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Audi S4 vs BMW M3

275 messages,  Last post on Nov 17, 2008 at 12:27 PM

You are in the Audi S4 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Audi S4, BMW M3, Sedan

Messages Page 17 of 28

#156 of 275 Re: Want to know positives/negatives of S4 and M3 [m3_r1] by _matty

Nov 23, 2005 (11:52 pm)

Replying to: m3_r1 (Nov 13, 2005 11:27 pm)
Every S4 I have ever encountered on the open highway NEVER challenged my M3.
 
That has nothing to do with the car and everything to do with the driver, bro. Cars can only go as fast as the driver, not the other way around. If I saw you and your M3 on the open road I'd challenge you, and unless your willing to push it to 150 you wouldn't stand a chance. You may own an M3, but do you REALLY know how to drive it? Do you know how to drift? Do you have the guts to push that car to it's limits? If you put 2 good drivers who are equally skilled behind the wheel of each car, the S4 would win. It's a lighter car with AWD and it has a more powerful engine.
 
Why is the S4 NOT RECOMMENDED by Consumer Reports?
 
I would imagine that some of it has to do with the bad gas mileage. If you can afford this car though the gas mileage should not be an issue at all. Consumer reports also bases much of their opinion on value for the money. We're talking about a sports sedan here though, not a friggin value. If you want a value go get one of those stupid looking new Volvo's. If I was looking for a new washing machine I would definitely consult Consumer Reports, but there's too much opinion factor and manufacturer loyalty with high end vehicles to make Consumer Reports the last word in this case. Audi has greatly improved their reliability issues as of late as well. Any poor reliability claims are based on older models and as we all know the 2004+ S4's are completely different from their older counterparts.
 
1) With options the M3 costs at least $10,000 more than the S4.
2) The S4 has several basic standard features that end up costing an extra $3,000 in the BMW.
3) The S4 gets maybe 2 less mpg on the highway, but it's V8 has more horsepower and much more torque which translates to a faster car if the driver knows what he/she is doing.
4) The BMW weighs nearly 600 pounds more than the S4 which makes a huge difference in performance, especially when the engines are close in horsepower. 333/340.
5) Both care have great handling and nice interiors. I test drove both and decided on the S4.
6) I could go on, but I think I've made my point.
 
There are some facts for ya.
 
Bottom line though, some people prefer BMW M3's and some prefer Audi S4's. Both are nice cars, so stop making dubious comparisons and be lucky that you're in a good enough financial space to be able to afford either of them. If you still have an inferiority complex just go buy an M5. They cost nearly 100K with options and taxes, but they can beat an S4. The M3 cannot.

#157 of 275 Re: Want to know positives/negatives of S4 and M3 [m3_r1] by rjlaero

Nov 25, 2005 (7:02 am)

Replying to: m3_r1 (Nov 13, 2005 11:27 pm)
I think that's the main difference between Audi and BMW customers. BMW folks think they own the world and have such an attitude just because they drive a BMW and have a propellar emblem on the hood. Who cares?
 
I buy what I like to impress myself and be happy with my car.
 
I'm willing to give up 1/2 sec 0-60 to get an AWD car like the S4. It rides much better. The M3 is a very harsh riding vehicle to drive year around.
 
The interior on the S4 is much nicer, IMO as well. Those silk nappa leather seats are impeccable, and the whole interior vibe is better on the S4. Nobody can beat Audi for their interiors, and that's where you spend most of your time.
 
And the sound of Audi's 4.2 is glorious. Just starting the engine and hearing that V8 purr makes all the difference to me.
 
You guys can pick apart numbers all day long from Car & Driver, Motor Trend, etc, etc, about who's 1/2 second quicker here and there on the track. It's the everyday driving characteristics that make the difference for most people.

