My comparison of 335i vs S4
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Try and drive an E9x M3 with EDC. It makes a difference having the ability to control that suspension. Without it, I think you'll find the E9X M3 is just as harsh as the E46 M3. But EDC lets you get a more tame setting which making daily driving a little better. But at the end of the day, it's still more towards the "always on" race car kind of driving style.
I agree that the anemic sounds of the B8 S4 does deter a little bit from the fun factor and the overall experience, but the car is still an absolute blast to drive. I have an E39 M5 with an aftermarket exhaust which gets rather raucous, and I owned an E46 M3 and for me personally, I find the B8 S4 to be more fun to drive as an overall package. It's easier to drive, and it's got a more refined daily drivier level than both the E46 M3 and the E39 M5.
I agree that the anemic sounds of the B8 S4 does deter a little bit from the fun factor and the overall experience, but the car is still an absolute blast to drive. I have an E39 M5 with an aftermarket exhaust which gets rather raucous, and I owned an E46 M3 and for me personally, I find the B8 S4 to be more fun to drive as an overall package. It's easier to drive, and it's got a more refined daily drivier level than both the E46 M3 and the E39 M5.
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I'm going to research this as well, but are there any muffler only exhaust solutions for the S4. I don't want those cans you see all over 16-19yo's cars, but something less expensive then replacing the whole exhaust.
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Montreal
I hope you find the perfect car for you !
here is why I got the S4:
I was shopping around for a new car and wanted to try an S4... no demos available. Decided to wait.
I went to test drive a E92 DCT M3. That car was absolutely awesome, great sound and very linear V8 performance. I was almost ready to buy it. But I wanted to see more options before dropping 85k + tax on a car.
I then drove 335xdrive Msport 6MT. Very cool acceleration, terrible suspension, felt soft like an 80's caddy after driving the M3.
Called another audi dealer, drove the S4 s-tronic. I was blown away. Sure it's not an M3, but for my use it's 97% m3 for 25k before taxes less. Honestly I thought it was miles ahead of the 335xdrive... and I'm a BMW guy.
in summary:
335x - great engine, but soft suspension and dated design. Also some turbo lag although not much.
M3 - Awesome car but very expensive, also only RWD sucks in winter. Engine needs to be pushed hard to feel something and it's not ideal for my kind of driving. I like the idrive.
S4 - Great engine, very fast, feels faster than the M3 for the kind of driving I do (twisties, city, highway, never above 150km/h)- although I'm sure the M3 is faster. Very comfortable, s-tronic is amazing, 25k less than M3, Quattro AWD for our canadian winters.
also: there are tons of E92 335's and M3's around... not so many S4's :-)
winner: S4... now the only thing Missing is an AWE exhaust :-)
here is why I got the S4:
I was shopping around for a new car and wanted to try an S4... no demos available. Decided to wait.
I went to test drive a E92 DCT M3. That car was absolutely awesome, great sound and very linear V8 performance. I was almost ready to buy it. But I wanted to see more options before dropping 85k + tax on a car.
I then drove 335xdrive Msport 6MT. Very cool acceleration, terrible suspension, felt soft like an 80's caddy after driving the M3.
Called another audi dealer, drove the S4 s-tronic. I was blown away. Sure it's not an M3, but for my use it's 97% m3 for 25k before taxes less. Honestly I thought it was miles ahead of the 335xdrive... and I'm a BMW guy.
in summary:
335x - great engine, but soft suspension and dated design. Also some turbo lag although not much.
M3 - Awesome car but very expensive, also only RWD sucks in winter. Engine needs to be pushed hard to feel something and it's not ideal for my kind of driving. I like the idrive.
S4 - Great engine, very fast, feels faster than the M3 for the kind of driving I do (twisties, city, highway, never above 150km/h)- although I'm sure the M3 is faster. Very comfortable, s-tronic is amazing, 25k less than M3, Quattro AWD for our canadian winters.
also: there are tons of E92 335's and M3's around... not so many S4's :-)
winner: S4... now the only thing Missing is an AWE exhaust :-)
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Lehigh Valley PA
Not sure what options you are putting on the car to make it cost $70K. $61K yes, fully loaded sticker price. Perhaps you could tell your wife you are getting a dealer added option.
