[mirob]

2023 Audi RS5 Competition // Full Review + M3 Competition 0-60 Battle

It's more of a vague comparison than a true battle but still enjoyable.

Enjoy!

[playswcars]

I think Audi did a great job with the Competition models. They injected new life into aging cars.

In Europe, the RS4 Avant is also available as a Competition variant.

Factory-Coilover suspension in a widebody station wagon? Sign me up!

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by playswcars

I think Audi did a great job with the Competition models. They injected new life into aging cars.

In Europe, the RS4 Avant is also available as a Competition variant.

Factory-Coilover suspension in a widebody station wagon? Sign me up!

I agree they did some nice chassis and transmission/drivetrain tweaks but.... they are still down on power big time and could have easily added more IMHO.

[Bimmerfun82]

The depreciation on these cars will be historic. My cousin's RS5 is worth half a couple years later and <20k miles. This car feels very "me too" and not special compared to the AQ or M3. The RS4 avant on the other hand is very desirable. The biggest competitive adv Audi had was Quattro... and that has *poof* vanished. Why in the world would anyone buy this over an M3cx? Don't answer that, ha.

[carswithdonuts]

Originally Posted by Vic55

I agree they did some nice chassis and transmission/drivetrain tweaks but.... they are still down on power big time and could have easily added more IMHO.

agreed. I drove a '22 RS5, and they could have really used a hp bump. I think they do a great job and have a good product. But I felt like the car was very neutered and had no emotion.

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by obsessedspeed

agreed. I drove a '22 RS5, and they could have really used a hp bump. I think they do a great job and have a good product. But I felt like the car was very neutered and had no emotion.

Im biased but I think I have the only Audi with emotion, all motor baby!!!

[bri1042]

Originally Posted by Vic55

Im biased but I think I have the only Audi with emotion, all motor baby!!!

]

Yes, but you clearly have all the cars. All of them. :-)

[carswithdonuts]

Originally Posted by Vic55

Im biased but I think I have the only Audi with emotion, all motor baby!!!

Now that’s something

[MichaelB1969]

Throttle House is great!

I had a 2014 RS5 with the NA V8. I loved the look of the car and the V8 was amazing. Intoxicating to rev it to redline, which was ~8,500rpm. Sounded so good too.

However, that’s where the excitement ended. Car was heavy, and you really felt it. Incredible grip and you’d have to drive like a complete moron for it to bite you. But it felt numb. Very isolated from the road. Also, I grew bored with the DSG (which is why I ordered an M3 base).

The car just had no soul. Rather, it was super refined and “surgical”. I didn’t keep it for long. Other than the engine, I didn’t miss it at all once I sold it.

[PLF69]

Originally Posted by MichaelB1969

Throttle House is great!

I had a 2014 RS5 with the NA V8. I loved the look of the car and the V8 was amazing. Intoxicating to rev it to redline, which was ~8,500rpm. Sounded so good too.

However, that’s where the excitement ended. Car was heavy, and you really felt it. Incredible grip and you’d have to drive like a complete moron for it to bite you. But it felt numb. Very isolated from the road. Also, I grew bored with the DSG (which is why I ordered an M3 base).

The car just had no soul. Rather, it was super refined and “surgical”. I didn’t keep it for long. Other than the engine, I didn’t miss it at all once I sold it.

A Manual S4 from the same gen had more emotion/engagement.

I applaud what they did here with the competition trim but when I saw Thomas laying down on the ground adjusting the coilovers and explaining that you need to remove the rear wheel to adjust the rears I was like why would anyone want to suffer this when even a CS or CSL uses electronically adjustable shocks. BMW made this error once with the GTS. Your turn Audi..

[PhiDeltBeers]

Originally Posted by obsessedspeed

agreed. I drove a '22 RS5, and they could have really used a hp bump. I think they do a great job and have a good product. But I felt like the car was very neutered and had no emotion.

