BMW M3 or Audi S5
Discussion
I am changing my car. Currently I have a CLS Grand Edition which has been good for a year but I have hankered after a V8 and now is the time.
I do about 18k a year so whilst my preference is the M3, Audis 4.2 V8 S5 comes with AWD and to me that is a big plus for winter driving.
I have seen two good cars and the Audi's are about 3k cheaper.
Should I be comparing these two or are they like chalk and cheese?
Any advice welcome
I do about 18k a year so whilst my preference is the M3, Audis 4.2 V8 S5 comes with AWD and to me that is a big plus for winter driving.
I have seen two good cars and the Audi's are about 3k cheaper.
Should I be comparing these two or are they like chalk and cheese?
Any advice welcome
I imagine the A5 wouldn't be anywhere near the M3 in terms of dynamics. I see A5's as more of a tourer you point down a motorway than a car you would buy for pure handling enjoyment. From what I have read, with the exception of the latest S3, Audis tend to be noseheavy and understeer.
jsmjsm said:
I would keep it stock as its a daily driver and most of the driving would be on the motorway
If most of the driving is on a motorway then I don't think you would be disappointed with either, the M3 will be arguably more rewarding on a back road but both are accomplished motorway cruisers.Respect to you going for a petrol V8 to use mostly on a motorway as I would have thought most would just go with a diesel...so hats off!
S5 can be had for a LOT less money. I briefly had a flirt with the idea - then my wife saw it.. and now she has a dark blue 2008 S5 with white leather and all the bits you could ask for. It's a LOVELY car.. but, it's not an M3. It's significantly down on power (354hp) and the steering is wooly. She loves it (and I must say, it's a nice place to be). Motorway cruiser? Oh HELL yes... but it's no M3.
If you had your heart set on an M3, then the S5 is in a different class; personally the RS5 would be the place to look and I still think the M3 would be a better steer.
If you had your heart set on an M3, then the S5 is in a different class; personally the RS5 would be the place to look and I still think the M3 would be a better steer.
If you don't intend to drive either on country roads, etc but just to plod up and down the motorway, I think either is a pretty bad choice, to be honest.
The M3 will feel like a boggo 3 series except when you are right up in the rev range, which you wont be when pootling along a motorway.
The M3 will feel like a boggo 3 series except when you are right up in the rev range, which you wont be when pootling along a motorway.
jsmjsm said:
I have seen a couple of 2010 cars with the 4.2
Indeed, incorrectly assumed you were talking new, think they changed to the V6 in 2011.EDIT: As ORD says, a peaky "motorsport" style V8 probably doesn't make for the best motorway cruiser, you'll get Mullered by the TDI brigade.
tomjol said:
Unless you're planning to "trim your line with liberal application of the throttle", it sounds perfect...
...except it doesn't have a V8 (any more).
Power oversteer is a very minor part of RWD handling and one that most buyers of RWD cars have little interest in, other than for occasional fun on a skid pan, me included, even though we always end up preferring RWD over 4WD or FWD. Throttle control is mainly about changing a car's attitude mid-corner and making small adjustments to a car's balance, rather than breaking traction entirely and smoking the rear tyres (unless you're auditioning for the Dukes of Hazzard!). ...except it doesn't have a V8 (any more).
I've not driven an S5, but I have driven an RS4 and M3 (E92, which I presume we'd discussing here, but I have tried the E46 to) and would recommend the M3 from a handling and driving enjoyment of view. As ever though, do test both with an open mind before going too far down the line of deciding as there may be things on either car that swing the balance either way.
RobM77 said:
Power oversteer is a very minor part of RWD handling and one that most buyers of RWD cars have little interest in, other than for occasional fun on a skid pan, me included, even though we always end up preferring RWD over 4WD or FWD. Throttle control is mainly about changing a car's attitude mid-corner and making small adjustments to a car's balance, rather than breaking traction entirely and smoking the rear tyres (unless you're auditioning for the Dukes of Hazzard!).
I've not driven an S5, but I have driven an RS4 and M3 (E92, which I presume we'd discussing here, but I have tried the E46 to) and would recommend the M3 from a handling and driving enjoyment of view. As ever though, do test both with an open mind before going too far down the line of deciding as there may be things on either car that swing the balance either way.
Do I really need to roll out the parrot? I've not driven an S5, but I have driven an RS4 and M3 (E92, which I presume we'd discussing here, but I have tried the E46 to) and would recommend the M3 from a handling and driving enjoyment of view. As ever though, do test both with an open mind before going too far down the line of deciding as there may be things on either car that swing the balance either way.
ORD said:
If you don't intend to drive either on country roads, etc but just to plod up and down the motorway, I think either is a pretty bad choice, to be honest.
The M3 will feel like a boggo 3 series except when you are right up in the rev range, which you wont be when pootling along a motorway.
I hear you and you are correct but I want a V8 before they disappear altogether and the hybrid takes over, call it a bucket list item if you like.The M3 will feel like a boggo 3 series except when you are right up in the rev range, which you wont be when pootling along a motorway.
This isn't a thought process about a good motorway cruiser as I already own one and whilst the CLS is great on the motorway I just don't like diesels.
I want some noise is the short answer so the practicality doesn't come into it.
tomjol said:
RobM77 said:
Power oversteer is a very minor part of RWD handling and one that most buyers of RWD cars have little interest in, other than for occasional fun on a skid pan, me included, even though we always end up preferring RWD over 4WD or FWD. Throttle control is mainly about changing a car's attitude mid-corner and making small adjustments to a car's balance, rather than breaking traction entirely and smoking the rear tyres (unless you're auditioning for the Dukes of Hazzard!).
I've not driven an S5, but I have driven an RS4 and M3 (E92, which I presume we'd discussing here, but I have tried the E46 to) and would recommend the M3 from a handling and driving enjoyment of view. As ever though, do test both with an open mind before going too far down the line of deciding as there may be things on either car that swing the balance either way.
Do I really need to roll out the parrot? I've not driven an S5, but I have driven an RS4 and M3 (E92, which I presume we'd discussing here, but I have tried the E46 to) and would recommend the M3 from a handling and driving enjoyment of view. As ever though, do test both with an open mind before going too far down the line of deciding as there may be things on either car that swing the balance either way.
I've not driven an M3 but I bought a V8 S5 at the start of the year. Viewed on it's own it's proving to be a fantastically capable vehicle which has ticked the same bucket list V8 requirement that I had. I wish it was a tiny bit louder whilst sat inside though, from outside the car it sounds fantastice whilst being driven away. I guess it's the downside of the sound deadening doing its job so well though.
jsmjsm said:
S5 comes with AWD and to me that is a big plus for winter driving.
A friend of mine has an S5, feedback is good in wet conditions, but pretty dire on snow/ice. Not driven it myself, but on regular tyres he's struggled to get it off the drive in snow, possibly down to the autobox.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff