BMW M4 vs Audi RS5: epic track battle

We test the BMW M4 against the benchmark setting fast coupe, the Audi RS5.

The arrival of a new BMW M car is always big news for performance car fans, and the new M4 is no exception.

Costing almost £60,000, the replacement for the legendary old BMW M3, the M4 has moved away from the V8 power plant in the old car, and is now powered by a 425bhp twin-turbocharged straight-six engine.

Meanwhile, the similarly prices Audi RS5 is propelled by a 4.0-litre V8, which produces 430bhp. It's also mated to the Audi quattro four-wheel drive system. Like the BMW, it also features a dual-clutch gearbox, the Audi S tronic system.

There's no denying the Audi lacks the fun factor of the BMW - the quattro four-wheel-drive system prevents the lurid powerslides than you can really go for in the M4. You can also feel the weight of the engine over the front axle in the RS5, but it certainly doesn't feel slow at all.

Overall then, the RS5 feels very punchy, and the gearshift is also really nice - the same can be said for its V8 soundtrack. It's not a track machine though, and the car from Neckarsulm is more of a very stable and very rapid cruiser.

Meanwhile, the BMW M4 feels very raw and very serious, especially when all the settings are put at their sportiest via the M1 switch on the steering wheel. These also turn the traction control and stability control off.

With no electronic aids, the M4 is always trying to get its tail out. However, the body control is amazing, but there is a feeling that it's all a bit artificial. The same can be said for the engine note, which has been enhanced.

The M4 is a proper M car though, and something BMW can be truly proud of. It set a lap time of 1m09.9s, compared to the 1m12.2s set by the Audi - that's 2.3s quicker.

[YouArentSlick]

It's funny cause you will never see an actual owner of one of these cars arguing like the people in the comments

[jaikee]

The RS5 is the safer car to go fast on the autobahn. It can cope with snow, rain and mud. The M4 is sexy and more fun to drive around corners and on race tracks.
These are two completely different approaches/philosophies.

[owismeal]

You're all getting impressed by the M4 but i'm getting impressed by the driver who pushes an M4 as hard as it can on tight corners with all that torque and traction control off without loosing the rear end so much.

[STKPYL]

I recently picked up a 2013 RS5. Perfect combination of sporty and luxurious. You don’t recognize it as a “sports car” at first. But when you hit the gas, hear that naturally aspirated V8 open up and the spoiler pop up, you see the beast lurking underneath that finely tailored suit.

[NikoBell]

Since I'm the type of person who rarely goes to the track anyway, the RS5 would be the perfect car for me. It's so good around town and it's gorgeous. The M4 looks great, it really does, but I've always had a thing for the Audi 5's, especially the RS5.

[DoctaM]

Simply an astonishing car... the M4 is a sick BEAST... I love it.

[viticoful]

Not gonna lie, Im an Audi fanboy and would take the rs5 over anything but that bimmer is beautiful, looks and sounds fun. so credit where credits due.

[saucysimpson]

i like both cars but personally i'd buy the M4

[QASSYNO]

I've owned both I sold my rs5 to get the m4 comp both cars are great in there own way I prefer the bmw in the end it just comes down to preference but both cars are great

[Shabec]

Both cars are great but.... What's the camera car? Because from the looks of things it runs with both! Ha.

[tommyfletcher]

I was close to buying the RS5 - Audi makes awesome machinery. However, the ability to extract more fun out of it via tuning, really kept me from the final purchase. Once I was in the M4 I felt at home - especially since I traded an e60 M5 for it. Now with an MHD flash tune there's no comparison.

[crystalvillarreal]

Remember that time BMW made the M3 for six years straight without ever acknowledging that it would likely have catastrophic engine failure due to worn rod bearings? That was awesome.

[michaelrawlins]

Even though I'm a BMW fan, but the Audi sounds better

[hansblitz]

"powerslides"  Lets see how interesting they are in the real world, when it is raining, icy, etc and there are cars coming the other way.

[CroAuslander]

I think that the new BMW line is a big leap forward in looks! The new Bimmers are so beautiful!

[tomo]

If this Audi is "trash" like so many of you in the comments are saying, you're not a car enthusiast, but rather a BMW enthusiast.

[Xboxlove]

people who own either are happy with either, people who don't argue which one is better on youtube.

[JeremyLoveTech]

dat v8 note doe. sounds even more monster with capristo system. 

[usmanw]

Mildenhall's videos are always enjoyable. The driving seems intense and yet the corner by corner commentary seems precise and effortless. Very nicely done!

[skylinegtr]

THE RS 5 IS MOORE STABILITY THAN M4, I SEE M4 ON THE TRACK ONLY DRIFFTING AND I THINK THE M4 IS DANGEROUS FOR DRIVING FAST ON THE STREET, RS 5 IS BETTER