I took delivery of my new Audi R8 this summer and what an amazing machine. It just checks all the boxes for me. My daily driver has been an X3MC, but I thought it'd be cool to have an RS5 parked next to the R8. I test drove one about a month ago, and while it's a nice car, that's where it ended for me. Nothing about it really got me excited. Fast forward to the present and my M3C Xdrive hits port tomorrow. Already having two other SUV's, I figured the X3MC didn't have to be a part of the stable anymore. Really looking forward to taking delivery in the next week or so!

[carswithdonuts]

Originally Posted by PhiDeltBeers

I took delivery of my new Audi R8 this summer and what an amazing machine. It just checks all the boxes for me. My daily driver has been an X3MC, but I thought it'd be cool to have an RS5 parked next to the R8. I test drove one about a month ago, and while it's a nice car, that's where it ended for me. Nothing about it really got me excited. Fast forward to the present and my M3C Xdrive hits port tomorrow. Already having two other SUV's, I figured the X3MC didn't have to be a part of the stable anymore. Really looking forward to taking delivery in the next week or so!

Congrats on the new m3 and the r8. Man the R8 has always been on my list of cars I’d love to have. And couldn’t agree more on the rs5. Really nice car, and I wanted to like it more. But it just felt so bland especially from being used to my old f80, heck even my m340 that was tuned had more personality. When I got behind the wheel on the g80, it was just different.

Hope you love yours!

[SpeedyG]

The RS5 is a Grand Touring coupe and the M3 is a true Sport Sedan! The M3 is the best when it comes to handling however the comfort of the RS5 for long road trips is ideal. I agree the RS5 was lacking so I amped mine up to what the factory should have done and now it has plenty of soul and still comfy as my daily driver

[ChiTownM]

RS models always felt heavy and underpowered. The V8 RS5 was epic for Audi, my buddy is still mad he traded it in.

It seems that the new 5 cylinder RS3 has addressed that though, last 5 cylinder engine to be made and the Quattro system has been seriously revamped. The price is eye watering though, more like M2CS pricing!

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by ChiTownM

RS models always felt heavy and underpowered. The V8 RS5 was epic for Audi, my buddy is still mad he traded it in.

It seems that the new 5 cylinder RS3 has addressed that though, last 5 cylinder engine to be made and the Quattro system has been seriously revamped. The price is eye watering though, more like M2CS pricing!

That v8 was boss. Unfortunately the RS5 is fast off the line but lacks the comparable responsiveness and power at speed, and doesn’t have that special appearance it used to have or the interior excellence. The residuals appear to be in the toilet as well. The RS6 avant, on the other hand…. Is quite perfect

[Schn3ll]

Besides the R8 (which is a halo car) everything Audi does seems like they don't know what to do with themselves, save for a couple unique cars like RS6 and RS3.

They have the middle child syndrome between VW and Porsche and I've tried to like a few models - nearly purchased an RS3, RS5 and RS6 - but just couldn't bring myself to, something about them was too sterile feeling - like they phoned it in a bit. They have every bit of engineering available to them to make the RS cars into 4-door 911's but are held back a bit with their AWD system and big brother Porsche (I suspect).

Just kind of a weird brand that I never melded with - owned lots of Porsche and BMW, even Benz - never could get into Audi's, and up until recently couldn't afford an R8.

[Leophay]

Originally Posted by Schn3ll

Besides the R8 (which is a halo car) everything Audi does seems like they don't know what to do with themselves, save for a couple unique cars like RS6 and RS3.

They have the middle child syndrome between VW and Porsche and I've tried to like a few models - nearly purchased an RS3, RS5 and RS6 - but just couldn't bring myself to, something about them was too sterile feeling - like they phoned it in a bit. They have every bit of engineering available to them to make the RS cars into 4-door 911's but are held back a bit with their AWD system and big brother Porsche (I suspect).

Just kind of a weird brand that I never melded with - owned lots of Porsche and BMW, even Benz - never could get into Audi's, and up until recently couldn't afford an R8.

Agreed the RS line feels like they are being caged a bit