Previous Generation S4 Vs. M3
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1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 60
Previous Generation S4 Vs. M3
Hi all, I apologize in advance if this has been posted to death but I didn't find anything in my search. So, I am considering purchase of either a 2004-2006 S4 (sedan, avant or vert) OR an '04-'06 BMW M3 (coupe or vert). I know they're both great cars and haven't driven either yet. But what are your thoughts?? What helped you to make your decision?? Thanks!
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,847
The E46 M3 is a great car, it used to be the meter stick to which all other sports cars of the time were compared. It looks agressive, handles like an M car should, has enough power to get out of its own way, and sounds raspy and angry.
The S4's your are looking at are 2 generations, the B6 from 2003-2005.5 and the B7 2005.5-2008. Differences are mostly cosmetic, they both have the 4.2 V8. The S4's are 4 door sedans and are also AWD so they are heavier than the M3. The AWD and low end torque of the v8 helps the S4 cope with the weight but around a track id bet that the E46 M3 gets through the turns faster. In a straight line theyre probably pretty similar.
The S4 is an All-weather car. Snow, Rain, Ice, or mud you dont have to think twice. The M3 on the other hand should remain in the garage when it rains or snows.
If your using the car as a daily driver all year round, and/or have kids then the S4 is probably the better bet. The interior is vastly superior to the M3, and on the street the precieved speed is about the same.
If this is just a fun car for you id go with the M3. Theyre freaking amazing cars
Im 19 years old, if given the oppurtunity i would take the E46 M3 over either S4 despite the fact that id have to drive it in the winter. I really love M3's. However i have a B5 S4 and given the choice of my current S or an E46 M3 i would certainly take the B5 S4. The twin turbo V6 is just too good for me to turn down. Even though its rated for 250 HP stock with just a ECU reflash to turn up the boost& fuel the B5 is right nexto the E46 M3 in a straight line race. It may not be as good at cornering as the M3 but hey thats what modding is for
The S4's your are looking at are 2 generations, the B6 from 2003-2005.5 and the B7 2005.5-2008. Differences are mostly cosmetic, they both have the 4.2 V8. The S4's are 4 door sedans and are also AWD so they are heavier than the M3. The AWD and low end torque of the v8 helps the S4 cope with the weight but around a track id bet that the E46 M3 gets through the turns faster. In a straight line theyre probably pretty similar.
The S4 is an All-weather car. Snow, Rain, Ice, or mud you dont have to think twice. The M3 on the other hand should remain in the garage when it rains or snows.
If your using the car as a daily driver all year round, and/or have kids then the S4 is probably the better bet. The interior is vastly superior to the M3, and on the street the precieved speed is about the same.
If this is just a fun car for you id go with the M3. Theyre freaking amazing cars
Im 19 years old, if given the oppurtunity i would take the E46 M3 over either S4 despite the fact that id have to drive it in the winter. I really love M3's. However i have a B5 S4 and given the choice of my current S or an E46 M3 i would certainly take the B5 S4. The twin turbo V6 is just too good for me to turn down. Even though its rated for 250 HP stock with just a ECU reflash to turn up the boost& fuel the B5 is right nexto the E46 M3 in a straight line race. It may not be as good at cornering as the M3 but hey thats what modding is for
Last edited by SourDieselS4; Feb 14, 2009 at 06:21 PM.
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 60
The E46 M3 is a great car, it used to be the meter stick to which all other sports cars of the time were compared. It looks agressive, handles like an M car should, has enough power to get out of its own way, and sounds raspy and angry.
The S4's your are looking at are 2 generations, the B6 from 2003-2005.5 and the B7 2005.5-2008. Differences are mostly cosmetic, they both have the 4.2 V8. The S4's are 4 door sedans and are also AWD so they are heavier than the M3. The AWD and low end torque of the v8 helps the S4 cope with the weight but around a track id bet that the E46 M3 gets through the turns faster. In a straight line theyre probably pretty similar.
The S4 is an All-weather car. Snow, Rain, Ice, or mud you dont have to think twice. The M3 on the other hand should remain in the garage when it rains or snows.
If your using the car as a daily driver all year round, and/or have kids then the S4 is probably the better bet. The interior is vastly superior to the M3, and on the street the precieved speed is about the same.
