shaytun

I was considering an Audi S5 and an E550 coupe prior to settling with the E550 sedan. I think from a design standpoint, the A5 is a gorgeous car with great proportions. It's aggressive, wide and low. In fact, I can't think of a better looking coupe under $100k. I went with the 550 sedan over the coupe because I think the coupe looks awkward from certain angles especially the back. But styling is a subjective thing, so to each his own.
I also think Audi's are definitely sportier than Mercedes and most reviews support this too, though I think Mercs have the superior engines.
So you would think I'm voting for the Audi.....but wait. I've owned a late model A4, and prior to that a VW. They are the least reliable cars out there. I'm not talking build quality, which Audi's are famous for, but more about how well things work. To list all the problems I had with the A4 would take an hour. The transmission got stuck in neutal at 13k miles, and required it to be in the shop for a month. The taillight bulbs went out every so often. Cylinder misfired. The VW was no better. Talk to a VW/Audi owner, and most will say they had at least one electrical problem.
It's too bad because I think Audi makes attractive and fun cars, but they're basically off the list for me. (except maybe an R8

wireless200

+1

csquared

S5 is beautiful and has AWD. The E coupe looks good only in black and awkward is any other color. I wish the E coupe had 4matic, otherwise I would get the E coupe over the S5.

cmcbenz

rode in my friend's A5 the other day. when he dropped me off back to my e coupe i felt i had died and gone to heaven. the audi feels just like the 3 series - uncomfortable and small. i'm glad i didn't get the s5.

CakeDaddy

The wife drove both back to back while I sat in the passemger seat. First, the 2009 Audi A5 S-Line with 11k miles in excellent cond. & then the brand new 2011 E350 cpe. All I can say is she couldn't wait to take that E350 cpe back to the dealer. The interior details in the E350 vs the A5 are not even close. The A5 trump'd that new E350 cpe and not to mention the looks and performance of the A5. wife quote: "the E350 looks like an expen$ive honda accord" I agreed! She is still in the CLK500 for now, but I think the A5 S-Line will happen soon.

steelgrey

You Know, you really should post this in the C207 Coupe Forum. I think you will get significantly different responses from Coupe owners. I find the E coupe to be far more elegant than the A5. The pillarless sweeping roof line, the sculpted sides (pontoon fenders), elongated hood, great looking headlights and the hocky stick leds. The overall slightly wedge shapr of the coupe providid the least drag of any other model. The A5 has no special side details, no special details at the rear (small built in spoiler as does the E) and the front end...I have never and will never like that hugh gapping big black hole (grill). At least in the S5 they've added a large silver bar to break it up...much better. You can also keep the gimicky wheels, I'll take the AMG wheels.

Now let's vote on which car has a more elegant, sculpted, aggressive design.

dsayed

I was sure I would get an S5 but I bought an E550 coupe.
Both have great styling in my opinion but I love the pillarless design of the E550 and that the rear windows go down. I can get my kids in and out of the E550 quite easily, which would be harder in the S5.
Also the S5 is being face lifted this summer with much improved electronics and a new 3.0 supercharged engine (currently in the A6 and A7) which is both more powerful and more fuel efficient than the current 4.2 V8.
As you mentioned the 3.2 A5, I assume you're buying used (as I did) and expect the E to hold value better than the A5.
The interior of Audis look great but I have found that they are very susceptible to damage. Not sure if this is true with Benz.
I had an A6 and bought the Benz from the same dealer but am finding the Benz service to be superior.
On the other hand, AWD on the Audi is very nice and the rear view camera is much better (has smart guidance lines).
Bluetooth streaming may be something you can add - check out the accessories catalogue for an AMI Bluetooth interface. On the my 2010 E it is enabled and working.

threeMBs

Was cross shopping E550 cpe and S5 2 years ago. Agree on above statement and chose E550 basically for the same reasons - mostly interior design superiority of E: pillarless and Pano (almost convertible). A5/S5 have fixed rear windows and no sunroof (their massive glass roof does not open).