BMW m3 or Audi s4

Asked by Edward1 Aug 27, 2008 at 09:38 PM

Question type: Shopping & Pricing

audi s4 or bmw m3? which one should I buy? What are the specific benefits of each car?

26 Answers

25

between the two id go with the m3 but your not compairing apples to apples because the audi rs4 is actually more comperable to the m3

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35

definitely the M3, u see BMW has been building high performance cars for decades and the audi's RS4 is just a copy. besides, the new M3 is better than the RS4

105

They're right about the rs4, but if you wait there will be a new RS4 in maybe 1-2 years. Current one came out in 05 and trounced the then m3. It still goes toe-to-toe with the current one, but the next one should be better. Audi has class going for it, definitely better than the m3 but the 3 has speed and really precise handling.

15

k, well in my opinion the s4 is way sicker. the exhaust note of it is absolutly insane and there are way less s4s on the streets then m3's. however, the m3 is a fantastic car. with the old m3, i think the exhaust sounds a little bit too tinny, kind of like a 2 stroke motorcycle, but the new one doesnt have that problem due to the newly added v8. Someone metioned that a new rs4 will be coming out in a couple years. this is completly false. Audi is done making the rs4 due to lack of sales. The s4 will remain but no more rs4. I do not know yet if they will be coming out with a replacement to fill this gap in thier lineup but it is a loss that they need to fix. Handling on the Audi is very good due to the AWD and acceleration is just as good for the same reasons. If you have a chance to drive one, do it. You will be hooked. I have driven both of the machines and I enjoyed the S4 much over the M3

5

i would go with the beast v10 on the road m3 don't even concider the...what u call it?audi...

15

they both have v8s and the m3 handles much better and goes faster and looks better.

55

With working in a car shop i see a constant problem with the Audis, the water pump more often than not goes out at about 50,000 miles, they might have fixed it but BMW still builds a much better quality of vehicle. What i like about the new M3 is that it redlines at 8000 rpm and has a 50/50 weight distribution that adds to the already legendary handling. It also looks good with the hood bump to fit the V8 in there.

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355

deffinietly the m3 its bot the backing of BMW behind it besides they took the old m3's v6 and replaced it with the m5's v8 and the new m3s are sick as shit i sped past one (not b/c im faster than one, but b/c the guy driving was old and slow) and its sick as hell looks so menacing on the road

5,155

M3 all the way!!! audi is a horrible glorified VW. There is a reason they dont make rs4 anymore...The new M3 is even faster and handles better then the Nissan GTR think about that for a second. If you were going to compare good cars compare the M3 to the IS-f.

125

Which do you prefer? A nice car or an understeering pig ;P (The M3 of course is the correct choice.)

1 people found this helpful.

Well, it comes to your individual preference. Obviously, they're both high performance vehicles, with much in common in terms of thrills and performance. Their differences are more subtle however. The Audi has a refined ride with systems that often compensate for the driver, which some say results in a lack of gritty passion. On the other hand, the BMW assumes you know what you're doing and thus may offer you more control, ergo more excitement. Personally speaking, if I have passengers to carry through inclement weather, I'll take the Audi and not look back. However, if I'm driving by myself and want to relive some teenage hubris, then it's the BMW all the way. Of course, these are very narrow definitions of convenience, for cars that are much more complex and merit a much lengthier write up. I suggest you try both and define their strengths and differences for yourself. They're both excellent choices. Here's an excellent 5 minute video showing performance vs. poise. Unfortunately, its in French. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFbdpfdhiQE Also, here's one of a series rating the M3 & the RS4. The first one is biased towards the Audi, so look up the rest for balance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXSId_Wouio

355

yep i was wrong had to check it out just to be sure but the new m3 uses a v8

15

Langley, M3 is very diffrent from S4 which is much more different from RS4. Comparing RS4 and S4 is just like comparing 325i and M3. They are different beasts, and have different price ranges (74k for the RS4 in USA). M3 E46 and M3 E92 are also very different. Here is my OPINION: S4 - It is a luxury sedan with a crazy engine. It has good handling and is not hard to tame. It is much, much more "civilized" than the M3, that is a raw sports car. If you are looking for performance, less fun and a more predictable car, it is way to go. But I'd rather stick with an AMG C63, for example, than the S4, since they are similar cars. RS4 - It is the crazy cousin of the S4. it is much more sportive and it can easily overtake an M3. It is as sportive as the e46 M3. It is a very specific car to drive. You gotta get used to it. It has hard suspension, hard shiftings etc. E46M3 - (mine) Less powerful than the RS4. Another price range. It is a very raw sports car. You gotta rev the engine a lot to obtain the desired torque. It is not a straight line racer, in any way. Though, with proper driving, it is very stable in turns and the "fun factor" is ++ compared to the Audis. Consider getting a 6mt. Mine is SMG, but it is not as fun as the manual version and is more prone to damage (subframe damage, bearing damage) E96M3 (the new one). More powerful, looks good and sounds way better. Not as much raw, though. Has less cabin noise (much less) and is better equipped. You can switch to very sportive mode to relaxing mode in the touch of a button. You can control suspension response, torque response etc from the iDrive, which is very cool. Price range is almost the same as RS4 and it is similar to that one. It has the 4-door version, if you like.

35

somebody said bmw's been building high performance vehicles for a while. but if i dont recall audi was in to the whole AWD rally scene throughout the 80's. they won alot too. that says more then bmw had in the 80's.

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35

I have had both RS4, S4, M3, and now have 911 C4S. In my opinion the M3 is the best between the Audi and BMW. The RS4 and the M3 are very close, and a bit different, but overall I give the M3 the nudge. One factor to think about is where you live and the conditions. If you live in an area with any type of snow you are going to want to get the RS4. If not, M3 all the way. The S4 is more comparible with the twin turbo BMW 335. IN that case I would give the nudge to the S4. I do not think you will see another RS4 for some time. Audi only has one RS model out at a time and the next one will be an RS6. The RS4 is more of a rally car, the M3 is more refined but a beast at the same time. The RS4 begs to be driven and sounds like a Harley in sport mode. It is also incognito. Meaning you can suprise plenty of people with it. Not so with the M3. One of my best memories is embarassing a 2008 Vette with my RS4. I can still remember the look on the guys face when he finally caught up to me at the light and said, "WTF is that!) Good luck and safe driving whatever you decide.

1 people found this helpful.
35

Hi There Langley, my feeling on this issue is one of exileration and pure driving experience.I owned an M3 and found that for me as a driving purist she was the better vehicle. If however you are not as prone to throwing a car around and feeling your away around corners etc. Then i would say the Audi is a better suited vehicle for you, she is slightly less agresive and has a lot less driver input required.To be completely honest they are both extremely fast and great care must be taken when driving either. 6 of 1 and half a dozen of the other.This from a BMW M3 fan.Good Luck.

15

my friend, the s4 and the amg c63 are nowhere close to the same car. the prices have a huge gap between them. Also, even though all you guys think that bmw makes a more performance oriented machine, im sorry but your wrong once again. If any of you have bmws you know that there are more electronics and limiters and other bullshit that prevent you from really being able to unleash the car. Ive owned 2 bmws and I hated both of them simply because of all the bullshit they include now

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15

M3 should be the best buy considering the perfomance figures. but check the Audi RS4, maybe you may fall in love with it. in some psrts of the world Audis have o very low residual value when you want to sell it off.. All the best...

10

I think both cars are looking good but if you want to purchase royal car than BMW m3 is best otherwise Audi s4 is also nice one. http://www.cheapoldcarsforsale.net

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