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Sedans Audi S4 Audi S4 vs BMW M3
275 messages, Last post on Nov 17, 2008 at 11:27 AM
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Hello- First post in this forum. I have an AWD XC90 (family car) and a zippy FWD SAAB 9-3 Vector, which you may scoff at, but which truly has been a fantastic car...but...I'm really interested in purchasing (rather than leasing) a used M3. Love the 02+ styling and performance. However, living in CO, I wonder about it in the snow. I want the car as a daily driver, but I'm used to front- or AWD. With the performance tires, even my FWD SAAB couldn't budge in low snow (Denver really doesn't get much snow - it's just a couple weeks a winter where it's an issue unless you're in the mtns) but when I slapped all seasons on it, the SAAB was excellent. So, the question is this - can I put winters on an M3? Will it go at all? Or will I need my wife to zip me downtown in the Volvo when it snows? Any feedback is appreciated. thanks. |
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Replying to: m3_r1 (Oct 06, 2005 1:12 pm) But everyday driving is where it counts. The S4 is a far better everyday driver as the M3 can be quite a harsh ride. Both cars are extremely nice and it's not a bad choice to get either one. Audi's 4.2 V8 is one glorious engine, and the interior fitted with Recaros feels incredible. Take these cars on the back roads when it's pouring down raining or bad weather, and I'll take the S4 all day long.
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I think you'd be fine with dedicated snow tires & wheels on an M3. If you're looking for a used M3, I'd have it looked at very carefully. Get a carfax report, the vehicle's service history from a BMW dealership, have it looked at by a BMW mechanic... BMWs are great cars, but most M3s are not driven only on Sundays to church by little old ladies. YOu might want to consider a new M3. USed M3s have ridiculously high asking prices at BMW dealers as CPO cars. You should be able to get a decent chunk off of MSRP on a new '05 (although I've heard the denver BMW market is terrible). I'm a BMWCCA member and recently got a $2500 rebate offer in the mail if I buy or lease any new M3 coupe or convertible. Good luck!
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Replying to: nyccarguy (Oct 09, 2005 8:11 am) Thanks for the response. I do love the car...funny - after I entered my post we had a surprise early October snow. But again, most days the roads are dry and I thought with dedicated tires it might be okay. The BMW market here IS thin. Audis are much more prevalent...maybe becuase of quattro. Anyway,Ii was aware that a used M3 could have some hard miles on it. I've seen a huge range of prices on some sites (private sellers). Why is the 05 being discounted? Is it because of the upcoming styling change? Thanks! |
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| Definitely a styling change. I meant denver being a bad market for BMWs by saysing I've read that the dealers were impossible to negotiate with. | |
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Replying to: rjlaero (Oct 08, 2005 5:52 am) 
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| I think the difficulty in dealing with them is due to their stranglehold on the market. When I lived in LA, any auto maker had a direct competitor just a couple miles away, so there was a lot more room to negotiate. Here in the metro area, I only know of one true BMW dealer. And they are notorious for playing with finance rates, etc. | |
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Replying to: m3_r1 (Oct 12, 2005 7:48 am) The M3 might have a sportier feel and look better than some of other Bimmers. But the current 5 and 7 series cars leave you with a somewhat cold and cheap look for a high-end car. And a majority of the automotive publications you'll read out there as well have commented on BMW's "lackluster" interiors. Afraid of taking your car out in bad weather? If you spend 50-60k on a high performance car, you shouldn't need a second car unless you can afford it. A lot of people only want or need to have (1) car. The S4 is an all-weather machine. Nearly 1/4 of the country lives in conditions that have some type of snow, slush, or harsh weather. So it's a reallity that all wheel drive is a big plus for a lot of people if they have only 1 car. The M3 is a very fine car in it's own right, and the debate will rage on about M3 vs S4. Both cars have their own pluses and minuses, and it's not a bad choice to get either one.
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Replying to: rjlaero (Oct 12, 2005 10:21 am)
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Replying to: m3_r1 (Oct 14, 2005 5:49 am) But anybody who says the fit, finish, and overall appearance of BMW's...especially the 5 and 7 series is crazy. Virtually every automotive magazine has questioned the once clean and classy Bimmers of the late 80's and most of the 90's, only to get "Bangelized" the last 1/2 decade. I've been subscribing to Car and Driver for close to 20 years, and the reviews for BMW products the last 1/2 decade has been average at best. One of the last comments from a writer was that he was glad the BMW 5 series was fun to drive and it got him to his destination quicky, but he was thankfull he didn't have to spend too much time in the cars dreary interior. Nobody really praises BMW for their interiors. And please, lets not even go into IDrive, as it's one of the poorest designs of any auto manufacturer. SMG vs, DSG? Don't go there, either. Audi has never been the darling of reliablity, so I won't go there. But the A4's have always been one of Audi's most reliable cars, and they are on consumer reports best pick list for 2005. Audi as a whole has made leaps and bounds in terms of quality and reliablity over the last decade, but it seems that BMW and Mercedes are going in the opposite direction. The 3 series cars fare much better like the A4's, but don't even talk about reliablity and overall quality for the 5 and 7 series via "consumer reports". The same with Mercedes for their C class, E class, and S class. They are average at best and bordeline horrible at times. BMW ruled the 80's & 90's, but Audi has the best looking and stongest lineup they've ever had. And arguably a better line-up than either BMW or Mercedes right now. From the A3, A4, A6, A8, there ain't a weak chain in the link anymore. The brutal 414hp RS4 is on the way, and the V10 S6 and S8's are coming next year. It's good to be Audi right now. |
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