I have owned an E46 M3 (02), and I currently own a 2006 S4 6spd and a 2005 STi, so here are my thoughts...

The M3 is more of a pure sports car, lighter, more agile, better feedback through the connection points, RWD feel, and more responsive at the throttle. The S4 is more of a true sports sedan, not quite as quick, agile or responsive but 90% of the performance with 4 doors and Quattro performance.

You can definitely notice the weight distribution differences between the two, and the M3 is noticeably quicker due to its lighter weight I guess. The free revving 6 in the M3 is a marvel, but the V8 in the S4 sounds bad and has plenty of Tq higher end. I am a huge fan of Quattro so the S4 takes the pie there.

The STi is pure sports car. Unbelievable performance, ungodly grip, laser-like responses, all-weather performance, tough as old boots, ugly as sin, but mean as hell. My type of car As a pure performance car the M3 and STi are very close, with the S4 only slightly behind. The ride of the STi is harsh compared to the M3, and makes the S4 feel like a 69 Cadillac in comparison!

Overall my favorite is the E46 M3, followed closely by the STi, and then the S4. Just my 2 cents.

 

Thanks for the input Quattro. There is no doubt all are fun vehiclas - you could do much worse. I don't own an M3 - but the 330ZHP shares much of its character IMO - less raucous - but pretty quick and quite nimble. It is enough for me to get a sense of why someone would prefer and M3 over and S4. I'm often asked what I like driving more - to date I always answer the S4 - the torque is just adictive and the AWD allows all weather-all surface condition performance and I find I can do some very amazing and fun things with it. Of course the RWD BMW is a marvel as well - I get much grins with both. In the end the added oomph of the Audi just does it for me though (and perhaps this is where the M3 would totally make up ground). And STi could be great fun as well. Each car has its own apeal IMO.

 

i own an 02 M3, from what i know, there is no chip for this car. I may be wrong, but I haven't heard about one on any forums.

as for who's faster, well i just drove a modded 02 s4 (s1 or s2 mods) and it was strong, very strong, so much low end power and torque. i wouldn't be surprised if most or all s4 will take m3 that isn't modded, and the mods don't add alot to m3 that is already well tuned out by factory.

overall, all things considered (4dr, awd) s4>m3

nice rides you all have

 

I agree the S-4 is heavy. But that quattro more than makes up for that. IMHO!

 

I love both the m3 and s4, but i can say the s4 is a plain beast when you start adding hp.

 

dvm.. glad you got a test drive on the car and that you liked it. What were some other thoughts on it any concerns? And what are you thinking youre going to do now.


I think, but dont quote me on this, that there is chips available for m3's, but without any substantial gains. Pretty much if you want any sort of real gains, you need a supercharger.

 

balu, roadhawk, and quattro, luv the comparisons. i knew in 03, before i came to germany that i would own an m3. no ricer could match a freakin inline 6 crankin'333. i got here, had money wanted a nice bimmer, then, started to ask around and compare. NO, i do not believe there should be a rivalry. Yes, ford gm and chrysler have some and yeah, why not audi bmw and mb, but as posted, the m3 is theeeeeee sports car to base all others on. neons and mercielagos are extreme ends of the m3 yard stick measure. in the end (or beginning) i went practical on the cars. i had no idea if i was going to stay in europe or hit the states. the audi had luxury; the price for the same options in the m3 came to 3k more, i own a dog (NO Freakin' way a dog sits on the back seat in any performance car and i will say now, i can't take half or even all the srt4 neons around from 0-60 nor do i care. here is what i know about the "performance" of an s4. i have the avant. im single, but my dog likes all the space of not being crammed into the trunk. i live in europe. i sold a 1500 ram when i came here because i knew the roads, but i still need a sh*t hauler. now i have one that does 160 mph. love nav units. IPOD, screw that. my stereo takes 2sd cards as big as 256mb (when the unit was initially produced) it really likes the 2gb on the market now for 74 bucks. boil it down, yes, something goes faster than something. something hits the quarter faster than something else and something loves the GO**AMN "TWISSTIES" more than something else, but the fact of the matter is, i drive a car that answers my phone, warms my fat ***, tells me the way to go in a sexy yet irritating voice, sings for hours not repeating crap, has longevity comfort for road trips, beats most merkin trucks in snow (i do got dem der snow tires don't 'cha know) and i dominate most all sports cars in the local area on turns, acceleration and top speed. so really, does it matter that the m3 is faster in the 0-60 or quarter to me? the only option that could turn me is an automatic hooker picker-uper button in those other cars.

 

lol. although most of the post did not make sense.

 

haha what??

 

Sooks:

the downsides to the s4 i test drove:

color was boring - black on black.

out of warranty, just like mine

True manual - i'm becoming a lazy old man/father that doesn't want to make his left leg useful and row thru the gears anymore, hence that is why my M is SMG trani. I can drift, peel out, burn rubberall with my left foot boringly braced against the dead pedal.

further problems are that i saw an rs6, and although it currently isn't in the budget, i have this mental problem - when i know there is something similar, made by same company, but better, i want that newer better something and don't feel like settling for less. again, this is my own mental defect, please don't flame.

hope that answers that. The 02 s4 was modded and super torquey down low and sounded awesome and felt strong, but i can't make the switch yet.

your board is great here, and i'll continue to frequent it.

ps. i really don't think there is a chip for m3 e46 generation....not trying to fight, just really doubtful on this, but too lazy to search.

nobody ever talks about it on m3forum.net