Quote Originally Posted by rfcpatrick09 View Post
That's true. AWD isn't really necessary in Pacific Northwest due to lack of snow and moreover my wife has a Volvo S80 AWD which can confidently perform in the heavy rain/snow if needed.
My contention is Audi "quattro" was and still is more for handling performance versus snow / rain traction. Just look at some of the videos out there comparing quattro to BMW xdrive, Mercedes 4matic, etc. True, it is good in the snow, but my Benz 4 matic is better. Put 2 equal cars on the track, one with quattro and the other rear drive, the quattro will win if it is driven correctly. That's why it is illegal in anything but prototype classes.

As far as which one to go with, they are very different cars. The "M" is more of a sports car (have driven it), the S5 is more of a GT, so they are very different cars in character and horsepower. Haven't driven the RS5, but option it with the sport diff and I suspect it will give any M4 a run.

Just thought I would throw some gas on the fire.