M3 vs RS4

[JetBlue]

With the current state of pricing you can get a new fully loaded M3 for $62K and a similarly equipped RS4 for $60K. Having driven both I think the M3 is a little more modern and I have no need for AWD in Socal. On the other side I am a VW/Audi person having owned 10+ including a B6 S4 and now a MkV R32. I do like the look of the RS4 better than the E90 M3. So thoughts?

[Auditude2.0T]

IMO the RS4 is the better car in so many ways. Appearance wise the RS4 wins hands down with its aggressive widebody and Honeycomb grill. Secondly the 4WD is so great even in the dry. It hooks so hard that it hurts. The RS4's interior is alot nicer than the M3, the nav is easier to use, the bluetooth rules, RNSE is the best! Seats in the RS4 are an unbeatable combo of Performance and Comfort. Also the RS4 has come on top in most tests between the two. The RS4 is the Ultimate Driving Machine.

[fa sh000]

get the R8 and have debt up to your eyeballs, it will be worth it though.. you're driving an R8!

[somestarsweare]

wait for the 2010 S4!

[sammyrusso]

Both Amazing Cars...all Comes Down To 1 Thing...driving! Do U Like Rwd Or Awd?...do U Like Rwd Burnouts Or The Comfort Of Awd Grip?

[kloover]

I haven't driven or even gone for a ride in either, but I can tell you that I see way more M3s on the road than RS4s...there is something to be said for exclusivity.

[CanuckRS]

get the R8 and have debt up to your eyeballs, it will be worth it though.. you're driving an R8!

x2 :P

[zachf88]

IMO the RS4 is the better car in so many ways. Appearance wise the RS4 wins hands down with its aggressive widebody and Honeycomb grill. Secondly the 4WD is so great even in the dry. It hooks so hard that it hurts. The RS4's interior is alot nicer than the M3, the nav is easier to use, the bluetooth rules, RNSE is the best! Seats in the RS4 are an unbeatable combo of Performance and Comfort. Also the RS4 has come on top in most tests between the two. The RS4 is the Ultimate Driving Machine.

I could type out a whole paragraph but it would just say the same thing. To me, the M3 looks like one of those moon vehicles or a vehicle from Halo.... imo @ss ugly!

[mystro]

quattro is'nt just for the wet or snow. It will save your a*@ when you need it to. My old 993 C2 would throw me into the bushes if I drove it as hard as I drive my S4. I drove the new M3. It was fast but I was'nt digging the look or feel of the BMW at all. Felt cheap to me.

[Cargo8]

The M3 is a solid car. Two of my friends have RS4s here in Los Angeles and it's definitely a great car. I do already see more M3s on the road than RS4s which is crazy in telling the different perspectives of sale between BMW and AUDI.

[CanuckRS]

you're in the wrong place task that kind of question. the rs4 is a better car for all types of weather. if you're in california, M3 is def. a better choice. however, i just hate the M3 interior and can't justify that price for the poor interior design.
rs4 is much more exlusive, less of them on the road. production has ended, bmw will make many many more M3s.

[01'A41.8T]

you're in the wrong place task that kind of question.

Sums it up, but personally if I didnt really need AWD I would go for the M3.

[Stearnsy]

With a price difference of about 3.3% (M3 @ 60k, RS 4 @ 62k), it seems as though price does not play a role here.

What else should not play a role to you are the opinions of others. Having driven the M3 and not the RS 4, I can only speak for one car. You're on an Audi forum though, so expect biased answers. I would expect the same if you were on M3post.

Both can be had as sedans, while only one can be had as a coupe. If you want a two-seater, the decision should be easy. If you're going for a sedan, you're just going to have to go take some nice, long test drives on the same day and figure out which is more practical to you and which suits you better, ergonomically and economically.

Cheers, let us know which you end up with.

(Have you thought about the S5?!)

-Tom

[PenguiN]

I say M3 for sure, especially if you don't need AWD. If we had the Euro version of the RS4 I would say RS4, but since these are US spec cars, totally M3. The RS4 in europe is 100 times nicer than the one we have here. The one here is basically an S4 interior with wider panels on the outside with a more powerful engine. the one in europe has bad ass seats and other shit.

[channad]

BMW interior blows...how much time do you spend inside the car?

[cerfus]

god the interior isnt that damn bad, I dont get what people are talking about...anyway I see at as a sports car not a luxury car. And this being an audi forum what type of responses do you think your going to get? I'd say get the E90 M3, its a better car imo

[Auditude2.0T]

I say M3 for sure, especially if you don't need AWD. If we had the Euro version of the RS4 I would say RS4, but since these are US spec cars, totally M3. The RS4 in europe is 100 times nicer than the one we have here. The one here is basically an S4 interior with wider panels on the outside with a more powerful engine. the one in europe has bad ass seats and other shit.

The main differences between the US Spec RS4 and Euro Spec RS4 are the Front Bucket Seats, Flat Bottom Steering Wheel and no bumper reflectors. Really not a big deal, and definently not a reason not to buy an awesome car. Europe does get Ceramic Brakes Option and Sport Suspension but those options are so expensive from Audi i rather go with Coilovers and a Front and Rear Alcon Big Brake Kit.

[V8S4Fun]

I say wait for the RS5, then you will have it all.

[RAudi Driver]

Get the M3, then the'll be one less Rs4 on the road. more exclusivity for me. he he he

[EuroB6]

m3..

[ngng]

id take the m3 over the rs4

[dave405nyc]

m3, the rs4 has been out for some time and is already discontinued

[CHECKERED]

wait for the 2010 S4!

lol supercharged V6 with 10 less horsepower than the current S4...no thanks

[JetBlue]

I knew what to expect when I asked the question. I just wanted to see if anyone had thoughts beyond what I was already thinking about.

I don't think the interior of the M3 is as bad as everyone says. After sitting in the car for a while, the biggest issue is the area around the shifter. It is just too plain. The RS4 is definitely more exclusive since there are probably more M3's in the US than the total RS4 production already. I understand the benefits of AWD in the dry, but don't really care about it that much. Both cars are now almost identically priced with both being available for less than $60K. Performance in both cars comes down to a drivers race with neither having a clear advantage.

In the end I think the M3 handles better and the RS4 looks better. The RS4 will also be more exclusive and probably will hold its value better if they do infact not produce the B8 RS4. The idea of being able to drift the car on the track is very appealing though. Now if someone knows of a limited slip rear diff for the RS4 it would be a no brainer.

[PenguiN]

the interior on the M3 isn't half as bad as people say it is. It really comes to personal preference. I still say M3 all the way. Newer, faster, handles better. Only thing you are giving up is AWD, and as you said you live in cali.

[nick71692]

alot of good points and it comes down to personal taste. I think the m3 has a nicer back end with the quad tip exhausts, where the rs4's is kind plain, Audi def shines in the interior. not to say the m3 is bad but audi is know for their exceptional interiors, and its hard to name an audi vehicle that has failed that motto, and we all spend the most time inside the car.