the Audi S5 sportback is not perfect, but...
11-21-2017, 01:14 PM
#41
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I think the 440i looks much better than the A4/S4, but not as good as the A5/S5 Sportback. Anyway, the exterior design is definitely part of the equation, but not the dominant one for me.
11-21-2017, 01:29 PM
#42
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It depends on how you configure it and the discounts. For me, the S4 would be an MSRP of $61,100. The 540i would be $70,570. The MSRP difference is $9,470, but I can get a much larger discount on the 540i. On the Audi, I can get only 6%, while on the BMW I can get 8% plus a fleet discount of $2,500, so the discounted price on the Audi is $57,493, and on the BMW it is $62,424, so the difference shrinks to $4,931. For a savings of less than $5K (or 8%), it's hard to go for an S4 over a 540i... I wish Audi had better discounts!
11-21-2017, 02:03 PM
#43
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It depends on how you configure it and the discounts. For me, the S4 would be an MSRP of $61,100. The 540i would be $70,570. The MSRP difference is $9,470, but I can get a much larger discount on the 540i. On the Audi, I can get only 6%, while on the BMW I can get 8% plus a fleet discount of $2,500, so the discounted price on the Audi is $57,493, and on the BMW it is $62,424, so the difference shrinks to $4,931. For a savings of less than $5K (or 8%), it's hard to go for an S4 over a 540i... I wish Audi had better discounts!
Last edited by dudley@07726; 11-21-2017 at 02:05 PM.
11-21-2017, 02:19 PM
#44
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8% discount on BMW + fleet discount? Us little people dont get that kind of money off!? They are having major issues with the new 5 series. Brand new model and sales have been abysmal. Very nice car- very comfy, but nothing there to really excite anyone- not the exterior nor the interior- and while its fast by 15 year ago standards- its kinda normal now?
BMW goes for volume (at least here in CA), so pricing is very aggressive. Audi doesn't, so it's at a disadvantage. Also, the A6/S6 are old models. However, even with the new S4, it's hard to swallow buying the Audi when the street price ends up being so close to the 540i which is in a different league (and also the S4 street price is significantly higher than the 340i). Seems like a no-brainer to spend the extra few thousands on the 540i, but I'm still trying to figure out if I'm missing something...
11-21-2017, 02:20 PM
#45
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he is just a bimmer fanboy, who can't digest when someone else claims an Audi to be better than it's BMW counterpart. He has to now compare vs a car that's above the class in order to even make an argument for his case
11-21-2017, 02:27 PM
#46
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Yes, but the Audi A6 isn't really in the running until the new one comes out next year, and that's too late for me. Also, I don't like what they did on the controls with the new A7, and the A6 will be the same. The street prices of the S4 and 540i are close-enough, they weigh the same, they have similar engine power, and the size is large-enough for me on both of them, so I'm comparing them.
11-21-2017, 02:31 PM
#47
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That is complete nonsense. I owned two Audis (S5 and SQ5) just a couple of years ago, and I don't care at all about brands per se. I buy whatever makes the most sense at the time. There's nothing wrong with comparing to the class above if the street price is so close.
11-21-2017, 03:49 PM
#48
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Employees of most major corporations in the US can get the BMW fleet discount. 8% is pretty easy to negotiate on any car which isn't a first-year model or an M model, at least in my area where there are many BMW dealerships. The US sales figures on the new 5-series (which are easy to look up) are quite good - very close to the E-Class, and much better than the A6/S6.
BMW goes for volume (at least here in CA), so pricing is very aggressive. Audi doesn't, so it's at a disadvantage. Also, the A6/S6 are old models. However, even with the new S4, it's hard to swallow buying the Audi when the street price ends up being so close to the 540i which is in a different league (and also the S4 street price is significantly higher than the 340i). Seems like a no-brainer to spend the extra few thousands on the 540i, but I'm still trying to figure out if I'm missing something...
BMW goes for volume (at least here in CA), so pricing is very aggressive. Audi doesn't, so it's at a disadvantage. Also, the A6/S6 are old models. However, even with the new S4, it's hard to swallow buying the Audi when the street price ends up being so close to the 540i which is in a different league (and also the S4 street price is significantly higher than the 340i). Seems like a no-brainer to spend the extra few thousands on the 540i, but I'm still trying to figure out if I'm missing something...
The only thing is that there are sooo many options (some wayyyy over priced IMO) that to really match "feature to feature" with the S5 may take the price to 70-75k range? Even then there is a lot more than can be added. But if you are good with your config, I would pick the 540- (But mine would for sure be 75-80k)
11-21-2017, 04:21 PM
#49
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Well with those prices it is a no brainer IMO its the 540. A truly "better" car as the s4 is clearly at the 3-4 series of BMW- but with prices that close... and I dont like the looks of the S5- its just TOO plain. The 540 while no beauty- but is handsome and classic. At least externally. But all around the 5 series is a true step up in many ways from the BMW 3-4 series.
The only thing is that there are sooo many options (some wayyyy over priced IMO) that to really match "feature to feature" with the S5 may take the price to 70-75k range? Even then there is a lot more than can be added. But if you are good with your config, I would pick the 540- (But mine would for sure be 75-80k)
The only thing is that there are sooo many options (some wayyyy over priced IMO) that to really match "feature to feature" with the S5 may take the price to 70-75k range? Even then there is a lot more than can be added. But if you are good with your config, I would pick the 540- (But mine would for sure be 75-80k)
S4
Base 51,400
paint 575
prestige 4,400
sport 2,500
nappa 1,250
dest 975
$61,100
S5 Sportback
Base 54,400
paint 575
prestige 4,400
sport 2,500
nappa 1,250
dest 975
$64,100
540i
Base 57,700
paint 550
nappa 1,000
assist 1,700
M Sport 4,900
executive 2,100
contour 750
harman 875
dest 995
$70,570
The 540i is actually better equipped in some ways: power trunk, adaptive LED, soft-close doors... Anyway, you see what I'm talking about... Considering the higher discounts on the BMW, the prices are too close for my desired configs. The S5 Sportback is about a $2K difference street, and the S4 is about $5K difference.
11-21-2017, 04:56 PM
#50
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This comparison makes no sense at all. If A8 was a little cheaper, would you still compare it with the 5 series? I would guess no, because of the SIZE difference. S4/S5SB and 5 series are totally different cars catered to different needs. If you prefer a more compact vehicle you would be considering S4/S5SB or the 3/4 series, not the 5. The size of the vehicle makes a big difference to my driving experience, for me a smaller car is more fun to drive. If you want practicality, you would be looking at A6/5 series. Just because the price difference is minimal, doesn't mean the car a class above is better. they are just completely different cars.