Compare the2023 BMW 4 Series ConvertibleVS 2023 Audi S5

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 4 Series Convertible M440i offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The S5 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 4 Series Convertible has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the S5’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 4 Series Convertible has standard Cross Traffic Warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Audi charges extra for rear cross-path warning on the S5.

The 4 Series Convertible’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 4 Series Convertible 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 and rear 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 all wheel drive and around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4 Series Convertible 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 4 Series Convertible’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4 Series Convertible third among compact premium cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The S5 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in initial quality. With 74 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 6th.

The M440i Convertible’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 33 more horsepower (382 vs. 349) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the 4 Series Convertible gets better mileage than the S5 Cabriolet:

The 4 Series Convertible’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.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 4 Series Convertible 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 4 Series Convertible’s wheelbase is 3.4 inches longer than on the S5 (112.2 inches vs. 108.8 inches).

The 4 Series Convertible’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.9% to 50.1%) than the S5’s (56.7% to 43.3%). This gives the 4 Series Convertible more stable handling and braking.

The 4 Series Convertible has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S5 Cabriolet (84 vs. 81).

The 4 Series Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the S5 Cabriolet with its top down (10.6 vs. 7.3 cubic feet). The 4 Series Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top up than the S5 Cabriolet with its top up (13.6 vs. 9.3 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the 4 Series Convertible offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just waving your foot, 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 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 1% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

The 4 Series Convertible offers a 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.

In case of a sudden change of weather, the 4 Series Convertible offers an optional remote convertible top that can be raised from a distance to protect the interior of the vehicle from damage. On a hot day the 4 Series Convertible offers an optional remote opening feature, to lower the top from outside. The S5 doesn’t offer a remote top, so the driver will have to run to the car, get in, turn the ignition on and raise the top to prevent the interior from being damaged.

The 4 Series Convertible’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.

The 4 Series Convertible M440i’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.

The 4 Series Convertible is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW 4 Series Convertible will be $236 to $3544 less than for the Audi S5.

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Audi A5/S5/RS 5 by over two to one during 2022.