[Alex_bm]

I realize the cars are in a different class and caliber. That being said, they both have four doors, all wheel drive, and more than enough performance.

Any comparisons from someone who has driven both extensively would be appreciated.

[Transfer]

These two cars are $20k apart. You do realize there is an S5 sportback, right?

[stein_325i]

Not really apples to apples, an M3 would be more appropriate for the RS5, or an S5 for the M340i, regardless, from what I've read and heard about the RS5, seems like a good GT type car and has AWD (which most of the class doesn't in its top performance spec), but other than that it isn't as raw or exciting as something like an M3, C63, or Giulia QF.

Would be better if you went into detail on what types of things in a car you want for your next purchase, because these cars can be viewed in so many different ways based on what you want.

[Alex_bm]

I do realize these cars are in different categories as mentioned in my post. Audi's are typically less "edgy" when it comes to performance aspect. The price difference is there however there are already some good deals popping up on unsold RS5s and by the looks of it the discounts will be getting bigger as luxury sedan/coupe market is in a downtrend at the moment.

I am looking for a fun daily. 90% use running errands, etc. 10% spirited driving.

Ideally I wanted to hear from someone who extensively driven both cars within short time frame.

[siegester]

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1635482

S5 vs 340 discussion

[Ilyam5]

M340 is a much better handling car.

Audi is very nose heavy and will under steer and plow through corners.
It is not as evident on the street but if pushed it will complain even on fast ramps. Driving is also very disconnected, Auto gearbox is not good. steering is vague and gets worse with active steering option. it feels like a cruiser that dos not like to play.

M 340 - wants to play. it is perfectly balanced,. rear wheel biased x drive. It is a drivers car.

5 series will be a better comparison to RS5 - both boaty and feel big.
But again i will choose M550 over RS5 any day.

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...ning-lap-2018/

[BimmerBoomer]

Originally Posted by Ilyam5

M340 is a much better handling car.

Audi is very nose heavy and will under steer and plow through corners.
It is not as evident on the street but if pushed it will complain even on fast ramps. Driving is also very disconnected, Auto gearbox is not good. steering is vague and gets worse with active steering option. it feels like a cruiser that dos not like to play.

M 340 - wants to play. it is perfectly balanced,. rear wheel biased x drive. It is a drivers car.

5 series will be a better comparison to RS5 - both boaty and feel big.
But again i will choose M550 over RS5 any day.

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...ning-lap-2018/

Dynamic steering is only active insofar as the differential, steering and suspension communicate - and about 10x faster than any ABS based ESC can. But dynamic steering is not always variable: in dynamic mode it is fixed ratio and very good.

As C&D point out in this test the tires Hankook tires supplied on the test car are a real puzzle and likely had much to do with the very disappointing lap times. Having said that even on matching Pilot 4s tires I doubt that the RS5 would have anything on the M340i.

[Alex_bm]

I won't be doing any track driving.

With regards to steering. I have driven modern Audi's and modern BMW's. Can't say that I am happy with either brand. Even M2 feels disconnected from the road when compared to E9x and older BMWs. Yes, typical BMW steering is heavier but it doesn't make it more connected. The steering on RS cars is typically heavier vs. S series.

RS3 for example felt more natural in that regard compared to any newer generation BMWs. It would plow into a corner though if pushed hard. Not the best sensation.

Originally Posted by Ilyam5

M340 is a much better handling car.

Audi is very nose heavy and will under steer and plow through corners.
It is not as evident on the street but if pushed it will complain even on fast ramps. Driving is also very disconnected, Auto gearbox is not good. steering is vague and gets worse with active steering option. it feels like a cruiser that dos not like to play.

M 340 - wants to play. it is perfectly balanced,. rear wheel biased x drive. It is a drivers car.

5 series will be a better comparison to RS5 - both boaty and feel big.
But again i will choose M550 over RS5 any day.

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...ning-lap-2018/

[Transfer]

I would agree regarding steering. Our SQ5 is very very light in that department but it is accurate and the car handles very well on the street with a surprisingly pointy front end. In our M340i steering is heavy but no more communicative and sometimes fatiguing. I will take it with a huge smile though over the vague steering in my past M235i.

[stein_325i]

If you can get the price right (and closer to an M340) I think the RS5 may be a good choice for you. Since you aren't track driving and mainly looking for a DD, I think the RS5 is a smart choice because its very comfortable, the interior is very nice, and the hatchback adds both utility and style, while being in Canada I'm sure Quattro AWD should be helpful, and the 2.9L V6 seems to be very good in power. Maybe it will also hold some value down the road?? Not really too sure how RS' do value wise since they were more rare in the past.

