S5 may rock, but it has no chance against the BMW, so I would hope that the pricing structure means that the RS5 is the M3's competition.

but not really. The A5 line is larger and more luxurious than the 3 series. Which makes sense, as the TT is larger and more luxurious than the Z3. If Audi made the A5 smaller, it would be too close in size to the TT.

This is based purely on possible 0-60 times as it appears this has become of paramount importance.

328 vs. A5:

BMW USA quotes that the 230 horsepower/200 lb-ft 328 sedan will do 0-60 in 6.3 seconds. C/D got it to do in 6.1 seconds. BMW quotes that the 328 coupe will do it in 6.2 seconds.

Audi quotes 0-62 mph run in 6.1 seconds for the 265 hp/243 lb-ft A5. Using this data we can see that maybe the A5 can do 0-60 in under 5.8-5.9 seconds by a magazine.

335i vs. S5

BMW USA states that the 335 coupe will do 0-60 in 5.3 seconds. The quickest 0-60 time for a magazine was 4.8 seconds with some 4.9s and others. Or in other words it depends on conditions/drivers.

Audi quotes the 0-62 (0-100 km/h) run for the S5 in 5.1 seconds. Audi quotes the 0-100 km/h run for the current S4 in 5.6. Audi USA claims 0-60 run for the S4 in 5.3 seconds. Magazines have proppeled the S4 to 60 in 5.1 seconds, again give or take a couple of tenths.

Of course pricing suggests that the A5 will be more expensive than the 328i coupe and the S5 more than the 335i in base trim. With options I think that the prices will be more equal with Audi putting 18 inch wheels standard for A5 and 19 for S5.

As for the M3 vs. RS4 the new M3 should be several tenths quicker than the RS4 in 0-60 and have more advantage in the 1/4 mile. Audi of course has options with the RS5 and I doubt that it would come with the current RS4 engine.

The 328 is too little performance; the 335 is too much (really, who needs it or an S5 for that matter so that I can sit in traffic on the 520 bridge?).

The A5 will be perfect for me down the road when I'm ready to move on from my 2006 330Cic or when I miss Quattro too much.

-James