M3 vs. S4

[m3f_KUpolo]

May I suggest 4 AVS winter Yokos to go with it. This is a very nice driving tire on our Sube. The steering precision is very good for a winter tire, and good at high speed like a Pirelli snowsport. (Forget on ramps on any winter tire)





I'll check those out. The car is coming with a set of winter wheels and 1 season old snows. I'm not sure what he was running, but if they are no good I'll make the change.

[m3f_salty_80d4b8491b]

I'll check those out. The car is coming with a set of winter wheels and 1 season old snows. I'm not sure what he was running, but if they are no good I'll make the change.

I would bet there are a few offerings on the market with similar characteristics. I'd like to see the mods that are typically done on S4's . I guess they get brakes, boost, shocks and exhaust...and then hang on.

[m3f_KUpolo]

I would bet there are a few offerings on the market with similar characteristics. I'd like to see the mods that are typically done on S4's . I guess they get brakes, boost, shocks and exhaust...and then hang on.





I've been doing some research on this and this is what I've found:



Stage 1 (adds around 50-60 hp) - performance "chip", which is merely a chip that is soldered into the car's ECU to essentially increase boost pressure and retard timing (giving the car SIGNIFICANT performance gains). To have your ECU modified in this way, you send it to a tuner (GIAC, APR, AMS/Abt, and MTM are widely regarded as the best) and they will modify it and send it back. This costs anywhere from $500-800 depending on the company. Different tuner chips give the car different power curves, so it's important to do your research before selecting which one you want. What most recommend is that you just buy a spare ECU from the tuner to have them modify. That way you have a complete unit you can simply swap out in case you need to go back to stock form. Spare ECUs run about $500 new.



Stage 2 (adds 5-15 hp) - just add an aftermarket exhaust to your chip (any will do). The true dual exhausts typically give the most performance gains. Cost: $600-2000 depending on manufacturer. Most do this mod simply for the sound. Here is an AW tech article on exhaust systems: http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng28.shtml



Stage 2.5 (adds ~20-35 hp) - add replacement of stock downpipes (from turbo to cat) with aftermarket ones (with option to replace cat with high flow unit or even straight pipe). Cost: $1000-1700. Note: difficult to install



Stage 3 (brings hp up around 420-450) - Add turbocharger replacement, typically with K04 turbos, such as those used in the european RS4 wagon. Usually many other parts are required at this step as well; kits can be bought that contain everything (sans exhaust components) for $6000-14000.



Other common modifications include(and common brands selected): coilover suspension (H&R, Stasis), rear sway bar (Neuspeed), Snub mount (APR, what this does is to limit forward/rear transfer of weight during acceleration or gear shift), Drivetrain stabilizer or DTS (AWE, Tantrumwerks, Autospeed), performs similar function to snub mount), short shift kit (UUC, Tanoga, "Toy Guy"), air intake replacement (S-Flo), Boost Gauge (Omori matches stock lighting), and many more including bigger brakes.

[m3f_M-avant_0baeb1c2f5]

the cool thing about the 2.7tT motor is that you can bump it up close to RS4 specs with bolt on pieces. turbos, intercoolers, even the "cool" carbon fiber motor cover all fit nicely. much easier and a tad cheaper to see 400HP+ with a B5 S4 than an E36 M3.

[m3f_astan100_7ef66fbe89]

You cant' daily drive a chipped S4 that's pushing 400 hp...it'd be hot though!



If I were huge into mods and able to fix things when they broke, I would def. get an S4. I'm more of a stock kind of guy or simple mods that won't cause catestophic failures, so owning an S4 would just tempt me to get into trouble.



The S4 is an amazing car overall and I do love the far superior interior.

[m3f_mustang]

I very briefly drove an S4 a few days ago. It was pretty much what I expected (on very brief first impressions) - it's a sports car compared to a merc. But it's a cruiser compared to an M3. The M3 has so much more feel it's unbelievable. I'm going for a long(er) test drive this weekend but I think I'll still feel the same.

[m3f_KUpolo]

You cant' daily drive a chipped S4 that's pushing 400 hp...it'd be hot though!





No, but you can daily drive a chipped S4 pushing 310hp

[m3f_mustang]

Audi make ace cars. Every time they bring out a new A4 (going right back from Audi 80 days), each new model was supposed to be the one to be better than BMW. But I'm tired of the stories now... Audi has been in BMW's shadow for as long as I can remember. And it still is.

[m3f_astan100_7ef66fbe89]

I don't know that I'd say Audi is in BMW's shadow..their S4 was the only car to beat an M3 in Car and Driver's comparison test EVER...their RS6 beat the M5 too.



They are different types of cars S4 vs. M3, so I wouldn't describe the S4 in the M3's shadow at all. If you said "take one of these two cars on a 2000 mile road trip" I'd be frantically grabbing for the B5 S4's keys.

[m3f_o0speedy0o]

I'd rather have an S4 for the sole purpose of mods. If your looking for good power at a cheap price BMW has never been the way to do it...

[m3f_84ability]

I don't know that I'd say Audi is in BMW's shadow..their S4 was the only car to beat an M3 in Car and Driver's comparison test EVER...their RS6 beat the M5 too.



They are different types of cars S4 vs. M3, so I wouldn't describe the S4 in the M3's shadow at all. If you said "take one of these two cars on a 2000 mile road trip" I'd be frantically grabbing for the B5 S4's keys.

Agree 100%. Each are great in their own respects.. Personally I'd rather have an audi as a daily driver, and I do.

[m3f_Predator_7d824d33ea]

i name this the Audi thread !

[m3f_M-avant_0baeb1c2f5]

i name this the Audi thread !

:agree: but a thread wouldn't be complete w/o an obligatory modded subject

http://home.comcast.net/~macquell/289avant_almost-med.JPG

[m3f_KUpolo]

:agree: but a thread wouldn't be complete w/o an obligatory modded subject





I just don't get black rims :???:

[m3f_Predator_7d824d33ea]

I just don't get black rims :???:

they look, mean, menacing, aggressive ,ready to go to war !



they also look les filthy when dirty !