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Audiworld Junior Member
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From: Montreal, Canada
Your outcome is interesting to me. I did the rounds myself a couple months ago.
I started at a BMW dealer with an '08 M5 SMG ($58K so in the same ballpark price wise). I wasn't too impressed with it. It just didn't feel nearly as fast as I expected from a V10 engine. I then drove an '11 335i coupe RWD MT and a '11 M3 coupe MT. I liked the 335i, but REALLY liked the M3. (I always prefer a MT to an Auto.) The M3 was great, but was $76K...yikes! That seems crazy for a car that essentially starts at $33K (328i sedan).
I then went to Audi and drove a '10 S4 MT. The SA was busy so he sent me off on the test drive on my own and told me not to come back with a smoking clutch. I got to flog it a bit and push it around corners. Not having a SA in the car makes a BIG difference (but most of the time, they won't let you go on your own).
I came away from my experience thinking that the BMWs were too stark and boring inside. The Audi looked classy and user-friendly. And the drive in the S4 was awesome.
It will be my next car...I just need to figure out when.
I started at a BMW dealer with an '08 M5 SMG ($58K so in the same ballpark price wise). I wasn't too impressed with it. It just didn't feel nearly as fast as I expected from a V10 engine. I then drove an '11 335i coupe RWD MT and a '11 M3 coupe MT. I liked the 335i, but REALLY liked the M3. (I always prefer a MT to an Auto.) The M3 was great, but was $76K...yikes! That seems crazy for a car that essentially starts at $33K (328i sedan).
I then went to Audi and drove a '10 S4 MT. The SA was busy so he sent me off on the test drive on my own and told me not to come back with a smoking clutch. I got to flog it a bit and push it around corners. Not having a SA in the car makes a BIG difference (but most of the time, they won't let you go on your own).
I came away from my experience thinking that the BMWs were too stark and boring inside. The Audi looked classy and user-friendly. And the drive in the S4 was awesome.
It will be my next car...I just need to figure out when.
As far as comparing the sticker price of a lower model 3 series only 30% of the 3 series parts are actually in an M3. 70% of the M3 parts are exclusive to the M3.
A poster on the previous thread got it bang on. The M3 feels like a race car that seats 4 whereas the S4 is a very fast (with ECU tune match a stock M3 in straight line) luxury car.
The S4 , in my book, beats out the 335X drive and hence why I just picked one up.
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You are in the best position. You are having fun and are making a good choice either way.
I have a fast S6 and a blazing fast SLK 55 AMG tuned by BRABUS.
The S6 is incredible, the power, the interior, the EVERYTHING.
The SLK is just plain ridiculously fast. It is like being in a GO KART on steroids. It sounds extremely loud (In a good way, like a race car)
It is not the most comfortable car in the world, and the inside is nice, but not the S6.
If I had to sell one it would be the SLK. The S6 is fast enough, and to be honest I looked at some used BMWs and the interior does not keep so well. They have this sort of paint that peels, on the steering wheel and door trim.
I personally prefer the S4 than a 335 and even than an M3, to me having a S X audi just feels better... a lot of people may have them (not in colombia, only 2) but it looks different, better, faster (even though it may not).
Anyways how fast can you go before you get pulled over... I understand if you were on the Autobahn, and drove 100 miles in 40 minutes to get to work.
Either way you will enjoy your purchase and decision.
I have a fast S6 and a blazing fast SLK 55 AMG tuned by BRABUS.
The S6 is incredible, the power, the interior, the EVERYTHING.
The SLK is just plain ridiculously fast. It is like being in a GO KART on steroids. It sounds extremely loud (In a good way, like a race car)
It is not the most comfortable car in the world, and the inside is nice, but not the S6.
If I had to sell one it would be the SLK. The S6 is fast enough, and to be honest I looked at some used BMWs and the interior does not keep so well. They have this sort of paint that peels, on the steering wheel and door trim.
I personally prefer the S4 than a 335 and even than an M3, to me having a S X audi just feels better... a lot of people may have them (not in colombia, only 2) but it looks different, better, faster (even though it may not).
Anyways how fast can you go before you get pulled over... I understand if you were on the Autobahn, and drove 100 miles in 40 minutes to get to work.
Either way you will enjoy your purchase and decision.