What would you get BMW M3 OR AUDI S4

[1FASTB6S4]

Hi i keep going back and fourth from a 2002 bmw m3 and the 2002 audi s4. Its so annoying that's why i am asking you guys to help me..

Let me know some reasons... please

[NastyNogaro]

Well, clearly everyone is going to say to get the M3 since this is an Audi forum...

/sarcasm.

[1FASTB6S4]

i know that but i posted this on the BMW forum too, i just want opinions

[S4-ORCE]

Totally different cars

[1FASTB6S4]

See the bmw m3 looks nicer but the s4 is more mod friendly ..

[Ber\/ani]

srt4 ;)

[bob12312357]

M3 is kinda more of the power you have is the power you have, where as the S4 is more modable from a go fast standpoint. I've driven both and I say M3 hands down. Feels so much tighter handling, brakes feel better, steering feels better. Truely an ultimate driving machine. S4 feels like a boat in comparison, and understeer is a bitch. However the Quattro is nice, and the S4 is more forgiving to ham fisted and lead footed manuvers.

[mholme]

Are you looing at two specific examples of these cars, or just asking the question in general?

[aenima4]

i think it comes down to RWD vs. AWD... do you live where there is snow?... do you want 4 doors or 2?

both cars rock and they both fit different needs. the in-line six is very smooth and has a better STOCK weight/hp ratio. it is the first year for the e46 m3 and the last year for the b5 s4.

you just have to drive both a lot and make a decision. i think both will run the same in mait. cost.

[MacDaddy]

if you enjoy driving, get the M3, if you want something thats good in all driving conditions but not great, get the S4.

if all you want to do is go really fast in a straight line you buy an S4 and spend all your money on modifications

[1FASTB6S4]

i live in NY, it snows occasionally but i would perfer 2 doors because bmw can also fit 2 ppl in teh back but 4dr would be better..

SO confusedd

[GramCracker]

Seriously?

[1FASTB6S4]

sadly yes

[infinitigor]

i dont get why your username is 1fastb6s4 your looking at a b5 lol, but id go with the s4

[Brian@AR]

To start, they are both great cars. I sold my 04 M3 6 speed to get my 02 S4 6 speed. I loved my M3 every minute that I had it. The interior was awesome, the looks can't be beat for a production car. It was very easy to work on (I am also a BMW factory trained tech so I have worked on many), and the list just goes on.

The reasons for selling the M3 to get a S4 were: because I wanted a 4 door again; I have never owned an Audi and I have always liked the S4; and I think the most important part is, bang for the buck, the S4 is much easier to modify then the M3. I like what the S4 has to offer like twin turbos, Audi quattro, 4 doors, and a good size trunk.

After working for BMW for many years, I think you just can't beat BMW fit and finish and quality (don't get me wrong, I think Audi makes a great product as well). When you buy a BMW you get a fantastic vehicle along with a Maintenance and Warranty plan that I think can't be beat. You can still find many M3's with a warranty and Maintance plan that is still in effect and some can be found with the 100,000 mile CPO warranty. But for me cost of the maintanence and repairs is not an issue so I never factored that into my decision of whether to keep my M3 or get an S4.

Bottom line, I love my S4. I love driving it and I look forward to my drives to and from work. If I had to do it all over again I would get the S4. But I think everyone has their own reasons for getting a vehicle. It just depends on your situation and which vehicle is best for you. Whichever one you buy, I think you will not be dissapointed. I hope this helps.

P.S. Like many others here have said, the BMW is the ultimate driving machine. Out of the Box it is fantastic but it will cost alot more.

Hi i keep going back and fourth from a 2002 bmw m3 and the 2002 audi s4. Its so annoying that's why i am asking you guys to help me..

Let me know some reasons... please

[lucajS4]

b5 s4

[DraxeofDclan]

Stock vs Stock = M3
I've considered this before getting my S4.
Style, M3 = square / S4 = round
Safety = S4
Reliability = M3

Anyway, I choose S4 because I have a family and the cost per power gain went to Audi....and Bimmers are everywhere. However with movies now showing off Audi, I fear everyone will be driving them. I spent well over a year deciding, with no fore knowledge of Audi forums or society's image on Audi.

[ToMMyRsK04]

See the bmw m3 looks nicer but the s4 is more mod friendly ..