If this is just a fun car for you id go with the M3. Theyre freaking amazing cars
Im 19 years old, if given the oppurtunity i would take the E46 M3 over either S4 despite the fact that id have to drive it in the winter. I really love M3's. However i have a B5 S4 and given the choice of my current S or an E46 M3 i would certainly take the B5 S4. The twin turbo V6 is just too good for me to turn down. Even though its rated for 250 HP stock with just a ECU reflash to turn up the boost& fuel the B5 is right nexto the E46 M3 in a straight line race. It may not be as good at cornering as the M3 but hey thats what modding is for
The S4's your are looking at are 2 generations, the B6 from 2003-2005.5 and the B7 2005.5-2008. Differences are mostly cosmetic, they both have the 4.2 V8. The S4's are 4 door sedans and are also AWD so they are heavier than the M3. The AWD and low end torque of the v8 helps the S4 cope with the weight but around a track id bet that the E46 M3 gets through the turns faster. In a straight line theyre probably pretty similar.
The S4 is an All-weather car. Snow, Rain, Ice, or mud you dont have to think twice. The M3 on the other hand should remain in the garage when it rains or snows.
If your using the car as a daily driver all year round, and/or have kids then the S4 is probably the better bet. The interior is vastly superior to the M3, and on the street the precieved speed is about the same.
If this is just a fun car for you id go with the M3. Theyre freaking amazing cars
Im 19 years old, if given the oppurtunity i would take the E46 M3 over either S4 despite the fact that id have to drive it in the winter. I really love M3's. However i have a B5 S4 and given the choice of my current S or an E46 M3 i would certainly take the B5 S4. The twin turbo V6 is just too good for me to turn down. Even though its rated for 250 HP stock with just a ECU reflash to turn up the boost& fuel the B5 is right nexto the E46 M3 in a straight line race. It may not be as good at cornering as the M3 but hey thats what modding is for
How is the reliability of the 4.2 S4 overall?
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,847
A B6 s4 with header back exhaust, coilovers, race gas tune, JHM short shifter, lightweight wheels, and some other goodies would be more or equally as enjoyable loud and sporty as an M3.
If your gonna see snow and its a daily driver then the S4 is PERFECT. Seriously these cars ******* love snow and youll have much more fun than an m3. With a few mods the S4 will perk up a little bit and much more enjoyable to drive.
Overall the 4.2 is very robust, if you look around in here youll find 99% of all the posted problems are for the B5 s4. The b5 s4 was a service nightmare for audi so they made sure not to make the same mistake again. The biturbo is great for tuners and enthusiasts but the stock turbos arent up for the boost
I mean listen to these
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcnvTNmrgPo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17IDPX5F910
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiwrRsSKR3E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KxQZd0HG6c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq324LpuzJc
If your gonna see snow and its a daily driver then the S4 is PERFECT. Seriously these cars ******* love snow and youll have much more fun than an m3. With a few mods the S4 will perk up a little bit and much more enjoyable to drive.
Overall the 4.2 is very robust, if you look around in here youll find 99% of all the posted problems are for the B5 s4. The b5 s4 was a service nightmare for audi so they made sure not to make the same mistake again. The biturbo is great for tuners and enthusiasts but the stock turbos arent up for the boost
I mean listen to these
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcnvTNmrgPo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17IDPX5F910
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiwrRsSKR3E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KxQZd0HG6c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq324LpuzJc
Last edited by SourDieselS4; Feb 15, 2009 at 01:38 AM.
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 180
From:
This should help I posted this awhile ago.
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/B...ast_598862.htm
B6 S4 Vs. BMW M3
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/B...-M3_203342.htm
The sound of the V8 dose it for me. I was able to drive one the other day and I can say its much more responsive then the 2.7. From what I hear maintenance is not that big of an issue other then at 100k you should check to see if the chain tensioner is still tight
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/B...ast_598862.htm
B6 S4 Vs. BMW M3
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/B...-M3_203342.htm
The sound of the V8 dose it for me. I was able to drive one the other day and I can say its much more responsive then the 2.7. From what I hear maintenance is not that big of an issue other then at 100k you should check to see if the chain tensioner is still tight
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 10
From: Lowell,Mass
i was at the same situation a while ago so i went to a big import/euro dealership and the had 3 m3s and about 4 s4s 3 avant and 1 black sedan so i went there looked at all of them (didnt like the avants that much)....then when i'm about to leave the dealership....this imola yellow s4 on a truck along with some other audis ,and i just fell in love....salesman was amazed, the car barely came from florida and i was buying it....
still have it now and will have it until the warraty experation date which is in 4 years....
and for my new england weather s4 is best...
still have it now and will have it until the warraty experation date which is in 4 years....
and for my new england weather s4 is best...
