Audi S4 or BMW M3?

Hi,

I used to own a 330ci (2001) and loved this car, I fancied a change though
and for the last 12 months have owned an Audi A4 3.0 Quattro, also a very
nice car but not quite as fun to drive as the BMW.

Now I'm looking at changing and I can't decide on an M3 or an S4, I've
driven both a while back and I favoured the BMW, seemed like a more
aggressive drive and had a lot of brute force.

But now when I look inside the BMW it all looks very dated, suppose that's
why they're changing the 3 series, even if the Coupe / M3 won't be out until
2007 :-(. The Audi looks a lot more up to date but I don't know if the S4
is available with the face lift yet (do you know when?)

Has anybody owned both these cars, any advice would be welcome!

Thanks

Daz

"Daz" <daz@home> wrote in message
...
> Hi,
>
> I used to own a 330ci (2001) and loved this car, I fancied a change though
> and for the last 12 months have owned an Audi A4 3.0 Quattro, also a very
> nice car but not quite as fun to drive as the BMW.
>
> Now I'm looking at changing and I can't decide on an M3 or an S4, I've
> driven both a while back and I favoured the BMW, seemed like a more
> aggressive drive and had a lot of brute force.
>
> But now when I look inside the BMW it all looks very dated, suppose that's
> why they're changing the 3 series, even if the Coupe / M3 won't be out
until
> 2007 :-(. The Audi looks a lot more up to date but I don't know if the S4
> is available with the face lift yet (do you know when?)
>
> Has anybody owned both these cars, any advice would be welcome!
>
> Thanks
>
> Daz
>


I didn't own nor drive any of the 2 cars...but I wouldn't think at all. BMW
my choice for sure.

On Sat, 9 Jul 2005 15:49:58 +0200, "filip" > wrote:

>
>"Daz" <daz@home> wrote in message
...
>> Hi,
>>
>> I used to own a 330ci (2001) and loved this car, I fancied a change though
>> and for the last 12 months have owned an Audi A4 3.0 Quattro, also a very
>> nice car but not quite as fun to drive as the BMW.
>>
>> Now I'm looking at changing and I can't decide on an M3 or an S4, I've
>> driven both a while back and I favoured the BMW, seemed like a more
>> aggressive drive and had a lot of brute force.
>>
>> But now when I look inside the BMW it all looks very dated, suppose that's
>> why they're changing the 3 series, even if the Coupe / M3 won't be out
>until
>> 2007 :-(. The Audi looks a lot more up to date but I don't know if the S4
>> is available with the face lift yet (do you know when?)
>>
>> Has anybody owned both these cars, any advice would be welcome!
>
>I didn't own nor drive any of the 2 cars...but I wouldn't think at all. BMW
>my choice for sure.

LOL!

"daytripper" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 9 Jul 2005 15:49:58 +0200, "filip" >
wrote:
>
> >
> >"Daz" <daz@home> wrote in message
> ...
> >> Hi,
> >>
> >> I used to own a 330ci (2001) and loved this car, I fancied a change
though
> >> and for the last 12 months have owned an Audi A4 3.0 Quattro, also a
very
> >> nice car but not quite as fun to drive as the BMW.
> >>
> >> Now I'm looking at changing and I can't decide on an M3 or an S4, I've
> >> driven both a while back and I favoured the BMW, seemed like a more
> >> aggressive drive and had a lot of brute force.
> >>
> >> But now when I look inside the BMW it all looks very dated, suppose
that's
> >> why they're changing the 3 series, even if the Coupe / M3 won't be out
> >until
> >> 2007 :-(. The Audi looks a lot more up to date but I don't know if the
S4
> >> is available with the face lift yet (do you know when?)
> >>
> >> Has anybody owned both these cars, any advice would be welcome!
> >
> >I didn't own nor drive any of the 2 cars...but I wouldn't think at all.
BMW
> >my choice for sure.
>
> LOL!

