[Jadar]

I was considering picking one up. I really want the e90/92 M3, on the other hand I cant help but notice this car everytime I see it. ITs cheaper then an m3, and very tunable.

How is it overall in performance and quality. I know Audi has issues in the past with reliability. Anyone have any experience with S4's? Thanks

[thetedderbear]

Just got a brand new S4, fully optioned with dual clutch. I've driven an E90 M3 plenty and also own an E92 335.
Performance is more on par with a 335is, and as they are priced similarly they seem to be the better to compare to. The M3 is more hard edged, with a slightly rougher ride, has to be revved more, etc. The S4 is a little less on edge, it's as smooth as an A4 until you want it to be quick. The dct is smooth, quick, and responsive. The awd does hook up very quickly off the line and first gear is a punch in the gut. As it is brand new I can't really comment on reliability but no problems thus far. I have alcantara/carbon fiber interior and I love it, I think Audi has done a better job with the inside, making it more modern and edgy feeling. Makes the M3 seem kind of plain imo.
If you're looking for a more on edge race car feel in a sedan, go m3. If you want an easy daily driver than can still do weekend warrior duties then S4 is good. Test drive both of course

[Boost Gomez]

The S4 nice, but considering you "really want" the M3 I would look into a slightly used one if I were you.

[krnboy817]

dont get me wrong, S4 although its a very nice car... it never seems to have that special "appeal" that M3 has. when M3 drives by you can tell by one of many things, noise, look, etc... etc. but when S4 drives by... well you would have to know what you're looking for (the S4 badge) in order to really notice.

when tuning/modifying one of the two... i would think that the "sleeper" vibe on the S4 would be something extra that M3 probably couldnt give.
(unless being easily noticed is what you are going for.)

plus its acutally really comfortable and meets everyday needs far better than e92 does... i just dont like the steering feel compared to M3 if i had to pick on something on the Audi.

[flyinb501]

Sick car, amazing interior, and can be easily tuned to get M3 power numbers.

[Jadar]

Thanks for the replies guys, I appreciate them. The reason the s4 appeals a little more, only because I think of everyday drive ability and better fuel economy. But I'm absolutely in love w the e92 m3 and can't let it go either!

[brocken]

Originally Posted by thetedderbear

If you're looking for a more on edge race car feel in a sedan, go m3. If you want an easy daily driver than can still do weekend warrior duties then S4 is good. Test drive both of course

^This

Go drive both and see what you prefer. The S4 is fast and handles really well but it does not have the 'race car' like feel the M3 does.

Performance is better than the 335 rather than on par. The S4 really has the 'no lag' that BMW claimed with the 335.
The Stronic is great to drive and fun in manual mode but the 6spd is even better.

The interior is definitely more aesthetically pleasing than the BMW spartan interior. Not flashy but looks like it's from the correct decade. I really like the MMI - super easy to use.

It's awesome as a daily and still a blast on the weekends. All around a better car than my 335 was.
However, if you're looking more performance oriented and just a weekend fun car then you may want the M3 instead.

The sleeper vibe is definitely nice. I had an STI before this also got tired of the stares. Now I just surprise people when I blow by because they didn't see me coming.

p.s.just saw your comment about fuel economy... my average is about the same as it was in the 335. Low 20's with a mix of freeway and in town commuting.

[DevJ]

i love the s4 but no way in hell i'd get one over an m3.
i'm actually looking to get one soon lol that + a gtr

[Jadar]

Originally Posted by brocken

^This

Go drive both and see what you prefer. The S4 is fast and handles really well but it does not have the 'race car' like feel the M3 does.

Performance is better than the 335 rather than on par. The S4 really has the 'no lag' that BMW claimed with the 335.
The Stronic is great to drive and fun in manual mode but the 6spd is even better.

The interior is definitely more aesthetically pleasing than the BMW spartan interior. Not flashy but looks like it's from the correct decade. I really like the MMI - super easy to use.

It's awesome as a daily and still a blast on the weekends. All around a better car than my 335 was.
However, if you're looking more performance oriented and just a weekend fun car then you may want the M3 instead.

The sleeper vibe is definitely nice. I had an STI before this also got tired of the stares. Now I just surprise people when I blow by because they didn't see me coming.

p.s.just saw your comment about fuel economy... my average is about the same as it was in the 335. Low 20's with a mix of freeway and in town commuting.

