Car and Driver: Audi RS5 vs. BMW M3 vs. Cadillac CTS-V and the winner is...

I'd swap #2 CTS-V coupe and #3 RS5. The RS5 is more "desirable". But I can't argue with #1.

I agree with you on that...but i also didnt know the RS5 weighed 4000lbs thats alot for a sports car....i just dont want people saying this test was biased towards BMW the comments were short sweet and too the point and I think it was a fair test. The M3 seems to ALMOST always win this test even in the previous years. Like I always say the BMW M3 offers the driver the complete package of handling, steering, power, and transmission all wrapped up into the correct package. The M division at BMW always perfect the M3 where it either comes in first (most of the time) or second never 3rd. Dont get me wrong i love the RS5 as far as looks that car wins it is the cleanest look on any sports car out now its design is very subtle....the cadillac CTS-V coupe they are not far behind and they do need work on the design it looks like i can slice my hand by just touching it extremely sharp lines. I would have thought the CTS-V coupe would have been third compared to Audi. but the CTS-V sedan is damn near just as stable and powerful than the current M5 when the test was done late last year. But i dont think I will stop loving BMW they never seem to fail me

I finally got to read the actual article -- all three are pretty amazing machines. They actually used the Frozen Matte Gray limited edition M3 in the test, which is pretty cool. The M3 Competition Package is no joke. 0-60 in 3.9 seconds? Wow. I am really going to miss that engine when the new M3 comes out.

I know I'll get deboosted for saying it but I just don't like the looks of the Caddy. There's too many angles, creases, edges, etc. Plus it just looks huge, especially out back. The Audi and BMW just look more "pure" to me.

I know the Audi RS5 is NOT the fastest out of the 3, but I will still take it because it more rare where I live. And the BMW 3-Series is everywhere where I live, and I mean you see a dozen or 2 dozen of them day on the way to work and home.

The Cadillac CTS-V is definitely a beautiful Beast but it does NOT have that Awe and Respect where I live. When people see you drive a Cadillac CTS-V, they will wow what a nice car and that is it. When you drive an Audi, BMW, Lexus, MB, Ferrari, Bugatti etc, people think you got money = ) Even thought I know the Cadillac cost almost as much if NOT just as much as the Audi RS5 and BMW M3.

I will be happy with any of those cars but If I have the money, I would get the Audi RS5 in White or Dark blue.

RS5 is based on the A5/S5 platform
M3 is based on the 3 series platform

Are you saying you see 2 dozen M3's on the road, in the time it takes you to go home/work???????! where the hell do you live. I can go days without seeing one on the road and I live in the NY metro area.

And what people think about your status and financial position is very important, n'est pas? ;)

you are an ignorant halfwit... first, YOU have to drive the car everyday, a smart and mature person buys a car that makes them happy, not based on how people will look at it and think about how they "got money."
second, people who buy cars and know cars know that Cadillacs can be just as expensive and overpriced as the competition: an Escalade costs more than a Mercedes GL, and a V8 STS with AWD stickers at $80k, more than a 550i or E550.

^This is why I join this site. I love and resent these people. And yeah, to kablaam, Lexus never said that he saw 2 dozen M3's on the road. He clearly stated that he saw to many 3 series. Nevertheless, that was hilarious.

Thank you bro!

I understand what he wrote, which is why I made the point of mentioning RS5=A5 platform and the M3=3 Series platform.

It doesn't make sense to say I rather take the RS5 because it is more rare than the 3 series???

What do you think?

My apology,

correction, what I meant is that I see the BMW 3-Series NOT BMW M3 = ) I live in Orange County, CA. They're every where. The Audi A5/S5/RS5 is more rare around here.

I live in OC and I see quite a few Audi A5's and S5's. Not in the numbers of the BMW 3 Series, but it seems Audi sells very well around here. Audi needs to update the A6 ASAP.

I live in Oklahoma and 3-Series are a dime a dozen

I would take the Audi or BMW over the ugly Caddy any day. Have any of you sat in a CTS and felt how cheap everything is? The Caddy exterior is also aging very badly. The over the top boy racer look is not working for me.

Your description of the Caddy is the opposite of every reviewer I have read. Perhaps you should go and experience the car while leaving your obvious bias at home.

The interior is cheap? *rolls eyes* You obviously havent sat in the current CTS. As far as the design goes, the current generation CTS went on sale back in 2007 and for it to be in mid-life right now I must say its aging quite well (imo).

