S4 VS BMW 3 Series

[civicrider]

if you were looking at buying an audi s4 or a bmw 330 which one would be better if you were looking for something with great handling overall look. also a car for the winter so im not to sure how the RWD BMW would work in snowy conditions.

[Chester]

Never driven an S4 but 330's are good cars, they handle fine in winter.

[t-im]

If you're comparing the newest generation of each, it's pretty uncomparable.

price wise S4 is ~20k+ more

HP wise the S4 has about 100 more HP..

so this isn't a very valid comparison..maybe if it were M3 vs S4.

oh, and RWD is fine in the winter, esp. with all the traction control systems, ie: ESP, DSC etc. Put ons ome good winter tires and you're good to go.

If you're comparing A4 vs 330, I say 330...but i'm biased since I only drive BMW's :love:

[Ben]

I'd take the S4 for sure. More power, awd in the snow is superb, the interior is absolutly gorgeous. All around a better car for Calgarys environment IMO. Sure the 330's with TC are decent in the snow, but where the bmw just cuts power and slowly starts, the S4 will instantly jump off the line, or out of a deep snow situation with no problems or slow downs.

What year 330 and what year S4 we talking here however? If it's the B5 w/ 2.7 BiTurbo (310hp with ecu tune), well then you've got heaps of tuning potential. If it's the B6 w/ 4.2L V8, then the 330 is way outmatched and shouldn't even be considered.

[?????]

Or maybe consider a 330xi?

[civicrider]

i was thinking 2001 BMW and the B5 (2001) S4

price wise they are pretty much the same

[FiveFreshFish]

Drive them both. I prefer the E46 over the B5.

[rc2002]

I would definitely go with the S4. It's a more rare car. Plus the 4WD and extra power would seal the deal for me.

[Goblin]

You're not really comparing like cars.

It should be, A4 VS 330.

The 330xi doesnt have the punch the 330 does, because more power is lost due to 4wd.

M3 VS s4, and I'd take the m3..

rs4 vs m3, id take the rs4.. or maybe the m3 with an aa s/c. :)

[Altezza]

I'd go 330. If you're keen on the S4, get 2001.5 or newer.

[max_boost]

BMW 330 :bigpimp:

[JAYMEZ]

I would go with the S4 for the power.

[Fluidic]

I've owned a BMW 328is and currently, my Audi 2.7TT S4. I love both vehicles. They are very high quality cars. Both have great motors and both have great power bands.

Test drive both cars. They are both wonderful. Here's to hoping you can find an S4 with low km's. :thumbsup:

[benyl]

Originally posted by max_boost
BMW 330 :bigpimp:

I would get the BMW simply for the reliability. Audi's of that vintage have their fair share of problems.

I have driven many S4, A6 S-line and Allroads. (they all have the same engine). I find the low end torque lacking and the turbo lag bugs me.

[R-Audi]

I think with those two cars its almost apples to Oranges...
One is Sportier, faster, better appointed, and better suited for our environment.
For me it would be an obvious choice....but really, its all up to you.

My Mom has a 330i and a buddy has an S4 and I have driven both.. I would choose the S4 anyday! Especially during winter!! Its amazing the difference AWD makes in comparison with various BMW traction controls.. (Driven both 330 and 540 in winter.. there is no comparison to AWD!))


There arent that many problems with the S4's.. as long as they are properly maintained. The Turbo's can go.. but afaik turbos are considered a wear and tear item at certain km's.. Reason enough to go K04s!

[tc3]

The S4 is a beast. I'm biased towards BMW, but the S4 is top of the line while the 330, as nice as it is, is 2nd from the top.
I'd say drive an S4, then decide. The AWD and Twin Turbo are very convincing!!

[benyl]

The one thing to think about with respect to twin turbos is fuel consumption...

[R-Audi]

Wouldnt you be able to get better fuel consumption with the S4? (Ideally of course) since the actual engine is smaller, as long sa you stay out of boost you should be fine! (Or at least not full boost 100% of the time!)

[lastprodigy]

whatever you like better, for the price you are getting more car with the S4 and im assuming you are comparing used since used they are price the similar...jsut get wha tyou like better....i would pick S4

[E36M3]

I've got an S4 and I've owned an M3, and I think the 330 is a much better car.

I guess it comes down to personal preference.. a lot of what has been said I agree with..the AWD is really nice in the snow, and the Audi's interiors are gorgeous, but they are nowhere near as fun to drive. I do not enjoy cars with AWD a whole lot, especially with FWD bias. If you don't drive hard, then the two cars handling really isn't that much different, but if you do, there is a world of difference.

I'd suspect that the BMW will be more reliable and have better resale, plus the engine is just a gem.

[Mr. Burns]

If we are talking brand new I would go with the Bimmer. The nose on the new s4 makes me feel ill.

[statick]

Originally posted by richardchan2002
I would definitely go with the S4. It's a more rare car. Plus the 4WD and extra power would seal the deal for me.
:werd:

but if u buy the S4 i would assume gas/maintenance will be more costly than a 330, so take that into consideration.

[S4maniac]

Originally posted by benyl


I would get the BMW simply for the reliability. Audi's of that vintage have their fair share of problems.

I have driven many S4, A6 S-line and Allroads. (they all have the same engine). I find the low end torque lacking and the turbo lag bugs me.



You know not what you're talking about ... the B5 TT S4 has all of its torque (280ft/lb) available at a measly 1500rpm ... Granted the turbo lag creates quite a rocket ride off the line.

