Audi S5 Cabrio Rendered

Versus a BMW, by far, Audi wins this one. Much more elegant. The lines flow smoothly from front to end. It has a gorgeous face, and an equally attractive rear end. Sorry BMW, step to the 3rd spot for design.

This Audi is elegant, gorgeous, highly engineered, much safer and responsive, and definitely defeats the BMW in terms of design. BMW's beauty died out post 2005. I will give the 1 series the crown. THat car is very nice and pleasing to look at, and the aerodynamics that are done on the exterior of the car truly work well. The 128i, 123d, 120d, and 135i truly go back to what BMW was all about. I just hope BMW goes down that path further and applies the design philosophy of the 1 series into their new up and coming tii series. But, in the end, Audi wins in design with this car. BMW now faces a bar at a higher level. If Audi keeps this up, as well as Mercedes Benz (hate to admit this), BMW will soon be unable to reach the bar in terms of design talent and beauty.

I test drove a BMW 128i and 135i respectively (it pays to have friends in sales at the BMW stealership). The 128i felt really good, nice, and responsive. When I would hit corners, it gave me the sense that the soul of BMW is coming back. That car was just amazing. The 128i did not even have the sport package on it to boot! Which doubly impressed me. The 135i however was pure BMW. From the core to its exterior. I was so happy after driving that car that I just had complete buyer's remorse for leasing my 328i when I could have just waited another year to get a real BMW. I am not saying all BMWs are bad, just the new 3 series, new 5 series, and the current 7 series. The Z4 series were wonderful, but they feel way too heavy when driving them. I owned a Z4 M coupe and it was great for a while. But again, it just felt really heavy when I would take it to a track and play with it. The new M3 is just complete utter crap. The 3 series coupe handles and corners MUCH better than the new M3. It BMW were to shorten the wheel base a tad, plus shrink the overall length of the car by a few mm, it would be excellent. Plus I am sure it would cut down on weight as well.

The Audi definitely is a much better car. I am torn between a 135i, 128i (with sport and aero package and style 262 wheels), and the new S5 from Audi. I was hyped for the new BMW M3, but after driving it, I just had nothing good to say about the bloody car. It is a shame really. The new M5 is definitely a much better car than the new M3.

If you liked the new M3, more power to you mate. I just don't like it. I am too much of a purist at heart when it comes to BMW. They used to be a great company with excellent model lines whether you are talking about a 3 series or a 7 series. They were also beautifully designed and handled like BMWs should. But over the years with the adoption of Chris Bangle and that Japanese guy (Takeguchi or whatever), their designs have gone to hell in a handbasket. But again, this is my POV. With the 1 series that came, and I must say a God send they are, BMW is definitely coming back. Then with the new design of the 7 series, they are starting in the right direction, but I need to see more specs of the new 7 series and test drive one to make a more concrete analysis and judgement. I hope they start redesigning the 5 series next. That "Bangle-Butt" needs to go. It is a very horrid design.

And as far as Audi goes, they have always done very well with their engineering. I think they are the most highly engineered cars in production that is available in mass quantities to the market! AND they are affordable to boot! The exterior designs, are a hit or miss (save for the A5, S5, and RS4). You really need to be an afficianado of Auto Union (Audi) to really appreciate them. Audi is one company that I can overlook in terms of ugliness, because I know they make up for it with one helluva designed and engineered car. I do not see that with my 328i, unfortunately. God-aweful design and poor handling. Heck, I need to turn off the bloody DTC even when it rains so my car handles better!! Go figure that one out. With Audi, I've always been smiling ear to ear with them. It just hurts when I have to take it in for maintenance. OOF!!

And thank you for the kind words on my car search. A lot will happen in 2009, perhaps a nice used 135i or 128i, or A/S5 Audi for a bargain price. I'll have to wait and see what the future brings before I make my decision. But in return, I wish you a lot of luck in enjoying your 3 series coupe mate. If possible, try to find a used 3 series coupe. I know my dealership said the 3 series coupe has a 57+2 depreciation value. So I am sure you will get a great deal on a used one. And if need be, lease one for 24 - 30 months. BMW maintenance costs are up there with Audi.

Cheers!

I personally think the 1series is only second to the X3 when it comes to ugly BMWs. Call this dumb but the personified version of the front of the 1series would like a person with one helluva forehead... which isn't a good thing. The back is nice though :D