M3 thrashes S4 in the wet, and beats it in the dry

Post by **Wacko** » Tue Jul 08, 2003 2:30 pm

Saw this on Scooby net - A very nteresting article in today's Autocar regarding a M3 and S4 test. The S4 does not come out looking too good at all...

http://www.e.ramsden.dsl.pipex.com/tg/m3s41.jpg
http://www.e.ramsden.dsl.pipex.com/tg/m3s42.jpg

I do like the S4, but I think that Audi S4 is playing underdog yet again to the M3 - think about it... the M3 is THREE YEARS older, and Audi had the massive advantage in that they knew exactly what they are aiming at.

All journalists except one in Car (although their first article said M3 wins) and ofcourse that TopGear test (no surprises as Clarkson hates BMWs, period - and interestingly the TopGear mag gave the win to the M3) have said the M3 is the winner.

Its just my view for what its worth...

Post by **Gareth** » Tue Jul 08, 2003 2:33 pm

I've driven both cars extensively and (sorry to say this on an Audi bbs [img]images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]) I would always put the M3 first.

Exit stage left with flame suit at the ready... [img]images/graemlins/sekret.gif[/img]

Post by **Brooner** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 2:27 pm

[img]images/graemlins/flamethrower.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/kissmyrings.gif[/img]

Post by **asyvan** » Sat Aug 02, 2003 10:06 am

You know what?
Concider S4 and M3. Why would even M3 be a choice? Well, it would if I could settle for a 2 door coupe with really good performance. I do agree that the M3 is a faster car. So the S4 is an Avant (or a saloon) with quattro, kinda different.

Wouln't a better comparison be:
Volvo V70R AWD vs. M-B C32 AMG vs. Audi S4 Avant
-or-
Porsche 911 C2 vs. BMW M3 CSL vs. M-B some-fast-coupe AMG

Frankly, IF I could settle for a 2 door coupe, I'd never choose the M3. I'd go for a Porsche, straight away without blinking. Now the fact is I need 4 doors, and I want an Avant and quattro is really handy where I live (northern Sweden [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]. Guess what, I get all that with NEARLY M3 performance.

So, where's the M3 market?

Post by **Gareth** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 6:34 pm

S4 v M3 on Top Gear again tonight, repeat with the S4 being their choice...

Post by **Wacko** » Mon Aug 04, 2003 1:38 pm

OK, firstly, the Porsche is some £15-£20k more than the M3, so not really comparing like-with-like.
If, as you say, you were getting a 2dr coupe, you would go with a Porsche. I suspect most (including me) M3 drivers would do the same if they cost the same. But they don't. With an M3, you get a free mini-cooper checked in for the price of the Porsche.

Second, on "So, where's the M3 market?" Errr, can you explain why so many are sold, and why the residuals are excellent for the class? It may answer your question.

Post by **Golich** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 7:45 pm

I take the point Asyvan is trying to make. For me the S4 avant IMO is an excellent all rounder.

The handling capabilities of the car will easily take you to silly levels of driving if you are talking about road use. I mean the car is not going to move on serious corners at 90+mph country roads.

The quattro system is extremely reassuring when planting the throttle in wet/slippery conditions when say pulling away from junctions, overtaking, pulling a boat off the slipway.

But the rear wheel drive of the M3 and it's balance gives a much more rewarding drive for those that want that.

The load carrying capacity and practicality of the avant is significantly better than any coupe.

However, the coupe is a great looking car.

And let’s face it when it really comes down to it. It's just plain pedantic to say the S4/M3 is 0.?sec quicker than the S4/M3.

The bottom line is they are BOTH great cars. They each have their individual merits as well as their warts.

It depends on what YOU want. The fact that they are so closely compared is evidence enough that they are as good as each other just for different people.

Now lets just drive them and appreciated them for what they offer us. Hell I'd have one of each if I could afford it. The bottom line is the Audi camp will never be silenced on this and neither will the BMW camp.

Post by **s4dreamer** » Thu Aug 14, 2003 8:45 am

Great post Golich - couldn't agree more with you. [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

Horses for courses and all that.

Post by **Gareth** » Thu Aug 14, 2003 8:09 pm

Great post Golich - couldn't agree more with you. [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

Horses for courses and all that.

Yep fair point, well made [img]images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Post by **Reno** » Tue Sep 02, 2003 5:35 pm

jeremy clarkson tested both cars on top gear, for those who didn't saw it on BBC, here you can download it:
M3 Vs. S4
(BTW it looks like an Noggy M3 [img]images/graemlins/biggrin3.gif[/img])

Greetz

Post by **Gareth** » Tue Sep 02, 2003 10:53 pm

The Blue M3 is a colour called Laguna Seca Blue aka Smurf Blue [img]images/graemlins/ban.gif[/img]

Post by **zeke** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 3:34 pm

EXCELLENT VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!

[img]images/graemlins/rs4-button.jpg[/img]

Post by **martian** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 10:50 am

A point of possible interest here- I was testdriving an RS6 at a dealer in May and there was an S4 on the repair bay forecourt. When I asked the guy why he had'nt told me they had one , he told me it was the car used in the Top Gear M3 vs S4 programme and that 'something horrible' had occurred necessitating some pretty extensive engine and transmission repairs. As to what they were he would not say and I got the impression he was not supposed to have told me. [img]images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Post by **Gareth** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 12:56 pm

Sounds like some power shifting was done and they crashed the gearbox [img]images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Post by **Golich** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 1:24 pm

Aye that video made me chuckle..they do entertain from time to time.

Something they stated that has puzzled me with the 4.2 V8 is, why it doesn't produce more power if compared to the 3.2 straight 6?

Is this an emmissions/torque/max hp at x rpm thing. These are things you'd like Audi to release on say they're web sites. I'd would be really interesting to get into the design behind a car.

Even better would be somewhere where the customer/owner can impart his views and experiences of Audis products.

I don't know if manufacturere has this type of thing. Hell if they even read some of the forums such as this great site they'd learn alot about who buys their goodies! [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

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