Taycan GTS vs M5 Competition

[ansky]

I'm having a purchase crisis on these two cars and any advice is appreciated
I have been offered a September allocation on a GTS build but also have a pretty strong offer to buy an at-the-dealer '23 M5 Comp that they are relatively eager to get rid of and willing to negotiate on. The dollar figures aren't the end of the world but the ~$25k difference in price isnt nothing at the end of the day. Would be trading in my '22 RS5 toward either vehicle.

The M5 has long been a dream car for its brutal power and styling. One of the few last remaining good looking BMWs (subjectively of course). I like the interior well enough. After a few test drives, I've been very pleased with the result but not overwhelmed, but havent been able to really push it on the curves on a test drive. Straight line power is still impressive with the 1200 mile governor on.

The GTS I think is a piece of visual art. I've only been able to test drive the 4S which felt beautiful driving, nice interior, feels like its on rails even at 40mph on turns. I can just tell its special. Since the Taycan came out, I have been lusting after it. The GTS just looks like an almost perfect vehicle.

concerns:

• Overall worried about depreciation of both cars in the near and long term. I strive to hold onto vehicles long term but havent had a lot of success in the past few vehicles
• Being reliant on 2 EVs in the household and no ICE options for a road trip.
• Range in the GTS although it would most likely live as a DD and rarely used for more than a few long trips a year. Still, cost vs range numbers are quite low
• Overall cost of the GTS - purely sticker shock.
• Paying for V8 gas
• Not overly wowed by either interior
• Taycan infotainment software seems basic at best - nitpick, would be using carplay
• M5 is large and heavy and feels it while GTS is large and heavy and doesnt feel it
• M5/ICE upkeep and maintenance

It's two very different vehicles from the basic ICE/EV perspective and driving dynamics but when I unfocus my eyes, its two large 4 door sedans with tremendous capability and pedigree. They would both be dailies, around town vehicles, rarely if ever tracked.

Appreciate any and all info, opinions and questions.

Edit: I have very compelling cases for purchasing either car, I chose to highlight my concerns about the vehicles. They are both dream cars for me.

 

[WuffvonTrips]

If (and I'm not saying that is the case) your head is saying that there's no compelling case for either car, you could stick with the RS5 until something comes along that excites your heart so much that you don't need any help deciding on. Else, if I had to change from an RS5, I'd consider the 4S- but we all have very different selection criteria.

 

[ansky]

If (and I'm not saying that is the case) your head is saying that there's no compelling case for either car, you could stick with the RS5 until something comes along that excites your heart so much that you don't need any help deciding on. Else, if I had to change from an RS5, I'd consider the 4S- but we all have very different selection criteria.

I didnt do a good job of talking about the positives of each car, of which there are many. I would easily buy either of them right now, I just cant decide which. I chose (oddly) to focus on the concerns of each car in my post but would be over the moon to own either.

Edit: Also I cant find a local allocation on a 4S likely before the refresh and my 4S build with options isnt significantly less than my GTS build

 

[WuffvonTrips]

I didnt do a good job of talking about the positives of each car, of which there are many. I would easily buy either of them right now, I just cant decide which. I chose (oddly) to focus on the concerns of each car in my post but would be over the moon to own either.

Considering depreciation and the possibility that, having made a difficult choice between 2 cars, you might not be happy that you chose the right one, I still suggest waiting for "the one" (that makes you throw all caution and logic to the wind- says I from personal experience ?) to come along, unless you need to offload the RS5.

 

[kempez]

I guess this depends on what you want. Powerful V8 with all the noise. Or an assured and silent electric ‘drivers’ sports saloon.

The M5 is a great car but the Taycan looks better. Handles differently. Do you want to step into the electric realm or do you want to place the (imo slightly tame), RS5’s growl with the smooth V8 of the M5?

Tough. I went C63 to Taycan and I haven’t regretted it. I do miss the craziness at times, but then I wind down a good road hit the go pedal and all that goes away.

