Hello everybody I'm new to the forum. I just sold my 2002 BMW M3 and am looking to get a B5 S4! My biggest concern is this. I know it's a big downgrade Horsepower wise stock-for-stock, almost 100 hp. I'm wanting to get the FEEL of power from M3 in the S4. I know there's even more power loss to the wheels because of the All Wheel Drive and I also know that the S4 is a heavier car. Well here are the stats:

BMW M3 e46
Horsepower: 333 @ 7900 RPM
Torque: 262 @ 4900 RPM
Curb Weight: 3415 lbs

Audi S4 B5
Horsepower: 250 @ 5800 RPM
Torque: 258 @ 1850 RPM
Curb Weight: 3593

I see that the Torque is basically equal to the M3 and also reaches peak torque way sooner so that is amazing to me. But the only downfall I see is the fact that it redlines 2000 RPM's quicker, which really isn't that big a deal for me since I'm not really in the racing scene so much now cause I'm having a kid (hence the 4 door sedan ha).. but I'm just looking to have the same up and go, and when I DO race I'd like to be about even or faster than my last car. ANYWAYS, because of the AWD and weight, how much bHP am i needing to get? about 360 or so? (keep in mind the M3 stock dynos at about 270-280 wHP).

Also, in reaching around 360bhp, how much money am i looking to spend? I don't want to spend an insane ammount!

All help is greatly appreciated. Thanks alot. & I hope to be joining the s4 crew soon!

 

hey man,

first off welcome to the club. hope you can find one you like. I may be brief on this cause im eating at the same time... but feel free to ask more questions. Also you can use the search feature as theres been a couple topics like this. With that said.. here we go.

firstly, In actuality, the s4 stock for stock will feel pretty close to m3 for speed just because the torque numbers are similar and the turbos give you that stronger "pull" feeling. But reality shows it just simply isnt as fast.

i think youre miss reading the redline portion.. the s4 doesnt redline 2k quicker.. it reaches its max power 2k sooner than the M. Unless im off.. how high does the M redline. But as far as your up an go.. the S is great for.. the awd is great for the launch and getting traction as well as it reaching its torque so early youll really feel it.

now if you wnat to match the m in terms of speed. you need to be at least a stage 2.. possibly stage 2+. but youd be looking at a chip, exhaust (at least cat back), drop in air filter, and then possibly some fueling. you could do that stuff for a couple grand. if you really want to move, go full stage 3.. good places to look for this stuff would to look up, awe tuning, apr tuning, mtm tuning, along wiht websites like www.purems.com , www.ecstuning.com, europrice or rennart. There you can get a good idea of pricing on parts.

Also do some reasearch on a few other forums as well like www.audizine.com and www.audiworld.com ... there is a plethora of people on there wiht an insane amount of knowledge.

hope this helps.

 

hey sooks thanks alot. The M redlines at 9k. But anyways, i basically meant you have to shift way quicker. I see that you post alot of helpful information on alot of posts so you get my props cause ive already learned alot from some of your other replies! Thanks alot for the help!

 

no problem man.. let me know if ican help with anything.

 

New to the site. I just sold my 01 M3 a few months ago and am also considering buying an S4 (for the same reason as you). Did you consider the 8 cylinder S4? I know it's a significant amount more cash, but you could probably lease one for a similar payment as the M? Anywho, I felt a common bond with you because of the baby on the way selling the M thing. Let me know if you have any thoughts on the 8 banger version. Good luck with the baby, when is she due?
-g

 

stock the v8 s4 is quicker..but after a few mods the b5 will be much faster.

 

Are you kidding me,... a B5 S4 modded is much faster than a stock 8cil S4??? I had a new 2001 B5 S4 it was APR chipped,hyperboost diverter valves and no way was it as fast as my B6 S4 stock. It was almost as fast as a 8cil S4 with my mods installed, almost. Nope been there done that.
Unless you do major mods like a turbo upgrade. It takes more that a few mods for a B5 S4 to be faster than a 8cill S4.

 

hahahah dude you have to be joking right?? Come find me and ill line up next to your S. For your info, The one time i went to the 1/4 mile track i ran dead even with a c5 Z06. ... and never mind.. i just saw the end of your post where you state like a turbo upgrade.. But a stage 2..2+ would prob take your b6.. They should be good for upper 4 second 0-60's.

 

Not to mention the disparity in fuel economy and price. I would go for the B5 S4. You can find a good condition S4 with <60k miles for 16k-19k. Now's a good time to buy, as the B5 has recently seen a little hit in value.

 

The cars not even close to compare.
Stock VS Stock, the M3 is much better on the track and in the upper RPM.

However, if you just chip the S4, it's going to have just about the HP of the M3, and a TON more torque. Then add an exhaust & downpipes, your in the 350hp range.

It's a totally different drive from the M. In the M, you MUST rev it get the car going, it love being in the upper RPM range. The S4 will happy pulling 5th gear at 1500rpm's, yes it will pull from there! I cruise in 4th at 1200rpms and will pull pretty well from there. The low end torque is inpressive! However, the stock S4 falls a little short in the upper RPM's. It is basically reverse from the M3.

In interior room is about the same, trunk space is a little nice in the S4, ride quality is nicer them the M3. The S4 will not turn in like the M3. Stock the M3 sounds a lot nicer to. The car is much less flashy then the M3, you don't get the Cop attention, or the ricer attention over the M.

Parts are about the same cost, and maintaince is about the same. I'd say the S4 is 5% cheaper over a M3.

Now where the S4 shines, is it LOVES to be modified! You will get over 60hp just from a chip, around 80ft-lbs of torque. There also a very solid chassis, they only hae a couple of weak points.
1. Tie rod ends, just get the reinforced ones
2. Diverter Valves, get 710n's or Forge 007's.
3. The trip computer (center of display) likes to loose some pixels
4. 2nd gear syncros seam to be a little weak.
5. It's a timing belt motor, you need to replace it every 60-100kmi.

I've owned BMW's for the past 12 years. Just sold my E30 M3 in February. I miss it, but the Audi is a ton of fun.