The M3 was better....
04-24-2004, 07:55 PM
#1
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The M3 was better....
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!
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!
04-24-2004, 07:59 PM
#2
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 17,509
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i completely disagree....
I have given my point of view on this before. Stock for Stock the S4 has a large leg up on the M3 in everything but a straight line. I am not even going to argue all your points cause I have done it before in the past, but over all most of your analysis is just plain wrong, sorry.
04-24-2004, 08:15 PM
#3
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Uhhhh......nope!
These car were stock vs stock and again I thought the S4 was a let down. This car has 344hp V8...it should flat out rocket, but it left me feeling I needed more. The M3 just doesn't do that except for maybe down low but It doesn't take much to get it rippin.
All I'm saying is the S4 is more car on paper then on pavement. And I especially hate the tip-tronic transmission in Drive mode. Its always a gear or 2 lower then it should be so when you want to get on it, it has to take time to search for the right gear. In tip mode the time in between shifts is lagging...unimpressive to say the least.
All I'm saying is the S4 is more car on paper then on pavement. And I especially hate the tip-tronic transmission in Drive mode. Its always a gear or 2 lower then it should be so when you want to get on it, it has to take time to search for the right gear. In tip mode the time in between shifts is lagging...unimpressive to say the least.
Trending Topics
04-24-2004, 08:26 PM
#9
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 17,509
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Come back once you compare it to an Stick S4....
I have driven all three, although i havent driven much in the Automagic tranny's more in the stick m3 and s4's. I have a good ammount of seat time in many cars and against many cars , which both cars are fast, the s4 launches extremely fast of the line in the stick form due to lots of traction and very little wheel spin. The s4 is the most versitle performance car under 50k on the market.