After doing my research I've narrowed it down to two: the E36 M3 95-99 or S4 00-02. What do you guys think? I need a great daily driver that is reliable and low maintenance.

 

Not sure if you noticed, but you're pretty much asking a biased group Audi owners here. The M3 is a seriously capable car and I respect it, but unfortunately it's my new-found nemesis... I plan on taking down all that I can.

 

Well if you equally like both of them ( which is an assumption ), just ask yourself, do you drive in any snow throughout the year?

There's your answer.
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HA, well neither car there is low maintaince! Both have their failure parts.

I think long term the E36 might be a little cheaper. They cost less, don't have turbo's & there are a LOT more of them made.
The E36 has cooling problems, the WP, thermostat, radiator are all very weak. Then there is the rear trailing arm bushings.
HVAC problems, de-laminating interior parts.

S4, look at the FAQ.

Insurance wise, there about the same. Styling wise I like the S4.

They both drive totally differently. The S4 is much faster, has better interior. The M3 handles so much nicer, and you feel more connected to it.

Mods wise, there about the same. But you will get more HP per $$ on the S4.

Really you have to go & drive both & see WHAT YOU LIKE BETTER!

 

im definitely[sm=guilty.gif]of the same thing and it is going down...take all m3's down!!

 

The M3 is a much more fun car to drive, and it has better acceleration, but the S4 is a better everyday car, it does have a better interior, plus it has AWD which is a great help if your driving in snow, and because it has AWD it also will perform better than the M3 when the streets are wet. Plus if you are planning on putting aftermarket products on your car, you will get more power for your money on the S4.

 

I'll give you the fun to drive, but it does not offer better acceleration. Stock the E36 has less HP & much less torque, and the torque delivery is much different form the S4.

Most stock E36, on a Mustang dyno put down 190hp & 185 trq the S4 on the same dyno will do 210hp & 225trq.
Then also what S50 engine? The 3.0, or the 3.2?

 

How about body styling??? The s4 is way better looking IMHO.
Mod wise, the s4 pwns with some simple mods.
Interior, s4>m3...


IMO

 

After looking around it seems that the S4s maintenance will be outrageous. I am even considering a MB C32 AMG.

 

bbooooooooooo!!!!!!!go with the AUDI!!!