M4 Vert (2015) vs Audi S5 (2011)

[GlobalScientist]

I had an S5 for quite some time. Just a few items for comparing it to the my new M4 Vert. Both are manual trans.

Ride: S5 has a more comfortable ride in terms of suspension. Also, the shifting is more seamless in the Audi. That said, the M4's pull in 4th gear would leave the Audi behind. For low range, I feel the pull more in the Audi, but it doesn't last long. I think if you can have more air intake for the M4 in the lower speeds, it would dominate. At a traffic light the S5 could surprise you (my Audi had a reprogramming of my ECU -recent recall).

Exterior/interior: The Audi S5, while cool at the time, now seems to have a bit more cheaper material than the M4. The side mirrors seem like cheap plastic. Leather seems a bit firmer in the M4. Some women say the S5 is a sexier car and the M4 Vert (yes vert) is like a man's sports car. However, top down the M4 is a more fun car to drive in good weather. Seats are more comfortable in the M4. Driver's view is better in the Audi. Back seat space is nicer and more comfortable in the vert.

Traction and Cornering: The M4 Vert, I can do 50 mph 90 degree turns perfectly hugging the corner. The S5 will hold on but the weight wants the car to go straight, thus taking a bit more to overcome. I have the active diff on the M4 vert, but more likely it's the basic dif between a rear wheel and an awd.

Tech: M4 has much nicer tech, but that's roughly 4 years of age for the S5. That said, I like the look of the maps better on the Audi.

Stereo: Audi's B&O is much much better than the stock M4. I wanted to leave a stereo upgrade as a future mod for the M4, so no HK for me - why pay if I want to upgrade in the future.

Winter driving: S5 definitely. You get almost anywhere with the S5 with all season tires. M4 Vert probably would be fun with winter tires, but don't feel like risking it - jury out on that...

Thoughts: Not exactly a versus comparison for the purpose of buying a car. That said, it shows me that Audi has great tech in the awd, suspension and trans that make a ride comfortable but fast for a daily driver, but the M4, validated on the track, is made into a daily driver. That makes it a technically better car. If I was Bruce Willis in Die Hard and had a choice of what car to jump into, the M4 definitely. But taking the girlfriend out to dinner, the Audi for sure. I think if BMW could take the tech of the Audi and make an AWD M for the future, it could be interesting engineering challenge and breakthrough - especially if they could keep the M performance at a high level...

[onatuesday]

This is pretty spot on. Do you have a b8 or b8.5? Because the b8.5 is a totally different animal to the b8 (in s5 trim)


Edit: you have the b8.

[GlobalScientist]

Yes. It's the V8 version.

[L3x]

The RS5?

[GlobalScientist]

Nope. S5. It was originally a V8 version 4.2L before going to the 3.0L Supercharged V6.

[flysrilankan]

how is the trunk space and back seat room compare between the 2? Im considering making this same change.

[Newguy123]

F80/82 will SMOKE an s5. Audi s5 is a slug. That is all

[GlobalScientist]

Of course, but this is more of a comparison of baseline tech and that awds will narrow the rear wheel advantage as time goes on.

[GlobalScientist]

Audi has slightly bigger trunk space than the m4. You'll be happy with low end performance but the m4 will surpass the S5 in speed. People say there is more space in the back seat of the m4 vert than the Audi S5 but not by much. They say also the seats are more comfortable. I use the Audi more for going to work and during and type of inclement weather.

[dkhm3]

Hated my old s4. Drove like a pig. Serious understeer. Post some pics of the m4

[Carl L]

Originally Posted by dkhm3

Hated my old s4. Drove like a pig. Serious understeer. Post some pics of the m4

Totally agree with the pig part. Didn't hate it but mine was the V8 and it was slow and the brakes faded very easily. Sounded nice but more bark than bite.

[flysrilankan]

Originally Posted by GlobalScientist

Audi has slightly bigger trunk space than the m4. You'll be happy with low end performance but the m4 will surpass the S5 in speed. People say there is more space in the back seat of the m4 vert than the Audi S5 but not by much. They say also the seats are more comfortable. I use the Audi more for going to work and during and type of inclement weather.

Awesome, thanks for the info. I've finally moved from the midwest to a place I can have awd year round. Glad to know this can still serve as my only car!

[m4pewpew]

Taking a 90-degree corner going 50mph? Really?

[Inablur]

Originally Posted by m4pewpew

Taking a 90-degree corner going 50mph? Really?

[GlobalScientist]

Of course. Try it!

[gtr]

Get the HK. For the price of the upgrade it is way worth the $$. It is good enough that most people don't' feel the need to go aftermarket. I feel the equalizer is what makes this stereo "good enough".