 

[ansky]

Considering depreciation and the possibility that, having made a difficult choice between 2 cars, you might not be happy that you chose the right one, I still suggest waiting for "the one" (that makes you throw all caution and logic to the wind- says I from personal experience ?) to come along, unless you need to offload the RS5.

I think the absolute delight of owning either has been a bit understated. The opportunity, both financially and model wise is here. I don't really want to wait to see what the '25 M5 with a hybrid will be like (not much to go on but if something like the C63 is any indicator...) and from (not much to go on) spy shot wise, I dont know that I want to wait for the refresh of the Taycan either. The (presumably) last gen of these V8s in almost every high performance sedan from the Audis to the AMGs is fading, hence the opportunity to grab a last one. Likewise, for timing, I have no better opportunity than now to make this purchase. Lastly, I would like to offload the RS5 while the mileage is low and not in a year or so waiting for either new model, BMW or Porsche.

 

[ansky]

I guess this depends on what you want. Powerful V8 with all the noise. Or an assured and silent electric ‘drivers’ sports saloon.

The M5 is a great car but the Taycan looks better. Handles differently. Do you want to step into the electric realm or do you want to place the (imo slightly tame), RS5’s growl with the smooth V8 of the M5?

Tough. I went C63 to Taycan and I haven’t regretted it. I do miss the craziness at times, but then I wind down a good road hit the go pedal and all that goes away.

Agreed on all counts. And therein is the push and pull. We do have our Rivian and love it. Acceleration tops my RS5 so its a blast.

I have all these metrics I've created in my stubborn brain, but at the end of the day is the Taycan worth ~25K more than a M5 Comp?

 

[jwarner]

If you are not overwhelmed, why spend the money-RS5 is a good product, I've evaluated it.
What does a "September allocation" mean? What would the lock date and build date look like? I have not evaluated the M5, but I did test drive the M3 Competition X Drive. Seemed crude, vague steering, noisy, I didn't like it. I then spent 90 minutes evaluating the GTS at PEC Atlanta. It was in a different league in every way. Called my dealer (I am a long time Porsche guy) the next day and an allocation magically appeared, it will be Oct build.
If you can't find a nearby demo, I suggest you go to Atlanta and decide. For a car guy like yourself, It will be time and money well spent regardless of your decision.

 

[ansky]

If you are not overwhelmed, why spend the money-RS5 is a good product, I've evaluated it.
What does a "September allocation" mean? What would the lock date and build date look like? I have not evaluated the M5, but I did test drive the M3 Competition X Drive. Seemed crude, vague steering, noisy, I didn't like it. I then spent 90 minutes evaluating the GTS at PEC Atlanta. It was in a different league in every way. Called my dealer (I am a long time Porsche guy) the next day and an allocation magically appeared, it will be Oct build.
If you can't find a nearby demo, I suggest you go to Atlanta and decide. For a car guy like yourself, It will be time and money well spent regardless of your decision.

I am extremely excited about a GTS. A Taycan, since its inception has been a dream car. The M5 has likewise held a grail status for me for a longer time, obviously due to multiple existing generations of the model. To your experience, an M5 is a much more refined vehicle than an M3, having driven both. The M3 strikes me as very raw, aggressive, like you said noisy. The M5, in my mind, is a much more adult version of an M3 in multiple ways so they are hard to compare. It has the ability to be a animal but exists as a jekyll and hyde luxury sedan/sports car whereas the M3 favors the sports more than the luxury in comparison.

A September allocation means locking relatively soon, delivering in October/November prospectively. Unfortunately, with that window I do not have the time to make an Atlanta trip. Locally, I lucked into an allocation at all and dont really want to wait for the next gen, from the few visuals I have seen of test vehicle.

As I mentioned before, the GTS is the vehicle I want, I just want to understand how its worth ~25k more than an M5. That;s really the bottom line.

 

[Porsche-Guru]

The Taycan is great car… no doubts about it.

