E92 M3 vs. S5 Review

[gbrett5]

Here's a good article comparing M3 E92 with the S5 Coupe.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/auto/...rticle1257454/

[fpblue]

Thanks!

[KonigsTiger]

I think this says it all and is just what I would have expected from a serous review of these fine cars:

"So if you want a business-only, thoroughbred sports coupe, your choice is the Bimmer. If you want an elegant and very fast coupe, the S5 is the better choice."

[jaiman]

As to the original review, it really doesn't make sense to compare these 2 cars. Yes they cost about the same, but they had completely different design objectives and as a result completely different outcomes. I can't imagine many enthusiast cross shopping these 2. S5 vs E class coupe makes sense (and is actually a review I'd like to see). M3 vs C63 makes sense.

[hks786]

Even after listening to the reasoning for the comparison, I still think it's not right. I think it should be:

C350 v 335i v S4/S5 v E350

C63 v M3 v RS4/RS5 v ???

As for the M3 and S5, I love them both for different reasons. They are different cars even if they have some similarities.

[305e92]

I see it like this:

Sedan

C300 v 328i v A4

C350 v 335i v S4

C63 v M3 v RS4

Coupes

328i v A5 v E350

335i v S5 v E550 Coupe

M3 v RS5 v |E63 Coupe|

[mixja]

Audi does a nice job of positioning models at a couple of BMW models rather than directly at one.

The S4/S5 really should be a 335i competitor, but in any comparison with the 335i, the S4/S5 will always win because in reality it is somewhere between the 335i and M3. Because of where they sit somewhere between the 335i and M3, the S4/S5 can take a swipe at the M3, although it generally will always come 2nd in any comparison...

This means Audi potentially can tempt both 335i and M3 buyers, and these types of reviews contribute to that as well...

[footie]

The S5 when it gets the V6 and all of the other goodies will provide a much stiffer competition for the M3 and maybe even find flaws in it's armor. Though the problem with most reviewers is that performance is their deciding factor that sways most decisions and not the everyday living with the thing.

DSG in my opinion is better than my experience of M-DCT, though many here say it's all but cured now. The ride quality of my S5 with 19" and on stock suspension was better than my M3 with 18" and EDC, interior design of the S5 blows the M3 right out of the water, same for the seats and the steering wheel, though the M3 is more practical with more rear space from passengers.

I'm not saying that the M3 isn't the better car but given the difference is price (UK pricing I talking about) I simply think the M3 is over priced for what you get. Especially at a simply ECU flash and exhaust can provide the same type of performance for the best part of £8K less and from a more desirable looking car.

And if you take this argument to the E90 M3 vs S4 then it's an even harder decision for potential customers but it's even cheaper again than what the S5 is.

[bobbyd1961]

Originally Posted by gbrett5

Here's a good article comparing M3 E92 with the S5 Coupe.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/auto/...rticle1257454/

the bottom line no comparison. m3 is a super car. s5 is a real nice looking altima coupe

[mixja]

Originally Posted by footie

The S5 when it gets the V6 and all of the other goodies will provide a much stiffer competition for the M3 and maybe even find flaws in it's armor. Though the problem with most reviewers is that performance is their deciding factor that sways most decisions and not the everyday living with the thing.

DSG in my opinion is better than my experience of M-DCT, though many here say it's all but cured now. The ride quality of my S5 with 19" and on stock suspension was better than my M3 with 18" and EDC, interior design of the S5 blows the M3 right out of the water, same for the seats and the steering wheel, though the M3 is more practical with more rear space from passengers.

I'm not saying that the M3 isn't the better car but given the difference is price (UK pricing I talking about) I simply think the M3 is over priced for what you get. Especially at a simply ECU flash and exhaust can provide the same type of performance for the best part of £8K less and from a more desirable looking car.

And if you take this argument to the E90 M3 vs S4 then it's an even harder decision for potential customers but it's even cheaper again than what the S5 is.

I tend to agree with you on most aspects, the only real issue I have with the S4/S5 is weight - at over 1700kg DIN (vs ~1550kg DIN for M3) they give away a reasonable amount of weight.

Interior - I prefer the M3 with new iDrive, although I have piano black and extended leather which makes quite a difference. Ride quality on the M3 is definitely better than my old RS4 (which had permanently stiff Sports Suspension Plus option), but I'd imagine the S4/S5 would ride more along the lines of a 335 than an M3.

