Flanker

I currently own a 2002 M3 and am contemplating switching to a B6 S4 for practicality reasons. I test drove one today and it was exactly like the top gear video - much more refined than the M, smooth shifts, constant power through the RPM's. But you loose that 2 door rear wheel raw fun of the M.

Anyway, I love my M - but its tough asking clients to pile into a 2 door car, also my wife and I are having a baby in Feb - so the 4 doors would be helpful - and I live in CT - so the awd is enticing and lastly my M is a 6spd and my wife cant drive manual - so I would go for the tiptronic.

Obviously nobody wants a sports sedan with an automatic - but it would be practical for our family - any reviews on S4 with tiptronic?

I posted this on the BMW forum and you can imagine the response I got. Can you guys talk me into the S4?

Please???

KamS4

I think the practical reasons swayed many of us, as they're both great cars. Combine the AWD and you have a compelling reason to go this way.

ZephyrS4

it works very well.

NIEMALS FOLGEN S4

Able to carry more of the toys that come with a child and on weekends all your toys needed for the track, Track rims/tires.

3 times to the drag strip, 1 spirited spring drive with a BMW group and 1 soon to be 2 weekends on a road course (VIR) Always impresses, and yet able to drive daily in traffic and on long trips of 400+ miles without any wear on the driver. can't keep from romping on the throttle at the expense of fuel economy and still after one year of ownership there is a smile on my face from ear to ear!

Passengers have no complaints either, carried 3 on a 450mi one way trip north and back with all our gear and everyone 2 adults and 2 teens came out rested ready for more.

I have had no problems and am a first time Audi and S4 owner, go for it.

Looked at a 2004 M3 as well, didn't want the 2 doors, and the dealer here SUCKS! gave them a chance 3 times with 3 different M3 models no deals.

Allan

Sia Bani

Dealers make a huge difference don't they? Jeez.

NIEMALS FOLGEN S4

Went in to look at an new 90 M3 bought a new Mazda 626GT, Came back in 96 for a Purple/gray M3 for European delivery walked out and bought a 96 Volvo 850T wagon which I still have. 3rd attempt was on a 2004 M3 for European delivery and leased $5890 down $899mo for 36mo with a residual of $31k total would have been almost $70k on a $53k car, walked again and got the B6S4 ordered that day not even knowing the price. And very happy with my choice.

Allan

audiboi

just so you know, avants are cool

s4jones

...plus all that other stuff I had to buy to do track days. Sheesh. Not cheap. But I can only carry one passenger in that config.

Bergx7

not that i would recommend it :P

Seriously though, i started out (first learned to really "drive") in an E36 Dinan M3 and later in a E46 M3. They are fantastic cars but they really arent as fun as the S4 with mods (for the price of M3, you can get the full stage 3 treatment). I dont have much experience with the tiptronic model, but it is a 6-speed (dont loose nearly as much "go" as you would if it was only 5, longer spaced gears). The great thing about the S4 is it can hold its own against cars like the M3 even when stock (m3 probabley edges past it a bit). But, unlike the m3, you can very easily get more power from the S4 with basic bolt ons (the engine is pretty "undertapped" from the factory, unlike the 3.2 i6 bimmer which is just about tapped out). With merely a few bolt ons, you can easily eclipse the m3 in performance.

Sia Bani

I know. LA BMW dealers are just as bad.