Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2009 BMW M3 VS 2009 Audi S5 Near Phoenix, AZ

The M3 offers optional BMW Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The S5 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies.

Both the M3 and the S5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M3 for 3 years and 45000 miles longer than Audi pays for maintenance for the S5 (4/50,000 vs. 1/5000).

There are over 33 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier to get service under the M3’s warranty.

The M3’s 4.0 DOHC V8 produces 60 more horsepower (414 vs. 354) than the S5’s 4.2 DOHC V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW M3 is faster than the Audi S5 (manual transmissions tested):

For better stopping power the M3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the S5:

The M3’s brakes have 12% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the S5 (694 vs. 618 square inches), so the M3 has more braking power available.

The M3 stops much shorter than the S5:

For better traction and acceleration, the M3 has larger rear tires than the S5 (265/40R18 vs. 255/35R19).

The M3 Coupe has 1 inch more front shoulder room and .1 inches more rear headroom than the S5.

The M3’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them. Audi does not offer a locking feature on the S5’s standard power windows.

When the M3 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The S5’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The M3’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that offers alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service available in a limited number of metro areas.) The S5’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.