fatperson

I think B5 s4 with dual exhaust, chip and downpipe
is just as great as the e46 m3.
I mean, we all know what you can do to a m3 for now....exhaust changes sound but not hp.
m3 might be a better track car s4 is safter on street.

which one do you think its more worth it??

Vijay

Stock M3 kicks the stock S4's *** in every way from a performance standpoint. Everything about it is better-handling, engine, shifter, you name it. However, the M3 is not an all-weather performer. Put a little rain or snow down and the M3 is toasted by even a stock S4. Now....a nicely equipped M3 will set you back about $56,000. For that money, you can get an S4 that will run even and "feel" better than the M3. At the $62,000 level, a fully equipped Stage 3 S4 will blow the doors of an M3 modded upto $62,000. So...it all depends on what you want to do with the cars in terms of mods, and how much the practicality factors in to everything.

alleuroS

so it costs you $20K to go from stock to stage 3?

xr8edS4

Depending on kit + labor, look at starting costs around 10k.

Mark P

$6149 kit
$800 intercoolers
$550 clutch
$3000 labor
= ~$10k

$1600 downpipes
$1000 exhaust
$2400 wheels/tires
$2000 brakes
$1000-$1500 suspension
$250 shortshifter
$50 snub mount
labor
= ~$10k

total = ~$20k

Mark P

so long as you have downpipes and exhaust already

Auto Union Jack

A small inertia twin turbo torque curve with the wick turned up makes it the perfect all around road racer, IMHO. A lot of posts focus on stop light derby statistics. My world is not straight, but twisted with bouts of traction limitation. E46 is impressive, especially the motor; but it will take you to a point where you leave the road backwards like the last generation M3. Maybe that is why it has so much factory designed in understeer. To each his own, I guess.

d4m0n

I prefer the...
- looks
- engine note
- feel/balance/handling
- brakes
- build quality
...of the M3.

I prefer the...
- traction
- price
- practicality
- tunability
...of the S4.

Hercules

but RWD gives you benefits AWD takes away, namely fun factor.

Besides, there is not more than one or two days a YEAR I can't drive my car because of the snow, that the AWD would help me overcome. For that one or two days a year.. I don't feel AWD is a worthy investment. Maybe if I lived in Alaska.

Anyways, RWD brings me more driving enjoyment as well as more precise track driving. I do my donuts, 180s, attempt 360s (I can't do it on dry pavement, I've done it in the rain though :P), drifts (though it can be done with AWD also), not to mention the every day driving and the rewards of liftoff oversteer :P

The S4 might be faster in a straight line, but how often do you race people? For me, not very often. However, I find myself almost daily trying to hack on my car a bit just having a blast and enough power to keep me happy.

Chip, mod, whatever the S4 and you'll be faster than an M3, no doubt. But will it be as fun? Don't think so Me no likey Audi Quattro understeer :P

RKA

Damn! Snub mount is gonna push me over the top! :-P