545i vs Audi S4
Discussion
Having recently sold my Boxster S I'm looking for a replacement vehicle. Have a baby daughter now, so must have 4 seats and be fun to drive. Trying to decide between buying an Audi S4 and alternatively getting a BMW - something like a new shape 545i. Can't think of any other alternatives that fit the bill. Test drove the Merc E500 and Jag S Type R and didn't like them much. Considered a 2002ish BMW M5 but bit put off by potential running costs.
I've read all the reviews, and had one fairly short test drive in each of the S4 and 545i. I think I'll have to arrange at least a whole day test drive or car hire to decide which is the one for me. So far, I loved driving the S4, it gave me a huge grin, no doubt largely due to the glorius sound of the V8. The 545i is still quick, but would realistically would have to be an automatic and feels a lot heavier. On paper the S4's MPG looks rather scary, even compared to the 545i. Seems like the 545i would be a good choice for a quick and roomy family car, but if I were being selfish I'd be tempted to choose the S4.
Just wondered if anyone here has owned both and so can offer a comparison of what these cars are like to live with on a longer term basis.
Thanks
John
I've read all the reviews, and had one fairly short test drive in each of the S4 and 545i. I think I'll have to arrange at least a whole day test drive or car hire to decide which is the one for me. So far, I loved driving the S4, it gave me a huge grin, no doubt largely due to the glorius sound of the V8. The 545i is still quick, but would realistically would have to be an automatic and feels a lot heavier. On paper the S4's MPG looks rather scary, even compared to the 545i. Seems like the 545i would be a good choice for a quick and roomy family car, but if I were being selfish I'd be tempted to choose the S4.
Just wondered if anyone here has owned both and so can offer a comparison of what these cars are like to live with on a longer term basis.
Thanks
John
Hi John
I went through a similar process 18 months ago. Daughter is now 11 months old. I ended up with an e39 M5 after trying an RS4 and an S Type R. Certainly not cheap to run, but surely this will be offset by the depreciation the newer cars would suffer?
Apologies for not being a direct reply to the question, but i'm just such a fan of the M5 now
Stu
I went through a similar process 18 months ago. Daughter is now 11 months old. I ended up with an e39 M5 after trying an RS4 and an S Type R. Certainly not cheap to run, but surely this will be offset by the depreciation the newer cars would suffer?
Apologies for not being a direct reply to the question, but i'm just such a fan of the M5 now
Stu
Stu
Thanks for your reply. Interestingly, I started off intending to get an M3, but then went off the idea when I realised what a pain it would be with 2 doors and a baby. I then went to see an M5, but the dealer put me off, partly by not being happy to allow a test drive (it was raining - hardly likely to be a problem for an ex Cerbera owner!) and also because he said typical service costs would be between £400 and £1200 a time. I'm used to £400 service costs but have no desire to go back to Cerbera type service costs. What's your experience of M5 service costs?
Maybe I shouldn't rule out an E39 M5 without driving one. Be interested to know how it drives compared to the M3 and the Chimaera that you've previously owned. I enjoyed test driving the M3, and have owned a couple of Chimaera's in the past (400 and 430's). Does the M5 still feel noticeably bigger/heavier?
Cheers
Thanks for your reply. Interestingly, I started off intending to get an M3, but then went off the idea when I realised what a pain it would be with 2 doors and a baby. I then went to see an M5, but the dealer put me off, partly by not being happy to allow a test drive (it was raining - hardly likely to be a problem for an ex Cerbera owner!) and also because he said typical service costs would be between £400 and £1200 a time. I'm used to £400 service costs but have no desire to go back to Cerbera type service costs. What's your experience of M5 service costs?
Maybe I shouldn't rule out an E39 M5 without driving one. Be interested to know how it drives compared to the M3 and the Chimaera that you've previously owned. I enjoyed test driving the M3, and have owned a couple of Chimaera's in the past (400 and 430's). Does the M5 still feel noticeably bigger/heavier?
Cheers
John
Yep the 2 door thing, really doesn't seem a problem until the first time you try and put the rear facing seat in! As you can see from my profile i've had both a Chimera and an E46 M3. The M5 is very different in character to both these, but oddly probably a good mix of the the two. It has the massive torque and effortless power of the TVR with the comfort and toys of the M3. In the real world it is probably quicker than both, as in gear it destroys an M3, and if your wife is anything like mine, she will notice if you're caning the arse out it like you do in an M3 to get the best out of it. Whereas 100mph in the M5 is barely tickover in the taller gears
Servicing so far has been good, but i think you need to have a good dealer. Cluch went a few months into ownership, but although out of warranty they still picked up the bill as the car had done less than 30k miles. If you get one with a warranty then i think servicing would be very reasonable. Some cars have known to be heavy on oil, but mine isn't.
Does the car feel bigger? Yes, it does. But it still feels surprisingly chuckable and you would never believe it was any heavier than an M3 from the way the chassis behaves when pressing on.
I really enjoyed the RS4 but the M5 just felt nore "fun", whatever that means!
Luckily i managed to convince the Mrs that i still needed a weekend car to replace the Noble, so i still have the 355 for when the ankle biter is asleep
The only trouble is that that is less and less now, so the 355 will soon be being replaced.
I guess you really need a good drive in an M5 to see if it fits the bill. A quick spin with a nervous stealer won't allow the car to show its true colours!
>> Edited by stuh on Monday 28th November 22:11
Yep the 2 door thing, really doesn't seem a problem until the first time you try and put the rear facing seat in! As you can see from my profile i've had both a Chimera and an E46 M3. The M5 is very different in character to both these, but oddly probably a good mix of the the two. It has the massive torque and effortless power of the TVR with the comfort and toys of the M3. In the real world it is probably quicker than both, as in gear it destroys an M3, and if your wife is anything like mine, she will notice if you're caning the arse out it like you do in an M3 to get the best out of it. Whereas 100mph in the M5 is barely tickover in the taller gears
Servicing so far has been good, but i think you need to have a good dealer. Cluch went a few months into ownership, but although out of warranty they still picked up the bill as the car had done less than 30k miles. If you get one with a warranty then i think servicing would be very reasonable. Some cars have known to be heavy on oil, but mine isn't.
Does the car feel bigger? Yes, it does. But it still feels surprisingly chuckable and you would never believe it was any heavier than an M3 from the way the chassis behaves when pressing on.
I really enjoyed the RS4 but the M5 just felt nore "fun", whatever that means!
Luckily i managed to convince the Mrs that i still needed a weekend car to replace the Noble, so i still have the 355 for when the ankle biter is asleep
The only trouble is that that is less and less now, so the 355 will soon be being replaced. I guess you really need a good drive in an M5 to see if it fits the bill. A quick spin with a nervous stealer won't allow the car to show its true colours!
>> Edited by stuh on Monday 28th November 22:11
M5 is actually a very good family car if you have young children. Big boot and lots of space.
Electric rear blind and manual side blinds useful for keeping the sun out of your loved ones eyes.
Worth checking if the car has isofix points (think it was an option not a standard accessory).
Electric rear blind and manual side blinds useful for keeping the sun out of your loved ones eyes.
Worth checking if the car has isofix points (think it was an option not a standard accessory).
Went to see another M5 and yet again the dealer didn't fancy allowing me a test drive. What is it about M5s?! Some comment about it being a bit dark and damp outside - never mind the fact that I used to drive my Cerbera in the snow sometimes. How the hell am I supposed to decide whether to buy one if I can't get a test drive? Anyway, rant over. Thanks for all your suggestions and comments so far guys.
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