BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

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      01-06-2013, 02:09 AM   #1
cu260r6
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Help, talk me out of an A5!

Unfortunately, my 2010 128i was just in an accident and totaled. I'll be receiving a nice chunk of change from the insurance company, and I'm looking at one of these two replacement cars;

1. 2010 128i, only 15k miles, CPO, brand new runflats, no options except heated seats, must have been kept outside because the black paint shows micro scratches if you look really close. $24k I'd have to get a very small loan, maybe $4k.

2. 2010 Audi A5 2.0t, 28k miles, leather, heated seats, navigation, garaged its whole life, one owner. $29.5. I'd have to get about an $8k loan.

I bought my previous bmw because it felt like a go kart with air conditioning. I loved the tiny, zippy feel of the thing. I drove the A5 for the first time today, just around a few blocks, and it felt a bit like a boat. It's much larger, and due to the curvier nature of the body, you can't tell where the corners truly are. However, living in CO the 4wd on the A5 would be a substantial benefit since this is my only car. I will be putting a 3 stage intake on the 128i and a chip in the audi, so the power for both would be more able to deal with the CO altitude. I'm leaning toward the A5 hoping that I'll become accustomed to how it drives and the size just like I did from my Tacoma to the 128, but I'm unsure this is a certainty.

Has anyone driven both sufficiently? Which would you chose?

Last edited by cu260r6; 01-06-2013 at 02:26 AM..
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      01-06-2013, 03:38 AM   #2
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I did, the A5 was a 3.0 I guess, 2012 model...
I also drive one or twice / month my 2013 5 series which belongs to my sis...
A5 and 5 series are like you said Boats, boats of superb comfort and class but when it comes to driving pleasure, none of them can compete with the 1 series coupe.
I would not go away or trade the pleasure I feel driving my 1 unless to another 1 or the coming 2 series.
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      01-06-2013, 03:54 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rori zahr View Post
I did, the A5 was a 3.0 I guess, 2012 model...
I also drive one or twice / month my 2013 5 series which belongs to my sis...
A5 and 5 series are like you said Boats, boats of superb comfort and class but when it comes to driving pleasure, none of them can compete with the 1 series coupe.
I would not go away or trade the pleasure I feel driving my 1 unless to another 1 or the coming 2 series.
the A5 I think compares more to the 3 series than the 5 series.
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      01-06-2013, 04:01 AM   #4
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Agreed, but a 328i(x) is dog slow, so I'm not considering that option.

I use to race superbikes, so that side of my personality is reserved for the track where this car will never go. Given that, I'm wondering if the greater ability in the mtns in the snow, the greater luxury, and the just plain sexiness of the A5's curves justify its price premium.

Also, any thoughts on this 1's price point or which car will retain value better? I'm thinking the Audi is probably a better financial deal.
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      01-06-2013, 07:26 AM   #5
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Last year when I bought my 135i i was sort of in the same dilemma but in reverse. At the time i had a 2010 S4 that i brought with me from central PA. Was looking to get either an S5 cabriolet or the 135i cab. Decided on the 135i because it does handle superbly and I don't have to worry about the weather. I have a friend that has an A5 20t and had the ECU flashed with GIAC software and it is a great ride. But you are correct, it is a much different handling animal than the 128. But when there's 6 inches of snow and you need to get to work... You'll be glad. good luck
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      01-06-2013, 08:31 AM   #6
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As my only car in a climate with a real winter, I'd seriously consider the A5 - damned good looking car and it has the ability to get you where you need to go in winter. The 128i would handle better for 9-10 months of the year, but could be problematic if you want to get to the mountains to ski / board, etc. I think you're also right that the Audi will hold value better than the 128i.

I have a full winter tire set-up on my 135i, but we also have an S4 Avant that's our primary winter commuter vehicle and is used for road trips through the Rockies in the winter.

Good luck with your choice!

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      01-06-2013, 08:53 AM   #7
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its a tough call. The only problem with the audi is eventually your warranty will expire and repairs will kick your ass on that turbo motor. The bmw is no prize either. Honestly if i was looking for a car to purchase Id be looking at a subaru
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      01-06-2013, 09:12 AM   #8
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What about a 335xi coupe? That is a better comparison when considering the A5, IMO.

Here you go!

