M3 Coupe vs. RS5 vs. CTS-V Coupe

[PricklyPete]

There have been several comparison tests between the three cars by Motortrend, C&D, and recently Insideline (although they did not have RS5). Not all were the same (C&D had "autos" for all cars) while the Insideline guys had manuals for their two cars.

I realize few of us have driven 1 or more of these, but based on the reviews and your own personal opinion, which would you choose?

It would be really hard for me...I really like each one for different reasons. I've only driven the E92 M3 out of the lot.

Caddy: Awesome power...I could only imagine those levels of torque, impressive complements on its ability to rip up a track but also be civilized, really nice interior. Not huge on the looks...like the sedan/wagon much better.

M3: I love that engine. I remember revving the crap out of it on the track and just loving the sound it made and the linear power...very predictable. Purposeful, simple, elegant interior. I like how focused it is. It's "light" relative to the company it is keeping...although still somewhat of a porker in the grand scheme of things. I actually really like the way the E92 looks. A perfect "bump" from the 3 Series to show it is different...without it looking gaudy (IS-F)

RS5: If the engine sounds anywhere near as good as that 4.2 in other Audi's...just sensational. Awesome Styling. Magnificent interior. For a performance vehicle, the "disconnected" feeling that reviewers keep mentioning would probably be hard to get past. I would definitely want to test drive one before making a final decision. I also hate that you don't have the manual option. I realize the DSG is faster and probably better for track work...but lets be honest...these cars are supposed to be about the feel just as much as the actual speed...and nothing feels sportier than rowing your own gears.

In the end...just based off of reading, prejudice, and keyboard rambling, I think I'd go with either a manual Cadillac Sedan with some modifications to get rid of all the chrome...or an M3 with the new competition pack.

 

[ayabe]

I'd go C63 AMG before any of these to be honest, M3 would be a very distant second. Audi I wouldn't even consider, it's sexy looking but that's about it.

C&D believes the Caddy's interior is not up to the Audi and BMW, they even said the Recaro's sucked.

 

[PricklyPete]

I'd go C63 AMG before any of these to be honest

I have not driven a car with the 6.2L engine, but I've heard it is fantastic. It's a shame it is being replaced by a 5.5L turbo unit.

C&D believes the Caddy's interior is not up to the Audi and BMW, they even said the Recaro's sucked.

I found those comments interesting. It's hard to believe the Caddy interior is not up to snuff with the BMW...the regular CTS interior is fantastic...can only imagine it gets better with the CTS-V treatment. The Audi I can understand...Audi just does amazing jobs with interiors. Even my wife's lowly A4 is soo nice to sit in. Back to the Caddy, I've heard reviewers of the CTS-V sedan say the Recaro seats were a "must" option...so I found it funny that they singled them out in the review. I'd want to sit in both. Maybe they've changed between the Coupe and the Sedan.

 

[EightySix Four]

I got to look at my first CTS Coupe today and the ass end, which I was most concerned about, was actually quite striking and looked great.

 

[StageLeft]

Either M3 or Audi. To have one for a while to pimp around probably the Audi but if I had to actually own it I'd take the M3. I think it's probably a better built vehicle and less likely to leave me on the side of the road.

 

[EightySix Four]

Either M3 or Audi. To have one for a while to pimp around probably the Audi but if I had to actually own it I'd take the M3. I think it's probably a better built vehicle and less likely to leave me on the side of the road.

Because small block chevies are known for falling apart

 

[PhoKingGuy]

I've driven the C63 and the M3 before. The C63 is like driving a mutant gorilla buttfucking satan over a couch. With the windows down it sounds like there's a loud animal or something under the hood, that being said, its ridiculously tail happy and soft at the same time, and the interior feels pretty low rent for how much it is.

The M3 ZCP is something you can just take curves with and be amazed at just how well it goes, it feels light, focused and like its meant for you to drive the snot out of it at every turn. Fantastic to take this thing around some twisties, it just handles like its on rails.

Never driven a CTS, but the coupe suffers from sir mix alot syndrome if you ask me. Plus I've sworn myself never to purchase a GM product ever again after how they treated me. So that sort of cans it.

That being said...RS5, no contest.

 

[ayabe]

I have not driven a car with the 6.2L engine, but I've heard it is fantastic. It's a shame it is being replaced by a 5.5L turbo unit.



I found those comments interesting. It's hard to believe the Caddy interior is not up to snuff with the BMW...the regular CTS interior is fantastic...can only imagine it gets better with the CTS-V treatment. The Audi I can understand...Audi just does amazing jobs with interiors. Even my wife's lowly A4 is soo nice to sit in. Back to the Caddy, I've heard reviewers of the CTS-V sedan say the Recaro seats were a "must" option...so I found it funny that they singled them out in the review. I'd want to sit in both. Maybe they've changed between the Coupe and the Sedan.

