RICHBOY

Nice sound bite but it takes a little more than fun for me to but up the kind of cash these vehicles cost. And if you notice it seems to be the same post revised when discussing the 335i, it's fun to drive! I get it! But what about the interior? What about it looking like a revised 6-Series, not to say that's a bad thing but still, and lets be honest the noose has certainly tightened up on the 3-Series now hasn't it? I'm thinking it's because of the all new A/S5 and the fact that more people are starting to figure out it makes more sense comparing the CLK to the 3-Series and not the C-Class.

Deutsch

Well there's most definitely a mass production, turbocharged Audi engine in the pipe line for widespread use across the Audi model line up. However I'm not sure of the impact it will have compared to the N54 Bi Turbo thats snapped up awards and rave reviews left and right, and has established a solid reputation, if not a benchmark for the engine development across the industry. The 2.0T has more than taken care of the low end of the VWAG model empire, now it's time for them to kick things up a notch and bring something to the middle performance segment. Will be interesting to see what developments transpire between now and later.

Mr. M

We just received A5 prices here. An A5 3.2 Quattro costs as much as a 335i - go figure. The A5 just doesn't seem to be a 3er competitor - a "4er" competitor is more appropriate, if there will ever be one... The A5 after all has a transplanted A6 interior.

chonkoa

I would rather say the 335 has tightened the noose around the Audi A4/S4/S5 and MB C-Class and CLK Class.

From a Price perspective in the US
Audi A4 3.2 litre Quattro=$37,640
BMW 335i=$38,900
MB C350 =$38,600

From the performance bracket perspective with Price
Audi S4=$48,700. I am sure the S5 will cost a bit more.
MB CLK 550=$54,900
BMW E92 335i= $40,800.

So, from a price-performance matrix, I see the 335i as a clear winner

Mr. M

I thought we agreed on power-to-price ratio.

chonkoa

I forgot.

Deutsch

Something else quite interesting: I'm normally hard on cars when the manufacture states in the press release that the car is a "sports car" but falls short in the real world with a lack of true sporting intent. With that said, Audi has completely hit the mark with the A5, I was mislead by my own presumptuous thinking that this was intended to be a "sports car" but never once, anywhere in any of Audi's PR material do they call the A5 a "sports car" - as I've discovered this evening. It was meant to be a GT people, and these hardcore supercar/sports car freaks(primarily the British Automotive media) have been incredibly unfair in grading the A5/S5 against such standards. The A5/S5 was meant to be any easy going machine, not a high strung athlete.

Mr. M

That is true. I guess people are to eager to see whether the MLP worked out well. But in the A5's application its sporting abilities won't show well - wait for the next A4, now that's a better yardstick...

Just_me

Same here in Sweden. I dont see the S5 as a true 335i competitior if there ever come a 335si then maybe we will have a S5 competitior.

bimmerdreng