And what's with the Audi S-Tronic being slower than the manual gearbox? - DCT and PDK both improve standing start performance - guessing that launch control is absent from the S-Tronic

[gr8000]

Originally Posted by mixja

I tend to agree with you on most aspects, the only real issue I have with the S4/S5 is weight - at over 1700kg DIN (vs ~1550kg DIN for M3) they give away a reasonable amount of weight.

Interior - I prefer the M3 with new iDrive, although I have piano black and extended leather which makes quite a difference. Ride quality on the M3 is definitely better than my old RS4 (which had permanently stiff Sports Suspension Plus option), but I'd imagine the S4/S5 would ride more along the lines of a 335 than an M3.

And what's with the Audi S-Tronic being slower than the manual gearbox? - DCT and PDK both improve standing start performance - guessing that launch control is absent from the S-Tronic

If this is "agreing with most aspects" then I would be interested to see what would be your responce if you disagreed!

[BMWCadet]

Originally Posted by bobbyd1961

the bottom line no comparison. m3 is a super car. s5 is a real nice looking altima coupe

LOL the M3 is no supercar, are you out of your mind? It's a fantastic machine, but don't get a big head.

Also, I agree with everyone else, they've compared the RS4 to the M3 for a while now, it makes no sense to compare the car to a S5 other than them being nearly the same in price.

[footie]

Originally Posted by mixja

I tend to agree with you on most aspects, the only real issue I have with the S4/S5 is weight - at over 1700kg DIN (vs ~1550kg DIN for M3) they give away a reasonable amount of weight.

There's no denying the Audis do weigh more but on the road this is less of an issue. So unless the track is your main interest then forget about the weight of these cars and if trackdays are your thing then look else where anyway.

Originally Posted by mixja

IInterior - I prefer the M3 with new iDrive, although I have piano black and extended leather which makes quite a difference. Ride quality on the M3 is definitely better than my old RS4 (which had permanently stiff Sports Suspension Plus option), but I'd imagine the S4/S5 would ride more along the lines of a 335 than an M3.

I only had normal leather trim but did have carbon firbe look leather, personally I would never place the 3series as a great place to sit, in my opinion Audi has the best interiors of all German brands.

Originally Posted by mixja

IAnd what's with the Audi S-Tronic being slower than the manual gearbox? - DCT and PDK both improve standing start performance - guessing that launch control is absent from the S-Tronic

DSG in the S4 doesn't offer a launch control so that's the reason for it posting a slower 0-60mph, though everywhere else it will be quicker. Again I say if drag racing is your thing then there is much better cars to be had than either the S4 or M3.

But given the price difference and how much of an improvement the S4 has made I honestly would have a hard time justifying the M3 over a similarly equipped S5 with all the goodies available with the S4, especially when it gets the SCv6.

[op487062]

Originally Posted by bobbyd1961

the bottom line no comparison. m3 is a super car. s5 is a real nice looking altima coupe

laughable.

[ersin]

I've talked to a BMW CA that took the chance to try out the M3 and S5 (and C63 and IS-f) down at the BMW performance center. He said he was shocked by how nose heavy the S5 was. (Of course, he was biased, but still gave praises to the Merc and Lexus) Apparently, the weight distribution is so bad that it ruins all the fun. The S5 is a pretty good car, but it's not balanced (pun intended) as well as the M3.

[graider]

e92 m3 over s5, hands down.

[TOOMANYCARS]

Originally Posted by ersin

I've talked to a BMW CA that took the chance to try out the M3 and S5 (and C63 and IS-f) down at the BMW performance center. He said he was shocked by how nose heavy the S5 was. (Of course, he was biased, but still gave praises to the Merc and Lexus) Apparently, the weight distribution is so bad that it ruins all the fun. The S5 is a pretty good car, but it's not balanced (pun intended) as well as the M3.

Let me guess, because Audi always put the engines front of the front axels?

[kmarei]

i had an A5 before my M3 (for like 6 months)
the most numb steering you could imagine
heck, even my crossfire which had recirculating ball steering, had better feedback!

the A5 was gorgeous to look at, much nicer interior
but zero fun to drive
except the 4wd, which was great
being able to accelerate through an entire corner felt good

[1º]

i think the perfect car would be an e92 m3 body and performance with a S5 interior and c63 sound

[footie]

Originally Posted by 1º

i think the perfect car would be an e92 m3 body and performance with a S5 interior and c63 sound

Close, but I reckon the perfect combination would be the S5 exterior and interior with M3's handling and performance, yet sound like something between a C63 and a Ferrari.

In other words an RS5.