Compare the2024 Audi S5VS 2024 BMW 4 Series Convertible

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the S5. But it costs extra on the 4 Series Convertible.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the S5’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the S5 and 4 Series Convertible have rear cross-traffic warning, but the S5 Premium Plus/Prestige has Automatic Brake Activation (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The 4 Series Convertible’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the S5 and the 4 Series Convertible 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 blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the S5 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 4 Series Convertible has not been tested, yet.

The S5’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 94 more horsepower (349 vs. 255) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 295) than the 430i Convertible’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi S5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The 4 Series Convertible requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

For better stopping power the S5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the 4 Series Convertible:

For better traction, the S5 has larger standard tires than the 4 Series Convertible (255/35R19 vs. 225/45R18). The S5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4 Series Convertible (265/30R20 vs. 225/40R19).

The S5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 430i’s standard 45 series tires. The S5’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the 4 Series Convertible’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the S5 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the 430i. The S5’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the 4 Series Convertible.

The S5 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the 4 Series Convertible; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the S5’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the 4 Series Convertible’s (37.7 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The S5 is 3 inches shorter than the 430i, making the S5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces. The S5 is 3.1 inches shorter than the M440i.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the S5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The S5’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The 4 Series Convertible’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the S5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Laser headlights, standard on the S5 Prestige, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the 4 Series Convertible’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The S5 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the S5 has standard extendable sun visors. The 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The S5 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 4 Series Convertible.

The S5 has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The 4 Series Convertible doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The S5 has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the 4 Series Convertible.