2014 Audi S5 vs. 2014 BMW 435i - Car and Driver
Conspiracy theorists will tell you that BMW’s payroll got a little lighter when the current-generation 3-series appeared. Even so, the collective merit of the full 3- and 4-series family landed it on our 10Best list. A 3-series in structure, but with additional chassis gusseting and tweaks to the suspension geometry, the 4-series contributes a substantial share of the model line’s desirability. We figured the 4 would be indomitable in any comparo, but because we wanted to put its best foot forward, we lined up the baddest example available—a 435i with the $3100 M Sport package, which includes firmer dampers, springs, and anti-roll bars. The $1000 Dynamic Handling pack adds variable-ratio steering and adjustable dampers. With a 300-hp inline-six, the 435i starts at $46,925, but ours totaled $57,225 after $1900 in lighting upgrades, the $2200 Premium pack (satellite radio and keyless entry and start), and a few other nickels and dimes. Its V-6 displaces just one cubic inch more than the 435i’s straight-six but makes 33 more horses and 25 more pound-feet, for totals of 333 and 325. Quattro routes the power to all four wheels, and $1100 of this example’s $59,220 asking price goes... Source: www.caranddriver.com
