Compare the2026 BMW M3VS 2025 Audi S5

Both the M3 and the S5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M3 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the S5.

There are over 14 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the M3’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 73 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

The M3’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 111 more horsepower (473 vs. 362) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The M3 Competition’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 141 more horsepower (503 vs. 362) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 406) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The M3 Competition xDrive’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 161 more horsepower (523 vs. 362) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 406) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the M3 Competition is faster than the Audi S5 (automatics tested):

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW M3 Competition, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the S5.

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

The M3 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The S5 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The M3 stops shorter than the S5:

For better traction, the M3 has larger tires than the S5 (F:275/40R18 & R:285/35R19 vs. 245/40R19).

The M3’s standard 285/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the S5’s standard 40 series tires. The M3’s optional 285/30R20 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the S5’s optional 35 series tires.

The M3’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.9% to 47.1%) than the S5’s (56% to 44%). This gives the M3 more stable handling and braking.

The M3 Competition handles at 1.03 G’s, while the S5 pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The M3 Competition executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the S5 (23.8 seconds @ .85 average G’s vs. 24.7 seconds @ .8 average G’s).

The BMW M3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 450 pounds less than the Audi S5.

The M3 has .6 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom and .6 inches more rear headroom than the S5.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the M3’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The S5 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the M3 offers cargo security. The S5’s hatchback body style and non-lockable folding seat defeat cargo security.

Laser headlights, optional on the M3, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the S5’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the M3 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The S5 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The M3 also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The M3 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The BMW 3 Series outsold the Audi A5/S5/RS 5 by 35% during 2024.