shut up

"Daz" <daz@home> wrote in message
...
> Hi,
>
> I used to own a 330ci (2001) and loved this car, I fancied a change though
> and for the last 12 months have owned an Audi A4 3.0 Quattro, also a very
> nice car but not quite as fun to drive as the BMW.
>
> Now I'm looking at changing and I can't decide on an M3 or an S4, I've
> driven both a while back and I favoured the BMW, seemed like a more
> aggressive drive and had a lot of brute force.
>
> But now when I look inside the BMW it all looks very dated, suppose that's
> why they're changing the 3 series, even if the Coupe / M3 won't be out
> until
> 2007 :-(. The Audi looks a lot more up to date but I don't know if the S4
> is available with the face lift yet (do you know when?)
>
> Has anybody owned both these cars, any advice would be welcome!
>
> Thanks
>
> Daz

Have you looked at the 05 Infinity G35 coupe? I've been looking real hard
for the past several months and I've just about decided this is the new
standard. Driving performance right there with the BMW, more power and
torque, more room, cheaper, resale as good as the BMW, better looks (IMO),
etc., etc.

I think BMW really screwed up the back of the new 3. Looks like they ran
out of parts and stuck a Hyundai rear end on a BMW. Or better yet, it looks
almost identical to the old civic back rear ends. Interior styling is good,
but not great and getting a bit dated. And, when in the world is BMW going
to recognize all of their cars should have leather seats as standard
equipment?

Just some food for thought!

"Jack Dotson" wrote
> Have you looked at the 05 Infinity G35 coupe? I've been looking real
> hard for the past several months and I've just about decided this is
> the new standard. Driving performance right there with the BMW, more
> power and torque,

More power than M3??? What are you talking about???

Pete

"Daz" <daz@home> wrote in message
...
> Hi,
>
> I used to own a 330ci (2001) and loved this car, I fancied a change though
> and for the last 12 months have owned an Audi A4 3.0 Quattro, also a very
> nice car but not quite as fun to drive as the BMW.
>
> Now I'm looking at changing and I can't decide on an M3 or an S4, I've
> driven both a while back and I favoured the BMW, seemed like a more
> aggressive drive and had a lot of brute force.
>
> But now when I look inside the BMW it all looks very dated, suppose that's
> why they're changing the 3 series, even if the Coupe / M3 won't be out
until
> 2007 :-(. The Audi looks a lot more up to date but I don't know if the S4
> is available with the face lift yet (do you know when?)
>
> Has anybody owned both these cars, any advice would be welcome!
>
> Thanks
>
> Daz
>
>

FWIW heres my thoughts, I have an M3 and I test drove an S4 some time back.

Seen a few old style 03/4 RS6's etc around quite cheap and Audi website has
a new RS4 and S4 on it.

BMW, M3 residuals will take a knock when date for new one confirmed although
this is (according to most) at least 12-18 month away. General feeling on M3
boards is they have already taken a slight knock with the E90 being
launched.

As you have discovered Audi is not as involving to drive but it is a more
relaxed and possibly refined drive. M3 can be a bit harsh but depends what
you want.

Looks... IMO Audi doesn't look as sporty or dynamic. It looks like a cruiser
where as M3 is a bit more agressive. But BMW looks are diluted by the number
of 318 Sports with 18" alloys. M3 doesn't look any different to to
uneducated.

Exclusivity... I live in the back of beyond yet I saw 3 other M3 cabs
yesterday, didn't see and Audi S4.

Performance... BMW is quicker but not*that* much on the road plus V8 is a
bit lazier in its drive to the BMWs racier 6. Top Gear did a good comparison
and the S4 came out a bit quicker round the track but the M3 was quicker in
a straight line. They chose the M3 overall because they liked it hooligan
approch with DSC off. Audis aren't very good hooligans.

I think that the S4 sits somewhere between the 330 and the M3, the RS4 is
between an M3 and a CSL. Its difficult to make an even comparison. I'd say
an M3 is aimed at a 30 something work-hard, play-hard. The S4 is for the 30
something whos workd-hard and played-hard and needs a rest.