[upsidedownfunnel]

If I could buy an RS5 in the same price range as an M340i, there's no question I'd get it.

[Alex_bm]

True. The steering is worlds better than old gen 3s, and noticeably better than M235I. Both had an issue with too much play on center.

Originally Posted by Transfer

I would agree regarding steering. Our SQ5 is very very light in that department but it is accurate and the car handles very well on the street with a surprisingly pointy front end. In our M340i steering is heavy but no more communicative and sometimes fatiguing. I will take it with a huge smile though over the vague steering in my past M235i.

[Alex_bm]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

If you can get the price right (and closer to an M340) I think the RS5 may be a good choice for you. Since you aren't track driving and mainly looking for a DD, I think the RS5 is a smart choice because its very comfortable, the interior is very nice, and the hatchback adds both utility and style, while being in Canada I'm sure Quattro AWD should be helpful, and the 2.9L V6 seems to be very good in power. Maybe it will also hold some value down the road?? Not really too sure how RS' do value wise since they were more rare in the past.

I was thinking of value aspect of the purchase as well. Previous gen RS5 held up their values really well until the new model came out, then the prices plunged big time.
The engine is shared with Panamera S, it has to be good, right Performance wise it's probably an overkill but you can't say no to more power. I guess it will come down to the price at the end.

[Bumpinjeep]

Believe it or not, I agree with the OP on the performance side. I think if you were to put both cars on a track, the times of the RS5 & M340 would be closer than a S5 & a M340.
That being said, last time I looked at prices on new RS5s, they were in the $80K to $95K range. Which is simply overpriced for it's segment. They are very nice cars though. If pricing was equal, I would def. look at the RS5.

[Salespunk]

The ICE in the RS5 feels very dated in comparison, but the interior overall feels much more luxurious. From a drive perspective, both are quick and handle decently at 75%. Even at that speed things can go wrong very quickly on the street. 340 is more engaging, but both feel disconnected relative to cars even just 10 years old.

[jjl]

I would take the M340i over the S5 Sportback because of better driving dynamics and performance, even though to me the S5 Sportback is the better looking car. i LOVE the RS5 Sportback and would take it over the M340i in a heartbeat but it's not really apples to apples, even comparing it to the upcoming M3 isn't apples to apples b/c of different body styles, but would be a better comparison. I've owned both Audi and BMW and the ownership experience, especially reliability, has been much better with BMW.

[sjuhawks19]

I've driven both, plus the S5 Sportback. The M340i was impressive, more impressive than I was expecting. However after merging onto the highway and the car almost throwing me back into the original lane with the most aggressive lane keeping assist I've ever experienced, I opted against the M340i. The S5 Sportback is nice, similar in terms of acceleration, and I like Audi interiors better the majority of the time, but the M340i handled better. The RS5 Sportback is a different animal as others have pointed out. There's not much of a comparison. The acceleration, handling, presence, and exhaust note make the RS5 a much more compelling car. It also looks like a special car on the outside, whereas the M340i looks like a 3 series with black wheels. I'd take the RS5 Sportback in a heartbeat if the prices were similar. I'm coming off an M3 lease at the moment and if I can get the right price, the RS5 Sportback will be my next car.

[SteveinArizona]

Reading this string it sounds to me like the OP really wants the Audi. So I would say go for what you want. Otherwise you will probably spend all your time owning the BMW and thinking that you really wanted the Audi.

If you are going to spend this much money (either way)...get what you want.

[Alex_bm]

Thank you all for the very detailed responses.
I am on still on the fence between the two. Not sure if I need the performance of RS 5, but definitely like the styling better. For exhaust, Dinan looks promising for 340i and might give a fight to RS5 in the noise department. There is 2000 discount on the RS5, plus most dealership are willing to take 8000-10000 of the price. Still 340i is cheaper and comes with free maintenance too.
It's a fun dilemma to have, that's for sure.

[ruderegime]

Any new comparisons on this?

[Benjamin_Nicholas]

Originally Posted by ruderegime

Any new comparisons on this?

It's still an Audi and the inherent issues of being nose-heavy are still there.

These two vehicles aren't really comparable, not realistically.

The M550 is MASSIVELY better than the Audi and in the same class.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by ruderegime

Any new comparisons on this?

What do you want to know? I've owned both.