I am planning on buying a pre-owned luxury sedan/coupe at the end of the year and have it narrowed down to an 04 Audi S4 or an 03 BMW M3. I have wanted an M3 since I was a teenager but I heard an S4 with an aftermarket exhaust and was floored at the sound and the comprable performance.

I am going to do some test drives this week to narrow it down but wanted to know if anyone here has driven both and can help me narrow it down.

Here are the two that I am looking at.
http://motorcars-of-georgia.ebizauto...G-COUPE/Coupe/

http://select-luxury.ebizautos.com/d...Audi/S4/Sedan/

 

I havent driven both but I think its a no brainer .. M3 all the way ... E46 M3 sexiest car ever built

 

That M3 is overpriced.

But between the two, i would get the M3.

They both totally different. You will know that when you drive them.

 

M3 6 cylinder
S4 V8

Both are great cars...if you don't mind having a coupe I'd go with with the M3, but thats just personal preference. There really isn't a wrong answer one way or another

 

On second glance...do you know what Dinan mods were made to the car. Looks like an exhaust...suspension...?

 

i'd get the m3. i don't like the red on the s4.

 

m3

 

I agree

M3 FTW

 

M3....not even close.

And I would look for a different M3. Lot of miles on her and I agree with CS in that it looks to be overpriced.

If you are open to a different route, I would go get a new 335i over both

 

im gonna have to go against the tide and say S4...

more power / more torque / V8 sound / AWD / practicle and useable every day space / less common

 

Great points made for the S4

 

Thanks guys. I know you all get tired of the what kinda car should I buy questions. I was thinking of the 335 but can't fall in love with the exterior like I can the E46. This would be a third car for me so a coupe is fine.

 

M3s are everywhere, S4 is rareish and practical...

 

I'm assuming you drive a TL right now...so just add a coupe. What kinda Dinan mods are on the M3?

 

on all points

 

The M3 because I prefer a sporty coupe over a sedan.

 

E46 M3.......better car overall, better resale, style never changed (no facelifts) midcycle.

The M3 is a classic, the V8 S4 is not.

Unless you get Imola Yellow or Nogaro blue, the S4 more or less looks just like an A4. So going by one is rare and one isn't is a moot point. It doesn't help that Audi offered a Sport package on the A4 which looks just like....well an S4.

 

M3 all the way if it was between a 06 M3 or 06 or 07 RS4 I would say Audi, but for 03's M3. Just ask yourself will you get tired of the coupe?

 

what gives the E46 a classic warrant and not the S4?

the S4 is a great car that has a huge fan base fallowing

 

Thanks folks! I am going to test drive Friday or Saturday. I am car sitting my brothers Porsche Cayman while he is travelling and you would not believe how easy it is to get a test drive when you roll up in that car. They basiclly hand you the keys and beg you to keep the car overnight.

 

the Cayman....


now thats a fun car to have

 

M3, M3, M3...

 

S4 lost most of its fan following when the turbos went away. Meh.

 

M3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Yea. My brother is an engineer and spent 2 years in Iraq as a contractor and made a ton of cash. The Cayman was one of his Spoils of War. He spends his time as a trainer traveling around the U.S. for months at a time and leaves his car with me to "watch."

 

Either one would be sweet, but for space, convenience, money, etc... I would probably go with the S4.

I am not that knowledgeable with M3s, but aren't they tough to maintain?

 

In the reliability dept. I have to give the nod to the BMW over the Audi. The Audi has a 8 cyl. compared to the M3 6 cyl, and the S4 makes slightly more power, but the M3 still has the edge in a speed race. Credit that to the extra weight of AWD most likely. Looks def go to the M3 for more, one of the most beautifully designed cars i've ever seen. The only thing the S4 has going for it with me is AWD (i live in NY), but a good set of snow tires with the M3's traction control should be enough to tackle the winter.

 

It just does, the E46 M3 has been on the top 10 lists for years.....the benchmark in its $ category and above for quite awhile.

The S4 is a nice car, but it doesn't have the exclusive look of the M3.

At the end of the day, its a sedan that is very similar in appearance to its standard model counterpart.

 

M3.

Then add this....
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=419452

 

Well then that solves it. You dont need another sedan. Sedans = 4 doors = ugly. Coupes = 2 doors = sexy.

 

G35



















J/k I'd say M3

 

M3..

 

M3...

I'll never in my life drive a Volkswagen.

 

Yea, i wouldnt want a lambo in that case either.

 

I was just thinkin the same thing

 

idk that s4 looks pretty hot... some dark tint and black rims with a chrome lip would set that off majorly... im probably one of the few younger guys who prefers sedans over coupes ((just ignore my username please :-P ))

 

I would get the M3 just cuz of the killer looks but the S4 would be more practical fun

 

If I had enough money for a Lambo, I'd be looking at a 911 also and I doubt I'd end up with the Lambo.

 

M3 faster in a straight line, S4 faster around a track.

Have you seen the topgear comparison?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzisa6wcMNU

 

I did see that comparision. Was surprised that the S4 won on the track.