and I just found the A5 dated, boring and specless inside. In comparison my 320d came with everything under the sun including electric folding mirrors, heated seats, voice recognition, ipod connection etc.

Initially I thought the A5 had it on exterior looks but must say my 320d has been growing slowly on me since the day I bought it. If you go for a 2011 reg, the xenon daytime running lights (which are class) should be standard. I also got the 313m 19" alloys which really set it off.

Enjoy it either way!

pat1981

Ive owned a 08 520d and a friend has a 320d saloon version 08 model, i believe there the same engines as the bmw coupe depending on what year the car is. The car has very good fuel economy 50+ miles per galleon, cheap to service and tax.
I bought a new a5 coupe 2010 (2 liter petrol), sold it recently. It was a nice looking car, but I would never buy one again. Looks aside the drive never felt comfortable for me. I was getting early 30s to mid 30s per galleon. The rear was very cramped and not ideal for adults, I cant comment on the bmw coupe rear space, but having owned a 520 and also driven the 320 saloon and owned a a5 I think you know my advice, best of luck whatever you choose.

Anan1

wgk wrote: »

As someone who spends about 10 hours a week in a car, one of the key priorities for me was the cabin. Tested both A5s and 320ds extensively and I just found the A5 dated, boring and specless inside. In comparison my 320d came with everything under the sun including electric folding mirrors, heated seats, voice recognition, ipod connection etc.

To be fair, those were all options that were also available on the A5.

jkb_dub

I had an A5 1.8 and now have a 320D (granted it's the touring).... my preference would be for the A5 unless you really care about the FWD vs RWD.

To me the plus points for the A5 were the looks / cabin interior. I much prefer the user interface in the Audi for want of a better phrase. Using the bluetooth car kit in the A5 with the larger display was great, the BMW is usable but not as slick. Simple things like that made the difference for me, the menu system in the Audi was so easy to navigate around, I've had to get the manual out for the BMW a few times already... From an internal styling perspective too I found the A5 a much nicer place to be when commuting.

Prior to driving the 320D I'd never owned a rear wheel drive car so was unsure what to expect but I'm gradually coming around to it. I know very little about the mechanics of cars, having enough acceleration to be able to safely overtake would have been my only requirement.

Shane732

I'm biased as a drive a 335i but when I was looking at the varies options open to me I test drove a few A5 3.0TDIs and S5s.

I didn't like how they felt on the road at all.

The A5 is a decent looking car but I'm not keen on the interior.

What type of mileage will you be doing? Do you really need the D?

As someone else mentioned maybe a 330i would be an option?

What I would say to you is avoid runflat tyres is you buy a BMW.

kingshankly

I was in the same dilemma a few months back I tested both and thought there was nothing in it driving wise. Went for a black a5 in the end it's a bicth to keep clean but gets a lot of looks. Definitely have no regrets

maddness

Depends on what you want the car for?
If its to look good I think a nice A5 in a good colour with good wheel combo looks fantastic.
If its fun to drive stick with the 320d m-sport.

copacetic

Go a little further back in years and test drive a 3.0tdi Quattro A5 versus a 330d, 335d, 325i, 330i or 335i. Well within your budget and the quattro makes a big difference to the A5. Selection can be poor here, but a good few 07 and 08s or these around. Or import.

It's been pretty much lined up above, A5 nicer inside, slight pedal offset issue. FWD versions have issues on road but good in bad weather.

E92,great to drive, simple utilitarian interior. Some issues with 19 inch alloys cracking and comfort on Irish roads with RFTs and 19s. Can be an handful on wet roads, and/or absolutley useless in the snow if live anywhere at all hilly.

I used to prefer a5 look,but think its dated a bit. Audi haven't helped by making the new led lights much cleaner, really dates pre 12 models.

teednab-el

I do a nice bit of driving 600 miles a week, on hilly roads. I don't intend to have 19 inch alloys on my car as the roads aren't the greatest where I travel, hopefully I can get them in 18 inch or smaller in whatever car I choose. Roads not good enough. RWD in BMW is brillant but could be a problem if roads are icy and if I choose the A5 I want to get it with Quattro so might have to go to 2.7 tdi so not sure how economical that engine is. If I could get 50mpg+ then i would count it in. Is there a big difference in prices between the two coupes? I'd imagine the BMW is more expensive and will hold value better? Correct me if I'm wrong.

copacetic

Similar prices new , seem to be more e92s around which affects their value. Most 2.7tdis sold here were auto but not Quattro. It's the 3.0tdis that are mostly/all Quattro.

