Audi A5 vs BMW M4

Audi A5

Audi’s premium coupé.

BMW M4

BMW’s high-performance coupé.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi A5

Pick the A5 for quattro, the frugal 2.0 TDI and the coupé body.

Best engine: The mid-range 2.0 TFSI petrol for the best everyday balance — or the 2.0 TDI diesel for high mileage.

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

BMW M4

Pick the M4 for a powerful high-performance coupé with the S58, a choice of manual or xDrive, and a reliability step over the previous generation.

Best engine: The M4 Competition (510 hp).

Read the full guide

Performance

EA888 40 TFSI · Petrol vs M4 Competition · Petrol

	Audi A5	BMW M4
Power	190 hp	510 hp Winner
Torque	320 Nm	650 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	7,3 s	3,9 s Winner
Top speed	240 km/h	250 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	124,6 hp/t	283,3 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	133 g/km Winner	230 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	5,9 L/100km Winner	10,5 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Audi A5	BMW M4
Boot	465 L Winner	440 L
Boot (seats folded)	1.280 L Winner	1.200 L
Wheelbase	2,82 m	2,86 m Winner
Length	4,73 m	4,79 m
Width	1,85 m	1,89 m
Height	1,39 m	1,39 m
Seats	5 Winner	4

Powertrain & tech

	Audi A5	BMW M4
Platform	MLB Evo (longitudinal, shared with the A4 B9)	CLAR (G82, shared with the 4 Series)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA888 2.0 TFSI · EA288 2.0 TDI · 48V mild-hybrid	S58 3.0 twin-turbo petrol
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel	Petrol
Transmission	S tronic (7-speed DSG) · 6-speed manual	6-speed manual · 8-speed automatic (ZF)
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)	Euro 6d
LEZ access	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)	Euro 6d petrol allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi A5

EA888 (2.0 TFSI) petrols: water-pump/thermostat housing can leak
EA288 diesels: DPF and AdBlue/SCR need attention
S tronic (DSG) mechatronics are the best-known weak point
Suspension bushings at higher mileage

BMW M4

IBS recalls (integrated brake system — check VIN)
Oil-cooler seepage — exposed cooler vulnerable to stone chips
Cooling-system plastics and electric water pump wear

Pros

Audi A5

quattro optional on the 2.0-litre engines
2.0 TDI (40) returns ~4.3 l/100 km
Sportback body offers a 465-litre boot

BMW M4

S58 fixes the S55 crank-hub/rod-bearing weaknesses
Manual gearbox still offered (rare in this segment)
M xDrive optional for more traction and quicker sprints

Cons

Audi A5

Automatic only on later models — early pre-facelift versions have rare manual options
Lower coupé roofline reduces rear headroom

BMW M4

Big and heavy (~1,674–1,850+ kg)
Controversial vertical grille and cramped 2+2 rear

Driving experience

Audi A5

As a model line, the A5 steers accurately with light, consistent weighting and stays quiet at speed. Front-drive versions feel light and easy; quattro adds strong traction out of corners on the 2.0-litre engines. The 2.0 TDI is strong and frugal, the 2.0 TFSI is smooth, and the 45 TFSI e plug-in hybrid runs on electric for short trips. The S tronic shifts quickly. It is tuned for comfort over sharp handling.