As I had posted about recently, I am selling my 2005 Audi S4 sedan. I've been shopping aggressively lately, and this weekend was a culmination.
2008 BMW M5
"The ultimate driving machine" really does apply. The M5 is just a joy to drive in almost every way. The motor really does live up to the hype: it's a screamer but still provides adequate power at low RPM. What I really love about it is the split-personality: it is very quiet and rides well around town with the EDC in "normal".
However, the reviews were correct: the SMG is not as smooth as a normal automatic around town. In fact, it feels just like a manual: there is a definite pause and slight jerk as it grabs the next gear, even in the sharper modes. I would say that the driveability is better with it in the higher modes. I drove a 6MT version and it was smoother. But the SMG does shift lightning-fast and from a standstill you are doing 90mph before you realize it.
The M5 has that "OMG" feeling after you really drive it hard.
2013 Audi S4 S-tronic
I felt I owed it to Audi to see what the newest version of my car was like. The 2013s happened to be on the lot, boasting a steering wheel borrowed from the Gallardo (flat-bottom...so sexy) and tweaked grilles and tail lamps.
I'm conflicted about the car overall. Whereas my S4 feels like a muscle car (small car, huge motor), the new one is a bit numb. It does everything too well. The motor is very smooth and quiet, and the power delivery is very very linear. The S-tronic gearbox is very fast but imperceptible around town. The interior is a bit complicated for my tastes but the quality has not gone down as some have suggested.
The price is right, especially for a brand new car. I just wish Audi had done something a bit more "bonkers".
But when all is said and done, I got out of the car and had no real feelings either way. I've heard that the ECU upgrades and an intake or exhaust gives it more kick and a better sound.
2010 Lexus IS-F
I did this on a whim at the end of the day since a nearby dealer had one. This one really threw a wrench into my decision! For some reason it got some very bad press for having too many gears, riding too hard, and being an oddball. On the contrary, I would say that it's a good package.
The Yamaha V8 might be better than BMW's V10, no joke. The noise it makes above 3400rpm when the secondary intake runners open is glorious -- very "Honda VTEC"-like. This car feels like the muscle car that my current S4 is. The 8-speed gearbox is indeed lightning fast but docile at low speeds. Ride is firm but I found it acceptable.
It's a Lexus at heart. That gives a downside in that the interior is a bit dated and spartan, though to be fair it is no-fuss. Everything is labeled and it doesn't take 10 button presses to accomplish.
I walked away saying, "Wow."
So yes, now I have some thinking to do.
The M5 has been a dream car of mine for a while, and it lives up to the hype. But the iDrive is as bad as the press makes it out to be, even for a techy guy like me. It does seem very nice for around town use and has lots of space.
The IS-F is the muscle car. Wild looks, crazy engine, and an awesome noise. I just have to get past the small backseat (smaller than my Audi) and the blah interior. It actually reminds me a lot of my S4.
2008 BMW M5
"The ultimate driving machine" really does apply. The M5 is just a joy to drive in almost every way. The motor really does live up to the hype: it's a screamer but still provides adequate power at low RPM. What I really love about it is the split-personality: it is very quiet and rides well around town with the EDC in "normal".
However, the reviews were correct: the SMG is not as smooth as a normal automatic around town. In fact, it feels just like a manual: there is a definite pause and slight jerk as it grabs the next gear, even in the sharper modes. I would say that the driveability is better with it in the higher modes. I drove a 6MT version and it was smoother. But the SMG does shift lightning-fast and from a standstill you are doing 90mph before you realize it.
The M5 has that "OMG" feeling after you really drive it hard.
2013 Audi S4 S-tronic
I felt I owed it to Audi to see what the newest version of my car was like. The 2013s happened to be on the lot, boasting a steering wheel borrowed from the Gallardo (flat-bottom...so sexy) and tweaked grilles and tail lamps.
I'm conflicted about the car overall. Whereas my S4 feels like a muscle car (small car, huge motor), the new one is a bit numb. It does everything too well. The motor is very smooth and quiet, and the power delivery is very very linear. The S-tronic gearbox is very fast but imperceptible around town. The interior is a bit complicated for my tastes but the quality has not gone down as some have suggested.
The price is right, especially for a brand new car. I just wish Audi had done something a bit more "bonkers".
But when all is said and done, I got out of the car and had no real feelings either way. I've heard that the ECU upgrades and an intake or exhaust gives it more kick and a better sound.
2010 Lexus IS-F
I did this on a whim at the end of the day since a nearby dealer had one. This one really threw a wrench into my decision! For some reason it got some very bad press for having too many gears, riding too hard, and being an oddball. On the contrary, I would say that it's a good package.
The Yamaha V8 might be better than BMW's V10, no joke. The noise it makes above 3400rpm when the secondary intake runners open is glorious -- very "Honda VTEC"-like. This car feels like the muscle car that my current S4 is. The 8-speed gearbox is indeed lightning fast but docile at low speeds. Ride is firm but I found it acceptable.
It's a Lexus at heart. That gives a downside in that the interior is a bit dated and spartan, though to be fair it is no-fuss. Everything is labeled and it doesn't take 10 button presses to accomplish.
I walked away saying, "Wow."
So yes, now I have some thinking to do.
The M5 has been a dream car of mine for a while, and it lives up to the hype. But the iDrive is as bad as the press makes it out to be, even for a techy guy like me. It does seem very nice for around town use and has lots of space.
The IS-F is the muscle car. Wild looks, crazy engine, and an awesome noise. I just have to get past the small backseat (smaller than my Audi) and the blah interior. It actually reminds me a lot of my S4.