R.O.R

Pretty sure the 2.7Tdi's are all FWD - was only the 3.0Tdi that got quattro in the A5.

Drove a 2.7Tdi Multitronic A5 Coupe a good few times. Lovely long distance cruiser, but not one for attacking the back roads in. Took it across the back roads of Meath when there was a lot more snow/ice than I thought there would be, and it wasn't much fun. Came back on the motorway and got very decent economy - somewhere around 5.6 l/100km if memory serves me correctly.

Did get a quick spin in a 3.0Tdi quattro convertable and that felt much more planted. I'd say running costs on the earlier 3.0Tdi quattro's would be relatively high though as the emissions weren't great.

Driven plenty of 3 series, but not many Coupe's. Did collect a 320d M-Sport auto Coupe last month after the delivery truck broke down. That was quite a fun blast up the N7 to the customer - drives like any other 3 series, which is pretty darn well.

I think the A5 has it for looks, but I couldn't live with the pedal offset in a manual, or the handling of the FWD. Don't actually see that many E92's on the road - would have thought they were rarer than the A5 coupe.

gebbel

I'm for the A5, hard to beat the look. Never drove one but can't imagine it to be a let-down.

Anan1

gebbel wrote: »

I'm for the A5, hard to beat the look. Never drove one but can't imagine it to be a let-down.

Even when an owner tells you this:

wrote:

Also, an this is important. drive it on a really long test drive. They are a pig on uneven roads and it can get very annoying very fast. I certainly wouldnt buy mine if I knew what I know now about its road behaviour.

gebbel

To be honest, like any car, I would take it on a test drive myself before buying it....not base the decision on one individuals negative experience.

U.P.O.

Anan1 wrote: »

Even when an owner tells you this:

To be fair, that guy must have got a lemon. Hes not the only one i heard i say that about the A5 though. If i recall, that guy got a FW 1.8 petrol car - one of the earliest models (maybe an 08 ?) and i did hear a few say that about that model so im not doubting him for a second but i think maybe he just had bad luck (along with a few other early buyers).

I have a FW 2.0 pertrol S-line model. Have it sine 09 and its been a fabulous car. Drives great, even on country roads, have never once experienced wheel hop or tramlining and is equally great on the motorway or the country roads. Go to the A5 OC forum and you'll see plenty of other owners very happy with how the car drives.

I wouldnt hesitate recommending an A5 to anyone.

Its all personal preference between the A5 and 3 series. I was in the same boat when getting my car. I was between the A5 and 3 series coupe.

For me, the A5 looked better outside, it wasn't as common as the 3 series, had a nicer cabin, was comfier on longer commutes and would (at the time anyway), have a better resale.

For a track day the 3 series would definitely win, and if Top Gear did a review im sure they'd prefer the 3 series for its handeling and what not, but for day to day use i preffered the A5.

I wouldnt rule out getting a 3 series in the future though. Its a gret car too. I dont think you'll go wrong with either.

fonecrusher1

Mr. Presentable wrote: »

I wouldn't call the 320d "stunning" to look at

Yeah same here. I think the A5 is very good looking car, some lovely lines here and there. Matched with the right wheels it can be stunning.

The 3 series coupe is nice enough. I have seen some that are just plain boring and certainly its not a dream car in my books. Now of course the M3 is a different proposition but thats another discussion.:pac:

For looks A5 vs 3 series coupe? The audi all day.

Oh and on another point (not directed at you Mr. Presentable), this idea that these cars should be bought based on their road holding prowess?....nah c'mon lets be realistic here, neither of them are bad on the road i'd say. Ok the beemer probably is a little more accomplished but ultimately these cars are as much about image as they are about handling.

Anan1

fonecrusher1 wrote: »

but ultimately these cars are as much about image as they are about handling.

More, by the sound of things.

Zubeneschamali

fonecrusher1 wrote: »

neither of them are bad on the road i'd say.

I certainly wouldn't buy an A5 without a good long test drive after all the bad reviews it got:

Thoroughly unresolved damping allows occupants to enjoy every road surface undulation and blemish in a manner which is entirely out of keeping with a car of this class. The Sportback will certainly thump along a motorway at 100mph with predictable insouciance, but proves unaccountably uncomfortable in most other environments.