Opinions? S5 vs M3

[KMANUEL]

Hey all-

Have the option of getting a perfect condition 2009 e92 m3 with 16,000km on the clock or a brand new 2013 Audi s5 with the new v6t engine and dct.

What are your opinions?

[Powerslide]

Performance wise M3 E92 will still have advantage in all respects. Comfort wise both probably fairly comfortable - fuel economy in favor of V6tt in audi (and of course cost).

However - last great NA M3 - def get M3 - turbos will be available for very long time - last chance to own great NA M car...

[mkoesel]

Have you driven an M3? I recommend you do.

These two cars are going to have very different power delivery. You are almost certain to vastly prefer one over the other if you compare the two. It won't even be close.

[LTJohn]

S5 makes the AMG models look like ballerinas!

Drive one and see.....a very nice cruiser, but nothing else.

[Boostin FD]

I had both... still have M3 I mean... S5 wins on looks for me, but performance wise... Well, i traded it for M3

[lcrain]

Both are very very different. You should drive both and decide for yourself.

The comfort level will be different on both cars. Some prefer the firmer ride on the M3. It is still compliant and certainly not uncomfortable, but some would tire of it very quickly. The s5 will be "comfortable" in a more traditional sense.

I love the way am m3 rides rides and I have never complained about the ride, but I am a younger guy. For reference my father (59 years old) is debating a new car. He drove an m3, 650, and s5 over the weekend and walked away from the M3 thinking that he would have a hard time living with that comfort level in the long run. He preferred the feel of the 650 or the s5. So just a reference point. The s5 is more of a gt car than the M3...

He also commented on the interior quality. He commented to me that the s5 had a much more attractive interior with better detail.

They really are two different cars for two different people...

[M3 Montreal]

Did they finally put the V6 supercharged engine in the S5? The only S5 that ha the supercharged engine before was the Cabrio.

It's a great all around car that is great in winter, has great styling and is very very capable on the track. It's just not as exciting as the M3.

If you're talking about the S5 with the 8 cylinder 4.2 then pass on that and wait for the supercharged engine. The only thing the 8 has over the V6 is sound.

[KMANUEL]

I'm being told that for $2000, the S5 with the V6T will out perform the M3. Stasis has some sort of tune that pushes HP to 410 and 370 torque. The installer here is telling me that with an exhaust + tune, the S5 will out perform the M3 in all aspects. He also said that the new Rear Sport Differential system makes the car "act" like it's rear wheel drive.

Can anyone please chime in? I'd like to get both ends of the spectrum.

[M3 Montreal]

Originally Posted by KMANUEL

I'm being told that for $2000, the S5 with the V6T will out perform the M3. Stasis has some sort of tune that pushes HP to 410 and 370 torque. The installer here is telling me that with an exhaust + tune, the S5 will out perform the M3 in all aspects. He also said that the new Rear Sport Differential system makes the car "act" like it's rear wheel drive.

Can anyone please chime in? I'd like to get both ends of the spectrum.

I just did chime in ... I have both cars just read above.

As far as it outperforming the M3.... Just refer to the 335 vs M3 threads.... Lol

[AlteredBe4st]

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

The only great thing about the S5 is the interior... it is beautiful! The rest of the car is a big heavy pile of 'meh'.

Like he said. M3 runs circles around S5 in performance. If you are not looking for performance and just looking for a cruiser then I would say S5 but if you are looking at that route just get the A5 with the S-line package it will save you money and looks just like the S5 with less power.

[Alex07M3]

Well , if in fact the new S5 coupe comes with the V6T , it's a far better car then a 2012 S5 but I don't think that with a tune and exhaust it will outperform a M3 in every aspect , only on a straight line and that is against a stock M3 , a catless tuned M3 will be faster then a tuned S5 ! IMHO ,if you don't track your car the S5 could be a good alternative specially with the canadian winters , also the low end torque of a tuned 3.0t is probably more fun for everyday driving and the economy of gas compared to the M3 is not something to overlook ! The look is subjective but for me , exterior wise , I find the M3 nicer then the old S5 and equal to the new S5 but inside , the S5 is miles in front of the M3 , so that's a big + since this is where you'll be spending your time ! Overall , if the new S5 really has the 3.0t , then these are both great cars for completly differents reasons . IMO , if you want a good sport cruiser with lots of punch ,good look and more all year practicality, it's the S5 , if you want a good track car that is also exellent for the streets , it's the M3 !

[KMANUEL]

Okay thank you all. I'm not planning to track the car. I think that the interior + safety in winter of the S5 overtrump the performance of the M3 for me. Thanks all.

[SHOWTIME]

Also, you can't ignore the fact that the M3 will be 4 yrs old. For same price, I'd prob get the S5 because it's simply newer with full warranty.

[roscomare83]

My main driver in the last 6 month has been an S5 2011 with the V8 4.2l engine. The conclusion that i've come to is that the S5 is a terrific car if you want to go from A to B in comfort, style and with a sportive driving style. In that order.

Performance wise, it doesnt compare to the M3 or the C63 at all - and it shouldnt - that is the place for the RS5 (and that is loosing to the two mentioned before in terms of pure performance).

