I am torn. I am looking for a fun and fast car. I used to have a 2005 Lexus IS300. Fun and numble car, handled VERY well, just slow. I am in the market for a used manual (under $20k). Most of my friends advise the E46 m3like every other person out there. Yes it is faster and probably better handling, but it also costs $25-30k for an 04-05. But it is also inline 6 and not a nice sounding V8 like the S4. Gas mileage is terrible at 15 mpg also, which is a major concern.

I have heard that Audis have terrible reliability, although my friend who has an 04 A4 loves his and says he has no problem. This is an AWD vs e46's RWD, which some say makes you lose the connectedness feel on the road. Obviously I am going to get some biased opinions here at an Audi forum, but wanted everyone's honest 2 cents please.

Thanks guys

 

I have an 04 S4 and a 350Z with lots of mods. I love how the S4 handles I would say it's as good a feeling car as the 350z is, and my Z has full suspension/bars/links/camber etc etc so it's well setup for auto-x road course.

I would put the S4 against an M3 on the track anyday. With your buddies in M3's and the S4 in the hands of somebody with skill would work over your buddies any day. It may not be as good on a dry course with AWD as a pure RWD car is, but a little skill can make up that gap easily as the S4 is such a great car that it can make up the gap on cars which are technically better from a pure sports car standpoint like the M3 is.

I will tell you one thing, the AWD is simply an amazing system which gives you all year round performance. My S4 would run a 13 second 1/4mile in the snow, rain or any weather condition. I love it for an all year round car.

The V8 sounds awesome, has massive amounts of pull all through the band and is silky smooth. It's not too bad on gas if you drive normally, but it's not getting 25mpg lets say that.

I looked at an M3 vs the S4 but having RWD vs. AWD closed the deal for me. I just didn't want another RWD car in my garage. Even without the Z I would keep the S4 for a daily driver and be very happy with it. For me, it's every bit the M3 but AWD lets me enjoy it all the time.

 

986Jim, thanks for the reply. I have another post regarding a weird ad I saw on autotrader if you could look at.

 

I agree with Jim and would add that the interior of the S4 is better than any I've seen in the class. I love the exterior looks of the M3 but which do you actually look at more often? As for any benz, just can't get past the "old person" factor (maybe because I'm old).

 

Tough time find a B6 in the bay area. I'm looking for white on black manual, preferably full leather, heated seats, no navi is ok, low miles and trying to keep it under $21k. I know it is a tough color combo.

Heard some reliability issues with Audis though. Is there a difference between 04 and 05? I think something about 05 being bi-xenons, but looking at pics I cannot tell.

 

Okay, well my opinion might be a little biased but here goes.
I currently own an e36 M3 and absolutely love the car, but I'm in the market for something a little different. I've been back and forth for months between the B6 S4 or an E46 M3.

Ive never really driven either in a day to day or track situation, but i have taken both out for quick test drives.

IMO it depends on where you live, what your driving style is, and what you are going to be using the car for...

The S4 is a very well mannered yet powerful V8 with room to comfortably seat 5. The all wheel drive is amazing, and the auto/tiptronic transmission is untouchable.

The M3 is a toned down race car. The suspension is stiff, the motor pulls hard all day long, and as long as you arent driving in the snow or on windy roads day in and day out you probably wont notice the difference of awd. the back seat is definitely cramped, and the SMG is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be, but no where near the caliper of the tiptronic of the S4. From what ive noticed, the BMW holds its value much better over the long run, and they seem more reliable (ive clocked almost 150,000 on my e36, and never had a major problem with it).

if you want a race car esque vehicle, with heavy modding capabilities, go with the E46. the mod list is endless and if you have the money, you can pull 700+ rwhp out of it in no time.
if you want a quick sedan with some good options to it but overall a sporty daily driver then the S4 is for you.

again this is all my opinion, and i may be a bit biased since i already own an M3 and know them like the back of my hand, but every little bit helps i guess.

ps. e46's are getting fairly cheap on autotrader / cars.com / m-series.com / bimmerforums...