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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum Please provide feedback: S4 vs 535Xi, will explain
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      07-30-2012, 08:00 PM   #1
why13
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Please provide feedback: S4 vs 535Xi, will explain

Hi Guys,
yes S4 and Bmw5 are separate categories , S4 /3 , A6/5 series but
1) I do not like the F30 especially the interior and dislike the A6 looks/seats etc
2) I like the S4 interior over f30 but i think the 5 interior and comfort seats are better than the S4
3)F10 msport 535xi in white looks very nice and i think in that config it drives well, steers well and is comfier over S4, where the S4 is more sportier like the F30
4) I sold my boxster s and may get the newer version sometime next year

The main reason i wanna get the 5 over the S4 is the superior luxury feel with enough sportinness ,
So forum members who had experience with b8 S4 and 535/550, please provide your feedback. I will really appreciate your opinions

Thanks
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      07-30-2012, 08:31 PM   #2
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What is it you are looking for in a car? Canyon carver, straight line moster, luxury sport car, sport/luxury car, sport sedan and a little luxury?

As you said, they are different cars and in different classes. The only person who can decide what you want...is you. Go drive them...drive them like you would normally drive them. If you just use them for a jaunt out in the mountains around you home, do that. If you will use it to commute in a lot of stop and go, or on a bad road, do that.

Only you can determine what you want. It's like trying to compare a 2004 Lexus GS and a M3.Both had 300hp, but one was a streetable race car, and the other (lexus) was a luxury performance car. One could fit 2 easily, plus two short people in the back. The other could fit 4 easily and up to 5. One can be taken anywhere on any road and not beat you up, the other can't. One is a comfortable cruiser, the other was a canyon carver. Both were around 50k well optioned.

Some people would have opted for the M3, others for the GS, and still others (probably most of the people on this board) would have gone a third way.

One thing I would suggest is that you drive a year old version of each car. I did and I was disappointed in how the Audi had held up (A6) vs the BMW 550s/535s...YMMV.

Good luck
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      07-30-2012, 09:28 PM   #3
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Thanks stoneHauler, your reccomendation is spot on

It is funny that when I test drive, I push a car a lot to see how it handles but when I own and going thru regular commute, I am just trying to be as comfortable as possible with good lane changing capabilities and some fun around twisty bends, less that 75% what I push during test drives, lol

I test drove both but , the S4 handles great but is not as comfy as 5, so as you said I guess i should be ready to sacrifice the go cart if I want the comfiness of the 5
IMO the 535 xi m sport( which is same as sport) did handle well but compared to S4 or 335 it falls short as expected, the same way 5 handles much better than 7
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      07-31-2012, 03:31 AM   #4
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Night and day, as expected you're going to get tons more with the f10 tha
The Audi. Plus it a BMW say no more. Looks wise and performance wise the BMW takes the cake Any day of the week!!
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      07-31-2012, 04:39 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by half man half amazin View Post
Plus it a BMW say no more. Looks wise and performance wise the BMW takes the cake Any day of the week!!
From someone who has been driving BMWs since 1986, neither of your statements is remotely accurate.

It's a BMW, say no more? Not anymore. BMW has been moving toward luxury and Audi toward sport. I'm not saying Audi has surpassed BMW, but it's now far from a slam dunk. Unfortunate.

Performance wise BMW takes the cake? Not even close comparing the 535xi and S4. The handling of the S4 with Audi's sport differential is closer to my Porsche than my BMW. The Audi has 30+ more hp in a much lighter car. And BMW has really botched its first electric power steering application ruining the brand's historically famous steering feel and feedback.

Don't get me wrong. I think the OP should opt for the BMW as well. But you can't just dismiss Audi anymore.

Last edited by hinckley; 07-31-2012 at 04:46 AM..
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      07-31-2012, 04:43 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by why13 View Post
Thanks stoneHauler, your reccomendation is spot on

It is funny that when I test drive, I push a car a lot to see how it handles but when I own and going thru regular commute, I am just trying to be as comfortable as possible with good lane changing capabilities and some fun around twisty bends, less that 75% what I push during test drives, lol

I test drove both but , the S4 handles great but is not as comfy as 5, so as you said I guess i should be ready to sacrifice the go cart if I want the comfiness of the 5
IMO the 535 xi m sport( which is same as sport) did handle well but compared to S4 or 335 it falls short as expected, the same way 5 handles much better than 7
I think you've got it exactly right. I think that the 5 used to be the perfect combination of sport and comfort, but now you've got to comprimise and chose one over the other.
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      07-31-2012, 05:32 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by why13 View Post
Thanks stoneHauler, your reccomendation is spot on

