Compare the2024 BMW M8VS 2023 Audi S5

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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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 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.

Warranty

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M8 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, 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.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 29 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

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.

Engine

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:

	M8	S5
Zero to 60 MPH	2.7 sec	4.3 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	6.5 sec	10.9 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	3.7 sec	5.6 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.4 sec	2.8 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	2.5 sec	3.5 sec
Quarter Mile	10.8 sec	12.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	129 MPH	107 MPH
Top Speed	190 MPH	155 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

Transmission

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.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the M8’s brake rotors are larger than those on the S5:

	M8	M8 CCB	S5
Front Rotors	15.7 inches	16 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	15 inches	15 inches	13 inches

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:

	M8	S5
70 to 0 MPH	147 feet	150 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the M8 has larger tires than the S5 (F:275/35R20 & R:285/35R20 vs. 255/35R19). The M8’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S5 (F:275/35R20 & R:285/35R20 vs. 265/30R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the M8 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the S5.

Suspension and Handling

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.

Passenger Space

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 .6 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom and 1.9 inches more front shoulder room than the S5 Cabriolet.

Cargo Capacity

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.

Servicing Ease

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.

Ergonomics

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.

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 S5’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW M8 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the S5 Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

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.