[MSchfiftyFive]

Hi all, figured I'd throw up a thread as I'm a bit of a forum whore and bimmerpost is a brand new world for me! I've got 1000's of posts over on Audizine under the user name HurrayFive, I've had 6 different Audi's since 2013 and it was finally time to make the switch. I'm a car guy to the bone that spent my teens wrenching on and playing with my Uncle's weekend exotic projects brought home from his shop in Sedona, AZ; a software engineer by trade with an automotive education and background, I know a lot about a little - but I'm objective and helpful wherever I can be!

I most recently traded in my '21 RS7 for the '21 M5 Comp. I loved the RS7 but it had some electrical gremlins that we couldn't work out and beyond that it just wasn't quite enough, the exact M5 I wanted wasn't available when I was shopping the RS7 and I wasn't quite ready to jump the boat to BMW yet - having owned both now, I'm very glad I did! I ran an 11.4 @ 119 bone stock in the only run I attempted in the RS, so it was plenty quick...just not quite quick enough for the price (along w/ several other nits)

Onto some pics and info!

2021 Alpine White M5 Competition
- B&W Audio
- Executive & Driver Assistance packages
- Full Black Merino leather
- All M-Performance exterior carbon fiber bits

Initial plans are maybe some spacers up front to match rear flushness and an Eventuri intake setup, eventually new wheels, just haven't decided on which yet - otherwise this thing sits pretty great just how it comes! 😎









Bonus shot of the RS7:

[MSchfiftyFive]

General comparisons between the RS7 and M5 for anyone wondering or cross shopping, after putting ~250 miles on the M5 so far.

• Engine
  
  I'm still very much in the break in period with the M5, so I've only given it a few romps with the engine in S+ while keeping it well below redline - even still, this thing just GOES. The RS never felt like a slouch, and whether it's transmission gearing or tuning, the RS actually felt like it had more veerry light throttle, low end torque...but outside of that, every other scenario goes to the M5. The RS just didn't have rolling "pin you to your seat" speed unless you floored it and dropped to the lowest gear... in the M I love that I can dip 1/4 into the throttle and still get that crazy pinned back response, I can't wait to really get on it once I finish the break in, but I can already tell it's much beastly.
  
  
• Transmission
  
  They rock the same 8 speed ZF and yet as many have said, it's just tuned better in the M5. After owning A, S, and finally RS model Audi's using this same basic transmission, the RS was the only one that felt like it had the response you wanted, but even then only in manual mode. I like the M's (and BMW in general) three transmission steps in both Drive and Sequential compared to the Audi's Drive or Sport setup with no further adjustment, and D3 drives like I wish Sport would have in the RS, both hanging onto gears AND upshifting when you want it to better. I haven't had a redline adventure yet so I can't speak to that, but I'm guessing a launch control run in S3 is going to be fun.
  
  
• Exhaust
  
  Surprisingly this is a bit of a toss-up; the RS7 had the optional sport exhaust, as does the M5, and the RS7 sounded better on startup, it "barked" like a V8 should on every start. Additionally, at full throttle wail, the RS just had that grumbly, screaming tone to it that was very much the sound of a V8, there was no mistaking it for anything other than an angry V8.
  
  The M5 on the other hand, startup to me sounds more like my V6T S5 did, just a muffled turbo startup, which is surprising because in neutral, the M5 adds the exotic V8 burble you'd expect (something the RS did not have in neutral), so it's odd that cold start doesn't sound the same way. Active exhaust button that adds a deeper tone, pops and bangs? Absolute win. With that button enabled it also overrun burbles, pops and bangs more than the RS did in its sportiest mode, and it does give it a low frequency bassy tone that's nice... I just wish it had a bit more of the RS V8 wail. Always solvable w/ some exhaust upgrades!
  
  
• Handling
  
  Again, limited experience, but I can speak to the RS7, and there was just no hiding that it was a boat. At 4900lbs it is significantly porkier than the 4300lb M5, and although the suspension did a solid job of covering it up, every hard apex on an empty back country road reminded you the weight was there. The M5 feels on another world of nimble comparatively, but I think the steering is also just much more direct, I like that tiny movements illicit immediate real road response, where as small adjustments in the RS were sort of removed or numbed away by the electronic steering. Neither steering setup did a great job of communicating road holding when at the limit, but I haven't pushed the M far enough yet.
  
  I will say I miss the rear wheel steering of the RS7, it allowed for a smaller turning radius than just about anything I've owned, but the M5 is a smaller car in length and width, so the turning radius is still comparable.
  