It is funny that when I test drive, I push a car a lot to see how it handles but when I own and going thru regular commute, I am just trying to be as comfortable as possible with good lane changing capabilities and some fun around twisty bends, less that 75% what I push during test drives, lol

I test drove both but , the S4 handles great but is not as comfy as 5, so as you said I guess i should be ready to sacrifice the go cart if I want the comfiness of the 5
IMO the 535 xi m sport( which is same as sport) did handle well but compared to S4 or 335 it falls short as expected, the same way 5 handles much better than 7
Doesnt that really tell you to go for the 535? You obviously value comfort, and dont push it too hard in daily commute(and who can in big city traffic), sounds like an easy choice if this is indeed the case.

And ofcourse the 5-series looks 10x better than a small audi, but that is coming from a 5-owner who obviously prefer big fat and sporty(looks) over small and sporty(looks). Yours might differ!
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      07-31-2012, 09:38 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hinckley View Post
I think you've got it exactly right. I think that the 5 used to be the perfect combination of sport and comfort, but now you've got to comprimise and chose one over the other.
I disagree, I think the F10 is the perfect combination of sport and comfort, the old 5 is more toward sport and the ride comfort suffers.
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      07-31-2012, 11:10 AM   #9
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I took a hard look at the S4 when I was shopping for my car. I have a couple of recommendations: if you buy the S4 make sure you include the Sport Differential among your options, it transforms the car into a much better handler. If you buy the 535i make sure you include the IAS among your options. I noticed you are buying the x but I don't think IAS is available with all wheel drive - so this is just in case you end up buying an i instead. Finally if you can pay a few dollars more (not many) and don't mind the reduced fuel economy - do go for the 550, the engine is just sublime.
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      07-31-2012, 02:03 PM   #10
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I was in the same boat as you and extensively test drove both cars (and ended up getting bmw). S4 was smaller, less luxurious, felt slightly faster with slightly better handling. However, the 535's technology and comfort were tenfold superior. Plus it is more professional looking, while the s4 is more of a "toy". If this is going to be a day-to-day commute type of a car, I'd recommend the 535xi.
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      07-31-2012, 05:48 PM   #11
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Quote:
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However, the 535's technology were tenfold superior.
Which technology in the 535 is tenfold superior?
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      08-01-2012, 02:44 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hinckley View Post
From someone who has been driving BMWs since 1986, neither of your statements is remotely accurate.

It's a BMW, say no more? Not anymore. BMW has been moving toward luxury and Audi toward sport. I'm not saying Audi has surpassed BMW, but it's now far from a slam dunk. Unfortunate.

Performance wise BMW takes the cake? Not even close comparing the 535xi and S4. The handling of the S4 with Audi's sport differential is closer to my Porsche than my BMW. The Audi has 30+ more hp in a much lighter car. And BMW has really botched its first electric power steering application ruining the brand's historically famous steering feel and feedback.

Don't get me wrong. I think the OP should opt for the BMW as well. But you can't just dismiss Audi anymore.
Of course this is all subjective. I personally would take BMW over any Audi ANY day of the week. I haven't been driving them since 86, but I have had plenty of luxury/ sport / performance vehicles and out of the last 12 I've had in th past 10 years the BMW's have by FAR been the best and I'm very pleased. Different strokes for different folks.
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      08-01-2012, 01:19 PM   #13
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Which technology in the 535 is tenfold superior?
Sorry, should have been more clear. The Navigation for instance.
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      08-01-2012, 06:28 PM   #14
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This thread is pretty interesting as the same options have passed through my thought process. My first luxury [sporty] car is a BMW 135 and I have never driven an audi.

I keep hearing about the longevity of audi vs BMW on several threads. Is this true?The only thing that makes me think about audi is its AWD and I always wanted to try it[ I am not a blind fanboy of anything]. I wouldn't try an audi if it falls apart in a couple of years though.