Low 20's thats perfect. I drive 90% Freeway so I should be matching my 26.1 with the 328i and have awd and a hella fast dd, in the s4.

Originally Posted by DevJ

i love the s4 but no way in hell i'd get one over an m3.
i'm actually looking to get one soon lol that + a gtr

Youre getting, an s4 and a GTR, I see in your profile you already listed a M3. Only reason Id get an s4 is the better economy and tuning capabilites. But every time I test drive an e92 m3 I cant stop but think about how great the damn car is and want it more and more.

ANother thing that I kinda like about the s4 is all the bells and whistles, it has a back up camera wich I really really grew to like. I dont know its becoming a hard choice.

[krnboy817]

Low 20's thats perfect. I drive 90% Freeway so I should be matching my 26.1 with the 328i and have awd and a hella fast dd, in the s4.

not jack your thread... but how the hell are you getting 26.1 mpg?! mine at best is at 24.

[Jadar]

Originally Posted by krnboy817

not jack your thread... but how the hell are you getting 26.1 mpg?! mine at best is at 24.

No problem at all after all were here to get the most out of our cars on these forums.

Well I drive mostly highway, like 90% so this helps. My daily work round trip is 66 miles. I do cruise at about 80mph so its not like Im driving in the right lane or anything. Its a manual trans, so that helps alot. When Im driving around town I usually skip gears, I go from 3rd to 5th or 4th to 6th. This helps quite a bit, and custs down on having to shift so much. I do drive it hard at times, but this car just has a sweet spot where you can have fun and get great mpg. Last year I took a 3 hour trip, all highway I was seeing 31.9mph and still climbing. So the manufacturer really underrated this car as far as economy goes. Oh during the summer I usually se 26.9-27.1 mpg combined.

[DevJ]

Originally Posted by dd1981

Low 20's thats perfect. I drive 90% Freeway so I should be matching my 26.1 with the 328i and have awd and a hella fast dd, in the s4.


Youre getting, an s4 and a GTR, I see in your profile you already listed a M3. Only reason Id get an s4 is the better economy and tuning capabilites. But every time I test drive an e92 m3 I cant stop but think about how great the damn car is and want it more and more.

ANother thing that I kinda like about the s4 is all the bells and whistles, it has a back up camera wich I really really grew to like. I dont know its becoming a hard choice.

time for a new car. getting rid of my is350 for an S4 and my M3 for a GTR. warranty's out on my m3 in a few months, time to get rid of it!

[krnboy817]

Originally Posted by DevJ

time for a new car. getting rid of my is350 for an S4 and my M3 for a GTR. warranty's out on my m3 in a few months, time to get rid of it!

this is one bad thing about BMW specially M cars im sure... beyond the warranty feels like walking through a mine field...

it already somewhat feels like that with my 328i and i got about 8 months left of warranty... i cant even begin to imagine what it would be like on a M3 thats about to be out of warranty.

trading would be the wise choice imo as well.

[b0bab0i]

S4/A4 interior > M3/335i interior

Bull shit if people say interior doesn't matter. Why would you buy a luxury car?

[Artmasterx]

Originally Posted by benmoooon

S4/A4 interior > M3/335i interior

Bull shit if people say interior doesn't matter. Why would you buy a luxury car?

Most people on here probably don't really view Audi *4 and 3-series BMWs as luxury cars. The reason for buying these is performance and driving satisfaction. Once the interior is over some personally-defined level of quality/features, it doesn't make a huge difference.

I may not accept a Lancer interior, but the better quality of the A4 interior over a 335 isn't really very important to me.

[Jadar]

Originally Posted by DevJ

time for a new car. getting rid of my is350 for an S4 and my M3 for a GTR. warranty's out on my m3 in a few months, time to get rid of it!

How is the maintenance cost on a b8 s4 vs e9x m3. I'm pretty sure it's high but not like an M car. I guess the right question I'm looking for is how is the overall quality on the new s4? Is it gonna be a huge money pit after 40-50k like all the audis of the past?

Originally Posted by krnboy817

this is one bad thing about BMW specially M cars im sure... beyond the warranty feels like walking through a mine field...

it already somewhat feels like that with my 328i and i got about 8 months left of warranty... i cant even begin to imagine what it would be like on a M3 thats about to be out of warranty.

trading would be the wise choice imo as well.

