08 M3 or 08 S4?

[PricklyPete]

If you are serious about these two cars, I'd look into the direct injection issues the Audi has prior to making any decision on that car.

I love both BMW and Audi but to me the current S4 lacks a certain . . . specialness. It's a nice car but feels a little humdrum for what it costs.

Keep in mind this is not the current S4 (he states '08 in title)...that didn't show up till '10. This is the older model with the 350hp V8. So no direct injection and not the current chassis.

The new S4 is a much nicer car than the older S4 dynamically, but both are too much of a compromise if you are wanting something sporty IMHO.

 

[IcePickFreak]

I live in Minneapolis too, so am more than familiar with winter driving here. I am admittedly somewhat biased in that I drive two RWD BMWs, an E90 330i and an E46 M3. Personally I have found that with good snow tires, traction is much less an issue than ground clearance. The S4 will unquestionably be somewhat more sure-footed on snow, but the modern BMWs have traction/stability control that make them very controllable on snow. On balance my 330i, with Blizzak LM-25s, is the best winter car I have ever owned, with the possible exception of the AWD Tercel SR5 wagon (63 BHP!) I drove in college.

I love both BMW and Audi but to me the current S4 lacks a certain . . . specialness. It's a nice car but feels a little humdrum for what it costs.

This. Snow tires on a RWD and you're good to go. I run the same Blizzak LM-25's on my G8 (sitting at about 400hp) and is the best car I've had in the snow as well... as long as I have enough ground clearance. I'm in Milwaukee btw so we see plenty of snow.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I live in Minneapolis too, so am more than familiar with winter driving here. I am admittedly somewhat biased in that I drive two RWD BMWs, an E90 330i and an E46 M3. Personally I have found that with good snow tires, traction is much less an issue than ground clearance. The S4 will unquestionably be somewhat more sure-footed on snow, but the modern BMWs have traction/stability control that make them very controllable on snow. On balance my 330i, with Blizzak LM-25s, is the best winter car I have ever owned, with the possible exception of the AWD Tercel SR5 wagon (63 BHP!) I drove in college.

I love both BMW and Audi but to me the current S4 lacks a certain . . . specialness. It's a nice car but feels a little humdrum for what it costs.

Yeah, I was hoping you'd chime in, I knew you lived in MN and had a few RWD cars...and BMW at that.

It's hard to baby such a powerful beast .

I think i'll just get the E90 M3...get what I want. It'll probably take a few months for me to find the one I want, I plan to be very picky.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Yeah, I was hoping you'd chime in, I knew you lived in MN and had a few RWD cars...and BMW at that.

It's hard to baby such a powerful beast .

I think i'll just get the E90 M3...get what I want. It'll probably take a few months for me to find the one I want, I plan to be very picky.

Enjoy

Can't say i'm not jelly...:\

 

[thegimp03]

Just did a quick search and CPO '08 M3s go for >$41K around here. Non-CPO '08 M3s are as low as $35K. Would it be stupid to buy a non-CPO '08 M3?

 

[ViviTheMage]

Just did a quick search and CPO '08 M3s go for >$41K around here. Non-CPO '08 M3s are as low as $35K. Would it be stupid to buy a non-CPO '08 M3?

I'll go CPO, but like I said...i'll wait, I am in no rush.

 

[halik]

I had an 04 S4 and traded in for an E46 M3. The S4 has some pretty significant design flaws - the timing chain guides tend to fail and to fix the engine needs to come out. The alusil block is prone to cylinder scoring and if that occurs, the whole motor is crap. Also variable timing adjusters are fairly weak and cost about 600 a pop to replace.

I reaaaally hated the transmission gearing on the S4, way too short. The car would sit around 3100rpm doing 70 on the highway. That translates to like 22mpg.

Recaros are awesome though.

 

[ViviTheMage]

What issues do E90 M3's have?

 

[DaTT]

I honestly can't believe how many people on this forum drive M's and S's....

And Vivi, how dare you not love the look of the S5 :shakes fist:

Honestly, I think you will be happier with your dream car, take your time and choose wisely.

 

[exdeath]

I honestly can't believe how many people on this forum drive M's and S's....

And Vivi, how dare you not love the look of the S5 :shakes fist:

Honestly, I think you will be happier with your dream car, take your time and choose wisely.

It's an niche car enthusiast forum on what is already an enthusiast "geek" site to begin with.

Of course most people here are only interested in the "halo" versions of every respective make and model.

 

[dirtboy]

I drove the new S4 & outgoing S5 back in Nov. On New Year's Eve I bought a 2012 M3 Cab. In my personal option, the Audi's do not even come close to comparing to a M3 in how they drive, feel or perform.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I honestly can't believe how many people on this forum drive M's and S's....

And Vivi, how dare you not love the look of the S5 :shakes fist:

Honestly, I think you will be happier with your dream car, take your time and choose wisely.

