ATD1

I had the chance to drive a 2003 M3 and a 2004 S4, back to back today. First was the M3 then the S4 and I gotta say...the M3 was definitely better.

I own a 2003 3.0Q and I do love my car but I am a big bimmer fan...who isn't? So my friend owns both cars and each of them have just a few thousand miles. The M3 was a total rush, extremely fun to drive and exceptionally compliant even in sport mode. It would definitely make for an interesting commute to work each day. The interior I must admit isn't as refined as the Audi...but who the hell cares. That straight 6 felt more alive then the S4 anyday of the week.

The S4 I noticed right off the rip had a strange muffled sound for an 8 cylinder which wasn't very appealing. I stomped on the accelerator and wasn't very impressed at all. My 3.0Q has 125hp less then this S4 and I expected it to tear ***, but ended being only somewhat more exciting then my 3.0Q. The M3 on the other hand has the crisp sound of a porsche and it rips thru the gears with butter smooth shifts.

The suspension on the cars was noticably different as well. In the S4 you only had the one option of the stiff ride it comes with standard, which is OK, but can get tiring. The M3 has a sport mode which stiffens the suspension with the touch of a button and also gives the car a little extra juice. The non-sport mode is a better ride then my 3.0Q Sport while, when engaged, the sport mode on the M3 gives you the right amount of stiffness but is still not as stiff as the S4.

Anyway I just thought I'd share my experience. I must say that the test editors at Motor Trend and other auto mags should re-vise what they have said about the S4 being #1. I think the M3 still takes home the trophy for all around driving and excitement.

What can I say...the M3 was better!

d4m0n

<img src="http://home.socal.rr.com/gbaker/troll.jpg">

Stampchez

I personally don't think it sounds anything like a Porsche either.

Eddie Man

is in the cards, S4 all the way...

Have driven my Bro's M3 E46 in SoCal multiple times and again, hands down, the ride of choice, no holds barred...

But in MI, my choice would be the S.

ATD1

I beg to differ. The car was noticably more stiff in the steering and suspension. We gave it the test at 35mph. When steering left to right you can feel the whole car get stiff when the sport mode is engaged. Vice-versa when its shut off you can feel the car loosen up and smooth out.

ATD1

but you really can't go crazy in the snow no matter what, but the S does handle much better without a doubt.

BMW M3...Its so choice.

Stampchez

"At our test at Sebring, the first order of business is to turn on the Sport mode and flip off the Dynamic Stability Control. Selecting Sport tells the engine-management system to apply a more aggressive map to the gas-pedal travel and throttle butterfly openings, while disengaging the DSC simply makes it easier to slide the car around. In the Sport setting, throttle response feels instantly more reactive and is accompanied by a decidedly more menacing bark from the M3's exhaust."

Det. Mickylaren

I think the difference was the ultrasensitive gas pedal (ULTRAsensitive). I don't think it does anything to the steering...heck, does the car even have speed sensitive steering?

Stampchez

I think the M3 may be based on road speed. I may be wrong I haven't driven one in almost a year.

ATD1

Just because they didn't write about it doesn't mean its not true. I swear the car felt more stiff and we held a constant speed to make sure our judgement wasn't impaired by throttle response.

Maybe I'm wrong, but the car just does it for me!