Compare the2023 BMW M5VS 2023 Audi S6

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The M5 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 S6 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The M5 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. A system to reveal vehicles in the S6’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the M5 has standard Cross Traffic Warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Audi charges extra for rear cross-path warning on the S6.

The M5’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 S6 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the M5 and the S6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 and available around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M5 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 S6.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the M5’s 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 M5’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 156 more horsepower (600 vs. 444) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 442) than the S6’s 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid. The M5 Competition’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 173 more horsepower (617 vs. 444) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 442) than the S6’s 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW M5 is faster than the Audi S6:

The M5’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 S6 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the M5 CCB’s brake rotors are larger than those on the S6:

The M5 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 S6 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The M5 stops shorter than the S6:

For better traction, the M5 has larger tires than the S6 (F:275/40R19 & R:285/40R19 vs. 255/35R21).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M5’s wheelbase is 2.1 inches longer than on the S6 (117.4 inches vs. 115.3 inches).

The M5 CS handles at 1.02 G’s, while the S6 Premium Plus pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The BMW M5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 350 pounds less than the Audi S6.

The M5 has 4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S6 (103 vs. 99).

The M5 has 2.7 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room and .4 inches more rear headroom than the S6.

The M5 has a larger trunk than the S6 (14 vs. 13.7 cubic feet).

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 M5 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 S6 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW M5 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the S6.

The BMW 5 Series outsold the Audi A6/S6/RS 6 by over three to one during 2022.