Video: Can the 2008 Audi S5 keep up with the 2008 BMW M3?

So before you kill us for posting this and InsideLine for making this, you should know a few things about the Audi S5. The 2008 Audi S5, tested at $53,000, comes with all-wheel-drive and a 4.2 liter V8 producing 354-hp. 0-60 in the test comes in at 4.7 seconds (4.9 seconds without rollout) while the quarter-mile comes in at 13.2 seconds at 104 mph, just 0.1 second and 2 mph shy of the 420-hp 2007 Audi RS4.

Now compare that to the Audi RS4’s current rival, the 2008 BMW M3. Power comes from a 4.0 liter V8 producing 414-hp. BMW says 0-60mph comes in at 4.8 seconds but InsideLine hits in 4.3 with a 1-foot rollout. Not to mention BMW is asking $57,275 for the M3 coupe.

So ask yourself if you’re an Audi fan looking to take on the M3 - do you really need to spend $67,000 on a RS4 or will a S5 do? Or would you rather buy the M3 and betray Ingolstadt altogether?

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MrGunFun - 3/31/2008 2:42:52 PM

+1 Boost

No

SHOWTIME - 3/31/2008 2:44:01 PM

+6 Boost

I say if you want the ultimate driving experience then go for the M3. If you want something more stylish and different from what you normally see on the street, then go for the S5.

Agent009 - 3/31/2008 3:35:06 PM

+3 Boost

BMW doesn't believe in AWD for in general. Of course those they used to say turbos weren't the way to go either until now. So I guess they reserve the right to continually change their mind.

Atenza28 - 3/31/2008 5:10:14 PM

+4 Boost

Yeah AWD would potentially ruin M. The reason why (well maybe not the only reason) the RS cars from Audi have trouble with Ms of the same power is due to the added weight and driving dynamics of the AWD. I doubt BMW will be ok with adding weight like that and therefore change the dynamics of the vehicle.

AdmiralT20 - 3/31/2008 4:18:16 PM

+4 Boost

Different league. The M3 and the S5 are in two different leagues.
The S5 competes with the E92 335xi.
The RS5/4 is in the same league as the M3.

Matthew1 - 3/31/2008 8:16:39 PM

+1 Boost

It sounds like no one actually watched the video at all.

S2000VS911 - 3/31/2008 10:38:43 PM

0 Boost

i'm not go to track everyday, give me S5. It look far better than m3 (int & ext).

bmwfan1513 - 3/31/2008 8:49:02 PM

+1 Boost

The M3 Rocks. I would just get a 335i Coupe, though.

investor27 - 3/31/2008 9:38:24 PM

-1 Boost

Not price wise. The 335i starts around $40,000 while the S5 starts around $55,000 (a whopping $15,000 more). The M3 coupe starts around the S5 price at $57,000.

S4cabriofoxone - 3/31/2008 11:54:41 PM

+4 Boost

The S5 starts at $50,000 flat. I don't know where you're getting your numbers.

useridinuse - 3/31/2008 10:46:10 PM

+2 Boost

base price yes but the "average" buyers of 335 will want options and when optioned equivalent to the S5, the S5 is < 5K than 335.

useridinuse - 3/31/2008 10:47:40 PM

+3 Boost

I meant to say that S5 is ~5K more than 335 when optioned equivalent.

02chuck - 4/1/2008 12:01:26 AM

+1 Boost

I will take the BMW 335xi with the 6spd. Better balance that the S5 and with a Procede it will have more HP and the AWD!! I priced out the 335 and it was about 8k less that the S5 base price.

AlexTx - 4/1/2008 10:02:57 AM

+1 Boost

Both impressive cars; however once the S5 gets Audi's new suspension system, I think the S5 will be closer to the M3 in terms of slalom.
Now once the RS5 comes out, it will be much more even out!!

Targa - 4/1/2008 10:50:18 AM

+2 Boost

Since I don't go to the track.... really at all, I would take the S5. I know it will be slightly slower than the M, but with quattro etc, I think it is a better daily driver, especially since it snows where I live.

Both cars are amazing though.