If you want a great daily driver and you prefer to have a top notch interior and comfort - go with the S5. If you just love driving those canyon roads on a weekend and you're ok with a lower-quality interior - go with the M3.

Quality wise (interior) nothing beats Audi right now - its very close to perfect for my taste. Performance wise you'll have a hard time beating the M3 as an all around car.

Its really a question of whats important to you

[Alex07M3]

Originally Posted by roscomare83

My main driver in the last 6 month has been an S5 2011 with the V8 4.2l engine. The conclusion that i've come to is that the S5 is a terrific car if you want to go from A to B in comfort, style and with a sportive driving style. In that order.

Performance wise, it doesnt compare to the M3 or the C63 at all - and it shouldnt - that is the place for the RS5 (and that is loosing to the two mentioned before in terms of pure performance)

The RS5 ain't losing in performance , it's faster then a M3 on some tracks , witch means a lot faster then a C63 !

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by KMANUEL

Hey all-

Have the option of getting a perfect condition 2009 e92 m3 with 16,000km on the clock or a brand new 2013 Audi s5 with the new v6t engine and dct.

What are your opinions?

The S5 is simply not the same level of car. Remember, in virtually all comparisons, the M3 beat the RS5. I have spent a bit of time behind the wheel of the S5. In comparison to the M3, the S5 feels cumbersome, and the steering feels completely numb and disconnected. The car just doesn't feel as "tight" as the M3. The suspension feels softer and yet harsher and clunkier than the M3. From a looks standpoint, the S5 is a beautiful vehicle, but the M3 is just as good looking IMO and I have seen these cars side by side.

The big advantage of the S5 obviously, is the quattro system, which means you can drive the car closer to the limits without much of a learning curve like that which is needed to take the M3 to near its limits.

I used to own an RS4, and that car was, objectively speaking, an even match for the M3. The RS4 had some things that were superior, and the M3 has others. S5 is a step down in the overall subjective driving experience, and not just by a small amount. I felt the same way when I spent a day with an S4 loaner when my Cayenne was being serviced. Nice, but not as raw, entertaining, focused, or "wired in" as an M3.

S5 will have a huge advantage in foul weather if this is a consideration.

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by roscomare83

My main driver in the last 6 month has been an S5 2011 with the V8 4.2l engine. The conclusion that i've come to is that the S5 is a terrific car if you want to go from A to B in comfort, style and with a sportive driving style. In that order.

Performance wise, it doesnt compare to the M3 or the C63 at all - and it shouldnt - that is the place for the RS5 (and that is loosing to the two mentioned before in terms of pure performance).

If you want a great daily driver and you prefer to have a top notch interior and comfort - go with the S5. If you just love driving those canyon roads on a weekend and you're ok with a lower-quality interior - go with the M3.

Quality wise (interior) nothing beats Audi right now - its very close to perfect for my taste. Performance wise you'll have a hard time beating the M3 as an all around car.

Its really a question of whats important to you

Gotta disagree with this. And I am coming from RS4 and and S4 before that.
The M3 interior with extended leather is really just as nice as the Audi. Audi used to be head-and-shoulders above, but others have caught up. If you also take a good look at the grade of interior materials Audi is now using, you will see that is is not what it used to be, at least not in the 4 series platform. Can't speak for an S8 !!!

[markjord]

I nearly bought a new S5. We were just haggling over the last few hundred pounds when I spotted a used M3 for the same money. In many ways going for new and being the only owner is a huge plus. But I went for the M3 because it feels so lovely to drive and, contrary to some opinions, I prefer the looks. With a decent exhaust and some spacers the car looks much more aggressive and sportier. Also, from a practical point of view, the S5 has zero rear leg room. I am tall and have grown up kids. We all fit in the M3. No chance in the S5. But as others have said, drive both and it will be obvious to you which you prefer. Either way you'll have a lovely car.

[Erhan]

Originally Posted by KMANUEL

I'm being told that for $2000, the S5 with the V6T will out perform the M3. Stasis has some sort of tune that pushes HP to 410 and 370 torque. The installer here is telling me that with an exhaust + tune, the S5 will out perform the M3 in all aspects. He also said that the new Rear Sport Differential system makes the car "act" like it's rear wheel drive.

Can anyone please chime in? I'd like to get both ends of the spectrum.

See, that's bullshit.. How a tune will make S5 handle better? Is it gonna move the redline to 8400rpm? Trust me, 414hp is already a lot. Can you get more? Sure, but I suggest at a power level of 414hp, you look other things that will differentiate your driving experience. In your case, this should be handling, steering feel, balance etc etc...

Also, nothing beats 8400rpm redline.

[Boostin FD]

Originally Posted by Erhan

Also, nothing beats 8400rpm redline.

8800 does

[Jeskali]

I was very close to getting the S5 Cab, but wound up getting the E93. In the end, they are very different cars. The E93 is much more of a brutish sports car with world class handling and acceleration. The s5 is more refined and built for comfort. Nicer interior, but it depends on what you want.

[Eric-TAIWAN]

S5 is not in the same class with the M3, RS5 is