2013 BMW M3 vs. 2013 Audi RS5

[misterB27]

I ordered a 2012 M3 while back and had to cancel it last minute due to some personal issues.

Now that I have everything sorted out, I am planning to order again.

I'm sure most people know that the RS5 came out not too long ago and is a big rival to the M3.

I love BMWs but also know that the RS5 is a GREAT car.

I was hoping to get advice from people from the forums.

Thanks

[SYT_Shadow]

Not sure where you've read that it's a big rival.

The M3 has pummeled all its competitors. The RS5 is more of a showy car than a direct competitor. Heavy as hell, understeer, stupid 20" wheels, no manual, no adjustable suspension...

POS. And you're comparing against the category leader. If you're even having this doubt, buy the Audi

[meyergru]

What advice do you expect from people who opted to buy an M3?

Try both and buy whatever you like better.

The "M3 vs ..." section of the forum would be the best place to look for answers...

[Jeskali]

I owned a few Audis and my most recent was an RS4. Unless you live in a region where weather is a factor, there is no reason to get the Audi particularly if you are focusing on pure driving entertainment. The Audi will have a nicer interior, but the M3 will just beat it on all other merits.

I loved my Audi and miss it in the inclement weather here in the Northeast. However, the M3 is just worlds better in terms of pure driving excitement.

[JoM3z]

If this is a not a clear choice to you by now, I say go with the RS5. Although it is a nice car, but it's not a M...

[Carl L]

RS5 will get more attention from people but, by all accounts, the M3 is a far better car not to mention Audi have had a lot of reliability issues over the last few years (I'm a former Audi owner).

[positiveions]

Audi RS5 is nice, but, it's heavier. Others may complain about reliability.
I test drove an RS4 about 4 years ago. Car looks so good; especially with those beefy side fenders, and wide wheels/tires. I would have gotten one, but maintenance on those puppies can add up.

[Everest]

I just sold my S5(APR S/C) and picked up a M3. My S5 had a
Little for power than the RS5 but pretty much the same car.... My S5 was faster but the M3 feels faster better gearing feel the torque better... Power delivery is different but I enjoy driving the M better performance wise but do miss my Audi interior... Although I miss my Audi and I had this thing decked out.. A "M" car is a M car and tough to beat... I'm a person that made the transition and is very happy with it

[Ghetto2315]

I usually ask my clients if they are "shopping a car or shopping a payment" when they're cross-shopping us against an Audi. Usually ends up me telling them if they're looking to go for a cheaper payment then get the Audi, but if they want the better car, get the BMW. In this case, not only is the M3 a better car, I believe it's cheaper too.

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Not sure where you've read that it's a big rival.

The M3 has pummeled all its competitors. The RS5 is more of a showy car than a direct competitor. Heavy as hell, understeer, stupid 20" wheels, no manual, no adjustable suspension...

POS. And you're comparing against the category leader. If you're even having this doubt, buy the Audi

agreed, audi is not nearly as sharp of a car

but, if you want a fast cruiser, the audi will probably do it better and with more style. it weighs two tons though so on the track it is not even a comparison

[Boostin FD]

I believe RS5 will be more unique in the long run... I also think it's prettier than an M3. I liked my S5 when I had it, and had they had RS5 at the time when i was getting an M3, i would probably go with the RS5.

To each his own.

[brava09]

http://www.fastestlaps.com/compariso...-audi_rs5.html


Sorry but the RS5 is faster than M3 on track and on straight line as well, check the above link. And it weighs pretty much the same as M3.

It's a fine car.

[klammer]

Originally Posted by brava09

http://www.fastestlaps.com/compariso...-audi_rs5.html


Sorry but the RS5 is faster than M3 on track and on straight line as well, check the above link. And it weighs pretty much the same as M3.

It's a fine car.

6 seconds on the ring is like a second or less on a normal North American road course (think 2-3 miles long) and think we see that with the same Hockenheim time. Almost all these cars are driver dependent as they're all quite capable, the choice is yours

[AlteredBe4st]

Drive both and make your own judgement. A friend of mine owned a S5, I loved the looks of the interior and exterior over the M3 but the M3 shined more in the performance area, now the RS5 has more hp so it is indeed better competition for the M3. The all wheel drive is a good selling point if you need to drive it in incliment weather. Both are great choices, just get the one that meets your needs and style.

[ChinoOrtega]

I think the S5 looks better than the RS5, I don't like the front end, looks like Flavor Fav teeth, and Audi had 5 years to develop, and the M as a benchmark, after all it's a 5 year old car that still is better than Audi's RS5,
just my thought

[LarThaL]

I can't believe all the fanboi crap I am reading. The RS5 is a spectacular car. As is the RS4, the C63, the IS-F, the CTS-V. All these, and, of course, the M3 are all great cars. They all have their strengths and weaknesses.

With reference to the RS5, is has a torquier and more powerful motor with the same high-revving feeling as the M3. The stock exhaust sound is much nicer, and it's grip will destroy an M3. Even on wet roads, I could drive my previous RS4 hard without any worries about traction. The M3 has FAR better steering and agility. The car is lighter and will feel more composed. The ride/handling balance in the M3 is absolute perfection. The M3 can be much more entertaining when you learn how to properly play with it.

There is no question that the M3 has won the vast majority of showdowns against the RS5, but seriously, the RS5 is far from being a piece of crap.

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by klammer

6 seconds on the ring is like a second or less on a normal North American road course (think 2-3 miles long) and think we see that with the same Hockenheim time. Almost all these cars are driver dependent as they're all quite capable, the choice is yours

The M3 is the more capable track car in the hands of a really skilled driver who knows the car. However, if you are an average to above average enthusiast (which is already more skilled than most), I am willing to bet that you will turn a far better track time in the RS5, simply due to its AWD traction and the confidence that grip gives you.

Where the M3 excels IMO, is the subjective, precision instrument feel to how the car drives overall. If I cared about track times and numbers, I would have bought a GTR.

[M3PO]

I wouldn't get one purely because of Audi's recent reliability issues. I REALLY wanted an RS4 but after reading about all of the issues with them and the B6/B7 S4 (very similar motor), I said no way in hell. The RS5 engine is very similar to the RS4 so I wouldn't trust it. Scored cylinders, oil consumption, carbon buildup. No thanks.

[ChinoOrtega]

I agree on you on everything you said, looks are subjective, all the cars you mentioned are all on par with the M3 on performance, but the M3 is 5 years old, I'm certainly not a fanboy I consider myself and car enthusiast, I don't even own my M3 anymore, but every topic that asks for a suggestion on which car to buy on an M3 forum, it's hard to get an honest answer, the best answer I can give to anyone cross shopping the M to other cars, is to test drive them, and decide for yourself what car do YOU want, each car has it flaws and strengths, go with the one that makes you smile every time you drive it

[GIdriver]

Test both. Buy the one you like the most.

[Denk]

I'm probably in the minority but I think the RS5 looks gaudy. The M3 looks cleaner, classier to me.

[rjd598]

Have fun paying for dealer markup