M4 vs. RS5 track battle review - Auto Express

[yoelev]

Originally Posted by paddy335

Oh I completely understand and appreciate the skill, I've been to drifting events. My point was what are journos trying to prove putting road cars through those kinds of displays other than our gratuitous entertainment.

i still cant get past the "recover" part. never was able to control the back end on that circle. and when you watch how fast chris harris' hands move when he's wailing on a car, you have to be impressed.

I also think journos especially will never get within miles of these cars so why not flog them a bit.

[123sub]

Originally Posted by BlackCobra08

"...it just sounds amazing"

The N/A RS5 engine sounds amazing. The M4 looks and drives amazing, but a turbo never sounds amazing.

[paddy335]

Originally Posted by yoelev

i still cant get past the "recover" part. never was able to control the back end on that circle. and when you watch how fast chris harris' hands move when he's wailing on a car, you have to be impressed.

I also think journos especially will never get within miles of these cars so why not flog them a bit.

Haha yeh true enough....suppose if I was one I would flog the living daylights out of them

[cdgatti]

Originally Posted by paddy335

The jounro's are a bit "damned if they do damned if they don't" at the moment with the M3/4.

Everyone wants comparisons but the fundamental problem is that the M4 is the first new-gen car into its segment. Especially regarding its key global competitiion - Audi and Merc.

So they are either comparing it to older products (e.g. RS5), which of course it beats, or cars from difference market segments (911 etc), which of course it tends to lose to.

The meaningful and crucial reviews for most potential buyers will come when the new C63 and Audi XYZ (and some of the other fringe sedan based GT cars, perhaps Jag, Maser etc) come out.

As for the drifting.....all I see when I see these reviewers doing this ad nauseum is a car and tyres being tortured in order to get around a corner slower than you could without said torture. Makes no sense other than as a silly marketing show-boat.

Amen! Drifting to show a road cars capabilities is pointless. Not the fastest way to take a corner. Juvenile if you ask me.

[Kurt_OH]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

Amen! Drifting to show a road cars capabilities is pointless. Not the fastest way to take a corner. Juvenile if you ask me.

The positive I take from it is that the engine is responsive and not overcome with lag as the throttle is modulated. That's my top concern with the new engine - how much responsiveness was lost by going turbo?

[onatuesday]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

Amen! Drifting to show a road cars capabilities is pointless. Not the fastest way to take a corner. Juvenile if you ask me.

He claims that he can't turn the stability control off in the RS5 (which you absolutely can) yet he tries tossing the RS5 around as if it's a rwd BMW and then complains that the stability control steps in . He also says the RS5 has 430hp when it has 450hp. Comments like "I'm excited to drive the M4 but first I have to drive the Audi" show where his preconceived notions lay. Not saying the RS5 would or should win but he also sold the RS5 a bit short despite him saying that it's the supposed benchmark in the beginning. To me that's more of a self serving comment for the M4 than a true compliment of the RS5. As in hey look the M4 beat the "benchmark"

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by trinim3

As in hey look the M4 beat the "benchmark"

But it did

[onatuesday]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

But it did

It did. If you consider the RS5 the "benchmark" which I personally have never heard anyone prior to this track battle refer to the RS5 as the benchmark and I know that most on this forum wouldn't agree with that statement either lol

[M3roar]

Originally Posted by Damasconian

When I get mine in September you and I can review them together and report back. Ive only driven a e92 once and would love to get back in one. Im sure you'd like to see what a e82 drives like as well. Keep in touch and we will make this happen.

Lets sign up for a track day with the M club of Houston. I'm a bit rusty but we can definitely see the difference! GoPros everywhere hahaha.