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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 5 of 28

#39 of 275 Re: S4 Vs M3 [stealth4] by fstshtngbrk

Aug 19, 2004 (6:03 am)

Replying to: stealth4 (Jul 26, 2004 7:00 pm)
Glad to hear of your experience with the S4. I have a 2004 S4 Avant and love it. Had a BMW 540 before; nice car...but a real bummer in snow or slick conditions. The S4 performs as well or better in dry...and just no comparison on slick.
 
I'm interested in the chip change-out you made. Where did you get the chip...who installed...what was cost...and what effect on mileage and "day to day" performance.
 
Thanks...
 
TDI

#40 of 275 Re: S4 Vs M3 [fstshtngbrk] by some_buddy

Aug 19, 2004 (12:56 pm)

Replying to: fstshtngbrk (Aug 19, 2004 6:03 am)
TDI -
 
I'm interersted and surprised about your comparison with the 540. I agree about the snow part...
 
But the rest of the car? I have 2001 540-6spd, and I drove an '02 S4 before I leased the 540, NO COMPARISON, 540 was quieter, more comfotable, fast (perhaps not from a stop), better handling...
 
I think the S4 changed substantially since '02 is that the difference or do we just value different qualities in the car?

#41 of 275 S4 vs. m3 by bogueavant

Aug 19, 2004 (7:52 pm)

Received S4Avant in 12/03 after 8 month wait lots of time to reconsider, drove Allroad/drove S4sedan..late model M3(02)In my humble opinion the S4Avant is as much an exercise in high performance as in style&function .My Avant solved the 3rd child issue with room to spare(previous car a TT(00))and blows the doors off unsuspecting M3's while camo'd as a wagon.Test drive them both but drive the S4 last you won't go back.ps Audi service is a plus

#42 of 275 Automobile Magazine Test by scotth6

Aug 23, 2004 (1:35 pm)

The latest Automobile tested the S4 verses the M3 verses the Cadilac CTS-V and the M3 was their choice. The M3 will smoke the S4 except in a snow storm.

#43 of 275 So did Consumer Reports by kevin111

Aug 24, 2004 (7:51 am)

The difference in 0-60 between the cars was 0.1 secs, or virtually, none.
 
The M3 was the better handler, the S4 had a better ride and better for all seasons. Both were rated about the same.

#44 of 275 Test results by scotth6

Aug 27, 2004 (11:50 am)

When the 6 speed manual M3 is tested instead of the SMG version there is at least .4 difference between the vehicles and according to some tests more than that. Every test I have read and I get Motor Trend, Road & Track, AutoWeek, Automobile and Car & Driver have the M3 6 sped manual at 4.7 to 4.8 and the S4 at 5.1 to 5.4. Just the weight difference alone makes the M3 a much more nimble car but I do like the looks of the S4 and I understand it has a nice interior and the 4 wheel drive which are all good reasons to consider one. It really comes down to personal preference, also you get 4 years free maintenance with the Bimmer.

#45 of 275 Wall Street Journal Article 8/27/04 by scotth6

Aug 30, 2004 (7:53 am)

Article on friday compared the new Mercedes, S4, M3, Volvo R5 and they picked the M3 as their choice.

#46 of 275 Re: SMG Transmission [titan] by bmorofsky

Sep 05, 2004 (10:57 am)

Replying to: titan (Jun 14, 2004 2:14 pm)
I have a M-3 Covert.w/SMG a 2003 . Asside from the fact that I lve it , you do have to get used to it. If you have it in its most aggresive mode either 5 or 6 in sequential, its not such a smooth shift, however its not supposeed to be. It feels like a kick in the pants,but man, does it go. Even more with "sport " mode on.The shift repsnse time is immediate , no way you could manually match the quickness. Plus you do not have to raise up on the throttle.I work in sales and I am in my M-3 every day. I think I used the Auto mode once or twice.This is the car to have if you want it all.

#47 of 275 Re: warranty difference by banx

Sep 09, 2004 (11:09 pm)

Replying to: scotth6 (Aug 27, 2004 11:50 am)
While both cars have 50K warranties with free maintenance, note that the Audi gets oil changed at 5K, 10K, then every 10K after that. I believe the BMW still gets the oil changed whenever the service light comes up. In a long term test by a road mag, that was every 18.2K miles for the BMW. So if one is in the market for a used M3 that has 40K-50K miles on it, it may have had the oil changed only twice so far.

#48 of 275 M3 by kyfdx HOST

Sep 11, 2004 (11:47 am)

I believe gets its first service at 1200 miles..
 
325 and 330 get it according to service light.. Most people report that comes pretty close to 15K (15.3K on ours).
 
I'm not sure if the M3 goes according to the service light after that initial service, but it is easy to check on a used one. Every BMW dealer can pull up the service history on the car.. Many owners pay for extra oil changes inbetween the "free" service intervals.
 
Most people consider it a good thing, if something mechanical needs less maintenance, rather than more...

Messages Page 5 of 28

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