Merc C350 4matic vs. Audi A5

[tragik]

hello all... I'm considering buying a new vehicle. I have yet to test drive either, and i realize test driving is the best way to answer questions... however i'd rather get some more opinions before going into a dealership.

So it came down to the '09 MB C350 4matic vs. '09 Audi's A5.

basically an auto sedan vs. manuel coupe. both all wheel drive, running on similar specs, both V6's running about 268 hp, 250 lb torque and around same weight. both around 55K with options.

i'm not really willing to spend much more than that. purchasing an m3, c63, rs4 would be wicked but doesn't seem ideal to me. speed is fun... but i don't go to the track and i don't think i would even be able to have fun and push a car like that to anywhere near it's limits in cgy. not interested in the new acura models and the IS seems too similar to my mum's camry. i own an x3 so i stayed away from bmw because sitting in a 3 series feels almost exactly the same to me.. not that it's bad thing but i wanted something a little more different.

Anyone with any experience with the two cars or companies? I've never owned a car from either so i'm a little worried about reliability/dependability, interior functionality, overall performance, drive experience as well as how they treat their customers. bang olufsen vs. harman kardon? 4MATIC vs. Quattro? rumors about '10 models?


Opinions please!

[blownz]

Originally posted by tragik
basically an auto sedan vs. manuel coupe

This right here would make the decision for me. If you don't need a sedan, a coupe almost always looks better (especially in this case). Plus the option of having a manual with the Audi.

Lack of a manual transmission is what would keep me out of the Benz personally. Otherwise it would be really close (if it was sedan vs sedan).

[Xtrema]

If you don't mind the wait list, A5. Build to delivery is 6 months last time I asked. Don't just compare it on specs. Go sit in an A5 and you'll wonder why C is even a luxury brand at all.

I really wish they release A5 2.0T to North America, the same unit in the current A4. It's way better than the 3.2L.

[Palmiros]

I would personally go with the A5. My opinion is based mostly on looks and what I know of brand reliability. As you mentioned, performance is similar between the two. I would suggest that you go and test drive both and make a decision after. It might just come down to how you like the interior/appearance.

[sillysod]

Quattro > 4matic

You will love your car in the winter too!

oooo FTW

[ZorroAMG]

The C is one of the nicest looking sedans out there, WAY nicer than the BMW counterpart and nicer than the A4 but the A5 is also a sexy coupe and the only comparable in MB is an old design and way more money.

Make the decision based on the need for 2 or 4 doors.

PS Quattro isn't better than 4-matic anymore, maybe back in the 80s it was.

[avishal26]

I don't know how important this is to you in your decision making but Bang & Olufsen is used exclusively in Audi's and Aston Martins (iirc)... and they're rumoured to be pretty darn good.

Harmon Kardon is one of the most known brands when it comes to audio, however...the new Hyundai Genesis also has one.

As far as the looks are concerned...the two cars are in a totally different category. The MB is a very sexy 4 door car and I would prefer that over an A4... but the A5 is a ridiculously sexy coupe and MB does not have anything in the same price range to compare. I have seen an A5 in person downtown a while back and it looks amazing. It looks good in pictures but the pics don't do the car any justice...it looks ten times better in person. So if you like the pics.. you will love the car.

268 hp is more than enough if you don't plan on driving like a maniac. My mom's G35 has 280 hp and is fast enough for having some fun now and then. However, I think in this hp range you would have way more driving fun if you got the manual A5 over the auto MB. It's way more fun IMO. Of course, it depends on how you like to drive...especially if you drive downtown a lot.

[B18C]

Both are very nice cars. I think you really need to decide what you want. They really are different cars. Coupe's are nice but not as practical as sedan's.

I personally really like the C350 4matic. In fact, if you decide on this car let me know. I"m looking at getting one very soon so maybe we can get a better deal if we both buy at the same time

[cyrusli]

+1 for the C350

[cam_wmh]

My opinion should hold little merit as I have neither driven, nor considered buying either.

But, my 2 cents, is towards the A5. I see you already have a utilitarian automatic (BMW X3), so why not have the other as the more "let your hair down a bit" manual?

The C is one of the sexiest sedans out there, but my VAG fanboyism shines through here!

[cycosis]

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC.

I think you get it.

[TorqueDog]

Based on looks alone, the Audi A5/S5 is amazing.

[Canmorite]

A5 looks intense. Plus manual...

[adam c]

A5 is pure sex
when i was in vancouver last week i saw at least 4 or 5 and they're damn nice

i can't say i have seen any here though

[rp_guy]

why don't you compare the B8 A4 as well? it's a bit cheaper than the A5 but only comes in a tiptronic like the c350.. and the A3 S-line is quattro w/ 250hp

[tragik]

as expected.... a lot of mixed reviews however not a lot of negatives about either, which is what i think i was looking for.. i know they are both nice now tell me what's wrong with them! lol

i'm leaning towards the A5. a really good point being made that as already having an "utilitarian automatic" it only makes sense to have a sportier manuel as the other.

now the rumors and opinions.... i've also heard great things about bang & olufsen while a lot of mixed reviews about the harmon kardon. heard better things about quattro than 4Matic. as for the interior - audi has been described as true luxury styling while merc's interior descrbed as limited to look ricey, cheap and full of hard plastics. the audi's mmi system and COMAND system in merc are both user friendly, however mercs pop-up screen may be annoying as it may distract line of sight. Merc is still using an old fashion foot brake and a manually operated steering column. Mercs history with reliability is worse than Audi's (however with both cars being completely new models, it's somewhat hard to say i guess?). I do realize i'll find out the truth behind these opinions as soon as i go for that test drive, but for anyone that has owned or been in the merc or audi, any thoughts or experiences? agree/disagree?

A3 has an S-line? I agree, the B8 A4 is a better comparison for the C350 and is basically the 4 door auto version of the S5 but if i'm going to go in that direction i doubt i'll ever make a decision due to their similarity. if we cut it down, the audi A5 is basically the C350 as a manuel coupe.

with that being said, i guess it may really come down to a 4dr auto vs. a 2 dr stick. in which case, my decision is still weighted towards the A5.

now... 6 month wait for A5?! should i wait for '10 then???? or perhaps the lines will even be longer by then. i will phone in and confirm this...

anybody actually purchase these or any cars from audi or merc? how was the customer service? servicing convenience? do they budge on pricing at all? problems or recalls?

[The_Rural_Juror]

Originally posted by tragik
only makes sense to have a sportier manuel as the other.

For sure! The sportier manuel is way faster at shoveling snow.

[jibber]

I would pick the Merc, not because I own a car made by Mercedes, but because it seems to be the opinion overseas (Top Gear) that douchebag drivers have moved from driving BMWs to driving Audis.

[Preslow]

A5. so gorgeous and Audi has slowly crept up to being more reliable than it was in the 90's... get inside one and you'll wonder why anyone loves a Benz interior.

[dyummy]

i recently purchased an 09 A3 S-line 2.0T with quattro .. and im blown away with the build quality of this vehicle as well as the interior as for reliabilty and what not i don think i can really say anythign about it casue ive only had the car for 2 months but other than that if the A3 is this good then the A5 can only be better