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BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum G30 Pricing, Ordering, Tracking, European Delivery M550 vs RS5 sportback

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      09-12-2019, 10:12 PM   #1
GFK007
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Is the m550 worth cross shopping against an RS5 sport back?

Have ordered an m550 but the Audi feels a bit more unusual / special, and now I'm having last minute doubt after seeing one today.

Appreciate it's probably better suited to be compared against the f80...

Has anyone driven the Audi? Imagine it's a much harder ride?
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      09-12-2019, 10:18 PM   #2
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Im an audi person I have an 18 S6 and have both Audi and BMW. I have driven the RS5 and its fun and sport but harsh suspension. If I had A choice over RS5 or M550 I would go BMW.

Quote:
Originally Posted by GFK007 View Post
Is the m550 worth cross shopping against an RS5 sport back?

Have ordered an m550 but the Audi feels a bit more unusual / special, and now I'm having last minute doubt after seeing one today.

Appreciate it's probably better suited to be compared against the f80...

Has anyone driven the Audi? Imagine it's a much harder ride?
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      09-12-2019, 10:23 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chio View Post
Im an audi person I have an 18 S6 and have both Audi and BMW. I have driven the RS5 and its fun and sport but harsh suspension. If I had A choice over RS5 or M550 I would go BMW.

Quote:
Originally Posted by GFK007 View Post
Is the m550 worth cross shopping against an RS5 sport back?

Have ordered an m550 but the Audi feels a bit more unusual / special, and now I'm having last minute doubt after seeing one today.

Appreciate it's probably better suited to be compared against the f80...

Has anyone driven the Audi? Imagine it's a much harder ride?
New s6 looks very tempting though?
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      09-13-2019, 12:12 AM   #4
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I had to make the same decision back when I was getting my car. I drove both cars and I felt like the RS5 was fun and looked cool(dealership offered me a fully carbon+black out RS5 sportback) but the steering and suspension could not be compared with M550i. Plus coming from an F Type owner the RS5's exhaust sounds like someone put a wet towel over it. The m550i exhaust sounds amazing once you remove the resonators! I am glad I got the m550i and not the RS5 haha. And you can never go wrong with a V8
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      09-13-2019, 10:08 AM   #5
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And you can never go wrong with a V8
Wise words. Said another way: 'Wow, I could have had a V-8!"
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      09-13-2019, 03:03 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GFK007 View Post
New s6 looks very tempting though?
Totally agree!
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      09-16-2019, 09:49 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GFK007 View Post
Is the m550 worth cross shopping against an RS5 sport back?

Have ordered an m550 but the Audi feels a bit more unusual / special, and now I'm having last minute doubt after seeing one today.

Appreciate it's probably better suited to be compared against the f80...

Has anyone driven the Audi? Imagine it's a much harder ride?
I cross shopped the the two but felt the RS5 was underwhelming. The interior felt/looked poorer and while they're about the same on paper for performance, the RS5 felt much slower to me.

The M550 ride feels better to me, but that will depend on what you're looking for in a suspension.
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      09-16-2019, 09:51 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GFK007 View Post
New s6 looks very tempting though?
I would have seriously considered one if it was out when I was shopping.
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      02-28-2020, 09:39 AM   #9
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Anymore thoughts or experience with both cars? I'm in the same situation. Can't decide between a low mileage high spec 18' m550i vs 18' RS5 coupe. I say coupe because I would like the RS5 SB, but it's too new on used market and more than I want to spend. I don't require 4 doors, have just 2 people 99% of the time, or I'd just take our other SUV. I thought maybe an S5 SB. I test drove one once and although quick, it didn't excite me and had turbo lag or transmission lag or something. I could piggy back ecu and tune TCM to about 420hp and fix the lag, but wondered if I should have got an RS5 coupe although less practical. The RS5 con is lack of heated steering and no leather/stitched look dash on a $85k MSRP luxury coupe which is borderline pathetic. Build quality they say is good. The m550i has more luxury materials throughout with leather dash/door tops, but lacks the sweet virtual cockpit and looks of rs5.
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      02-28-2020, 11:25 AM   #10
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Before I leased my M550i I actually wanted an S5 Sportback, but I didn't for a few reasons.

