Audi S6 vs BMW M3
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Audi S6
$196,000 when new
RRP when new — this model is no longer sold new in Australia
Sedan
—
5.2-litre V10
320kW
12.6 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
BMW M3
From $163,700
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
353kW
10.1 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
480L
Audi S6: we're still completing length, width, height, wheelbase and kerb weight, plus 6 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
The Audi S6 starts from $196,000 before on-road costs, while the BMW M3 opens at $163,700. That makes the BMW M3 the more affordable entry point by $32,300.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $215,600 and $180,070 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BMW M3 by roughly $3,560 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The BMW M3 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate, Harman Kardon audio and ambient lighting that the Audi S6 does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Audi S6 uses a 5.2-litre V10 producing 320kW and 540Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed tiptronic with dsp and sports program to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.2 seconds.
The BMW M3 responds with a Petrol making 353kW and 550Nm, paired to a manual driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds.
The BMW M3 has the clear power advantage at 353kW vs 320kW. In the real-world sprint, the BMW M3 is 1.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m diameter
Good
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.4 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $3,591/year for the Audi S6 and $2,879/year for the BMW M3. That is a $712 annual difference in favour of the BMW M3.
Estimated annual total: $3,591 (Audi S6) vs $2,879 (BMW M3). The BMW M3 saves you roughly $712 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi S6 if: You or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW M3 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BMW M3 takes 4 of 4 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The BMW M3 will save you roughly $712 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi S6 and BMW M3?
The BMW M3 is the cheapest at $163,700 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi S6 by $32,300.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BMW M3 uses the least fuel at 10.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Audi S6 and BMW M3 carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW M3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW M3 makes the most power at 353kW. The BMW M3 is quickest to 100km/h in 4.2s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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