M3 vs. S4

[m3f_crankinpedro32]

i am in the process of purchasing a 95 m3. my friend now wants to sell his audi a4 and upgrade it to a s4. even though i am going to be spending at least five grand less, what is going to be the better car in everything?

[m3f_JonM3]

The b5? S4 is easy to mod all it needs is a chip and an exhaust and it’s at about 300hp (my friend has one with those exact mods) the drive is nice and comparable to the M3... but I like the "feel" of my car (E36 M3) better. It’s more connected to the ground and when going around a turn it just feels like it can do it harder and better... on the highway it’s a different story... his car (S4) pulls so fast it can inch away from a stock e46 m3 :bow: . The interior of the S4 definitely looks a lot more luxurious, and the car overall has a lot more features (standard projectors for one…) but when it comes to the drive I prefer the M3. (I’ve also hear those turbo’s are a big $$ fix at around 80k miles, I prefer N/A engines :thumbsup: ) One other thing I don’t really like about S4’s is that they don’t really stick out in any way from a normal A4 while the M3 has a really mean, low, and sharp look to it which to me makes it look just plain sexy especially in black… hehe eace:

[m3f_95blkbimm3_9842002abc]

he'll never be able to do doughnuts!, but we will never be able to go out in the snow like he will, but i wouldnt take my car out in the snow anyways so it doesnt matter

[m3f_Serious_eeb8859403]

e36 m3 is a more pure sports car.



s4 is a more utility based sports car.

[m3f_M-avant_0baeb1c2f5]

2 diferrent animals really. u will get a bit more utility with the Quattro than the //M, just like Serious stated. the S4 tends to understeer a bit, but can be tweaked. it will cost you less to get more HP out of the S4 in compsrison to the //M (the 2.7T motor S4, not the V8)

[m3f_95GreenDin_a5d1e794f4]

In terms of style, the S4 has similar looks and stance to the M3, and I've been a big fan of the S4. It's one hell of an Audi. What year is he looking at. I know the new S4's go for 45K, that's a bit spendy compared to the E46 M3 which has more hp and a sportier look for a bit more. I've never driven an S4, but I can't keep my eyes off of them.

[m3f_Rider1937]

I have to agree with the rest above that the M3 is going to be less problematic and is overall a more pure sports car, period. But the S4 is a great option, despite its reliability issues, especially for those looking for more inline speed that can easily be modded to huge gains in hp. I'm personally an ///M3 man...nough said.

[m3f_orijinal_p_92d6bcd8a9]

I'm personally an ///M3 man...nough said.

hmm...... i have to say i hate m3s. eace:

[m3f_JonM3]

hmm...... i have to say i hate m3s. eace:





I couldn’t agree more :rofl2:

[m3f_KUpolo]

I'm kicking around the idea of selling my '97 M3 and getting a 2000 S4 right now.

the reason the S4 should cost more is it's newer. The comparable S4 to the e36 was produced from 2000-2002



I've driven both and I like the way my M3 drives better. That said, the S4 does have some perks.



S4 has a 6 speed gearbox

S4 has all wheel drive (This is the number one reason I am looking at switching)

S4 (2000-2002) is turbo based therefore easier to mod

S4 has four doors (yes I know that there are M3's with 4 doors, but mine is the coupe)



All that said, if I lived in a place where it didn't snow, I wouldn't even consider the S4. The M3 is just a tighter feeling car and much more fun to drive.

[m3f_VTRick01_f4e20f34c1]

I went over and over this decision 2 years ago.



Everyone here is pretty much right on.



M3 = quick, $$$ to mod, drives better, not great in snow/ice, needs a 6th gear, fewer luxuries, cheaper plastics.



S4 = quick and easy to mod, needs suspension upgrades, $$$ when turbos get probs, nicer interior/more features than M3.



If you want fun to drive and can accept that your car is not as fast compared to other cars as it once was, go with the M3. If you want a luxury car that is quick yet feels disconnected from the ground, go with the S4.



One side note: replacing the Bose stereo in the S4 is not fun or cheap...if you want to go better than Bose and stereos are important to you, don't buy the S4.



I had a check ready for an S4 but decided to cancel it after I drove another M3 and bought it. Driving fun and pleasure was more important than luxury and all out speed.

[m3f_84ability]

I just had to make this decision too, when I recently purchased my M3. The S4 is an awesome car, the only major downfall is the high rate of turbo failure on the B5's. This can be helped with a few upgrades but the chances are good you will have to replace turbos sometime, about 7 grand out of warranty.



I really wanted an M3 but wished it had more power, so I started looking for almost exculsively supercharged M3's. And then I bought mine, which puts down 404rwhp, so I'm happy. I also have an Audi 90 that I drive in the winter/bad weather. Audi's are great cars, but like somebody said previously the M3 is more of a pure sports car. To have both is really where it's at



edit: I will also say this, if you can handle replacing/upgrading the turbos you will have an awesome car, I do love the S4. Another option to consider is a stage 3 A4. They are slighly faster than a stock S4 and easier to work on, and you won't have to worry about the turbo issues.

[m3f_peteE36M3_f22c2175db]

I toy'd with an S4(99 model) before i got my M3 what are the specs like on these in U.S???

UK models are 270bhp standard but easy to tune up to 350bhp with just a couple of grand

[m3f_KUpolo]

I toy'd with an S4(99 model) before i got my M3 what are the specs like on these in U.S???

UK models are 270bhp standard but easy to tune up to 350bhp with just a couple of grand





2.7L biturbo stock is 250 hp and it was sold in the Us between 2000-2002. They are very easy to tune up to 350hp here as well being that it is a turbo motor.

[m3f_crankinpedro32]

yea he plans on gettin like a 2000-2001. i still think a m3 is a better overall and more of a sports car. thanks for the replys.