1) very slow compared to the M550i, especially top-end.
2) the interior felt a bit cramped (i'm 6'3")
3) dealers didn't really want to lease the car out - really? reputable audi sales rep on leasehackr refused to quote me for an S5 Sportback lol

M550i vs S5 is no question, M550i is superior in many ways.

M550i vs RS5? The RS5 is a bit more unique though, and in stock form I think is even a hair faster than the 2018/2019 M550i straight line. I am sure handling wise the RS5 will smoke the M550i as well, and feel a lot tighter and tossable; this is an M3/M4 Competition competitor end of day. Audi also has the self drive in traffic conditions, which I use so much on a daily basis commuting to and from work in my M550i. But since this a daily driver (over 15k miles a year), the M550i is a lot more comfortable. I think ultimately would depend if you want a tight, cramped, tossable car that is fun around the corners or highway bullet that lofts and is comfortable.
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      02-29-2020, 02:08 PM   #11
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M550i is the better option IMO.... I could be a bit bias given I own a 2019. =) I too put about 15k mpy so comfort for me was a big part of making the decision to purchase. Sport plus will give you enough in the corners unless you're a track rat.
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      11-24-2022, 06:08 AM   #12
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Popping this to the top as I just found a 2023 RS5 SB in all black which I think looks amazing. 2023 550i is at the port so I’m on the clock. Anyone have any recent comparative experience with these two? Both are pretty much fully specced out. One wild card before I go down the rabid whole is I have a dog I cart around who I could toss in the back of the RS5. If he’s in the 560i, he’s on a c over on the back seats.
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      11-24-2022, 08:10 AM   #13
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Another Audi person hopping on. I badly wanted to buy the S6 but had to have the V8, so ended up going with the M550i instead. No regrets!

I'd think RS5's equiv on the BMW side would be the M4, wouldn't RS6 be a closer match based on size? But probably be better to compare that with the M5.

It all depends what you want out of the car. If you want something fast with firmer ride you can toss around, definitely go with the RS5. If you'd prefer to go super fast while getting a massage go with the M550i. They're both fun, but different kind of fun.
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      12-07-2022, 10:57 AM   #14
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Previous 2021 M3 Comp owner here with a 2023 M550 on order.

After getting rid of my M3 (just didn't need at the time - amazing car), I started looking into Audi's as I thought their interiors would be superior. Test drove an RS5 Sportback and was extremely underwhelmed. The interior quality wasn't what I was expecting, and the transmission and suspension was more jarring and wonky than it needed. It rode a lot worse than my M3 Comp. The M550 also has a significant leg up with the V8 and instant torque always available.

The true comparison would be M550 to S6 and M5 to RS6.

With M3's impossible to get a deal on, I'm super excited to have what I think to be the perfect blend of comfort and performance in the M550. The LCI model is just gorgeous. Just wish they still had B&W sound!
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      12-07-2022, 06:46 PM   #15
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Nice, another DGM/Black Nappa! You're gonna love it.

Yeah every time I drive it, it puts a big dumb grin on my face. Man, that engine! Lack of B&W option is the only down side for the '23 model. I guess that's parts shortages for you.
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      12-09-2022, 07:40 PM   #16
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For six months, I shopped RS5 Sportbacks and I even went up to Seattle, check in hand. After driving many RS5s, I could not fall in love with the car. The acceleration is great, but I find the BMW M550i xDrive to feel faster. The Audi has a very harsh suspension in Sports+ mode and it is jerky and very rough riding. I like the interior of the BMW better. It is more elegant. However, I did like the carbon fiber in the Audi. The steering on both cars is similar. Both are numb. The sound of the BMW is much better. I like the Harmon Kardon Stereo better in the BMW. I chose the BMW 550i xDrive over the Audi. You should have an extended warranty on both since they are expensive to repair.
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