The m3 is very mod friendly as well .. with their supercharger kit and even their horsepower freaks turbo kit making around 750hp

[1FASTB6S4]

I Just need to do some more research and see what fits my needs...

[OldYella]

The m3 is very mod friendly as well .. with their supercharger kit and even their horsepower freaks turbo kit making around 750hp

And that only costs 10 grand :P

[laxman851]

HPF called and they said if you have the money, pick the M3


(01-06) BMW M3 Stage 3 - Left Hand Drive - $31,995.00 - plus extra for a few more supporting modifications...

(i haven't driven or even seen one in person) but I think it would only really be fun for highspeed pulls, and of course spanking those whimpy S4's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Tb5OYloEYo

[GetAudiHere]

haha i believe their cheapest kit (stage 1) costs 15k and their stage 3 is over 30k!!!

Plus the price right now for s4's are very low and with the m3 you will be paying at LEAST 5k more.

edit haha yep laxman got it in before me.

Dont get me wrong I would love an e46 m3 but I live in Minnesota and it just wouldnt work.

[dchan189]

Never really a fan of the b5 s4. But I always loved the m3. M3

[tdn]

If you don't plan on spending much money on modifications, go with the e46 m3. It's more reliable and most people would be very happy with the stock performance compared to the b5 s4 stock (power, balance, suspension, looks etc..). If you enjoy modifying cars and can afford to (it can get very expensive), I'd go with the s4.

$.02

[Clown4]

from a pure car enthusiast point of view,
go with the m3.

But if you still have to consider about weather and whatnot, go with the s4.

However, both cars would spend you some time on maintenance, but i'd still choose the m3 over the older s4.

check this video out,
all weather warrior = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KypKdoM62sE

im still wondering whether this is an s4 or rs4...i think most likely an rs4...
just the uploader had the wrong thing

[Brian@AR]

Ha ha, The horsepower freaks turbo, please.... For sure what they have to offer for the M3 is nice if you want to spend over 15K as some have said just for the parts on there stage 1 kit. Its also nice if you pride yourself in winning Dyno contests or getting side ways at freeway speeds. And then when that is all done you get the greatest gift of all, calling the tow company to get your pride and joy out of the garage so you can clean up all the parts laying under it that should have still been on the inside of your engine.

Sorry, I am a little biassed only because I have to help clean the race track everytime one of there customers decides to come out to Portland International raceway for a track day (which is still rare because all of there cars are built to go in a straght line). So for 25K+ starting just for the parts you get a time bomb that runs only a 11.41 quarter mile (there fastest drag time claimed yet), doesn't work well at all when trying to put the power down in the turns and is set to explode at any time. Yep, that would make me want to get an M3 again.

It took AA 5 years to finally sell a somewhat decent supercharger kit and it took Dinan 5 years to finally bring out a supercharger kit in which Steve Dinan said he would go no higher then 462 hp just cause the S54 would no longer be reliable for a daily driven M3. And Horsepower freaks is running 750hp on leaded gas, 11 psi with a 11.5 to 1 compression ratio, and up to 8,000 rpm's I mind you. Ya that will last.

Sorry, now back to the topic on hand.....

[1FASTB6S4]

^^^^^^ lol

[Overboostin]

I have an s4. That said, I would go with the m3.

[Quattrocket]

I don't think I ever ever own a car that isn't AWD and turbocharged. I love this car so much it borders on sad and pathetic.

[GramCracker]

Ha ha, The horsepower freaks turbo, please.... For sure what they have to offer for the M3 is nice if you want to spend over 15K as some have said just for the parts on there stage 1 kit. Its also nice if you pride yourself in winning Dyno contests or getting side ways at freeway speeds. And then when that is all done you get the greatest gift of all, calling the tow company to get your pride and joy out of the garage so you can clean up all the parts laying under it that should have still been on the inside of your engine.

Sorry, I am a little biassed only because I have to help clean the race track everytime one of there customers decides to come out to Portland International raceway for a track day (which is still rare because all of there cars are built to go in a straght line). So for 25K+ starting just for the parts you get a time bomb that runs only a 11.41 quarter mile (there fastest drag time claimed yet), doesn't work well at all when trying to put the power down in the turns and is set to explode at any time. Yep, that would make me want to get an M3 again.