I can't see BMW doing an M3/M4 tourer as its not part of the M heritage so
my next car is likely to be an RS4 or RS6 Avant due to growing kids etc plus
I'm reaching the "need a rest" stage ;-)

"TonyK" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Daz" <daz@home> wrote in message
> ...
>> Hi,
>>
>> I used to own a 330ci (2001) and loved this car, I fancied a change
>> though
>> and for the last 12 months have owned an Audi A4 3.0 Quattro, also a very
>> nice car but not quite as fun to drive as the BMW.
>>
>> Now I'm looking at changing and I can't decide on an M3 or an S4, I've
>> driven both a while back and I favoured the BMW, seemed like a more
>> aggressive drive and had a lot of brute force.
>>
>> But now when I look inside the BMW it all looks very dated, suppose
>> that's
>> why they're changing the 3 series, even if the Coupe / M3 won't be out
> until
>> 2007 :-(. The Audi looks a lot more up to date but I don't know if the
>> S4
>> is available with the face lift yet (do you know when?)
>>
>> Has anybody owned both these cars, any advice would be welcome!
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Daz
>>
>>
>
> FWIW heres my thoughts, I have an M3 and I test drove an S4 some time
> back.
>
> Seen a few old style 03/4 RS6's etc around quite cheap and Audi website
> has
> a new RS4 and S4 on it.
>
> BMW, M3 residuals will take a knock when date for new one confirmed
> although
> this is (according to most) at least 12-18 month away. General feeling on
> M3
> boards is they have already taken a slight knock with the E90 being
> launched.
>
> As you have discovered Audi is not as involving to drive but it is a more
> relaxed and possibly refined drive. M3 can be a bit harsh but depends what
> you want.
>
> Looks... IMO Audi doesn't look as sporty or dynamic. It looks like a
> cruiser
> where as M3 is a bit more agressive. But BMW looks are diluted by the
> number
> of 318 Sports with 18" alloys. M3 doesn't look any different to to
> uneducated.
>
> Exclusivity... I live in the back of beyond yet I saw 3 other M3 cabs
> yesterday, didn't see and Audi S4.
>
> Performance... BMW is quicker but not*that* much on the road plus V8 is a
> bit lazier in its drive to the BMWs racier 6. Top Gear did a good
> comparison
> and the S4 came out a bit quicker round the track but the M3 was quicker
> in
> a straight line. They chose the M3 overall because they liked it hooligan
> approch with DSC off. Audis aren't very good hooligans.
>
> I think that the S4 sits somewhere between the 330 and the M3, the RS4 is
> between an M3 and a CSL. Its difficult to make an even comparison. I'd say
> an M3 is aimed at a 30 something work-hard, play-hard. The S4 is for the
> 30
> something whos workd-hard and played-hard and needs a rest.
>
> I can't see BMW doing an M3/M4 tourer as its not part of the M heritage so
> my next car is likely to be an RS4 or RS6 Avant due to growing kids etc
> plus
> I'm reaching the "need a rest" stage ;-)
>
>

You should write for a magazine, excellent comparison, thanks!!!

I think I'm at the work-hard, play-hard stage, M3 for me!!

I know the value will drop but I'd hope it would still be a decent deposit
on a new M3 when they start taking orders, in fact I might see if they'll
give me a guaranteed value...

Thanks

Daz

You've almost answered your own question. If it's the driving dynamics that
mean most to you, you've already said the BMW was more fun. If the looks are
more important, then you sound like you're leaning toward the Audi.

So which is it? :-)

"Daz" <daz@home> wrote in message
...
> Hi,
>
> I used to own a 330ci (2001) and loved this car, I fancied a change though
> and for the last 12 months have owned an Audi A4 3.0 Quattro, also a very
> nice car but not quite as fun to drive as the BMW.
>
> Now I'm looking at changing and I can't decide on an M3 or an S4, I've
> driven both a while back and I favoured the BMW, seemed like a more
> aggressive drive and had a lot of brute force.
>
> But now when I look inside the BMW it all looks very dated, suppose that's
> why they're changing the 3 series, even if the Coupe / M3 won't be out
> until
> 2007 :-(. The Audi looks a lot more up to date but I don't know if the S4
> is available with the face lift yet (do you know when?)
>
> Has anybody owned both these cars, any advice would be welcome!
>
> Thanks
>
> Daz
>
>

"Daz" <daz@home> wrote in message
...
> You should write for a magazine, excellent comparison, thanks!!!
>
> I think I'm at the work-hard, play-hard stage, M3 for me!!
>
> I know the value will drop but I'd hope it would still be a decent deposit
> on a new M3 when they start taking orders, in fact I might see if they'll
> give me a guaranteed value...
>

The only way I know of to get a guaranteed value at trade in is to lease it.
If you're going to be getting the e90 M3 when they come out and won't go
over mileage, this is the way to go.

Kyle.
97 M3
98 740iL