One of the things they cited on the Caddy was the manual door release, which is stolen from the Corvette and is truly an ugly, cheap looking little piece of plastic. They also singled out the gear display on the dash, and I agree it looks like crap. They said the Recaro's were too hard and uncomfortable, which surprised me too since up to this point I'd only heard great things, and of course they look sick.

 

[PricklyPete]

I got to look at my first CTS Coupe today and the ass end, which I was most concerned about, was actually quite striking and looked great.

Interesting...I'll have to reserve my final judgement on it until I see it in person. I like the look of the CTS...but just haven't been able to warm up to the Coupe...specifically because of the "sir-mix-alot syndrome" that PhoKingGuy mentioned. I'm interested in seeing it in the flesh now. Surprised I have not seen one at the local Caddy dealership which is around the corner.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Well, I'm too tall to sit comfortably in an S5, so I'm sure I won't fit in an RS5 either - that's out. I am a BMW guy and would tend to gravitate toward the M3 anyway. I actually would have an open mind to trying a CTS-V sedan, but I find the coupe's styling a little unwieldy.

 

[PricklyPete]

Well, I'm too tall to sit comfortably in an S5, so I'm sure I won't fit in an RS5 either - that's out. I am a BMW guy and would tend to gravitate toward the M3 anyway. I actually would have an open mind to trying a CTS-V sedan, but I find the coupe's styling a little unwieldy.

Interesting. I have't sat in a A5/S5...but there is plenty of room in my wife's A4 with my 6'5" frame...actually more room from a height perspective than my E46 M3. I assumed there would be at least as much room in the RS5 as the M3...but that was based purely on assumption...not experience. I don't remember being uncomfortable at all in the E92 M3 I drove.

 

[amdhunter]

5.0

 

[Imported]

M3.

 

[PricklyPete]

5.0

I am looking forward to the Mustang 5.0 vs. M3 shootout if anyone ever publishes one...but lets be honest...they are two different cars. The Mustang will likely be able to keep up with the BMW on the track...but past that you have cars aimed at pretty different markets.

 

[Tristicus]

CTS-V Coupe is my pick.

 

[PricklyPete]

Poll added for important market research since all of ATOT makes six figures, has model girlfriends, and drives super cars.

 

[DivideBYZero]

M3

 

[PricklyPete]

M3

I never had any doubt...and my prejudice lies there as well :awe:

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Interesting. I have't sat in a A5/S5...but there is plenty of room in my wife's A4 with my 6'5" frame...actually more room from a height perspective than my E46 M3. I assumed there would be at least as much room in the RS5 as the M3...but that was based purely on assumption...not experience. I don't remember being uncomfortable at all in the E92 M3 I drove.

I'm 6'4" with average leg/torso proportions, and couldn't sit comfortably in an S5. I myself drive an E90 which fits OK, though it's a little tight when I'm wearing a helmet. The E92 is a bit tighter but still doable. My sense (though I may be mistaken, as I have limited time in the two cars) is that the E92 has a bit less headroom than the E46 coupe.

 

[ayabe]

Poll added for important market research since all of ATOT makes six figures, has model girlfriends, and drives super cars.

You forgot the 14" cock.

The thing that sours me on the M3 is the lack of TQ, just barely better than the E46 with ~400 ish more pounds to carry around. For daily driving that would suck, I've well grown out of the rev it to heavens powerbands.

 

[Malak]

Everytime I see an A5/S5 I nearly wreck my car. My choice is easy.

 

[PricklyPete]

I'm 6'4" with average leg/torso proportions, and couldn't sit comfortably in an S5. I myself drive an E90 which fits OK, though it's a little tight when I'm wearing a helmet. The E92 is a bit tighter but still doable. My sense (though I may be mistaken, as I have limited time in the two cars) is that the E92 has a bit less headroom than the E46 coupe.

You might be right. I know my E46 (with a sunroof) is tighter than my wifes B8 A4. More than doable...but tighter.

To be honest I don't remember if the E92 M3 I drove had a sunroof or not (it was a 4 door). I was concentrating more on driving...and not how comfortable I was...but I was able to get in a decent driving position and from there I was just having fun driving the crap out of the car and revving that engine.

 

[PricklyPete]

You forgot the 14" cock.

The thing that sours me on the M3 is the lack of TQ, just barely better than the E46 with ~400 ish more pounds to carry around. For daily driving that would suck, I've well grown out of the rev it to heavens powerbands.

I'm sure the TQ in the CTS would be quite entertaining around town.

 

[ayabe]

I'm sure the TQ in the CTS would be quite entertaining around town.

Sure, zero effort to blow by nearly anything.

For me I think they're all slightly different cars. The CTS-V would be the best daily driver for slogging it on the freeway or shuffling around town. The M3 would be a weekend or track day car, and the Audi would be for picking up chicks or if it was raining/snowing.

 

[StageLeft]

Because small block chevies are known for falling apart

No. I bet the caddy is lower on maintenance than either of them, but I'd rather have an m3 or audi than a cadillac simply because of name even if the caddy is better overall value for money.