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...gIndex=4&Log=0
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      01-06-2013, 10:23 AM   #9
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One word: Audi. Part of the VW/Audi/Porsche conglomerate, and not known for its great customer relations. A nice car to be sure, but it's basically a tarted-up VW with AWD (assuming it's a quattro model). From what I've heard from those who owned them, they have a lot of QC problems and like another poster mentioned, once the warranty/maintenance is up, they're really expensive to maintain. An A5 with just the little 2.0T engine would give you a pretty heavy car without much performance. Not sure what their current HP rating is for the 2.0T, but this is basically the same 5-valve engine that they introduced back in 2000 in the Turbo Beetle.
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      01-06-2013, 10:37 AM   #10
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Two other things to consider:

You said the 128i has NO options. No sport package? That's a no-go for the 1 series. The seats suck, and the 128i will have a very soft suspension.

As for the A5... is it turbo? Audi turbo engines has terrible carbon buildup problems... even more so than the 135i engines. You'd be adopting the car around the mileage that those problems might just be beginning to rear their heads. Other than that, it's beautiful, luxurious, but just doesn't drive as well as a 1 series.

Both options don't sound ideal (to me). I would find a sport package 128i and some snow tires, or a 328xi (it's big and boat-like, just like the Audi, though).
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      01-06-2013, 12:32 PM   #11
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I drove a sport package 128 and a non sport one when I was deciding on my first car, and I went with the better ride, so I'm aware of what the suspension is like. It drifts all 4 wheels just as nuetrally with either one, albiet in different ways, so I don't have a preference.

As for the snow, I went through a winter in my 128 and took it up to ski about a dozen times, even in snow storms, without a problem. I grew up in a ski town driving a rwd car, so it's not as big of a deal. However, it does take white knuckle attention to keep the speed up on the highway in a snowstorm. I bet the audi would be a lot more relaxing in that respect.
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      01-06-2013, 12:47 PM   #12
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Since you are going to spend $24K have you considered 135i?
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      01-06-2013, 01:04 PM   #13
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This member is in Colorado and his car is up for sale.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=787462
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      01-06-2013, 01:21 PM   #14
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No 135 for the reasons that member cites in his ad, I think that much torque down low would be a bridge too far in the snow.
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      01-06-2013, 05:50 PM   #15
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What kind of power does the A5 have? I was fooling around with one and he was having trouble keeping up in light traffic. Maybe just turbo lag?
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      01-06-2013, 07:30 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Southjersey128 View Post
What kind of power does the A5 have? I was fooling around with one and he was having trouble keeping up in light traffic. Maybe just turbo lag?
A5's are heavy and it might of had the v8. I owned a b7 s4 not turbo but 4.2 v8, Audi's have really nice interiors and are great in rough weather. I love BMW's so my vote 128, i would rather have an old school tricked out 633csi then the A5 IMO
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      01-06-2013, 07:30 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cu260r6 View Post
No 135 for the reasons that member cites in his ad, I think that much torque down low would be a bridge too far in the snow.
Winter: JB4 on map 8 = no turbos + DTC = 128i
Summer: JB4 on map of choice - DTC =
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      01-06-2013, 08:37 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cu260r6 View Post
Unfortunately, my 2010 128i was just in an accident and totaled. I'll be receiving a nice chunk of change from the insurance company, and I'm looking at one of these two replacement cars;

1. 2010 128i, only 15k miles, CPO, brand new runflats, no options except heated seats, must have been kept outside because the black paint shows micro scratches if you look really close. $24k I'd have to get a very small loan, maybe $4k.

2. 2010 Audi A5 2.0t, 28k miles, leather, heated seats, navigation, garaged its whole life, one owner. $29.5. I'd have to get about an $8k loan.

I bought my previous bmw because it felt like a go kart with air conditioning. I loved the tiny, zippy feel of the thing. I drove the A5 for the first time today, just around a few blocks, and it felt a bit like a boat. It's much larger, and due to the curvier nature of the body, you can't tell where the corners truly are. However, living in CO the 4wd on the A5 would be a substantial benefit since this is my only car. I will be putting a 3 stage intake on the 128i and a chip in the audi, so the power for both would be more able to deal with the CO altitude. I'm leaning toward the A5 hoping that I'll become accustomed to how it drives and the size just like I did from my Tacoma to the 128, but I'm unsure this is a certainty.

Has anyone driven both sufficiently? Which would you chose?
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      01-06-2013, 09:12 PM   #19
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I don't know much about audi's. I've driven an a5. The interior is really nice but the drive felt like a g37.
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      01-06-2013, 09:27 PM   #20
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135+snow= Scary, but awesome!!

They take such good care of the roads in Colorado during the winter that you could easily have a torque monster 135 without issues

IMHO after living in the mountains of Estes Park, Co for 10 years... You can do it get the big boy!!! 135i
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      01-07-2013, 11:00 PM   #21
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Found a 128i, 30k miles, only $22k and not regretting the decision a bit. Thanks for the advice guys.
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      01-07-2013, 11:42 PM   #22
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