OK what would you get? A new 09 S5 or a previously owned 08 M3. I've been seeing a few M3 coupes for sale from 55k to 63k.

 

as much as i absolutely love the S5, theres almost a 70 hp difference between the two plus the M3 is just made to be a road going track car. i know this is an audi forum and all but you gotta go with the bimer on this one

 

dude new bmw m3 v-8 is bad assed.. i love my audi.. but gosh.. how can you not go for the bimmer??

 

If your looking at coupes the M3 would be my pick, as much as i love audi. This is assuming its not a daily driver.

However in the price range a lightly used B7 RS4 would be my choice over the BMW.

More expensive...but wait for the rs5!

 

yea but the bimer owns the rs4 in just about every category... except number of doors. im sure the m3 would be good as a daily driver thats what it was meant to be. a track car thats good on the streets as well. i dont know much about the rs5 but im assuming its gonna have the same engine and other bits as the rs4 so it would probably perform about the same, again i am only guessing here. id stick with the bimer on this one

 

I see that you are from the Chicago Suburbs. Does that mean that you drive your car a lot in the snow? I know for sure that I would never want to drive a track rear wheel drive car in several inches of snow. That would be a disaster. Especially a nice car like the M3. If you're going with a daily driver I would definitely stick with a slick Audi. Just the other day I saw a S5 grey with tinted windows and just about had a heartattack. I see more Bimmers than S5s. Plus you can't beat those daytime lights in the headlights. However, you are right about the M3 having more performance pros. Are you looking to race a lot? Just curious, because I never really race anyone anymore so I don't see the point in putting money into making my S faster.

 

Thanks folks for all the great input. I am in the Chicago suburbs and do have to deal with the crappy winters. So, quatro trumps rear wheel drive in the snow. But all the BMW advocates say snow tires is all that is needed. I'm not too sure about that, especially with the snow we get.

I test drove an S5 auto and an M3 manual. Both gave me goose pimples and cardiac arrest with how awesome the power, handling and ride are. I do plan on going to the track. (By the way, check out Laps Inc.) But either car would be fun.

Here's my current buying thoughts. I like the S5 because it's so unique. I see several new M3's but rarely an S5. When you see an S5, it really is a head turner. The M3 depreciation on 08's is pretty startling. One year ago MSRP was about $70k. Now, 08's are available for around $54-59k. So for that price you can't beat the performance.

I did put money down for an S5 (Phantom Black, w Blk/blk alcantara, loaded), expected delivery in June. However, I've been seeing so many good deals on 08 M3's its really making me think twice. The dealership did say I could get my money back if I reneg.

Keep giving me all your thoughts. It's very helpful.

Dicky

 

dude.. all the cars are depreciating radically now.. its a recession.. if i was in your position id definately go m3..

 

The s5 is infinetly better as an all-weather car. I would not buy the M3 as a primary car unless i lived where i could have summer tires all year round. M3 + snow = diaster. Yeah you can throw snowtires on it and *****-foot around but thats no fun, quattro is.

The interior is also much nicer on both the S5 and RS4, for that alone i would pick the audi.

The BMW certainly is the better performing car on a track but thats about it. Stage 3 B5 S4 will pull hard on the new M because of the torque deficite --> 269 lb ft lol even the S5 has 325 lbft

Sounds like you want the s5 more. Better interior, better looking, better daily driver in the snow.

 

Good points SourDiesel. The quattro and better looks are major positives. Are there any engine mods available on the S5?

Nice S5 pic too...awesome rims. Looks lowered too.