Sport Auto Comparison Test: M3 vs. Audi RS5 review

[chonkoa]

Big disppointment from the RS5, I was one of the those with high expectations.

 

[Karabiner98k]

Considering the weight and gearing of the RS5 it seems that Audi just wanted to make a more relaxed and economical version of the RS4 for cruising comfortably on Autobahn rather than to beat the M3.

 

[NarutoRamen]

Considering the weight and gearing of the RS5 it seems that Audi just wanted to make a more relaxed and economical version of the RS4 for cruising comfortably on Autobahn rather than to beat the M3.

That's not how it's been presented. That's what the S5 is for.

 

[Cashmere]

Anyway, lets hope Audi get the next RS4 right.

 

[MikeJ]

Prefer RS5's looks for all you want, but the difference in performance is far from negligible. Half a sec at 200kmph is huge - almost 100 feet. So is a sec around a short track like that - for comparison, it is more than the difference between Hamilton's Mclaren in pole and Adrian Sutil's Force India in the ninth or tenth at Montreal GP qualifying. And all this for a not so insignificant amount of more money.

Just how often do you do 0-200 km/h in a road car?

I don't know about you guys but I for one am happy that Audi didn't try to build an M3. We don't need Audi to build an M3, there is already a company that does just that. I want Audi to build fast Audi's, and that's exactly what we have here. It might not be faster than an M3 around some track, but heck, I'm not a racing driver and I don't pretend to be so I don't give a damn. The RS5 is fast enough for me.

 

[ree]

Who said 335i has better acceleration than M3 at lower speeds????
M3 335i

80-120km/h in 5th: 5.6s 6.7s

80-120km/h in 6th: 7.2s 8.0s

The above is the data according to Sport Auto.

It is clear that even with 6-speed manual transmission M3 has better acceleration than 335i with 7-speed DKG at lower speeds.

Even lower than 80km/h M3 pulls better according to AMS in a head to head test:

M3 335i

60-100km/h in 5th: 6.1s 6.4s

80 - 120 in 7th gear: 8.1s 8.0s

80 - 100 in 7th gear: 4.2s 3.8s

 

[DeDe]

80 - 120 in 7th gear: 8.1s 8.0s

80 - 100 in 7th gear: 4.2s 3.8s

ree, those times are for 6th gear (335i DKG). Sport Auto Online did post the same numbers for 7th gear... M3 DKG is actually faster.

Im Einzeltest: BMW 335i Coupé DKG mit 306 PS | Sportauto

 

[emve]

DeDe, how did the RS5 do in comparison with GT-R in AB sportscars ? Will you post that test ?

 

[DeDe]

DeDe, how did the RS5 do in comparison with GT-R in AB sportscars ? Will you post that test ?

Sadly, that's just a first drive comparison. No performance data or rating.
I think there will be a comparison between the M3 DKG and RS5 in one of the next issues of AutoBild Sportscars.

 

[Sunny]

Just how often do you do 0-200 km/h in a road car?

I don't know about you guys but I for one am happy that Audi didn't try to build an M3. We don't need Audi to build an M3, there is already a company that does just that. I want Audi to build fast Audi's, and that's exactly what we have here. It might not be faster than an M3 around some track, but heck, I'm not a racing driver and I don't pretend to be so I don't give a damn. The RS5 is fast enough for me.

A Camry is fast enough for most people for public roads. What does that have to do with anything? You can prefer RS5 for any number of reasons, nothing wrong with that. But that doesn't make it a better car. Fact is, with RS5, you pay more for an inferior product. Period. Spin it seven ways to Sunday, and it will still be the same.

 

[Sayyaaf]

Spin it seven ways to Sunday, and it will still be the same.

lol Sunny. I am glad with the outcome of this comparison

 

[Karabiner98k]

80 - 120 in 7th gear: 8.1s 8.0s

80 - 100 in 7th gear: 4.2s 3.8s

Yes, DeDe is right.These times are for 6th gear.Sport Auto didn't test the 335i DKG in 7th.

So, M3 DKG pulls better than 335i in any gear any revs ree
In fact M3 is so tractable at low revs that it pulls in 7th gear almost the same as 335i in 6th gear!!

 

[ree]

Yes, DeDe is right.These times are for 6th gear.Sport Auto didn't test the 335i DKG in 7th.

So, M3 DKG pulls better than 335i in any gear any revs ree
In fact M3 is so tractable at low revs that it pulls in 7th gear almost the same as 335i in 6th gear!!

Sorry…and I wondered why the numbers in 6th and 7th were the same… Nevertheless quite impressive numbers, but there must be a differents since the M3 has more cubic capacity and 114 hp more…

 

[Levi68]

The RS5 is very nice, but Audi marketing is very bad. Audi said it would be an M3 murderer, and thus a better M3 with Audi badge. Now that it failed to beat the M3, they say it was not meant to. Lame. Better built and prouve, as BMW, Porsche or Ferrari, than speak and fail.

 

[klier]

Big disppointment from the RS5, I was one of the those with high expectations.

Not for me, an Audi is still a rebadged VW. No way they will ever make a better car than M3 in the same segment. Best to stop trying right away, to stop the embarrasing moments.

 

[DeDe]

an Audi is still a rebadged VW.

Ouch.

 

[klier]

It is. Nothing wrong with that for a lot of people apparantly...

BTW, with Sunny in threads I want to post in, I don't have to say anything anymore, because he always says what I think (only words it better)

 

[aleks_16]

Ask around man.. And you'll be surprised. Approach normal people on the street and ask them. Which car do you want most. And you'll see. M3 is a great car, but in terms of looks, its far behind here.

Come on the S5 is much more sex then the RS5.....the RS5 is a ugly bodybuilder and the M3 an athletic Superstar

 

[Mr Robert]

I don't know about you guys but I for one am happy that Audi didn't try to build an M3. We don't need Audi to build an M3, there is already a company that does just that. I want Audi to build fast Audi's, and that's exactly what we have here. It might not be faster than an M3 around some track, but heck, I'm not a racing driver and I don't pretend to be so I don't give a damn. The RS5 is fast enough for me.

I'm with you on this. An Audi should stay an Audi. They are brilliant in their own way, no need to look too long at BMW. I don't know if a second around a track means that much to me either, I would like to always go for the car that is more rewarding, this because just like most of us, I'm no race driver, I have no trouble getting there two seconds later if that means I have had a more enjoyable drive.

That said, I was expecting the RS5 to be faster than the M3, the M3 to be more rewarding and that in such a case, nothing would have been new.

This was unexpected.

 

[MikeJ]

A Camry is fast enough for most people for public roads. What does that have to do with anything? You can prefer RS5 for any number of reasons, nothing wrong with that. But that doesn't make it a better car. Fact is, with RS5, you pay more for an inferior product. Period. Spin it seven ways to Sunday, and it will still be the same.

As I see it, there is no "inferior" product here. There are two different products, both very good in their own right. Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading more tests between these cars. I'm sure there'll be those who prefer the RS5 to the M3 as well.