It took AA 5 years to finally sell a somewhat decent supercharger kit and it took Dinan 5 years to finally bring out a supercharger kit in which Steve Dinan said he would go no higher then 462 hp just cause the S54 would no longer be reliable for a daily driven M3. And Horsepower freaks is running 750hp on leaded gas, 11 psi with a 11.5 to 1 compression ratio, and up to 8,000 rpm's I mind you. Ya that will last.

Sorry, now back to the topic on hand.....

Brian. You are crushing right now.

[Brian@AR]

ROFL.

[QUOTE=grAh4m;3198692]

[Big Boost]

I was looking at a E46 M3 6 speed at the same time while looking for a S4. I drove both and even though the M3 handles better and has a better gearbox, when I drove the S4 and launched it, I smiled all the way to the bank. Both vehicles are moderately expensive to maintain (i.e.scheduled maintenance), but when you need to replace a component on the S4 it is more expensive to do so. $1800 clutch job, $1000 including timing belt, tensioner, water pump, serpentine belt, etc. The exhaust of course is more expensive too. These are just the tip of the iceberg. None the less, it is worth it.

[MacDaddy]

The reasons for selling the M3 to get a S4 were: because I wanted a 4 door again

you should get the new 4 door M3, more usable, and cheaper

After working for BMW for many years, I think you just can't beat BMW fit and finish and quality

i noticed that too, my dashboard dosn't like up with the door cards, the dash is about 1/4-3/8" higher than where it would need to be to line up.

[ThirdStrike]

i rode in a HPF stage 2 e46m3. its useless. dynoqueens ftl

[GetAudiHere]

check this video out,
all weather warrior = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KypKdoM62sE

im still wondering whether this is an s4 or rs4...i think most likely an rs4...
just the uploader had the wrong thing

I will forgive you since you drive a b7 a4 but b5 rs4's only came in avant.

[Videlov]

I was looking at a E46 M3 6 speed at the same time while looking for a S4. I drove both and even though the M3 handles better and has a better gearbox, when I drove the S4 and launched it, I smiled all the way to the bank. Both vehicles are moderately expensive to maintain (i.e.scheduled maintenance), but when you need to replace a component on the S4 it is more expensive to do so. $1800 clutch job, $1000 including timing belt, tensioner, water pump, serpentine belt, etc. The exhaust of course is more expensive too. These are just the tip of the iceberg. None the less, it is worth it.

LOL this had me cracking up!

B5 S4 because it's turbocharged, has quattro, and was one of my dream cars, if you will, for me. Been crazy about this car, and I fall in love with it all over again everytime I drive it.

I would say if you have to ask this question... You should probably just buy the m3.

[s2the4]

Hi i keep going back and fourth from a 2002 bmw m3 and the 2002 audi s4. Its so annoying that's why i am asking you guys to help me..

Let me know some reasons... please

the 2001 and 2002 M3 have rod bearing issues the 03 is when that was revised just so you know !

[s2000_s4_525]

M3 looks better to the average person, if that matters to you if not S4!!!!!!

[FrimmelNoJerz]

Ha ha, The horsepower freaks turbo, please.... For sure what they have to offer for the M3 is nice if you want to spend over 15K as some have said just for the parts on there stage 1 kit. Its also nice if you pride yourself in winning Dyno contests or getting side ways at freeway speeds. And then when that is all done you get the greatest gift of all, calling the tow company to get your pride and joy out of the garage so you can clean up all the parts laying under it that should have still been on the inside of your engine.

Sorry, I am a little biassed only because I have to help clean the race track everytime one of there customers decides to come out to Portland International raceway for a track day (which is still rare because all of there cars are built to go in a straght line). So for 25K+ starting just for the parts you get a time bomb that runs only a 11.41 quarter mile (there fastest drag time claimed yet), doesn't work well at all when trying to put the power down in the turns and is set to explode at any time. Yep, that would make me want to get an M3 again.

It took AA 5 years to finally sell a somewhat decent supercharger kit and it took Dinan 5 years to finally bring out a supercharger kit in which Steve Dinan said he would go no higher then 462 hp just cause the S54 would no longer be reliable for a daily driven M3. And Horsepower freaks is running 750hp on leaded gas, 11 psi with a 11.5 to 1 compression ratio, and up to 8,000 rpm's I mind you. Ya that will last.

Sorry, now back to the topic on hand.....

thats about the most sense that can be squeezed into such little space.

PS. get a b6 s4.

[EUROTEK//S4]

E36 M3 turbo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m-PO6oX4B0


/nd thread