This seems to be a pertinent question, and one that has probably been discussed already.

Given my experience with both brands, I am tempted to say (without having driven either car) that the M3 is "sportier" and quicker, whereas the S5 is more luxurious and better built (and will save your pocketbook a good $7K for a fully loaded model).

Am I correct, or does the standard BMW vs. Audi comparison not hold true in this case?

 

I would choose the S5. Striking on the road. Quattro for lousy Seattle days. Beautiful interior as well.

Would the new M3 be faster? Of course it would but for a daily I don't really care *that* much.

 

I would go with the S5.

 

m3 is class leader, the s5 is the new threat/underdog.
Without driving both i can say anything. I am partial to bmw but i must say the s5 is looking hot...

 

M3
Only way to go.
I love the S5 but a 335 drives better. IMO.

 

Audis have always been softer than their BMW or MB counterparts. That being said, if one is looking for the better all-around daily fun car (but will never race it), is the M3 still superior?

Tradition says that the bimmer will cost more, break more often, and not provide as many creature comforts. Is that the case with the new model?

 

The M3 is the better car IMO. I've test driven an S5 and while it's a great car i just don't think it is as capable as the M3.

 

S5 Hands Down. The M3 is great and all but its about 10k more and has less to offer besides being fast. The S5 Interior is beautiful, its balanced, and no slouch either. The S5 will run 13.3 quarter mile where the M3 runs 12.9. The S5 with Quattro is the best all around car in its class. The M3 is an RS4 competitor whereas the 335xi is an S5 competitor.

 

S5 no doubt about it, its a new sleek car and Audi's first attempt of a car rivaling the CLK Mercedes and 3 series BMW.

 

Audi hasn't been doing all that well with a lot of their quality control stuff lately. Furthermore, BMW's current free maintainance program combined with warranty means your pocket won't feel anything if the car has trouble.

As to their performance, BMW has gotten very, very good at creating suspension systems that are both compliant and perform better than the competition. The new M3 can be equipped with an adaptive suspension system, which would be very handy for daily driving. The power and driver feedback is guarunteed to be superior as well. What's nice about the Audi is its price, practicality, and looks. It really does check a lot of boxes, at a considerably lower price than the M3. Plus, Ibis White on Tuscan Brown is drop dead gorgeous.

It's a tough call, but I think they satisfy two somewhat different sets of needs.

 

i don't think u can go wrong w/ either car, but i would go w/ the M3 for the performance edge.

 

I saw an S5 on the road yesterday...drop dead gorgeous. S5 all the way, the interior is beautiful as well...

 

I'm in the same boat. I placed my S5 order before the M3 pricing was announced and still rumored to be in the $70k range. Now that I see the M I would spec out is in the very low 60's I'm definately thinking of passing on the S5...

I'm going to wait until I have a delivery date and then sell my spot to recoup my down payment.

 

get the M3 with adaptive suspension... the S5 is ugly... it looks like a giant corrado and will not age gracefully because of all its hard lines and wierd edges... the 3 series flows beautifully...

the dash in the M3 looks waaaayyy better than S4 and the M3 is just a more beautiful car...

I agree with the posting above on the 335xi... direct competition for the S5... that would also be the preferred alternative.... JMHO

 

I'm learning towards the S5, the new M3 isn't doing much for me inside and out. The S5's interior is better than the M3's in my opinion.


vs.