Just because i reject them "as loaners" for myself does not mean that i :
a) face being a passenger in one
b) talk to other owners who line up in service while i sip coffee
c) have not driven any of the recent cars even though its not a car I would choose

Don't get me wrong . I realize there are those who, like their Audi cars ..good for them . I'll pass.

 

+1
Audi is in a league of its own when it comes to build quality in every particular segment. BMW can't match that with no car. Not even the 6-series with it's beautiful interiors. I like BMW, but when I have to choose I choose an Audi. Simply because they're very, very good cars. I drive a Q5 at the moment as a businesscar. I just love to drive the car. It not only feels much more expensive than it is, the build-quality is absolutely flawless.. It's obvious why Porsche decided to take this car as a base for it's new volumemodel, the Macan.
And btw... We live in 2013... Not in the 80's or 90's anymore....

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To the OP,

Other than a 3-day stay to find and successfully address a squeak near the sun visors, my S5 cab has had nothing but routine service and winter/summer tire switches.

As a single point of comparison, my wife's X5d has had four unscheduled services in 18 months. As with all brand comparisons YMMV, to each her own, etc.

 

Thought I should share this one... In my opinion one of the most beautiful 4-seat convertibles out there. And pretty fast too!


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I owned e92 335i for 6 years (before my 4S) and have driven many BMWs plus sat in the new M6. BMW has vastly improved the build quality and interiors of new 5 and 6 series are very refined. In my most recent trip to china I got chauffeured around in fully loaded 2013 3.0 A6L (extended length) and man I got sold. It's attention to detail and smooth ride was next to nothing-I thought it was a step ahead 5 and 6 series. I've changed my mind for my next daily driver (3rd car) to be an S6. What an amazing car it is!

 

So why not just buy a Porsche and call it a day ? That's what I did . I even voiced that BMW is no longer thrilling so it's not like BMW is any sort of vehicle king (or queen if applicable) .

As for that giant convertible (RS5) with a performance engine ? An interior that large will feel like a wind tunnel blowing road filth alll over the cabin . I rarely understood why anyone would buy a convertible ( at all) until I drove a smaller cabin high door sill Boxster (roadster) which allows the cabin air flow to feel more like a gentle breeze instead of a tornado .

Porsches largest cabin Cab is the 911 at this point in time . In the rumor mill are those who hope for a Panamera Coupe or cab but I feel that the larger the cabin gets the less appealing it wil be . Unless of course the driver simply likes a vehicle to feel like its a some sort of float in a parade instead of a performance car.

 

... I actually agree

 

You've done a pretty good job derailing this thread with your outdated opinions. If you re-the op's questions the A/S/RS 5 fits the mold as well as some of the other options from BMW, Jag etc... He also made it clear she is not interested in another P-car. She is not looking for a light weight sports car, sounds more like a vert GT.

Do all of us a favor and go drive the cars you are trashing and then give an opinion. Or at least add value by minimizing your opinions.

 

Apparently is YOU who hasn't read the thread. If you read my very first reply it was a simple "M3" answer (post number 6). The Op did not reply and it's three days later.

You can can call my opinions "oudated" in complete ignorance of knowing what cars I have driven or go off on a limb and speak of "us all" instead of in the first person. (reveals a lot ) .... implying in absolute terms that no one in the universe could possibly share an opposing view about an Audi car .

The Op in post number one did in fact ask for "opinions". If you specifically wanted to know which Audi cars I have driven and why my opinion differs you could have asked . You didn't.

BTW . if you drive an audi car and like it .. good for you !! My adverse opinion ought not effect your driving enjoyment reality .
Yet your specific request to "minimize " my opinions almost seems like a weak attempt to silence them.

I tell you what . If you dont like my posts you can choose to either reply or ignore . Pretty simple really !!!

 

To the Op-

I do feel that the 335i is a decent car but I do feel at its price one could buy a great car . The manual transmission convertible segment is quite narrow at the 50K -60K price point . My intial thought about a replacement vehicle was within similar pricing and that becomes difficult . As you might have guessed by now .. not everyone wil pick the same car .

The M3 convertible (used CPO) has already taken a depreciation hit and even though it's become a little dated it is an M car and that's what differentiates it in the performance areas.

My guess is that you may end up in an Audi but I am almost willing to say in the absense of the next gen M3/M4 out yet that maybe replacing the 335i with another 335i might be a safe bet choice .

The 3 series does come with free service and the 3 series does retain its value .It was freshly redesigned and the new model does have some improvements in terms of handling, fuel consumption, technology . the new interior is a huge improvement too over the last gen.
There are some positive things with the car .

Best wishes in your search .

 

I don't think there's much difference in the value between BMW, Audi or Mercedes. They all hold their value pretty good I think or is it different in the U.S.? Things about free service I don't know about, because we don't really have that over here in Europe. You can get servicepackages, but other then those korean brands, no one offers free service as far as I know.

3-series is definitly a great car (just don't like the convertible with the ugly hardtop, but that's personal), the only thing I wouldn't like is buying a new car now and already knowing that in about half a year I'm driving an old model. In fact it's an old model as we speak already.

I hope BMW stays close to the 4-series concept car in terms of looks. It is beautiful! If they can lift their interiors to a level that's up there with Audi, then it's a fantastic car.

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In the US BMW comes with free service for 4 years 50K miles . It's actually a nice perk that BMW offers . My last two BMw cars were M3 cars . One had 36K miles and the other had 16K when I traded them in and the only thing i ever paid for was tires .

The 3 series does hold its value here . Recently i cringe when I trade in my Porsches but worry a lot less when I traded in my BMW cars . Specifically the 3 series is the BMW car which holds value well. Not all BMW cars hold value like the 3 series and this logic aplies to both Mercedes and Audi too.

After 23 BMW cars I just became bored with them . It's mostly because I am so passionate about the driving characteristics found in my Porsches that i feel that committed to the Porsches .

Perhaps that's what's hard about an off topic suggestion coming from a guy who took a lot of cars and time to get this point of accepting that "there is no substitute" .. at least for me .

These were my last two M3 cars . The white (2011) one was a custom order . The black one was my 08 car. In fact the dealership I traded the car in last week might still have it but even though its in perfect shape and was a great driving car I don't miss it .

 

Don't really want to get into this thread. Many opnions that I am not sure help the OP, but certainly opnions are why were are here when warranted and appropriate.

I had the opportunity to drive the 2013 S6. Very, very nice car. Has it all IMO. I am certainly not an audi guy. Nevered owned one. Been in a BMW since 2000. Very impressive car for the $$.

 

That's definitly a nice perk that BMW offers! Wish they did that over here


Those are some very nice M3 cars you had. Thumbsup!


But in the the end... You're right. There's no substitute allthough I love other cars too, but Porsche just has something special.

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If you're looking for something stylish, extremely well built, and that is quite pleasing on the eyes and the senses, have a look at the Audi RS5 or TT RS.

Unique styling and 30 years removed from the 80's PR nightmare.

Yes people, it's been THIRTY years...

PS. These are all subjective opinions and personal preferences, so let's stay civil and polite. Life's way too short..