S5 B9 VS M4 F82

[marius12345]

Hello everyone, I'm based in Europe and I'm currently in the market for a new toy.
I know that the comparison between the M4 F82 and S5 B9 is not logical as the M4 compares to RS5 BUT, they have a similar price(the RS5 is 10-15k more expensive on the SH market).
I have driven both the S5 and the M4(below 50mph) and surprinsingly, even though the S5 has less power (but more traction due to quattro), the S5 felt a lot nicer to drive and a lot more sportier. The M4 couldn't put the power down at such low speed and it felt kinda weak(couldn't test it past 40-50mph).
I've seen that a lot of people have made the transition from the M3/M4 old gen to the S5 B9.
The interior of the B9 it's also a lot nicer than the M4's.
I am looking for a sporty car to have fun with that I would mostly use in the city.
I do not have kids and I do not really need a big trunk.

For the same amout of money, what would you guys pick between the S5 and the M4.
Also, for those that have own both, could you describe the feeling that both cars give to you at low and high speeds?

Cheers!

[marius12345]

I also forgot to mention that whichever car I would go with, I would tune it to at least stage 2.

[GoCougs1234]

I was sorta/most in your position in 2021 (SQ5 vs. X3M) and I chose the SQ5 + (eventually) APR stage 3 because I found the X3M's iDrive/infotainment abysmal. ~4 years later and the B9 has stayed the same in this regard (and best in the class and one of the best in the industry IMO) and IMO the BMWs have gotten vastly worse.

[marius12345]

I was sorta/most in your position in 2021 (SQ5 vs. X3M) and I chose the SQ5 + (eventually) APR stage 3 because I found the X3M's iDrive/infotainment abysmal. ~4 years later and the B9 has stayed the same in this regard (and best in the class and one of the best in the industry IMO) and IMO the BMWs have gotten vastly worse.

Thanks for the comment! What HP do you have on your stage 3 SQ5?

[GoCougs1234]

Thanks for the comment! What HP do you have on your stage 3 SQ5?

I have APR stage 3 on 91 octane (US), so 530 hp at the crank up from the US spec of 349 hp:

[marius12345]

I have APR stage 3 on 91 octane (US), so 530 hp at the crank up from the US spec of 349 hp:

Cheers mate! Isn't 530hp kinda low for the stage 3? I've talked to 034 and they said that they can get 605hp on regular 93oct fuel gas

[GoCougs1234]

Cheers mate! Isn't 530hp kinda low for the stage 3? I've talked to 034 and they said that they can get 605hp on regular 93oct fuel gas

Again, I'm 91 octane, plus the tune uses the factory cat, doesn't stink, is emissions legal (needed to sell it as is) and all software and hardware comes from the same vendor. To my knowledge, no other tuner offers all this (at least not off the shelf). Worth the trade IMO. TBH, even 530 crank hp is PLENTY for the factory SQ5 chassis and suspension, or anything close to it. It doesn't put 530 hp down all that well when it's wet or the road is the slightest bit bumpy and carrying that much more speed when in the curves and the brakes get soft fairly quick. Still 100% recommended however, if you're an enthusiast, and you know what you're getting yourself into (including more lag).

[Z06Corey]

If I was solely concerned with performance I would have bought the BMW. I like the Audi styling better and it's my daily driver. I have the Corvette for when I want performance. BMW has surpassed Audi in my mind for performance. I was at an event recently and there was a new BMW M3 competition that was absolutely cleaning up against all different kinds of cars. It wasn't stock but when you modify you're going to well surpass the capability of the S5.

[STi from DSM]

Comparing a RWD M4 vs. an AWD S5 isn't really a fair comparison in my eyes. I would say an M440i Xdrive and an S5 would be a better comparison. Owning both BMW and Audi for the past few years I have thoughts on both of them: Audi... The Infotainment of the B9 was far superior to that of the F82 M4. I had an F90 M5 and an F97 X3M Comp both with the old infotainment and hated both of them because of that. No functionality of the gauge cluster, and not being able to change the track of whatever song I was listening to on the steering wheel was a killer for both of my BMW's.
I have a 2022 BMW M850i now and all of the newer technology makes it much more appealing. If you like bells and whistles I would stick with the Audi as the Digital Dash has great functionality. The new G80 style has the new infotainment and all the options I was feeling that I lacked in my older BMW's

[Dan99]

Found this today on audiworld:

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/s4-.../#post25950882