M3 vs S4

[ferrarif1fan89]

m3, because it is the truer performance car. now if it were an rs4 against the m3........

[acs power]

The M3 has the real individuality... 0X

[pzgren]

i think this is a difficult comparison because the cars have very different caracteristics.
the m3 is more a sportscar and has attitudes like a sportscar.
the s4 on the other side is a sporty limusine, not a sportscar. indeed it has a powerfull engine but it is not so much fun to drive this car on a racetrack, the m3 does.
the s4 is not build for racing. i know because i've been driven my (old) s4 a few times on a racetrack and also the new one. even with modifications on the car it is not optimal. i had the chance to compare and drive m3 and s4 on a racetrack. in my opinion the m3 has the better properties on a racetrack.
but i guess in everyday use is the s4 better because it has more space, 4 doors, bigger trunk and so one.
i think the m3 and s4 drivers have different requirements to their cars, so that's why i think it's difficult to compare these cars.


btw:
for me are this figures very interesting:

Elasticity (4./5./6.)
Speed BMW M3 Audi S4
80 - 100 Km/h 2,6 s / 3,4 s / 4,8 s 2,5 s / 3,4 s / 4,6 s
80 - 120 Km/h 5,2 s / 6,6 s / 9,5 s 5 s / 6,2 s / 8,5 s
80 - 160 Km/h 10,9 s / 13,9 s / 18,9 s 10,7 s / 13,5 s / 17,1 s
80 - 180 Km/h 14,1 s / 17,4 s / 25 s 14,4 s / 17,1 s / 22,3 s

[caneswell]

Originally Posted by brembo Originally Posted by caneswell If you enjoy driving you'd get the M3. Simple as that, audis are bland and uninvolving. You obviously got experience with both cars.......so please tell me more about how bland and uninvolving Audi`s are?

I am lucky enough to have an e30 m3 and have driven an e46 M3 csl, both great handling cars and extremely controlable upto and beyond the limit. The e30 has slightly better feel and comunication through the steering.

I have also driven an audi TT which was simply boring. Little feel through the steering, no idea what the chassis was doing. Certainly not a car you could enjoy near its limits. Luckily when those limits are reached it only understeers, but that doesn't exactly add to the enjoyment! Was quite fast and had alot of grip, but you may as well have been playing a computer game.

I realise this isn't an extensive test of the entire audi range and im sure some are better. But if you read any review from a magazine (that doesn't quote "handleing" as a skid pan G figure) then the equivelent BMW is always a better handling car, more involving car to drive.

[mindgam3]

Originally Posted by caneswell Originally Posted by brembo Originally Posted by caneswell If you enjoy driving you'd get the M3. Simple as that, audis are bland and uninvolving. You obviously got experience with both cars.......so please tell me more about how bland and uninvolving Audi`s are? I am lucky enough to have an e30 m3 and have driven an e46 M3 csl, both great handling cars and extremely controlable upto and beyond the limit. The e30 has slightly better feel and comunication through the steering. I have also driven an audi TT which was simply boring. Little feel through the steering, no idea what the chassis was doing. Certainly not a car you could enjoy near its limits. Luckily when those limits are reached it only understeers, but that doesn't exactly add to the enjoyment! Was quite fast and had alot of grip, but you may as well have been playing a computer game. I realise this isn't an extensive test of the entire audi range and im sure some are better. But if you read any review from a magazine (that doesn't quote "handleing" as a skid pan G figure) then the equivelent BMW is always a better handling car, more involving car to drive.

Thank you for clearing tht one up