I like the look, I just wouldn't own it at that price point, haha.

I'd rather get a used M3!

 

[ajskydiver]

What issues do E90 M3's have?

No mechanical issues that I know of via the two main M3 forums. DCT issues cropped up in a few early cars but that seems to be few and far between.

E90s had a tendency to scratch window tint due to the hard plastic inserts. Even in 2011 the issue hadn't been fixed but the remedy is very easy to apply -- moleskin via http://tintprotector.com/forummembers/ (for a slight discount).

 

[Safeway]

I honestly can't believe how many people on this forum drive M's and S's....

And Vivi, how dare you not love the look of the S5 :shakes fist:

Honestly, I think you will be happier with your dream car, take your time and choose wisely.

Car enthusiasts usually post on dedicated car boards. AT is such a large board, you get quite a few car enthusiasts here, too. Car enthusiasts tend to own nice cars. Ms and Ss are nice cars. Following this logic, it all makes sense.

 

[cbrsurfr]

Keep your current A4 for another year or so till you can get a 2010 S4 with the 3.0 and torque-vectoring rear diff.

 

[overst33r]

If it was the B8 S4, I'd suggest that, but since it's B7 I suggest you stay far far away.

Check out this beaut. German engineering at its finest

M3 all the way.

 

[Fenixgoon]

If it was the B8 S4, I'd suggest that, but since it's B7 I suggest you stay far far away.

Check out this beaut. German engineering at its finest

M3 all the way.

prettymuch this IMO

unless halik is your neighbor. then you could consider the S4.

 

[ViviTheMage]

If it was the B8 S4, I'd suggest that, but since it's B7 I suggest you stay far far away.

Check out this beaut. German engineering at its finest

M3 all the way.

is niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice

Keep your current A4 for another year or so till you can get a 2010 S4 with the 3.0 and torque-vectoring rear diff.

What are the differences exactly?

 

[alevasseur14]

Keep me in mind for the A4 when you're done with it! I'm looking to take my car out of the 90s sometime in the future. I drove my parents Olds Alero last week when they were out of town and storing it in my garage. It drove really nice and I was a little surprised that I liked driving it but it just wasn't German. The only thing I really wish I had was Quattro.

With my '96 VR6 I'm getting into timing chain/water pump territory at 160k. Even though I work at a shop, I'm not a mechanic and I'd still rather dump it before doing the maintenance.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Keep me in mind for the A4 when you're done with it! I'm looking to take my car out of the 90s sometime in the future. I drove my parents Olds Alero last week when they were out of town and storing it in my garage. It drove really nice and I was a little surprised that I liked driving it but it just wasn't German. The only thing I really wish I had was Quattro.

With my '96 VR6 I'm getting into timing chain/water pump territory at 160k. Even though I work at a shop, I'm not a mechanic and I'd still rather dump it before doing the maintenance.

Price in mind, maybe it could happen sooner then later .

How much do you guys charge for the timing belt service for B7 A4's? What shop you work at?

 

[alevasseur14]

Price in mind, maybe it could happen sooner then later .

How much do you guys charge for the timing belt service for B7 A4's? What shop you work at?

You should know where I work. I helped detail the Golf you got for your GF!

I have no idea what bobbysteve charges for a chain and pump swap. I automatically assumed too much and never asked. PM me with the price you had in mind.

 

[Chapbass]

Not sure if the M3's have similar size tires as the G35 Coupes, but I have some 17" Blizzaks /w rims I can sell you if you pick up the m3 You'll be all set!

 

[ViviTheMage]

You should know where I work. I helped detail the Golf you got for your GF!

I have no idea what bobbysteve charges for a chain and pump swap. I automatically assumed too much and never asked. PM me with the price you had in mind.

That's right bobby's! Why didn't you say something, when we picked it up! German shops have been asking about 900$~

Not sure if the M3's have similar size tires as the G35 Coupes, but I have some 17" Blizzaks /w rims I can sell you if you pick up the m3 You'll be all set!

shipping would probably kill it!

 

[alevasseur14]

That's right bobby's! Why didn't you say something, when we picked it up! German shops have been asking about 900$~

I didn't wait around for you to come pick it up! Plus, I'm almost never behind the counter unless I'm picking up or dropping off keys. You may have noticed there's a bar on the same block so as soon as I get the all clear I'm outta there! You did get a couple extras because I knew you, however.

I lied and did ask for a price once. I stopped listening after the $600+ (my cost) for parts.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I didn't wait around for you to come pick it up! Plus, I'm almost never behind the counter unless I'm picking up or dropping off keys. You may have noticed there's a bar on the same block so as soon as I get the all clear I'm outta there! You did get a couple extras because I knew you, however.

I lied and did ask for a price once. I stopped listening after the $600+ (my cost) for parts.

Sweet ... yeah, that Golf was dirty, we just bought it off one of those highway lots...one owner though!

600+ is not bad if it's indeed about 600-700.