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BMW 5-Series vs. Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 Reliability Comparisons

BMW 5-Series Reliability vs. Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 Reliability:
BMW 5-Series Reliability vs. Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 Reliability:

You won't find BMW 5-Series or Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 reliability information like this anywhere else. Actual repair frequencies, not just vague dots, to make it clear how much the BMW 5-Series and the Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 truly differ in reliability. These stats are promptly updated four times a year, to much more closely track BMW 5-Series and Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 reliability as the cars age. Others tell you how reliable the BMW 5-Series and the Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 were a year ago, when the cars were a year younger and had 12,000 fewer miles on them. Only TrueDelta tells you how reliable the BMW 5-Series and the Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 have been recently.

See BMW 5-Series vs. Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 price comparison

See what people are saying about BMW 5-Series reliability

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BMW 5-Series

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Audi A4 / S4 / RS4

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BMW 5-Series Reliability through December 31, 2012

An asterisk (*) marks results based on small sample sizes.

General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.

Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.

New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.

 

Year Make/Model Repair Frequencysuccessful repair trips per 100 cars per year Compared to all models for the same year  
2013 Audi A4 / S4 32 A4 / S4s, 4.1 months of data per A4 / S4, average 3800 miles0
0% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs

 

2012 Audi S4   21 S4s, 9.8 months of data per S4, average 9800 miles

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2012 BMW 5-Series   19 5-Series, 8.3 months of data per 5-Series, average 6800 miles

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2012 Audi A4 32 A4s, 8.0 months of data per A4, average 8300 miles19
20% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs

 

2011 BMW 5-Series 44 5-Series, 10.6 months of data per 5-Series, average 17900 miles

First year for F10 5-Series. Doing well so far.21
20% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs
2011 Audi A4 64 A4s, 10.1 months of data per A4, average 18200 miles22
20% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs
2011 Audi S4 35 S4s, 9.9 months of data per S4, average 18000 miles24
20% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs

 

2010 BMW 5-Series 28 5-Series, 8.1 months of data per 5-Series, average 32800 miles27
20% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs
2010 Audi S4 46 S4s, 10.3 months of data per S4, average 28800 miles

35
30% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs
2010 Audi A4 69 A4s, 9.5 months of data per A4, average 31500 miles

42
40% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs

 

2009 BMW 5-Series   22 5-Series, 8.8 months of data per 5-Series, average 44800 miles

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2009 Audi A4 85 A4s, 9.3 months of data per A4, average 39500 miles

First model year of the B8 A4.59
60% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs

 

2008 Audi S4 / RS4   11 S4 / RS4s, 10.0 months of data per S4 / RS4, average 40800 miles

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2008 BMW 535   23 535s, 10.2 months of data per 535, average 53900 miles

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2008 Audi A4 49 A4s, 8.8 months of data per A4, average 47400 miles

59
50% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs
2008 BMW 528 / 550 / M5 54 528 / 550 / M5s, 8.0 months of data per 528 / 550 / M5, average 56100 miles

61
60% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs

 

2007 Audi A4 57 A4s, 9.8 months of data per A4, average 57100 miles

52
40% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs
2007 Audi S4 / RS4   19 S4 / RS4s, 9.8 months of data per S4 / RS4, average 52800 miles

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2007 BMW 5-Series 32 5-Series, 8.6 months of data per 5-Series, average 67400 miles

74
70% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs

 

2006 BMW 5-Series 34 5-Series, 8.8 months of data per 5-Series, average 72900 miles48
30% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs
2006 Audi S4 26 S4s, 9.5 months of data per S4, average 63700 miles

Includes 2005.5. First model year of the B7 A4.73
60% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs
2006 Audi A4 86 A4s, 9.8 months of data per A4, average 78900 miles

Includes 2005.5. First model year of the B7 A4.90
80% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs

 

2005 Audi A4   21 A4s, 10.3 months of data per A4, average 80200 miles

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2005 Audi S4   22 S4s, 8.3 months of data per S4, average 71700 miles

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2005 BMW 5-Series   13 5-Series, 7.6 months of data per 5-Series, average 80800 miles

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2004 BMW 5-Series 29 5-Series, 10.1 months of data per 5-Series, average 93200 miles

First year for E60 5-Series.98
80% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs
2004 Audi A4 39 A4s, 8.7 months of data per A4, average 103500 miles

