Dogma on the Driveway: Is Audi B7 RS4 Secretly Superior to the "Perfect" BMW E39 M5?
Inside every car enthusiast resides a warped mental filing system. We take every classification of vehicle and rank them not by logic, but by a deeply personal hierarchy: hot hatches first, then sports cars, a brief dance with the Porsche 911, and finally the ultimate debate over the supersaloon.
For most, the top of that list is occupied by a single, undisputed monarch: the BMW E39 M5. But what happens when you pit that fabled “Greatest of All Time” against a younger, hungrier challenger like the B7 Audi RS4? It might be time to perform a “cleansing burning ritual” on our old assumptions.
The Heavyweight vs. The Agility Specialist
The E39 M5 is a legend for a reason. It moved the goalposts for the performance sedan so far that the competition was left decimated in its wake. With its 400 hp V8 and RWD balance, it is the benchmark for understated Bavarian elegance.
However, in the real world—where we spend 99% of our time—the B7 Audi RS4 makes a compelling case for the crown. Released nearly a decade after the E39, the Audi benefited from the inevitable generational growth of cars, meaning their dimensions are surprisingly similar. But where the BMW is a “luxury cruise missile,” the Audi feels like a high-precision tool. It offers sharper steering, more powerful brakes, and a sweeter manual gearbox.
The Bandwidth of the Saloon
At BeingsMag, we often discuss the “bandwidth” of a machine. A saloon isn’t just a weekend toy; it’s often an “only” car. This is where the RS4 plays its ace card: Quattro all-wheel drive.
In a climate like the UK’s, where the weather is notoriously unpredictable, the RS4 offers significantly more opportunities to actually exploit its 414 hp V8. While the E39 M5 requires respect and a dry road to truly shine, the RS4 is a four-season predator. It is lighter, more agile, and arguably equipped with better seats for the long-haul enthusiast.
The “Tennis Greats” of the Garage
The B7 RS4 had the minor misfortune of being part of a legendary triumvirate—the Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic of the car universe alongside the C63 AMG and the E90 M3. Because it was constantly fighting for air against its own contemporaries, it never reached the lonely “marble pedestal” status of the E39 M5.
Yet, if you look at the raw data, both cars are neck-and-neck. Both dip below five seconds in a sprint to 60 mph. Both are hewn from granite. Both are equally practical. The difference lies in the feel.
The Enthusiast’s Foot-in-Mouth Moment
Of course, automotive passion is never purely objective. Just as we convince ourselves that the B7 is the logical choice, a wild card enters the chat: the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.
The Alfa is automatic-only and turbocharged, meaning it cannot match the sonic heritage or the throttle response of the naturally aspirated V8s in the BMW or the Audi. And yet, many enthusiasts—including the critics—would take the 503-hp, RWD Italian in a heartbeat.
The Verdict
The choice between an E39 M5 and a B7 RS4 isn’t just about specs; it’s about which “Matrix” you want to inhabit. Do you want the peak of analog BMW heritage, or the high-revving, all-weather precision of Audi’s finest hour?
There is no “wrong” answer, only the warped logic of the human being behind the wheel. But if you value agility and real-world usability over historical dogma, it might be time to look for a Daytona Grey Avant in the classifieds.
