435ix vs rs5

[rushguy]

i know this is a bimmer forum, so.... cut me some slack and honest opinions... i currently have a '08 s5 and love it....

i know next to nothing about the 435ix, so can you lay out the pros/cons of going each way? thanks.

[Kevlar]

RS5 would go up against the new M4 (or outgoing M3)... the 435ix would be no match for it.

[rolltidef30]

RS5 would go up against the new M4 (or outgoing M3)... the 435ix would be no match for it. true, but he doesn't have an RS5. He has an S5 which is at the level of the 335i/435i.

To answer him, I think it's safe to say that we are all bias to BMW. Not only are we owners, but we all take the time to read and comment on this BMW forum. Nothing wrong with the Audi if that's what you're into, so maybe he's in the right car. I personally never came close to buying the Audi. It's ok, but not engineered to the level of a BMW, so they try to cover it up with toys and a cute interior. I'm more concerned with what's going on underfoot and under the hood. BMW is minimalist precision. Maybe that's you, or maybe you're an Audi guy...

[Kevlar]

I read the title as in he has an S5 now and is looking to upgrade to either an RS5 or a 435... either way yes. The S4 and 435 are on the same playing field. Audi spends more time/money in different areas than BMW does. It really can't be explained and must be experienced. I've compared an RS5 versus an M3 and while both are great cars, the M3 just does things differently. Both have their pros and cons. I think BMW gives more of a edge to the driving feel where as Audi gives more to the interior and gadgetry. The Audi blows away the BMW in terms of audio too... like destroys it.

[rolltidef30]

I read the title as in he has an S5 now and is looking to upgrade to either an RS5 or a 435... either way yes. The S4 and 435 are on the same playing field. Audi spends more time/money in different areas than BMW does. It really can't be explained and must be experienced. I've compared an RS5 versus an M3 and while both are great cars, the M3 just does things differently. Both have their pros and cons. I think BMW gives more of a edge to the driving feel where as Audi gives more to the interior and gadgetry. The Audi blows away the BMW in terms of audio too... like destroys it. Ok gotcha on the RS due to the title. Didn't think the RS was sold in the US, but then again, he may be someplace else. I don't keep up with Audi much, but have driven a few including an S4.

You are spot on with the interior and toys in an Audi. See, that crap is secondary to me. I'm more interested in the engineering than in how the car looks. I'm the only person who needs to be happy with my purchase and BMW interiors are good enough for me. Don't think they lack anything.

Between an RS5 "never driven" and an M4; I still go with RWD. AWD with FWD bias is the cheap and easy way out. Nothing feels better than oversteer from a properly engineered RWD. Only car I'd take over an M3/M4 is a 911S, but we all know they aren't on the same level. This last M3 was that damn good!

[Kevlar]

I've driven an RS5 ... feels good, just not like a BMW. I am amazed how they managed to make a car with an engine mounted so far forward feel that well balanced. The exhaust note was just sublime on the car too. The car looks awesome except for the oddly oval exhaust tips. However, with all the gadgets in the car... they could not make the car feel how I like it (maybe I am biased). In the comfort mode it was too soft, in the dynamic mode it felt way too jittery. I was surprised that the Audi seemed to be lacking in the DCT transmission department since they practically invented it. The transmission felt slow in comparison to the M3 which is what I believe lead me to feel wanting in the torque department too. That rush seemed to be missing which I'm betting is due to the lack of immediacy to throttle response.

Power felt good overall, steering felt good if not a little heavier, but being as how this was not a confined environment, I really couldn't push it 10/10ths. The car felt solid, and I always fall back to the audio. The audio in the car just blew me away. I thought for sure that the new M3 would have upgraded to the new B&O offerings, but it looks like the 3series is stuck with Harman Kardon versus the newer B&O offerings from BMW.

Oh... and I'm not sure the RS5 is FWD biased like other Audis, I will have to do some research on that one.

[rushguy]

thanks for the replies! I'm an avid audi guy, have been since an a6 saved my life and my wife and infant daughter as well in a bad crash years ago (car was totaled, and we went through a fence and into a house but the inside of the car was mint). So I'm biased that way.... that's how I came to be on this forum, I'm active on A5OC and audizine forums so fig'd I'd check with the 'other side' so to speak to get real opinions. My buddy has an M3 not sure what model, it's a few years old, and when I drive that, it's hard to explain, i feel more connected to the road, I can gas it and get the rear end to go where I want and it's more of a drivers car sort of? my s5 though is so much more comfortable and the inside just blows the m3 away.