To the OP..I think theS4 might be sportier and nimbler than the 535.The 535 might be more luxurious comparatively. I haven't driven either [ being honest ].
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      08-02-2012, 06:49 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SirNicholas View Post
Sorry, should have been more clear. The Navigation for instance.
I somewhat agree with you, the 2012 S4 has the Audi 2G MMI, which is a pretty old system. The BMW's current navi is a bit better then the 2G MMI, but not by much. The new Audi 3G MMI which is in the 2012 A6 is a bit better than the current 535i's navi. Overall, I would say they are both pretty much equal technology wise.
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      08-02-2012, 07:08 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by why13 View Post
Hi Guys,
yes S4 and Bmw5 are separate categories , S4 /3 , A6/5 series but
1) I do not like the F30 especially the interior and dislike the A6 looks/seats etc
2) I like the S4 interior over f30 but i think the 5 interior and comfort seats are better than the S4
3)F10 msport 535xi in white looks very nice and i think in that config it drives well, steers well and is comfier over S4, where the S4 is more sportier like the F30
4) I sold my boxster s and may get the newer version sometime next year

The main reason i wanna get the 5 over the S4 is the superior luxury feel with enough sportinness ,
So forum members who had experience with b8 S4 and 535/550, please provide your feedback. I will really appreciate your opinions

Thanks
on style alone the 535i wins... interior and exterior design are newer. on the curves, the S4 is the king. Along with 0-60. And S4 has faster transmission. A real cmparison is an A6 and 535xi.
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      08-02-2012, 01:25 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The X Men View Post
I somewhat agree with you, the 2012 S4 has the Audi 2G MMI, which is a pretty old system. The BMW's current navi is a bit better then the 2G MMI, but not by much. The new Audi 3G MMI which is in the 2012 A6 is a bit better than the current 535i's navi. Overall, I would say they are both pretty much equal technology wise.
What about the size of the screen? iDrive? The dashboard screen (as opposed to LEDs)
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      08-02-2012, 02:25 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SirNicholas View Post
What about the size of the screen? iDrive? The dashboard screen (as opposed to LEDs)
The 5 series have a wide screen and the S4 doesnt. The lastest iDrive is better than the Audi 2G MMI. The gauages are nicer on the 5 series as well. Keep in mind that the A4/S4 series wasnt design to compete with the 5 series. If we compare the 5 series with the A6/S6, then I would say the Audi 3G MMI is better than the iDrive and the navigation is better in the Audi as well. The A6/S6 also have much nicer gauges than the 5 series. The screen is about the same size, but I am not too carzy about Audi's pop up screen.
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      08-02-2012, 06:11 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The X Men View Post
The 5 series have a wide screen and the S4 doesnt. The lastest iDrive is better than the Audi 2G MMI. The gauages are nicer on the 5 series as well. Keep in mind that the A4/S4 series wasnt design to compete with the 5 series. If we compare the 5 series with the A6/S6, then I would say the Audi 3G MMI is better than the iDrive and the navigation is better in the Audi as well. The A6/S6 also have much nicer gauges than the 5 series. The screen is about the same size, but I am not too carzy about Audi's pop up screen.
I agree. That's pretty much what the guy at the dealer said to me, rather blatently. S4 competes with the m3, not 535 so they wouldn't do any sort of price matching so I ended up going with the f10.
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      08-02-2012, 06:48 PM   #20
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why13, get a BMW 535i M-Sport and chip it with BMS. I test drove a the S4 recently, just for kicks. Now that I own an F10, the S4 feels like a bit of a downgrade.

The S4 performance is sporty and the handling is crisp, but so is an EVO X or Corvette GS. For the price, you can get into a pre-owned E90 M3 or E60 M5 if you want a car that you can track. My point is, the F10 is a great balance of beauty, performance, and luxury. There are plenty of quick cars out there for $55-$60k, but would you want to drive it everyday?
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      08-03-2012, 07:57 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JNoSol View Post
why13, get a BMW 535i M-Sport and chip it with BMS. I test drove a the S4 recently, just for kicks. Now that I own an F10, the S4 feels like a bit of a downgrade.

The S4 performance is sporty and the handling is crisp, but so is an EVO X or Corvette GS. For the price, you can get into a pre-owned E90 M3 or E60 M5 if you want a car that you can track. My point is, the F10 is a great balance of beauty, performance, and luxury. There are plenty of quick cars out there for $55-$60k, but would you want to drive it everyday?
First of all, some people do not like to chip cars. Second of all, EVO is not even in the same class as an Audi. The Vette is nice, but it doesnt have a back seat. If you compare pre-owned, you need to compare to a pre-owned S4 as well. I do agree with your final point, a fast car doesnt alway make for a daily driver.
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      08-03-2012, 07:58 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SirNicholas View Post
I agree. That's pretty much what the guy at the dealer said to me, rather blatently. S4 competes with the m3, not 535 so they wouldn't do any sort of price matching so I ended up going with the f10.
If you stack up the options evenly, the S4 is more in the price of the 335 than the M3.
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