#159 of 275 drove both by dhamilton

Nov 25, 2005 (10:43 am)

Replying to: rjlaero (Nov 25, 2005 7:02 am)
I had a chance to drive both of these a? kickers the other day. I spent about 45 minutes in each on the highway as well as some twisty's behind the dealerships.
I will start and end with this. BOTH CARS ARE "AWESOME"
 The bimmer was first. Amazing balance {no suprise there} and great acceleration. I think maybe a hair quicker in the first 20 or 30 yards than the S4. The sound of this mighty V6 is enough to stear one towards the the 4 rings. {the word ghastly, and strangling a cat come to mind} However this car is amazing. I think a better track car for sure. As someone intersted in autocross racing, this one get's the nod for that.Good seats great gearbox, clutch felt a mile long. Like I had to eat my knee to get it disengaged after upshift. The back end slid out in an absolutely delicous manner, never without letting you know ahead of time that was going to happen, and always so balanced. The ride was fairly quiet however, I would recommend re-gluing down any dentures that the pilot may have before entring vehicle.
                     S4
I had previously driven the 04 S4 and came away un-inspired. Not so with 06. Power comes without the tortured animal sounds and without fuss. There does seem to be a slight lag right off the line {even at high rpm launch} but it doesn't last long. Handling is great and very buttoned down. This to me is more of a GT car in the traditional sense. Better interior, smoother power, just not quite the out and out track car the bimmer is.
 I have come to the conclusion that I will autocross maybe once a month, but will drive the car every day. For me the winner is the Audi. BOTH CARS ARE AWESOME however and you can't go wrong with either. JMHO.

#160 of 275 Re: Want to know positives/negatives of S4 and M3 [m3_r1] by audifan01

Nov 25, 2005 (12:09 pm)

Replying to: m3_r1 (Nov 13, 2005 11:27 pm)
From your previous posts I gather you have never driven an S4. I have test driven both the 05 M3 and the 05 S4. I found the S4 to be more enjoyable(as well as flat out blazingly fast). Why do you find it necessary to insult buyers of a car that you have not even driven? Please drive an S4 and then come back to this forum with objective analysis. Until then, you will seem to the rest of us to be a bit wet behind the ears, kiddo.

#162 of 275 Re: Want to know positives/negatives of S4 and M3 [m3_r1] by _matty

Nov 25, 2005 (6:15 pm)

Replying to: m3_r1 (Nov 13, 2005 11:27 pm)
True, the Audi does have a better ride and would seem to be much more comfortableon a long road trip. I only test drove an M3 for about 20 minutes, but I could tell that a road trip in that car would be murder. I have taken my S4 on a few road trips and loved every minute of it. The sound of the V8 is spectacular and even more so at high rpm. There were things about the M3 that I liked, but the S4 trumps it in just about every way. About the only thing the M3 has over the S4 is that it's maybe 0.3 seconds faster when going 0-60. Big deal. I can't justify spending an extra 10K on the M3 (14K if you want the spiffy gearbox) and I sense that some of you here are simply blinded by product loyalty.
  
I encourage everyone to test drive both vehicles and use your own judgement. See for yourself. I'm trying to go light on the opinion factor and just give facts about the #'s. The extra cost for the M3 over the S4 is significant, but you're NOT getting more for your money. To all you BMW loyalists- Test drive an S4 before you rag on them. I know it's hard to do in this country sometimes but keep an open mind because that's the only way good decisions can be made.

#163 of 275 Re: Want to know positives/negatives of S4 and M3 [m3_r1] by adamd123

Nov 27, 2005 (2:23 am)

Replying to: m3_r1 (Nov 08, 2005 2:16 pm)
I had forgotten about this thread untill last sunday when Top Gear reviewed the RS4.. I will let the video do the talking.
 
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5252945100827089880&q=top+gear

#164 of 275 Re: Want to know positives/negatives of S4 and M3 [_matty] by bknblk

Nov 27, 2005 (11:53 am)

Replying to: _matty (Nov 23, 2005 11:52 pm)
"The BMW weighs nearly 600 pounds more than the S4 which makes a huge difference in performance, especially when the engines are close in horsepower. 333/340."
 
What have you been smoking. The M3 weighs 3415 while the S4 weighs 3650. How in the world did you conclude that the M3 weighs 600 lbs MORE than the S4? Your credibility is completely shot when you can even get OBJECTIVE FACTS straight.

#165 of 275 Re: Want to know positives/negatives of S4 and M3 [showstopper1] by bknblk

Nov 27, 2005 (11:58 am)

Replying to: showstopper1 (Nov 07, 2005 8:18 pm)
Given the considerable price premium of the RS4, you can't really compare that to the current M3. The S4 v. M3 is a fair comparison. When the new M3 comes out, that will be a fair comparison with the RS4 because it will be each company's current generation and undoubtedly the price will be higher.

Messages Page 17 of 28

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