This is my first post on here so any help appreciated.I'm changing cars and its narrowed down to an RS4 Avant or a BMW 330/335i3 Series Touring.All things being equal I would prefer the RS4 for sheer performance,and looks,but looking at all the numbers,it seems hard to justify the cost.I need someone to convince me about the RS4.Lets be honest,even though this is an Audi Forum ,the BMW is no slouch (254hp)and by all accounts a good car.So........Reading some trade publicationsI found a few comparisons (i wish I hadnt!) that I found interesting in terms of costs.

RS4 330i M Sport
Cost: £51,825 £33,070
3yr cost £42,847£24,588
Cost per mile 69.4p£121.5
Servicing (3yrs) £2374 £1221
Tank Range 319miles425miles

These arent my figures, so for this excercise I'm assuming they are fairly accurate.I believe the 3yr cost includes,depreciation,fuel,insurance and servicing.

There are other points but I thought these best highlighted what are real issues to me.I know the cost of the BMW will go up a little after options,but I wouldnt be speccing anything major other than leather seats.So my head says BMW.My heart says RS4.

My main fear is sitting in the Audi in a years time,(I'd be contract hiring for 3years) thinking this is costing/has costa fortune.WouldI really be any unhappier in the BMW.Tell me I wrong?

Thanks

welcome to AF! i gotta say, both are great cars, but at somewhat bias levels. when you say contract hiring, is that lease? if so, the two don't compare at all. the rs4 is a beautiful car inside and out. majority of german car lovers are in love with audi interior styling over BMW and MB hands down. bmw is no slouch, but the ergonomics are odd, and the aesthetics are quality materials, but bland setup. as for the power and deliverance, the rs is awd and the 335i is rwd. i looked at the site and didn't see any 335xi in sedan or estate, is that true? anyway, the bmw does excellent work at producing power with minimal turbo lag, but the rs is straight up power, no question. that, and the rs is rated at 414 bhp where as the 335i is 300 bhp. the rs does lose more in the drive train since it's awd, but if it loses 22% (rough estimate) between engine and axles, that is 322 to BOTH axles. and if you are planning to lease, you can't do the software and intake/exhaust upgrades that make the 335i such a monster for the price. and you always have to remember quattro. if you stay in GB or even the northern half of europe most of the time with the car, youhave to think of the rain and slick roads, andthe bmw simply cannot handle cornering nearly as well as an rs4 in inclimate weather. i know this is a long read already, and the link is stasis tuning, the concept of the 4:1 center diff. is the same that the rs4 is originally equipped with http://www.stasisengineering.com/012006_newsletter.aspx#1. as for the price down the road, always remember, any car over 40k, you should always expect 1k for any general repair. if you think that way, and have money set aside for it, it's not such a hard hit when it actually happens.

Thanks.When you say site I presume you mean BMW site? If so,the 335i/d is available in touring/estate form,certainly in the UK.(although I couldnt find any stats for it so just used the 330 as a comparison) And yes contract hiring is a leasing of sorts.Fixed monthly payments for 3 years and then hand it back.I take it that youd be going for the Audi?Im certainly edging towards itbut like I said its just trying to justify the cost over the BMW.Am I going to get £17,000UK more enjoyment/satisfaction from the RS4?

4 days,81 viewers,1 reply.RS4 not as good as I thought maybe?