M3 vs. S4

[m3f_Avus Blur_f64e36e460]

Definitely two different animals when it comes to their purpose.



I love my M3, but I also really like driving my dad's A4 2.8. Pretty fast, extremely comfortable, predictable in the twisties, etc. Hard to imagine driving a similar car with twice as much power (when modded).



If you do a lot of highway driving or have crappy weather, I would get the audi no doubt.

[m3f_95blkbimm3_9842002abc]

does the s4 come as a coupe, or are they all 4dr

[m3f_KUpolo]

does the s4 come as a coupe, or are they all 4dr





In the b5 series, which is 2000-2002 they are only available as a four door with a few wagons made mostly in 2001. The B6 and B7 series are available as a 2 door convertable or a standard 4 door.

[m3f_crankinpedro]

could somebody get me a carfax for this m3?

WBSBF9320SEH08453

[email protected]

[m3f_M-avant_0baeb1c2f5]

click here (http://www.carfax.com/)

for carfax

[m3f_vjmdmd]

I have an 99 m3 and my brother in law has a 2002 S4 ( he had a 97 m3 before). i've driven the s4 and it does'nt have the same feel as an m3- not as 'connected' for the driver. My brother in law aslo regrets getting rid of his M3 and loves mine. My friend has an 04 S4 (V8) and likes my M better as well, though his car is much more plush inside. I think his V-8 pulls strong and very smooth, but is is not as punchy as my M3 and it handles totally different- more reserved and not as agile. I know the numbers say the V-8 S4 is faster than the E36 M3, but it does feel it - maybe because its such a larger car? these are my impressions- hope it helps.



99 M3- Dinan CAI, AA gen3 ex, Stage 2 Dinan software.

[m3f_hooked]

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?

There is no question which way to go. If you want a driver's car, the M3 is hands down the car. All wheel drive is great if you live in Montana, but for sport and spirited driving, two wheel drive is the only way to really learn to drive. The quattro is great at taking away your responsibility as driver to control your car - it does it for you. Yes, the horsepower is nice, but it pulls a 300 lb all wheel drive unit along everywhere it goes....reliability is another consideration. Less parts is good. Buy the M3 - E36 OR E46 if you really want to drive the car!!!

[m3f_M-avant_0baeb1c2f5]

All wheel drive is great if you live in Montana, but for sport and spirited driving, two wheel drive is the only way to really learn to drive.

weird :nixweiss:

[m3f_nixtfy_c9201d70ed]

I like the sleeper look of the s4 wagon, but don't like the feeling of being distanced from the road with extra sound deadening, weight, and all wheel drive. Add in the maintenance costs of the s4 and it is no longer attractive.

[m3f_M-grunt_fd7848cea3]

A good friend has an S4, we test drove eachother's cars and I am more happy with the M than ever. He also said that he likes my car a lot more and feels bad for paying 10 grand more than I did. The S4 is nice, but it will never be an M3!

[m3f_crankinpedro]

thanks for all the help and great posts!

[m3f_KUpolo]

A good friend has an S4, we test drove eachother's cars and I am more happy with the M than ever. He also said that he likes my car a lot more and feels bad for paying 10 grand more than I did. The S4 is nice, but it will never be an M3!





The S4 certainly does not have the road feel of the M3. I have been test driving one that I'm thinking of buying quite a bit in the last week.



That said, I think I'm still gonig to dump the M3 and get the S4. Here are my reasons:



1) AWD. I drive in the mountains during the winter quite a bit.

2) 4 Doors. I know M3s can have 4 doors too. Mine doesn't.

3) Warranty. The S4 I'm looking at is under warranty until 2007

4) Price. I'm going to be able to pick up a 2000 S4 with 40,000 miles on it for about what I think I can sell my 97 with 91,000 miles on it for. This is not normal. I'm getting a hell of a deal.

5) Mods. For less than $900 I will have the S4 pumping 310 hp

6) Utility. For some reason I never felt right putting a ski rack on the M3. I don't have a problem putting one on the S4.

7) Interior. This really isn't a make or break reason, but the S4 is nicer inside.



All that said. The M3 is definitely the better sports car. While the S4 wil be faster in a straight line, it doesn't have the response or feel that the M3 does. If I lived in Arizona there wouldn't be any question that I would keep the M.



I'll post a thread when I sell my car. I may have a ZKW w/ HID set for someone on the forum.

[m3f_salty_80d4b8491b]

Sounds like quite a deal Kupolo. I would add superior corrosion resistance to any Audi product. I never see a rusty Audi up in Canada. BMW's on the other hand, I have seen rusting on 5 series and E36.

In your situation, I think I would go for AWD for sure. You might try a 5 speed Legacy as well. If it had a bit more shock damping and Audiesque interior it would be about perfect by my books.

[m3f_KUpolo]

Sounds like quite a deal Kupolo. I would add superior corrosion resistance to any Audi product. I never see a rusty Audi up in Canada. BMW's on the other hand, I have seen rusting on 5 series and E36.

In your situation, I think I would go for AWD for sure. You might try a 5 speed Legacy as well. If it had a bit more shock damping and Audiesque interior it would be about perfect by my books.





I used to have a 97 Legacy GT. The new ones with the 2.5 turbo are badass. I'd look at one if I couldn't get the Audi so cheap.

[m3f_salty_80d4b8491b]

I used to have a 97 Legacy GT. The new ones with the 2.5 turbo are badass. I'd look at one if I couldn't get the Audi so cheap.

I had a 95 Legacy with Eibach springs , WRX, shocks, outback rear bar and Toyo Ti's. It handled quite nicely, but there is just too much rubber in the Sube suspension pick up points to get precision. The new one is night and day different from a driveline point of view. I would say the car is about as fast as a stock M3. It is a very easy car to drive FAST around town. Steering ratio is identical to the M3. It is light, but still does not have the mechanical feel of being planted that the M has. I think the Audi will fit the bill. 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)