  
• Exterior
  
  Both great looking cars. The M5 looks great from every angle to me, the stock stance is killer, overall it's pretty car. The RS7 looked goofy from the rear quarter panel, the proportions were just a little off...from every other angle though it's a beast, it looks more exotic. I've never had more stares, complements, and people coming to talk about a car than I did in the RS7, so far, nobody really even notices the M5 (which is way more my style), but no denying the RS was a looker.
  
  
• Interior
  
  Wildly similar. Both cars had very similar sticker prices; I LOVE the standard massaging seats are back in the M5, they made them optional as part of an over priced air filtration system in the RS that was just silly, and overall the M5 seats are better bolstered and more comfortable. Otherwise interior fit and finish is very close and excellent between the two (it should be, at this price), features about the same...the winner for me is the wireless Android Auto, it works very well, and was not available in the RS. Otherwise both are very well appointed and serene places to be! The M5's seats, performance of the updated v7 iDrive (even if it's a little sub-menu heavy), and wireless AA win it for me.
  

Looking forward to more miles and driving impressions as I get through the break-in, but overall I'm 110% sold on the M5 so far!

[///WeissBisBlau]

Thanks for the post. I don’t think I have seen one in Alpine White, yet. It’s gorgeous! Congrats!

[Greer]

Great write-up and welcome. More pics please of your car's interior. Thx

[FSHNGRY]

Congrats!

Interesting to hear of an RS7 owner to swap one for another in the same model year. I'm curious what were the key points on the audi that just didn't cut it for you. My friend who happens to live 3 streets away has a Red Rs7 (not familiar with Audi colors) that he traded his Panamera Turbo S for oddly enough.

Also- your M5 is one of the first I've seen with the front splitter. Looks great here.

Enjoy the M5. The Eventuri intake is a MUST

[Handful]

Originally Posted by BRCHP

Enjoy the M5. The Eventuri intake is a MUST

Why?

[spuntyb]

Looks great. Enjoy!

[NJBMWSpecial]

Congrats!!!! Love the Alpine White!!! Picked up my 21 M5C in February.

[Maverik259]

alpine white definitely needs all the black/cf bits on the front to tone it down. looks great. And if you get new wheels and need a new home for them 798s let me know!

[jjgreen11]

That is a BEAUTIFUL car! Thanks for the perspective!

[TrevorM3]

looks great, esp in white. audi looks sweet too.

in a non comp car, i'm doing 11 flat. Your comp should be right under that. enjoy!

[illamint]

Color looks amazing. Looks like you're near Fremont/Ballard; hope to see you around.

[MSchfiftyFive]

Thx for all the love everyone! Freggin' enjoying every moment of driving this thing, it just does everything well. Hope to hang on to this one for a while!

I am near Ballard illamint, will keep an eye out for another M5C!

[MSchfiftyFive]

Cleaned up and lookin' pretty 😎

[Indy F90 Comp]

Absolutely beautiful! Congratulations!

[fricks]

If you want a more aggressive startup you can put it in sport+ before starting up

[HUM5INT]

Originally Posted by fricks

If you want a more aggressive startup you can put it in sport+ before starting up

I'm assuming the way to do that is just doing the half power up (so just electric components come one) and once you put it in sport+ you press Start again for full power up?

[MSchfiftyFive]

Originally Posted by fricks

If you want a more aggressive startup you can put it in sport+ before starting up

You are right! It's still not quite like the RS (it was the same in every mode on startup) but is definitely better. I just swapped to M1 before turning the engine on (have engine set to S+ and ADM on) and it was definitely louder and more like a neutral rev.

[fricks]

Originally Posted by azpaul

I'm assuming the way to do that is just doing the half power up (so just electric components come one) and once you put it in sport+ you press Start again for full power up?

I have mine set on M1 or M2 and the moment I step into the car you can just click the button. No need to half start.

[DealerCounsel]

What front lip is on that ?

[bimmerbeast7]

audi? thousands of posts on audi forum?

i think im gonna be sick

[MSchfiftyFive]

Originally Posted by DealerCounsel

What front lip is on that ?

It's the M-Performance front lip, dealer had added all of the M-P exterior carbon fiber pieces into the car's sticker.

Got the Xpel Ultimate PPF put on today, entire front clip, all the carbon bits, trunk entry, door sills, looks great, now it's really ready for some freeway road trips. I've been holding off until it was done; it's hiking season! Had to snap a quick pic while she's momentarily clean.