Audi A8 vs BMW M3
What's the difference?

Audi A8

—

2023 price

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BMW M3

$124,800 - $179,990

2023 price

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Maserati Quattroporte

Mazda 6

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A35

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C43

Mercedes-Benz C63

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E53

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Summary

2023 Audi A8

2023 BMW M3

By James Cleary

By Andrew Chesterton

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Diesel Turbo V6, 3.0L

Turbo 6, 3.0L

Fuel Type

Diesel/Electric

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

5.9L/100km (combined)

10.4L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Refinement
Quality
Value

Brutal acceleration
Surprisingly compliant in the city
Boot space for days

Dislikes

Big turning circle
No folding rear seat
No front door bottle slots

Carbon pack a little (a lot) silly
Thirsty as all get out
Design a little polarising (though I like it)

2023 Audi A8 Summary

Audi’s flagship is the A8, a long, luxurious sedan where being driven is often as important as doing the driving.

To put this ultra-premium machine in context, it competes with other German heavyweights like BMW’s 7 Series and, of course, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class as well as Porsche’s Panamera. Not to mention the Lexus LS or Maserati’s Quattroporte.

What’s life like at the top of the Audi pyramid? Stay with us to find out.

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2023 BMW M3 Summary

There’s no point waxing too lyrical here, because the facts surrounding the M3 Touring are more than exciting enough.

It’s a (kind of) family friendly wagon with oodles of space and practicality. It’s also an unhinged performance weapon with a thumping 3.0-litre twin-turbo-petrol inline six-cylinder engine.

And it has been years — decades, even — in the making. So, has it been worth the wait? Let’s strap in and find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2023 Audi A8 2023 BMW M3

Verdict

The Audi A8 swims in a luxury car shark tank where those paying the big dollars expect top-shelf everything. It delivers a serene driving experience whether you’re in the front or the back, in a superbly engineered and executed luxury sedan package. Not perfect, but very, very impressive.

Verdict

Long live the mighty wagon. The BMW M3 Touring is treat to look at, and an even bigger treat to drive.

If you want one, act fast. We waited a long time for a wagon-shaped M3, and with electrification increasing in the automotive industry, this will likely be your last chance.

Audi A8 vs BMW M3 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi A8 vs BMW M3
What's the difference?