absoluteis

<ul><li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axb19DwhqUk">Not too bad</a></li></ul>

AuditudeRS4

around the twisties the RS4 pulls away. I expect similar results with the C63 AMG and 90% of cars on the road.

larryV

it appears the RS4 will always get the better launch from a standing start, enough so that the small lead it takes becomes insurmountable even with the M3 closing-in until they are well into triple digits. I expect 1/4-mile runs to be very close but in the real world, the average M3 driver will botch the launch and get serious wheelspin and lose (like what happened in the video). Assuming both cars get a perfect launch though, the M3 should win by a nose. That video does show one thing though: that the M3's 4.0 has a stronger top end than the RS4's 4.2. It seems to get even stronger as the speeds and rpm's go up, as was the case with the E60 M5. Neither car makes a good drag racer because you'd spin the M3's tires often and if you keep doing quattro launches like that on the RS4, you can kiss your clutch goodbye. That said, I really like the look and sound of the new M3. As an RS4 owner, I'm a big fan and I want one.

TwentyValveB5+S4

Is it the M3's motor pulling harder, or is the quattro system becoming more parasitic?

Vijay

Once traction is no longer an issue, the inherent additional friction in the driveline will lead to power loss at the wheels. Compare about a 28% driveline loss with quattro to about a 17% loss with 2 wheel drive.

larryV

with lots of the same design elements such as individual throttle butterflies, etc, I wouldn't doubt the M3's V8 has the same characteristic strong pull at the top end as the M5's V10. I used to have an E60 M5 and the most glaring trait I remember about it was how much stronger it pulled past 80mph and also higher in the rev range in each gear. Just insane. I never quite felt anything like that in the RS4, or any other car for that matter. The RS4 just pulls strong and smooth through the entire rev range. I wouldn't be surprised if the M3 has similar power/torque curve as the M5.

AuditudeRS4

Never knew that, interesting.

vBob

that's about 300bhp and 290ft-lb at the wheels, which is amazing. from that observation, the 335i's power &amp; torque rating is definitely understated. I wouldn't be surprised if M3 is closer to the stated power at the wheels.

conversely speaking, it's dissapointing that there is greater discrepancy between Audi's quoted power and the power at the wheels. it's simply amazing when you realize how much less than the stated power is at the wheels.

and then there's quattro. it's said Audi has minimized the frictional power loss in quattro drivetrain, but it's still significant nonethless. 20% to 25% loss?

but if you're into just straight line acceleration, then you're looking at the wrong cars. but then those dragsters tend to crash and burn when the steering wheel is turned even a tad bit.

each car is designed with compromises. I like Audis for good AWD setup and I wouldn't trade it for FWD nor RWD, for now...

Bob W.

too much flap.

larryV

I would never have given up my M5 for the RS4 to begin with, and I certainly wouldn't even think of getting an M3 next. The M3 is hard to launch and cars in its class or at least cars that it will be compared to that haven't even arrived yet are surely to beat it in straight line tests. MB C63, Nissan GT-R, Lexus IS-F to name a few. I'm getting an M3 for it's handling potential over these other cars.... and of course to work on my tokyo drifting skillz.