Compare the2023 BMW 8 SeriesVS 2023 Audi A5

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 A5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 8 Series and the A5 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 A5.

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’ 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 840i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 74 more horsepower (335 vs. 261) and 95 lbs.-ft. more torque (368 vs. 273) than the A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The M850i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 262 more horsepower (523 vs. 261) and 280 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 273) than the A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The 8 Series has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the A5 (18 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 8 Series, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A5.

For better stopping power the 8 Series’ brake rotors are larger than those on the A5:

The 8 Series’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the A5 are solid, not vented.

The 8 Series stops much shorter than the A5:

For better traction and acceleration, the 8 Series has larger rear tires than the A5 (275/30R20 vs. 245/40R18). The 8 Series’ optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the A5 (275/30R20 vs. 255/35R19).

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 A5’s standard 40 series tires. The 8 Series’ optional 275/30R20 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the A5 Premium Plus/Prestige’s optional 35 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 A5. The 8 Series’ optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the A5 Premium Plus/Prestige.

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 A5 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 A5 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 A5.

The 8 Series has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The A5’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 8 Series’ wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the A5 (111.1 inches vs. 108.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 8 Series is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than on the A5.

The M850i xDrive Coupe handles at .99 G’s, while the A5 Prestige Coupe pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The M850i xDrive Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.3 seconds quicker than the A5 Prestige Coupe (24 seconds @ .84 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

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 A5 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 A5 Coupe.

The 8 Series Convertible has .6 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom and 1.9 inches more front shoulder room than the A5 Cabriolet.

The 8 Series Coupe has a much larger trunk than the A5 Coupe (14.8 vs. 10.9 cubic feet).

The 8 Series Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the A5 Cabriolet with its top down (12.4 vs. 7.2 cubic feet). The 8 Series Convertible has a much larger trunk than the A5 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 A5 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 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 A5 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors optional at extra cost in the A5, 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 A5 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

If the windows are left open on the 8 Series the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the A5 can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

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 A5.

The 8 Series’ optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The A5 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 A5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.