Compare the2023 BMW M8VS 2023 Audi RS 7

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The M8 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 RS 7 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 RS 7 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the M8 and the RS 7 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, 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 RS 7.

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’ 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 M8’s 4.4 turbo V8 produces 26 more horsepower (617 vs. 591) than the RS 7’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW M8 is faster than the Audi RS 7:

On the EPA test cycle the M8 Competition gets better fuel mileage than the RS 7 (15 city/22 hwy vs. 14 city/21 hwy).

The M8 stops much shorter than the RS 7:

For better traction and acceleration, the M8 has larger rear tires than the RS 7 (285/35R20 vs. 275/35R21).

The M8 Gran Coupe handles at 1.02 G’s, while the RS 7 pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the M8 Competition Coupe’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the RS 7’s (39 feet vs. 40 feet).

The BMW M8 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 550 pounds less than the Audi RS 7.

The M8 Gran Coupe is 5.4 inches shorter than the RS 7, making the M8 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the M8 Competition Gran Coupe is quieter than the RS 7 (65 vs. 70 dB).

The M8 Gran Coupe has 5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RS 7 (100 vs. 95).

The M8 Gran Coupe has 3.6 inches more front headroom and .8 inches more front legroom than the RS 7.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the M8’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The RS 7 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

With its coupe, convertible or sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release in the glovebox, the M8 offers cargo security. The RS 7’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

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 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 RS 7 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 RS 7’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Laser headlights, standard on the M8, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the RS 7’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

The RS 7’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The M8’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

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 RS 7 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The BMW M8 comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Audi RS 7 isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

The BMW 8 Series outsold the Audi A7/S7/RS 7 by over three to one during 2022.