Compare the2022 BMW M8VS 2021 Audi S5

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The M8 offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The S5 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The M8’s 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 M8 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, all wheel drive, 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, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M8 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 M8’s warranty.

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 M8’s 4.4 turbo V8 produces 268 more horsepower (617 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 BMW M8 is faster than the Audi S5:

The M8 has 4.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the S5 (20.1 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The M8’s 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 M8’s brake rotors are larger than those on the S5:

The M8 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The S5 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The M8 stops shorter than the S5:

For better traction, the M8 has larger tires than the S5 (F:275/35R20 & R:285/35R20 vs. 245/40R18). The M8’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S5 (F:275/35R20 & R:285/35R20 vs. 265/30R20).

The M8’s 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 M8 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the S5.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M8 Coupe/Convertible’s wheelbase is 2.5 inches longer than on the S5 (111.3 inches vs. 108.8 inches). The M8 Gran Coupe’s wheelbase is 10.4 inches longer than on the S5 (119.2 inches vs. 108.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the M8 is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 3.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the S5.

The M8’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.9% to 47.1%) than the S5’s (56.7% to 43.3%). This gives the M8 more stable handling and braking.

The M8 Gran Coupe has standard seating for 5 passengers; the S5 can only carry 4.

The M8 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 M8 Convertible has .8 inches more front legroom and 1.9 inches more front shoulder room than the S5 Cabriolet.

The M8 Coupe has a much larger trunk than the S5 Coupe (14.8 vs. 10.9 cubic feet).

The M8 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 M8 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 M8 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 M8 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.

The M8’s 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 M8’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children in the rear seat from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower all of them with the lock engaged. Audi does not offer a locking feature on the S5’s standard power windows.

The M8’s 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.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the M8 Gran Coupe to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The S5 doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

Both the M8 and the S5 have standard heated front seats. The M8 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the S5.

The M8 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 M8’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The S5 Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.