However, you would be able to buy a Taycan (or some other Porsche EV or many other manufacturers’s EV) for the next 20 years…. and they are likely to be better/ advanced than the current Taycan.

… but would you be able to buy a great V8 and the sound/ roar of exhaust note and a twin-turbo and the exhilaration of gear shifts. Less and less likely in the years to come due to regulations on both fossil fuels and noise.

You are in the privileged position today of getting either !

If you do not need to get rid of the RS5, then keep it and enjoy it until you need to shift it... and then get the EV you actually lust for. (Only because you like to keep the cars for longer)

I will be selling my 535 for the Taycan…. but I am lucky enough to be able to keep my M4.

 

[jwarner]

Not a hard decision-like comparing a Lange, Patek, or AP watch-which one gives you the most joy? Which car makes you feel like a little kid again? Which one feels like a tool from a different planet? You've driven the 4S-there are a zillion youtube videos comparing the various Taycan versions, I have yet to watch one that doesn't say the GTS is the sweet spot, with a special feel that none of the others have.-not even the Turbo S.

 

[kempez]

Agreed on all counts. And therein is the push and pull. We do have our Rivian and love it. Acceleration tops my RS5 so its a blast.

I have all these metrics I've created in my stubborn brain, but at the end of the day is the Taycan worth ~25K more than a M5 Comp?

probably not but definitely yes. Let’s face it. None of these cars are ‘worth’ the asking price. I had as much fun in an Up GTI, I had bought to fill in time until the Taycan turned up, as I’ve had in lots of fast expensive cars. That was worth the asking price. I think you’d get an M5 and it would be awesome. But you should *really* drive one to see if you like it. If you’re looking at that and a Taycan, why not a 911? A GTS 911 would give you the best of both worlds and as has been mentioned: EV’s will be around a while.

I absolutely don’t regret getting my Taycan over a lot of other (non-EV), options. But then I have a slightly different set of requirements I think.

 

[ansky]

If you do not need to get rid of the RS5, then keep it and enjoy it until you need to shift it... and then get the EV you actually lust for. (Only because you like to keep the cars for longer)

I will be selling my 535 for the Taycan…. but I am lucky enough to be able to keep my M4.

The value on the RS5, which I owe very little on at this point would be paramount towards a Taycan realistically.

I think you’d get an M5 and it would be awesome. But you should *really* drive one to see if you like it. If you’re looking at that and a Taycan, why not a 911? A GTS 911 would give you the best of both worlds and as has been mentioned: EV’s will be around a while.

I've spent the last few days testing the M5 and it's been fun. Incredible engine with oomph at almost any speed but I cant say it gave me the awe even the 4S gave me turning at a mere stoplight. The M5 carries its weight a lot. Not as much as an M550 which I drove extensively last winter but it still feels big and heavy. The 4S hid its weight very well so I can imagine the GTS has that little bit extra, even.

I've sworn off of 2 doors at my age now. I've had a few and need the room at this point in a daily. I love 911s, but it's not a car I can use as a daily with how much random stuff I have to deal with.

 

[Archimedes]

I sold my 2019 F90 M5 when I bought my Taycan. It was hands down THE worst steering car I’ve ever owned. Probably that I’ve ever even driven.

There were a lot of positives about that car, like that glorious motor, but the steering was totally wacky. And it wasn’t just me, multiple reviewers, including Clarkson said the same. I’d never buy one again.

Also, while the drivers seat looks cool, it’s very poorly designed and gets uncomfortable really quick.

 

[ansky]

I sold my 2019 F90 M5 when I bought my Taycan. It was hands down THE worst steering car I’ve ever owned. Probably that I’ve ever even driven.

There were a lot of positives about that car, like that glorious motor, but the steering was totally wacky. And it wasn’t just me, multiple reviewers, including Clarkson said the same. I’d never buy one again.

Also, while the drivers seat looks cool, it’s very poorly designed and gets uncomfortable really quick.

appreciate the info!!