PhoenixGTS

After I got pasted by an M3 in a street race I went to the dealer to look at one. I just kept reminding myself that the interior is not nearly as nice as my S4, and you cannot get one anyway - and most importantly, it cost too much money. But I have to say that if I could get an M3 in the color and with the options I want at sticker ($10k more than my S4), I would be seriously tempted. I thought of it this way, $42K S4 + $4k in engine mods to get to 350hp, and $5k in suspension and wheels and tires to catch up to the M3 and ****, Might as well buy an M3. But I keep thinking the S4 has four doors and is much classier.

Then I read about the new C32 Benz in the new Autoweek. You know it is going to be as nice as our cars, it has 354 hp (with high torque from the supercharger), and only weighs 3,400 lbs. Now I keep telling myself that: 1) it cost $10k more (but see my argument about how many mods needed to catch up above); and 2) you cannot get a manual trans C32.

I LOVE my S4. Fantastic car. And the bottom lines is that I don't want to sell it and take the depreciation hit. So help me out guys - tell me I have the right car. And don't forget, I live in the desert, so AWD has a bit less value for me than some of you northerners (although a four-wheel drift on a freeway on ramp with a little wheelspin sure is a beautiful thing - and when it rains, watch out you German competitors).

LFS4

<img src="http://209.132.49.149/images-large/2001_mercedes-benz_c_32_amg-1.jpg">I think I would take one over the E46 M3. It appeals to me more. I would like a 6speed though.

Psyence

If your primary concern is performance, the S4 has a more natural upgrade route for big power compared to the M3. I doubt the C32 will get much of an aftermarket following simply because it is an automatic and Mercedes tuners are basically insane (either sell you a bunch of cosmetic **** and some big wheels or shell out double the value of your car and get some insane engine upgrade).

Sure the M3 is a step up from us as far as power goes.. but to get any significant power increase the engine will need to go forced induction... and that will be a serious headache as far as engine management, installation and reliability goes.

Basically if you're shooting for a specific power output, I'm pretty sure the S4 can take you there much faster, cheaper, and cause less headaches along the way. But if you want something mild and as stock as possible, I don't think anyone here is foolish enough to tell you that the S4 will make you happier than it's newer and more powerful rivals.

PhoenixGTS

It does have pretty ugly wheels on it though (same wheels are on the SLK32 - only 17s).

PhoenixGTS

way to look at it. Like I have said before, based on my having three different size turbos and three different sized intercoolers on my previous car (1997 GSX Eclipse), once we start going to K04 turbos and more intercooling, the BMWs and Mercs will be crying. Doesn't an RS4 only have a larger wheeled version of the K03 and can make 420 hp with a chip? Full sized K04s would probably get an S4 into the mid 400 hp range. Where in the hell are all the tuners? Maybe APR is taking the wrong tact thinking Garrett (which will require new exhaust manifolds - but allow them to use that fancy stereo lithography machine) instead of going for a virtual bolt in replacment K04. My understanding from the DSM world is that for a given size, the Garret ball bearing turbos don't offer any significant lag advantages, and once you already have a water cooling and oiling system in place no greater ease of application (the Garrets do offer much greater interchangeability characteristics which allows swapping A/R ratios, but since we use static software on the S4 and since it is so hard to change the turbos, that does not sound like an advantage).

HACK THS

I think merc. are UGLY! I would take a BMW any day, better yet a Porsche, but I will stick with Audi

BenM@University Audi

For more boost, etc...

Psyence

Undoubtedly one of the insanely overpriced and conservative MB tuners like RennTech or Brabus...

whooo lookey... with RennTech's Stage 5 for the SLK 230 Kompressor you get a whole 80 HP and 85 ft/lbs of torque... for $19K.

Innovator

Changing the pully *may* make the boost come on earlier, but not always.

Innovator

The nose is certainly gross.