Babnik

So I'm thinking about trading in my car (04 TL) for something newer and faster and I've decided these two are my best choices. Unfortunately for practicality reasons I need 4 doors, otherwise I would get the e92 335 which I think looks awesome. Looking on Autotrader, it seems that the 06 S4 and 07 335 both go for around the same price and are pretty evenly matched.

Which should I choose? All I want is a sedan with neck-breaking acceleration, excellent handling, and high quality fit and finish, and a manual transmission. I don't care too much about features, beyond the basic features which obviously all cars in this class have (power windows, cruise control, etc). Right now I'm leaning toward the 335 mainly for reliability reasons, I have heard that Audis in general are less reliable that bimmers, though I've never owned either myself so what do I know. Also 335s are more common which will make it a lot easier to find a decent deal on a good one. On the other hand, the S4... well it's an S4. The A4 is already an awesome car and the S4 just takes it to a whole new level. I'm curious to hear any thoughts on the comparisson of these cars.

Belzebutt

B7 S4 vs 335 I'd take the 335 hands down.

Crazy Bimmer

Tough call. 335i is faster with way better fuel ecomomy if that matters to you.

S4 is way better looking. IMO

I will say 335i only because i really was disappointed in the steering feel in the B7 S4.

Babnik

Really, I thought the S4 was faster?

Crazy Bimmer

Oops sorry, i mean with a tune the 335i will be faster.

Babnik

Ah yes the turbo chips for the N54 engine... Although I probably wouldn't even bother with that because the stock 335 is already fast enough for me. I'd be worried about the long-term effects of increasing the boost, if it was safe to do so without comprimising the engine's longevity or reliability BMW would've just shipped it that way from the factory.

Crazy Bimmer

They wouldnt, it would eat into the M3 sales.

Check out E90post.com to read up all that is 335i.

(Cj)

I'd take the BMW

myron

iTrader: (4)

I would take the 335 but if you will drive it in the winter, s4. unless the 335 is 335xi

charliemike

I own a S4. It's a great car.

But there are real maintenance issues associated with owning this car that I think should be taken into consideration.

Because of that, I would dissuade you from buying it if you can't afford an extended warranty.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

Doesn't the RS4 share in some of the same problems?

knavinusa

The S4 is probably roomier; the 335i is likely faster. Those 4.2 V8s are powerful (and they sound great!), but they have to carry around a fair bit of weight. Also, the S4 apparently suffers from some understeer at the limit (50/50 torque split), and I've heard some complaints about the steering feel.

I'd take a B8 S4 any day though.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

335i, I don't know why. There's just something about the 335i.

However, the brand new S4 is just .

GIBSON6594

335 without question, but I'm biased

Babnik

What maintenance issues are you referring to? Does the S4 require more frequent or more expensive maintenance than average? That would be a turn-off...

I'd probably get a CPO. I thought extended warranties didn't cover maintenance or wear and tear anyways.

nova_G

Don't quote me on this but a member from G35driver is/was in the same shoes as you and was interested in a B7 S4 but only found a handful of CPO S4's in the country (USA). I would assume it would be similar to Canada?

Babnik

Yes they are very rare in Ontario. I only recall seeing one B7 S4 driving around, while I see 335s quite often.

I was under the impression that you can get any newer used car CPO'd by taking it to the dealer, then you just gotta pay for an inspection and any recommended repairs.

Moog-Type-S

335

charliemike

No, I'm not talking about "Oh you need to change the power steering fluid twice as often" ...

I'm talking about:

Control arms on all four sides by 50k miles on avg ($1000)
A/C unit ($2500)
Clutch pressure plate separates "prematurely" ($2000)
God forbid the timing chain guides or tensioners go (not frequent but $5000 if they do because you have to pull the engine)

There's some other stuff but that's enough to make my shit turn white.

HBaJ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uULudWLWFP0

I dont know how much you take into 3rd party comparo's, but def a good reference for you. The value on the S4 is very good.

S14 n Tsx

335 hands down.

cmark

+1 for the 335

Eoanou

335i over the B7, but if you had a B8 it would be the S4 over the 335.

Shoofin

charliemike

I'd go A over B because in about three years, that G8 GXP is going to be worth about $8k.

Crazy Bimmer

Guys... the cars hes looking at are under $35k. I doubt hes gonna get the new CTS-V or new S4 for that price.

'01White3.2CL

+1 on the S4 being better looking IMO. and its faster as well, and AWD is a must in Chicago, so I would choose the Audi. The only thing is that charliemike shows they still have expensive issues and maintenance.
basically i can relate to you wanting a performer over an optioned "standard" car, so S4 is it!

BUT if you consider MPG and Reliability, then I have to go with everyone else: 335xi all the way! just depends whats more important to you at the end of the day...

Babnik

True... For about 50k, I could get a used E60 M5. But I don't wanna spend that much.

Actually I am going to investigate the possibility of buying a used BMW in the US and importing it to Canada, which will save me probably around 5-10k.

The rwd in snow is honestly not that big a deal, with a set of decent snow tires you can get around fine with rwd. At least in Toronto, further up north it's probably a different story. Remember, the biggest problems driving on snow/ice is stopping and turning, not starting. AWD is better than FWD/RWD to get you going, but doesn't help in stopping and usually not in turning either.

dallison

335

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

335

Michael Hoppenbrouwer

I had the same dilemma - I bought a 2007 e90 335i 6speed MT with really low miles
love the car and its been my daily for 3 years - a bit of sleeper - super quick and handles great but..
I have always wanted the S4 avant - finally found one (B6 with 6speed MT) had it for about a year now also

Findings - Love them both for different reasons
BMW - Quicker, better handling, I bit rare being the 4 door with the MT - but still common , pretty reliable, metallic feel of the inline 6 is nice
Best place to take it - A and B roads

AUDI - Interior vastly superior (sometimes i just sit in the car for the real leather recaro seats) more of a sleeper (I catch people off guard I am gone).
Sounds better, its heavier and you can feel it in the corners , Feels like more like a collector car now so I take it out as a cruiser and hit it once in a while.
If I drove it as often and as hard as the 335i i am sure it would break. The BMW takes the abuse no problem and seems to ask for it but it does not feel as special and rare as the S4
Best place to take it - A roads and parking lots (people cant believe they stuffed that 4.2V8 in there - they will never build a car like this again) -

Summary - I guess this is why i had to have them both - tried to explain it to my wife and she didn't get it

Michael

other car i still have
911 6speed MT
BMW e36
1972 Challenger 340 4 speed

1StGenCL

How the hell did you find a thread from 2009?