decision rs4 v m5?

[W8PMC]

I used to own an e46 M3, then 535d before buying an RS4. I did test drive an M5 but was a bit underwhelmed by it. Yes it was mighty mighty quick and at higher speeds the V10 engine note was really nice but still too quiet. The whole problem with the car I felt it did not feel like a sports car - a bit too refined, disconnected and cosseting and on top of that I was already used to the mega-torque levels of the 535d so it didnt feel like a massive step up for me.

The RS4 in comparison, feels like a go-kart and has a lovely sound all the time (not just when giving it the beans like you have too with the M5). It's not as quick but it feels just as quick and is easily quick enough for the UK roads (the M5 is just a bit too insane).

If you need the space, dont mind filling up every 200 miles then the M5 is a great car though I'd still pick a 535d over it since it gives nearly all the feeling of the power of the M5 with its torque (up to general UK road speeds), yet gives 500-600 miles on a tank!

Otherwise, go for the RS4!

p.s. i get around 250 miles average to a full tank on the RS4 (mix of town driving and motorway)

The 535d is a great car & i owned one for 4 months between my insane RS6 & the M5, however even with it's monster torque (i had mine DMS'd) it really is still no match for the M5 in any dept. An M is a totally different kettle of fish with it's chassis, suspension, engine, SMG gearbox & overall dynamics. Agree from the outside their is little to tell an M-Sport & M5 apart, but it is far more excluding the external view than just the headline figures. The M5 de-restricted will happily crack 204MPH, it red-lines at 8250RPM, it has a 7spd SMG & is even at the lower end over 1 second quicker to 60 & over 3 seconds quicker to 100.

If the O/P is really concerned with overall range & can live with owning/running a diesel, then you may be right & a tuned 535d would be a good bet, but even though i loved & raved about mine, it's defo no M5 & defo no RS4.

[nick555]

I used to own an e46 M3, then 535d before buying an RS4. I did test drive an M5 but was a bit underwhelmed by it. Yes it was mighty mighty quick and at higher speeds the V10 engine note was really nice but still too quiet. The whole problem with the car I felt it did not feel like a sports car - a bit too refined, disconnected and cosseting and on top of that I was already used to the mega-torque levels of the 535d so it didnt feel like a massive step up for me.

The RS4 in comparison, feels like a go-kart and has a lovely sound all the time (not just when giving it the beans like you have too with the M5). It's not as quick but it feels just as quick and is easily quick enough for the UK roads (the M5 is just a bit too insane).

If you need the space, dont mind filling up every 200 miles then the M5 is a great car though I'd still pick a 535d over it since it gives nearly all the feeling of the power of the M5 with its torque (up to general UK road speeds), yet gives 500-600 miles on a tank!

Otherwise, go for the RS4!

p.s. i get around 250 miles average to a full tank on the RS4 (mix of town driving and motorway)


The 535d is a great car & i owned one for 4 months between my insane RS6 & the M5, however even with it's monster torque (i had mine DMS'd) it really is still no match for the M5 in any dept. An M is a totally different kettle of fish with it's chassis, suspension, engine, SMG gearbox & overall dynamics. Agree from the outside their is little to tell an M-Sport & M5 apart, but it is far more excluding the external view than just the headline figures. The M5 de-restricted will happily crack 204MPH, it red-lines at 8250RPM, it has a 7spd SMG & is even at the lower end over 1 second quicker to 60 & over 3 seconds quicker to 100.

If the O/P is really concerned with overall range & can live with owning/running a diesel, then you may be right & a tuned 535d would be a good bet, but even though i loved & raved about mine, it's defo no M5 & defo no RS4.

thanks for the replies, these in particular, funny as i,m currently driving a standard 535d m, perfect size etc and fairly quick but just cant get used to diesel and not having the right soundtrack when giving it a bit of stick...have had reports of the m5 being a bit too daft for uk roads, and having driven m3 s before was not to keen on the smg gear box
going to have a search round over the next 2 weeks and see how i go, rs4 is edging it at the moment
thanks for info..keep you posted

[SimonH]

I had a new M5 last year, and now have an RS4.The performance of the M5 in a straight line, is better than the RS4 the higher up the rev range you go, but not by massive amounts.You get the sensation of real speed in both cars, and, as i have recently pointed out, i think, that if the RS4 had a SMG/DSG style box, the performance would be even more equal, but the M5 is the quicker car.The noise of both cars is sublime, they are both vocally fantastic in their different ways, the M5 being higher pitched to the RS4s byplane demeanour.The M5 is the bigger car, but i was always surprised that it hid its size well.The handling department belongs to the RS4, with its 4wd chassis and planted feel at any speeds.The RS4 really is better in the twists and turns, and if its wet, well.The build quality of both cars is superb, so i think personal choice comes into that.The fuel consumption WILL get to you in the end, it is teribble, and painful to keep topped up, make no mistake here.Depreciation, fuel consumption, and fear of SMG failure/stranded nowhere, were the main reasons i sold the M5.But i really did like it.The RS4 is really under my skin now, and i cant seem to stop driving it, it is just fantastic.I still think it will hold its value well over the next year, with the recent press, but its your choice.You will have to try both on the same day for a good comparison. Good luck, regards, SIMON.