99
80% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs
2004 Audi S4 27 S4s, 9.4 months of data per S4, average 81100 miles

104
90% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs

 

2003 Audi A4 26 A4s, 7.8 months of data per A4, average 127400 miles

Stats for other model years suggest that this one might not be accurate.30
0% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs
2003 BMW 5-Series 29 5-Series, 8.6 months of data per 5-Series, average 93100 miles115
90% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs

 

2002 Audi S4   11 S4s, 8.5 months of data per S4, average 114300 miles

Small sample size. Join or 11 S4s, 8.5 months of data per S4, average 114300 miles

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2002 BMW 5-Series 36 5-Series, 10.3 months of data per 5-Series, average 95000 miles

98
60% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs
2002 Audi A4 36 A4s, 9.7 months of data per A4, average 134900 miles

First model year of the B6 A4.100
60% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs

 

2001 Audi A4 / S4   15 A4 / S4s, 9.2 months of data per A4 / S4, average 130600 miles

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2001 BMW 5-Series 27 5-Series, 8.4 months of data per 5-Series, average 113400 miles

106
60% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs

 

2000 BMW 5-Series 25 5-Series, 9.2 months of data per 5-Series, average 129600 miles

78
20% Fewest Trips Most Trips
see reported repairs
2000 Audi A4 / S4   18 A4 / S4s, 8.7 months of data per A4 / S4, average 139600 miles

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1999 BMW 5-Series   13 5-Series, 6.8 months of data per 5-Series, average 127400 miles

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1999 Audi A4 / S4   16 A4 / S4s, 8.1 months of data per A4 / S4, average 149800 miles

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1998 BMW 5-Series   11 5-Series, 7.5 months of data per 5-Series, average 151900 miles

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What People Are Saying about Reliability and the BMW 5-Series

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What Our Members Are Saying about BMW 5-Series Reliability and Durability

Reliability and Durability of the BMW 5-Series: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2008 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD		 Full service for first 4 years.
2008 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD		 Tremendous warranty which includes annual oil change and inspection paid for by dealer. ANY problems are fixed at no charge to customer.
2007 4dr Sedan 215-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD		 Very good reputation.
2007 4dr Sedan 360-horsepower 4.8L V8
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 No problems in 15,000 miles
2005 4dr Sedan 225-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 Tried and true inline 6 cylinder engine.
2002 4dr Sedan 184-horsepower 2.5L I6
5-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 Very little rust after 8+ years coupled with top notch materials lasting quite a long time. Replacement parts were very costly but performed for long periods. Current owners offer great advice on what and when to perform preventative maintenance.
Reliability and Durability of the BMW 5-Series: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2011 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
8-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 - accelerator response (hesitation) - engine issues (check engine light requiring three service visits in two months) - engine malfunction light (part of turbo came disconnected) - faulty fuel sensor (recall first three months of new model year)
2010 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 Unbelievable maintenance after 50K miles, cost and effort.
2010 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 Terrible reputation for poor reliability and absurdly high repair costs as early as 50,000 miles.
2005 4dr Sedan 325-horsepower 4.4L V8
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 Over 80K many systems were beginning to break down
2004 4dr Sedan 225-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD		 Had several repairs the first month of ownership that were covered by CPO warranty...love that BMW CPO
2002 4dr Sedan 225-horsepower 3.0L I6
5-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 This car is known to have a plethora of problems. I have yet to see if it will hold up well for me.
2002 4dr Sedan 290-horsepower 4.4L V8
5-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 I picked the above "reason" because it's the worst feature of an otherwise perfect vehicle. The durability of the interior is quite frankly an embarassment. I've lost the buttons for max for the heater, up for the driver side temerature, and the top button for the airflow direction .... don't ask me where they went, they just disappeared! I've broken the drivers side cup holder (and come on ... how pathetic are those cup holders!), and once it breaks, it no longer clicks back into the closed position so now I have a half a cup holder sticking out. One other grievance relating to interior durability ... the plastic footrest (left foot) down below the hood lever also fell apart. The plastic just broke away in
2001 4dr Sedan 225-horsepower 3.0L I6
5-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 dealer ship as a mess

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What Our Members Are Saying about Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 Reliability and Durability

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