Compare the2022 BMW 8 SeriesVS 2021 Audi S5

The 8 Series’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The S5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 8 Series and the S5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 8 Series for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the S5.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 8 Series’ warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 8 Series first among large premium cars in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The S5 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 18th in initial quality. With 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 2 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The M850i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 174 more horsepower (523 vs. 349) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 369) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the M850i 4.4 turbo V8 is faster than the Audi S5:

The 8 Series has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the S5 (18 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The 8 Series’ launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The S5 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 8 Series’ brake rotors are larger than those on the S5:

For better traction and acceleration, the 8 Series has larger rear tires than the S5 (275/30R20 vs. 245/40R18). The 8 Series’ optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the S5 (275/30R20 vs. 265/30R20).

The 8 Series’ standard 275/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the S5’s standard 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 8 Series has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the S5.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 8 Series can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The S5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 8 Series M850i has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The S5 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The M850i offers an available active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Audi doesn’t offer an active suspension on the S5.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 8 Series’ wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the S5 (111.1 inches vs. 108.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 8 Series is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the S5.

The 8 Series’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.1% to 49.9%) than the S5’s (56.7% to 43.3%). This gives the 8 Series more stable handling and braking.

The M850i xDrive Coupe handles at .98 G’s, while the S5 Prestige Coupe pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The front grille of the 8 Series uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The S5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 8 Series Coupe has 1.5 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom and 1.9 inches more front shoulder room than the S5 Coupe.

The 8 Series Convertible has .8 inches more front legroom and 1.9 inches more front shoulder room than the S5 Cabriolet.

The 8 Series Coupe has a much larger trunk than the S5 Coupe (14.8 vs. 10.9 cubic feet).

The 8 Series Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the S5 Cabriolet with its top down (12.4 vs. 7.3 cubic feet). The 8 Series Convertible has a much larger trunk than the S5 Cabriolet with its top up (12.4 vs. 9.3 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the 8 Series has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The S5 doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 4% lower rating, Audi is ranked 12th.

The 8 Series has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The S5 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the S5, the 8 Series has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The 8 Series’ standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S5 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The 8 Series’ power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The S5’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The 8 Series has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the S5.

The 8 Series’ available Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The S5 Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The 8 Series is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.