I love my S4, though if he's talking about a B5 generation, better get those turbo's looked at. 3 to 5 grand if they go.

[E36M3]

I find the low end torque sadly lacking.. although that is the case for all forced induction engines that I have driven.. there is no comparison to the responsiveness and low end grunt of the M3 in either E36 or E46 guise (I realize we're comparing it to the 330, but I'd have to drive them back to back to see how they compare)


Originally posted by S4maniac




You know not what you're talking about ... the B5 TT S4 has all of its torque (280ft/lb) available at a measly 1500rpm ... Granted the turbo lag creates quite a rocket ride off the line.

I love my S4, though if he's talking about a B5 generation, better get those turbo's looked at. 3 to 5 grand if they go.

[R-Audi]

^ Exactly my experience driving a chipped S4.. I really didnt notice the lag at all.. different story with my GT28r A4 thats for sure!
I personally get bored driving my Moms 330i but it is an automatic as well... It feels like a slouch compared to my car, and mine is quite comparable to a chipped S4..


S4Maniac:
What do you have for mods on your car?
Chip, Exhaust, DP, I assume? Are you in Calgary?

[Altezza]

Originally posted by S4maniac




You know not what you're talking about ... the B5 TT S4 has all of its torque (280ft/lb) available at a measly 1500rpm ...

Neither do you. Stock B5 S4 produces max torque of 258 lb-ft @ 1850 rpm.

[civicrider]

okay now a question for the BMW guys

if i decide to get one i want one with the three point steering wheel, do you get that based on the model like 330i doesnt have it but 330ci does?

are the i and ci packages the same even if i got a 323 or a 325?

[t-im]

Originally posted by civicrider
okay now a question for the BMW guys

if i decide to get one i want one with the three point steering wheel, do you get that based on the model like 330i doesnt have it but 330ci does?

are the i and ci packages the same even if i got a 323 or a 325?

3 spoke steering wheels were standard on coupe's, but part of a "sport" package on sedans.

coupes and sedans offer the same base features, but the way the car was originally optioned out makes all the difference. (I'm not sure if that answers your last question)

[civicrider]

okay then whats the differnce between i, ci, xi, ect?

[max_boost]

I=Sedan
CI=Coupe
IC=Convertible
XI=AWD

Sport Package=Sport wheels, sport seats, upgraded suspension (lowered)

Premium Package=Harmon Kardon sound system, powered seats with memory, sunroof

Check out the bmw website for more details, the above is just what I can think of right now.

1999 and 2000 there was the 323 and 328
2001+present it's the 325 and 330 (forget about the 320, only thing BMW on it is the emblem according to 'G')

Oh yah, get manual, I didn't want to wait and settled for an auto, pretty boring to drive in an otherwise fantastic car.

[t-im]

Originally posted by max_boost
I=Sedan
CI=Coupe
IC=Convertible
XI=AWD

Sport Package=Sport wheels, sport seats, upgraded suspension (lowered)

Premium Package=Harmon Kardon sound system, powered seats with memory, sunroof

Check out the bmw website for more details, the above is just what I can think of right now.

1999 and 2000 there was the 323 and 328
2001+present it's the 325 and 330 (forget about the 320, only thing BMW on it is the emblem according to 'G')

Oh yah, get manual, I didn't want to wait and settled for an auto, pretty boring to drive in an otherwise fantastic car.

330's had standard sunroof also..

and the cab's are also called "Ci" :D

and yes, forget about E46 320's..

oh, and all E46's 2002+ had standard xenons, except 320's.

[FiveFreshFish]

FYI, the 325iX is an AWD E30 platform from the late-80s, not to be confused with the E46 325Xi and 330Xi models.

E46 coupes and cabrios from 2003+ have factory LED tails.

[benyl]

Originally posted by t-im


and the cab's are also called "Ci" :D


'CiC'


Originally posted by FiveFreshFish
FYI, the 325iX is an AWD E30 platform from the late-80s, not to be confused with the E46 325Xi and 330Xi models.

E46 coupes and cabrios from 2003+ have factory LED tails.

I thought it was 2004+, but I could be wrong.

[FiveFreshFish]

The LED tails were on the later 2003 M3 for sure. Not sure when they were included on the 325 or 330 models. E46 sedans don't have them in any year.

[robpark]

I'd go with the bimmer....they handle WAY better.... Top Gear (UK Car show) roasted the Audi as its cars have the tendency to slide out in the back on regular road conditions, well....2004 or previous models that is.

The episode in question was making specific reference to the Audi TT Roadster...

[E36M3]

Make sure to get the sport package if you buy a 3 series.. makes a huge difference.

[S4maniac]

Originally posted by Altezza


Neither do you. Stock B5 S4 produces max torque of 258 lb-ft @ 1850 rpm.

Let's agree to disagree .... http://www.goapr.com/Audi/images/dyno_s4_stage_i.gif

vs a BMW 330Ci which is 194 ft/lb at a whopping 3500 rpm.

[benyl]

haha, that isn't a stock torque curve.

[S4maniac]

Originally posted by benyl
haha, that isn't a stock torque curve.

uh ... ya it is. The graph has both stock and chipped. The stock is of course the lower one.

[asp integra]

s4 cause of looks and power, plus it seems like everyone has a beamer now, and not many people are rolling on s4

[A2VR6]

I think both are great cars, but i'd personally go for the Audi, just because of sheer potential of that engine. I've driven both the 330i/330ci and the S4, and I find that I like the S4 better mainly because it has a bit more power (from what I find).