BMW E93 M3 or Audi S5 Convertible

[Impulse79]

Hey guys

As above, thinking about buying one of these cars and looking for input from anyone that has owned one of both? Or either something else if any suggestions. Really looking for a fast, fun convertible with 4 seats! Going to be a sunny Sunday car only and not a DD. Around about the 15k mark.

I've been into my motorbikes for years however I've still got that convertible scratch to itch, I have also really wanted to own a V8! Not interested in track days and know that the convertible weighs like 230kg more.

So i've been looking around and pretty much got my heart set on a E93 M3, however I have my concerns on reliability and maintenance extra. I know about the rod end bearings and been quoted 1500 to replace them. So that's why i've also been considering the S5, I can't seem to find any reliability on the S5? Only downside is it's not a V8!

Thanks

Edited by Impulse79 on Saturday 22 February 11:14

[Patrick Bateman]

No direct experience of both but given what’s been said about both of these over the years the M3 will be the infinitely better drive.

Both being the soft top won’t help that with either though.

[cerb4.5lee]

I can highly recommend the E93 M3 and they sound lovely roof down(even as standard). My brother in law has had his 8 years this year and he still loves it, he uses it as a weekend/occasional car.

A drive in his made me really want one, and with hindsight I wished I'd gone for the convertible rather than the coupe when I had mine. He couldn't believe how quiet my coupe was in comparison.

[Impulse79]

Cheers guys, appreciate the input. Just got to try and find a good one that hasn't been thrashed! Concerned about those rod bearings

[ZX10R NIN]

Lets get one thing straight every M3 has been worked even my brothers one which he has loved & cherished has been given many a hard time that's why he bought it, so buy on condition & bear in mind the Rod Bearing Throttle Actuators & Vanos etc then when you need to do some of this maintenance work it won't be to much of an issue.

Also if you can find one then also consider the E500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[Impulse79]

I know exactly what you're saying.

Not a massive fan of the Merc's interior, but maybe worth a look, cheers

Any thoughts on the Audi S4 4.2 V8? I understand that have an issue with cam chain tensioners, this could be factored into the price.

[ZX10R NIN]

Impulse79 said:

I know exactly what you're saying.

Not a massive fan of the Merc's interior, but maybe worth a look, cheers

Any thoughts on the Audi S4 4.2 V8? I understand that have an issue with cam chain tensioners, this could be factored into the price.

The interiors are actually nice on the Merc's they don't look the best but as I said (I'm bias as I have one) they're still a nice & the 5.5 is bulletproof with lots of lowdown grunt the only thing they could do with an Xpipe.

The S4/5 can have suffer with chain tensioner issues but you can have this checked one of the main issues with this engine is coking up but it's not an expensive fix.

[Impulse79]

Or maybe the RS4? Doesn't seem to be many for sale though?

[ZX10R NIN]

There are some nice RS4's out there.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Wing backs

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[Impulse79]

ZX10R NIN said:

There are some nice RS4's out there.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Wing backs

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Nice! These are now a serious contender! I've always preferred the interior of the Audi and i'm guessing they have less issues than the E** V8

[Novexx]

Thought timing chain issues were with the V8, not V6?

Common issues with the V6 seem to be cooling (pump & thermostat), oil consumption (PCV) & mechatronic on the DSG - all on the supercharged version, not turbo.

Edited by Novexx on Sunday 23 February 22:30

[deebs]

ZX10R NIN said:

The interiors are actually nice on the Merc's they don't look the best but as I said (I'm bias as I have one) they're still a nice & the 5.5 is bulletproof with lots of lowdown grunt the only thing they could do with an Xpipe.

The S4/5 can have suffer with chain tensioner issues but you can have this checked one of the main issues with this engine is coking up but it's not an expensive fix.

From research I did a few years back the V8 S5 isn't affected by chain tensioner issues, it's pretty bullet proof. I bought one, it's not a great car to drive. Looks good and goes fast but devoid of 'fun'.

[Impulse79]

deebs said:

From research I did a few years back the V8 S5 isn't affected by chain tensioner issues, it's pretty bullet proof. I bought one, it's not a great car to drive. Looks good and goes fast but devoid of 'fun'.

I don’t think they did the V8 in the S5 convertible, only the coupe.

So now I’m stuck between, E93 M3, RS4 and S5 convertible.

[ZX10R NIN]

I've had a couple of clients have chain tensioner issues (both were S4's & read the issue has affected some S5's) but I still recommend them as I do the M3.