I personally don't think the 328i is too expensive to maintain, you just have to stay on the maintenance. I do my own fluid changes so that helps alot, brakes as well save a ton. Dealers really mark it up bmw's by at least 50%.

[Jadar]

Originally Posted by Artmasterx

Most people on here probably don't really view Audi *4 and 3-series BMWs as luxury cars. The reason for buying these is performance and driving satisfaction. Once the interior is over some personally-defined level of quality/features, it doesn't make a huge difference.

I may not accept a Lancer interior, but the better quality of the A4 interior over a 335 isn't really very important to me.

I agree. Most people do buy them on the performance aspect. But something about a certain car makes you reall want it or enjoy it. I really love both cars m3 and s4, and the s4 has a certain practicality to it and the edge in te interior department but the m3 just has that feel that most cars can't achieve maybe it's that mystique, whatever it is to me it's very desirable!

[brocken]

Originally Posted by dd1981

How is the maintenance cost on a b8 s4 vs e9x m3. I'm pretty sure it's high but not like an M car. I guess the right question I'm looking for is how is the overall quality on the new s4? Is it gonna be a huge money pit after 40-50k like all the audis of the past?



I personally don't think the 328i is too expensive to maintain, you just have to stay on the maintenance. I do my own fluid changes so that helps alot, brakes as well save a ton. Dealers really mark it up bmw's by at least 50%.

If you don't get the DCT then maintenance isn't any more expensive than other German cars. I do my own oil changes and the filters are about $15 - same drop in style as the BMW's. They have similar long intervals too. I think 10k is the longest span though. I plan on doing every 7500 after I get an analysis done on the oil I'm running.

There are also cabin filter changes and the air filter at some point. Nothing crazy or fancy about the maintenance. I think brakes every 2 years change the fluid.

The DCT has a 30k maintenance with 2 types of fluid. Several hundred bucks at the dealer and I don't think it's an easy DIY. Most are buying the Audicare if they buy the Stronic.

[Jadar]

Originally Posted by brocken

If you don't get the DCT then maintenance isn't any more expensive than other German cars. I do my own oil changes and the filters are about $15 - same drop in style as the BMW's. They have similar long intervals too. I think 10k is the longest span though. I plan on doing every 7500 after I get an analysis done on the oil I'm running.

There are also cabin filter changes and the air filter at some point. Nothing crazy or fancy about the maintenance. I think brakes every 2 years change the fluid.

The DCT has a 30k maintenance with 2 types of fluid. Several hundred bucks at the dealer and I don't think it's an easy DIY. Most are buying the Audicare if they buy the Stronic.

Manual all the way for me. Ill save the automatics when Im 65 and cant shift gears anymore.

Lol I wish I could afford both the s4 and m3. But Ill have to decide, Im leaning a little more towards the s4 now. I did alot of research on it, and the 3 years the b8 s4 has been out, only the 2009-2010 models had a waterpump issue that was recalled and should have been adressed. I guess the put a plastic housing on the pump or something and it kept cracking, the new ones are cast I believe.

[b0bab0i]

Originally Posted by Artmasterx

Most people on here probably don't really view Audi *4 and 3-series BMWs as luxury cars. The reason for buying these is performance and driving satisfaction. Once the interior is over some personally-defined level of quality/features, it doesn't make a huge difference.

I may not accept a Lancer interior, but the better quality of the A4 interior over a 335 isn't really very important to me.

LOL what? If you wanted performance and didn't care about luxury amenities, you should've gotten a 2011 Mustang GT, Evo, STi, Exige, Corvette.

[Artmasterx]

Originally Posted by Artmasterx

Most people on here probably don't really view Audi *4 and 3-series BMWs as luxury cars. The reason for buying these is performance and driving satisfaction. Once the interior is over some personally-defined level of quality/features, it doesn't make a huge difference.

I may not accept a Lancer interior, but the better quality of the A4 interior over a 335 isn't really very important to me.

Originally Posted by benmoooon

LOL what? If you wanted performance and didn't care about luxury amenities, you should've gotten a 2011 Mustang GT, Evo, STi, Exige, Corvette.

You should have bolded the next sentence as well... It's all just a big personal optimization problem that no one knows the constraints on except yourself.

Of course, I currently have a relatively crappy diesel hatchback that doesn't have performance or a nice interior, so it is kind of moot point personally.

[keanu1]

the s4(a4) lci looks superb!