To rolltide, yup, the rs5 is in the states, I'm in waaaay upstate NY, so that's another tick in the audi column because the 435ix isn't AWD is it? It's my belief that the x5 is the only AWD or 4WD vehicle that bmw makes....correct? So if not the 435ix, what do you recommend I look at, something sporty, 2 doors etc...?

thanks again for the replies and not assuming that i was trolling.

[floydr]

thanks for the replies! I'm an avid audi guy, have been since an a6 saved my life and my wife and infant daughter as well in a bad crash years ago (car was totaled, and we went through a fence and into a house but the inside of the car was mint). So I'm biased that way.... that's how I came to be on this forum, I'm active on A5OC and audizine forums so fig'd I'd check with the 'other side' so to speak to get real opinions. My buddy has an M3 not sure what model, it's a few years old, and when I drive that, it's hard to explain, i feel more connected to the road, I can gas it and get the rear end to go where I want and it's more of a drivers car sort of? my s5 though is so much more comfortable and the inside just blows the m3 away.

To rolltide, yup, the rs5 is in the states, I'm in waaaay upstate NY, so that's another tick in the audi column because the 435ix isn't AWD is it? It's my belief that the x5 is the only AWD or 4WD vehicle that bmw makes....correct? So if not the 435ix, what do you recommend I look at, something sporty, 2 doors etc...?

The M3 is RWD-only, pretty sure what you're feeling is the difference between a really buttoned-down RWD sports-car like ride and the AWD S5, which while buttoned-down is more FWD-biased due to the weight on the front.

BMW makes AWD cars (xDrive) in virtually all body styles and models. 435xi is indeed AWD. Their new nomenclature is sDriveXX for RWD, and xDriveXX for AWD drive. But us "in the know" still use the old naming... so you have to be on your toes.

[rolltidef30]

Floydr pretty much sums it up perfectly. Like I said, Audi is ok to drive. Interiors are the best and make you "feel" rich. However, that's just not the most important thing to a BMW enthusiast. We like to feel one with the road. Yes, there are plenty of shallow BMW owners who are just rocking the brand, but you can easily spot them by the trim level and/or line they drive. Those are the folks who care more about the toys in the Bimmer camp.

Some complain that BMW has lost some of the road connection. I disagree, and just see it as with the modern times, BMW was first out of the gate (I-4 in 328i, electric steering, etc), but through it all, BMWs are still the best of the modern era. iDrive is much improved as well. If you test drive an AWD 435xi, maybe you'll feel some of the connection.

The stereo isn't the best I've heard, but it's good enough for my rock music.

[Kevlar]

BMW makes AWD cars (xDrive) in virtually all body styles and models. 435xi is indeed AWD. Their new nomenclature is sDriveXX for RWD, and xDriveXX for AWD drive. But us "in the know" still use the old naming... so you have to be on your toes.

Yup... anything with xDrive in it is AWD. They use a variable center differential to handle power and use open differentials left-to-right managed by the DSC/ABS to control power delivery.

The RS5 and S5 I believe also use a variable center differential with an open differential up front, but they have a sport/limited differential in the back which is a mechanical differential... I think.

[Jamesons Viggen]

A5=428
S5=435(more so when PPK equipped)
RS5=M4

The problem is the rs and s5 use quattro and fancy diffs as a performance enhancement. The 4 uses Xdrive as a bad weather traction enhancement, not a performance enhancement. That is why you do not see an Xdrive M3. So it makes it hard to compare. I would rather an M4 with snow tires to an RS5 instead of saddling a BMW with Xdrive if it was my sporting car.

[rushguy]

wow, wealth of knowledge hear. Thanks for the education, and honest and quick replies. I don't care what the rest of the audi guys say about you bimmer folks.... you're alright in my book!

(just kiddin, we only give a hard time to those mentioned earlier that only own bimmers for the badge.... audi has a few of those clowns too, and we give them a hard time also (folks who buy an a5 and then re-badge it s5 or rs5 and put quad tip exhausts on it etc etc...))

thanks again... time for test drives now I suppose.... now that i've got the breakdown from jamesons viggen

[AmazingJr]

The new 4 series along with all newer BMW's have much improved interiors in my opinion. Audi seems to be about flashy toys like previously said so for me they don't appeal. I have a 135i with no sunroof, no power seats, just an M Package, iDrive/Navigation and Boston Leather. Boston Leather is a good addition over the leatherette too but it just depends if you want to spend the money on something like that.

I can't deny that an S4 is a tempting vehicle, but everytime i've driven one, i get back into my car and just smile at how much more fun i'm having.

2010 Alpine White BMW 135i M Sport 6MT w/ Performance Exhaust/JB4

[sleeeper]

I had an A4 with Quattro for 4 months. Now I'm in a 435i with MSport and the car feels perfect.