Haters will be haters, I guess... *shrugs shoulders*

CTS is the fastest of three and also have the longest warranty. The interior is just fantastic never mind compleate BS people say about it. ALL three are great cars so I put the BMW and Caddy for a tie in first place and the Audi in 2nd for becuase it's the slowest.

http://image.motortrend.com/f/8213969/112_0803_06z+2009_cadillac_CTS_V+interior.jpg

http://www.bmwseries.co.uk/bmwm3coupe/default_clip_image002_0000.jpg

http://0.tqn.com/d/cars/1/0/4/z/rs6avant_dash.jpg

The BMW interior looks cheap.

most likley bucuase the old STS would not stand a chance against the other two cars in the comparo.

The CTS-V is a wonderful car and can go against germanys best, Cadillac as a whole needs to redesign the rest of it's lineup as well as they did the CTS to be taken more serious by future buyers also they need a new halo car since the xlr just got axed and for good reason.

probably because it's a CTS-V Coupe, not a sedan, so it doesn't compete with the M5.

The problem with some people on this site is that they simply have no sense. There is a problem with comparing the current CTS-V directly with anything from Europe. If the CTS-V sedan competes with the M5 then fine. My question is, where is the M5 coupe to compare the CTS-V coupe to? There isn't one. The next best thing is the M3 coupe. Why not compare the CTS-V sedan with an M3 sedan? Because people like Inline6 keep bitching about silly things like that.

As soon as Cadillac fills out its model line-up, (or when the ATS and FTS arrives) all of these questions about what Cadillac competes with what will be answered...


(I hope that wasnt inside info. Sorry General)

actually Tango the M6 is the Coupe to the M5

Same Chassis, Same Engine, Same Running Gear.

So if the CTS-V Sedan competes with the M5/ E-63 Sedan, it makes sense that the CTS-V Coupe should be pitched against the M6.

"My question is, where is the M5 coupe to compare the CTS-V coupe to?There isn't one."

I think the M6.

528i: I agree with you but price wise M3 is is the right one, in the other in the other side, performance based, the M6 won´t match the CTS-V.

Well you could look at it htis way to. In the CTS-V you are getting a car that can compeate with the M5 at M3 price!

And the winner is, BMW M3................again.

I love the M3,but im tired of seeing it win every single comparison. It's like I dont want to read the article because I know the outcome lol. Someone needs to step up to the plate and dethrone it. Whats so difficult? Just follow BMW's recipe.My personal opinion is I'd take the RS5 for bragging rights and looks because very few cars will drop panties like the RS5. I'd take the CST-V for a daily cruiser as i drive in comfort and still have massive power on tap. The M3 is the all around perfect car that I'd use when I'm feeling the need.......................the need for speed.

"very few cars will drop panties like the RS5".

Uh, huh - I guess you mean on young boys, because most girls don't know crap about cars and even less about an RS5.

Actually the girls i know all prefer the A5 Coupe & A5 Conv to the BMW and Merc Coupes & Convs that they see.

So rxh8me9000 might be on to something.

How the hell did these idiots burn TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS on 3 cars for a top speed run, or even for a weekend? Pretty sure I beat the piss out of a V8-engined BMW 5series sport for an entire weekend and even took it up to 140 on 20 bucks worth of gas. No wonder the economy sucks.

I hope you are joking.

A 450 mile round trip in a 2010 BMW 750 set me back over £150 and i was cruising at about 120mph - 140mph

So i can understand how they could burn £1,300 in 3 cars on AutoBahns and Nurburgring.

They drove 1,000 miles. RS5 averaged 13 mpg on the trip, M3 14 and the CTS-V only 11.

1000 X 3 Vehicles = 3000 Miles

11mpg means almost 90 gallons = 409.14 Liters
13mpg means almost 77 gallons = 350.04 Liters
14mpg means almost 72 gallons = 327.32 Liters

Gas Used almost 239 galons = 1086.51

High Octane Petrol in Germany is approx 1.42 Euro = $1.84 USD PER LITER

1.84 x 1086.51 = $1,999.18 USD

{1 Euro Gallon is = 4.546 Liters}

One thing i envy you yanks for is the Fantastic Petrol prices.

I would Emigrate to the USA just for that.

Yea we would want your free health care in return.

@pushrod27,

that is what I said, I know Cadillac cost as much if NOT more than their competitors. And secondly, you definitely need to see a Dr. if driving a Audi RS5 or BMW M3 Does NOT make you happy.

I was just saying, people who spend this kind of money are Not ONLY Buying performance but Prestige as well. I am sure you Don't care what logo is on your car, in case good for you.