S4 vs. WRX vs. 330xi in Car and Driver

[ammwhite]

Found this review on Car and Driver website:
Car and Driver Review

As a former Impreza owner, it made interesting reading.

[Bushy]

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Superb

[AL_B]

Well, I never knew BMW did a 3 series with 4wd. You learn something new everyday, as the saying goes.

The S4 gets a really good write-up. Didn't the British motoring press critise the cars handling?

AL

[ammwhite]

For some reason BMW has never made the 330xi available in the UK, but it is available in the US and mainland Europe I believe.

You're right, alot of the UK reviews for the S4 were not great, although it was often compared against car like the Impreza P1 and Evo VI which are more focused drivers cars. S4 is more of a compromise between drivers car and luxury car I think. Also, at almost £40K new, it probably wasn't the greatest value for money. It's a different story buying a 2nd hand one for around £20K tho [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[DJG]

Interesting article.

Despite the fact that the WRX is so much cheaper this is actually a very valid comparison:

Brand new WRX or a 2nd hand S4 for the same sort of money.

Guess those of us on here have decided on the S4, with a fair few converts!

Anyone with any regrets?

David

[wazza]

Absobloodylutely not [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Joules]

No regrets from me either. Still get to blast in my Bros STiVII but happy to hand it back when I have had enough games.

Joules

[Joshie]

For me there is no comparison, the Subaru or Mitsubishi range come nowhere near offering me an alternative. Style, build quality and refinement apart, there is no way that I would be comfortable running around in a car with a gigantic aerofoil on the back which my good lady once referred to as a climbing frame [img]images/graemlins/jump.gif[/img]

In fact I would go so far as to say that the S4 Avant / RS2 / RS4 really has no equal in offering the combination of practicality and performance which, in its fully tuned guise, can only be matched by a 911 turbo.

Am I coming across slightly too fanatical? [img]images/graemlins/rocketwhore.gif[/img]

[Riz_RS4]

Your 100% right!

To this day there has not been a better estate (Avant) than the `S` RS2, RS4 and RS6!

Price, performace, quality and practicality........ nothing comes close.......! [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

[ammwhite]

The only aspect of my S4 that I find disappointing is the size of the boot! For an estate car, it is very small.

Last week I tried to get 2 sets of golf clubs in the boot, and ended up having to take the drivers out of both bags, and squeeze them in at a 45 degree angle across the boot, which didn't leave much room for anything else.

My Impreza would easily take 3 sets of golf clubs, and even my old 200sx coupe would take 2 sets, without resorting to removing clubs etc. So, I think the practicality aspect of the S4/RS4 is a bit over-rated.

And the gearchange isn't the best either.

Other than that it's great [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[DavidT]

Can't speak for the size of the boot because mine is a saloon. [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

However, all you gearchange worries will go away if you fit a Tanoga shortshifter [img]images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[Golich]

Having only test driven and considered a Subaru when looking at a number of 200+bhp cars. I would have to say the Subaru is great value for money. The S4 at £37K new, I feel it's over priced with limited leg and boot space. But you always have the option to get the seats down and then there's bags of room.

As a second hand option, the S4 at £20K is a very good buy.

When the dealer took 6 months and 14+ visits to fix my S4. I was so sick off it. I seriously considered selling after 2 months of ownership. However, I was faced with the problem on what to replace it with. Or I would have got rid PDQ.

To me the S4 Avant represents the ultimate practical sports cars. (RS4 excluded) I love the solid feel of the Audi. Something only German cars seem to have. At 32years old I'm no longer looking for huge spoilers air dams etc. But I want a head turner in a more subtle way. However, I still want the ultimate performance and reliability is hugely important since it’s an everyday car.

While I'm not convinced VW/Audi deserve their reliability/quality tittles. They do produce a substantial lump of car with excellent levels of performance and refinement with a subtle quality look.

Coupled with the hugely important fact that if you want more power, then £4K will give you a reliable 400+ bhp. Which by any standard is outstanding. If the tuning wasn’t possible then you would be looking at £38K for a second hand RS4.

I just wish they had given the S4 a more aggressive look along the lines of the RS4. As I feel it's just too subtle. It's difficult to please everyone. I suppose this latter complaint has been answered by some of the bodykit manufacturers such as ABT for the later A4 body shapes.

On the value for money point. The fact that the S4 works in that it makes it more exclusive than the Subaru and hence for me increases the desirability factor. I sometimes think that every Subaru made was sold in Aberdeen. You can say what you like about Subaru but they are a great all round car for the money with great sport seats, feedback, reliability. I preferred the mark 1 shape though.

I just want an RS4! [img]images/graemlins/bowdown.gif[/img]

[Riz_RS4]

I just want an RS4!

Dont we all [img]images/graemlins/1syellow1.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/bowdown.gif[/img]

[Joules]

For a saloon I find the S4 boot very practical in terms of size and the net shackles are a great idea. The fact the rear seats go flat is another bonus and very helpful in terms of lugging loads and golf clubs [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

[wazza]

I just want an RS4!

Dont we all [img]images/graemlins/1syellow1.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/bowdown.gif[/img]

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