[Nickm]

Is there a G spot in the B7? I used it all the time in my B5s. Where is it exactly?

[audijohn]

Is there a G spot in the B7? I used it all the time in my B5s. Where is it exactly?

No it's linear, and fast throughout.

[tartan_rob]

G spot is in the same place it was in the B5, on the left hand side between the fuel cap and one way valve just inside the fuel filler neck.

[tartan_rob]

G spot is in the same place it was in the B5, on the left hand side between the fuel cap and one way valve just inside the fuel filler neck.

[mrdeli]

what the hell is a G Spot - on an audi?

[W8PMC]

I think it's a play on words.

[tartan_rob]

There is a little lever inside the fuel filler that bleeds off air from the tank allowing more fuel to get in, actually I think it bleeds air from the fuel expansion tank. Anyway, it allows more fuel to be carried giving a larger range.

[marin]

OK. Let me settle this - without being biased (like some users on here).

RS4 is a superb car. Drives very well and handles beautifully on the everyday roads. Far better mpg!
M5 is a superb car. Drives very smoothly in comfort mode and almost as harsh as a M3 CSL in sport mode. Yes on wet roads the RS4 will handle slightly better in the corners compared to the M5 but the M5 pull ahead on the straights. M5 can be trickie if you push it to the limit but so can the RS4 with understeer. Will you race them? Do you prefer AWD or RWD? It really does depends on what u like. The question is also about practicality as you have a child too and M5 that has more space, i would suggest to drive it for an hour or two as well.

I have driven both cars and have walked into the showroom last week and bought the 2007 M5 purely because:
1. It has alot more leg room at the back
2. Bigger boot
3. More power 507BHP
4. M5 has more prestige
5. Fantastic SMG as i cannot deal with manal around the city of London - SMG failures which were mentioned on here just do not happen very often. Not at all. Ive had an M3 and now an M5 and never had a single problem with any part of the box.
6. M5 is faster. Full Stop. The power it throws at you is immense and it never stops from 1st -7th gear.
7. 13 MPG is a sucker though. The tank is the only thing that lets the M5 down.

Its for you to decide by test driving them over longer periods. Good luck and let us know your decision

[mip]

well congrats Marin.

You made your choice based on your criteria. we all did. M5 is a wickedly nice car, I just don't like the flame styling, or the fact that people can buy a 525I diesel that looks just like one however, I am sure I would love that engine....

lets all be very honest about this. We are all splitting hairs over what are both very special cars in their own right. Most folks would be very happy with a car with 1/2 of the capabilities of either car. (ya boo sucks we have one you don't )

I think most of us post with our tongues firmly in our cheeks, but then isn't that part of the fun.

Moral of story, make sure you love and cherish the car you picked to meet your needs

I am still running mine in feels like forever, but then then again, my M3 had gawd knows how many issues with the SMG, at least 3-4 updates to get it working right... and lets not forget the factory recall to get the bottom end rebuilt so having to run it in TWICE !!! boohoo



Cheers

MIP

[SR71]

M5 is faster. Full Stop. The power it throws at you is immense and it never stops from 1st -7th gear.

Not wishing to split hairs or anything but....

Thats not strictly true is it?

It's time round the Nurburgring, for instance, is slower, so it is obviously not catching up enough in the straights!

What always makes me smile are the statisticians amongst us. They buy on the basis of paper performance.

Apologies if it doesn't apply, but unless you drag race your car, how would you know your car is faster? It doesn't really matter if its faster on paper does it?

Similarly, I bet 99% of M5 owners have not de-restricted their car so they're limited to a notional 155 just like owners of RS4's are...

Every single vehicle I've owned I've always had absolutely flat out.

My yet-to-be-de-restricted RS4 has not yet had this treatment (its due to visit the autobahn in November) and whilst I am sure that a de-restricted M5 will beat it, if I make it to 187 I'm fairly confident my car will, in reality, have travelled faster than many M5 owners cars have.

I don't, however, think I will beat my record on land, which presently stands at 197mph, through the lights at RAF Woodbridge, on my ZX12R.

Happy speeding.

[alex_123_fra]

There is a little lever inside the fuel filler that bleeds off air from the tank allowing more fuel to get in, actually I think it bleeds air from the fuel expansion tank. Anyway, it allows more fuel to be carried giving a larger range.

Doesn't the manual expressly say that you shouldn't overfill the fuel tank and displace the air in the expansion tank? Is it dangerous in any way to do so?

[audijohn]

I Spose I must add my 2P now.
Marin the new M5 is a pig to drive in normal road use, It's noisey in the cabin, even at moderate speeds.
It looks same as 535D with after market exaust.
On off in performance (under 5k NOTHING over 5k EVERYTHING) the finish inside is franky "Ford Money" as most BMW cars are, why they can't produce a quality interior beats me.
In the wet at pace it's nothing short of Dangerous, but you drive in London so you may not have "worked" the engine, it does NOT inspire confedence on anything but straight dry roads.

Fuel consumption is Horendous and "Bang for Buck" is not there.
I was very keen on one before buying my RS, after a few days testing and I could not get shot quick enough.
My summing up of the M5 would be , in a warm/hot climate with cheap fuel and ear plugs a great car, in the UK,"A great posers car" and Shell and BP's best customer.