Review: 2007 Audi RS4 vs BMW M3

36 Responses to “Review: 2007 Audi RS4 vs BMW M3”

1. bbs on May 8th, 2006 4:47 am

   I think that m3 maybe has a lower performance then rs4, but when u look at tradition, popularity, design, all kind of tests and awards, then win goes 2 bmw m3.almost every year a top award for the best machine in every possible category goes to bmw.and i like m3.its the most beautifle car in the world!greetings from rijeka, croatia!

2. quantimouse on October 10th, 2006 3:12 pm

   Give me a break about the M3. It’s popularity is what makes me sick. Everyone and their grandmother drive that car now.

   And you know what? I think it’s an overrated car. I own an RS4 so I am biased, and I won’t deny I am sick of the magazines blindly kissing BMW’s ass.

   The bottom line is that Audi has put a stake in BMW’s heart with this RS4. By the time BMW recovers with the new M3, the R8 will be on boats coming to US dealer lots.

   Audi is the current world leader in performance luxury motoring. They are wiping the floor clean with BMW and Mercedes. Not to mention the ammount of amazing technology they continue to bring from their continually dominating race efforts. The FSI in the RS4 is a direct benefit of the R8 Le Mans cars.

   The M3 has met its match, as European Car Magazine put it (see, the Europeans get it, its the Car & Beemer Western dolts who live in denial), there’s been a “regime change” in Germany, and the RS4 “is worth the extra $20k over the M3″.

   Wow.. Need I say more?

3. lars nilsson-cusiel on November 4th, 2006 12:15 pm

   I own an RS4 2006 model.

   B M W are dead, it not only kicks the M3 ass, but also its supposed big brother , or dear I say Big Sister, why pay an extra 80 k nz $ , when you can have an rs4, by the way mines the Daytona blue,
   ??????? by the way when is BMW going to put a real stereo in their luxury cars, or 4WD,

   Unrepentent hoon.

4. Nick on November 16th, 2006 4:28 am

   Ok, I own an E46 M3 and have driven the M5, M6 & M3 CS on track days. Yesterday, I took an RS4 for a 1 Hour Test Drive and here are my thoughts:

   M3 SMG
   1. The M3 has the hardest shifting & fastest gearbox on the market.
   2. M3 has the hardest revving engine in this catagory.
   3. M3 is 6 Years old and still develops more than 100BHP/Litre.
   4. M3 is very adjustable on the track at the limit. Great feedback.
   5. Overall a very RAW and Focused package.

   RS4
   1. Wow, what an engine, the sound is incredible. Revs damn hard.
   2. Great spark cut rev limiter. Makes driving this hard an aurale pleasure.
   3. AWD still gives understeer on the limit even with the 60% rear bias.
   4. Gearbox is primitive and slow compared to SMG.
   5. Gearshifts are subdued and dampened.
   6. It maybe faster than the M3 but it feels a little to refined. M3 feels more ferocious.

   So, will the NEW BMW M3 have the goods?
   I doubt it. The 4.0 V8 will not match the output per litre of the S51 3.2L. This is a jewel of an engine.

   Should AUDI futher develop the Quattro system to reduce understeer?
   Yes, AUDI will need to develop AWD similar to the Porsche 911 Turbo (997) System or Lambo system. On the limit, these AWD system feel like a rear wheel drive. Audi need to address this fast.

   Is BMW dead?
   Unfortunately, I think so. They make great engines and gearboxes (SMG II/III) BUT Audi has the better overall package and finer attention to detail.

   What about the R8?
   I’ve actually just ordered one. I was the first order at my dealership. I hope the R-Tronic gearbox shifts hard and I hope understeer doesn’t spoil my day. Fingers crossed for Aug 2007 Delivery!!

5. Dan Edmonds on January 2nd, 2007 3:33 pm

   First of all you are comparing a V8 engine to a V6. The RS4 is a great looking car but not it doen’t impress me. It only produces 80 more horse power than the M3. Handling wise the BMW M3 is more fun to drive. The RS4 is only good in the snow but who wants to bring a 70K car out in the snow. So for the money by far the M3 is a better car. Just wait for the new M3 to come out in 8 or 9 months. It will cost less and just like the old days it will take the doors off of the RS4.

6. sunny on January 4th, 2007 11:15 pm

   quantimouse u weakling there is no audi that can be compared to the bmw m5. The 5litre v10 in the m5 decimates all engines any can produce. The rs4 is a great car but the m3 is six years old now and how many years did it take audi just to beat one bmw? i think the new m3′s 4.0 v8 will monster the audi rs4 easily topping 400bhp

7. Hisham on January 6th, 2007 4:09 am

   @Sunny: I wouldn’t be so quick to claim the BMW M5 engine to be the best engine made. The problem with the entire interaction between BMW and Audi fanatics is the opinions tend to be almost dogmatic rather than factual. So let’s keep the fanboi stuff out of the discussion and stick to civilized discussion.

8. get a life on January 11th, 2007 9:46 am

   “The 5litre v10 in the m5 decimates all engines any can produce….

   u weakling there is no audi that can be compared to the bmw m5….”

   You must be a disgruntled bmw owner who has seen quattro smoke and

   Your are very uninformed…how bout the s6 and rs6 with a v10?

9. Be afraid...here comes Audi on March 18th, 2007 6:58 pm

   Dear Sunny,

   When the owner of an M3 just gets smoked by an RS4, that person doesn’t say to them selves, “who cares, I win anyway because it took Audi 6 years to beat me”……and neither do the spectators. It is what it is Sunny. Talk to some grown-ups that you don’t know and ask them what it takes to have a mature debate. I’ll make you a deal. When the new M3 hits the dealerships (and I’m sure it will be a damn fine car), if it does beat the RS4, I won’t wine and say, “well, it took them a year to beat us.” Remember, BMW’s production of a new M3 was motivated by the same reasons Audi produced the RS4. Even BMW respescts the RS4 and they know that now the RS4 is the benchmark car to beat. If they didn’t, they would add about 20 horses to the 2008 model M3 and reconfigure some of the body work and be done with it…..I mean let’s be honest. Audi is now the ones to beat in this category….grow up and deal with it. Here is some final food for thought for you, I respect BMW unlike you when it comes to Audi…..but Audi has been truely at this only since the 90′s. Comparativly speaking…..reasonable people can only conclude (based on Audi’s current product line)….THIS IS A PRETTY DAMN GOOD PERFORMANCE/LUXURY CAR COMPANY! Please respond with facts and reasonable conclusions and not excuses…I will do the same in kind.

10. david on March 28th, 2007 9:10 pm

    Today parked next to a new RS4 and the 2 yr old S4- which car looks better?
    my carbon black 2004 m3- hands down-
    as far as drives – I don’t care for AUDI – the ride is too compliant too comfortable – too much body roll compared to my M3- it may be faster in the straight line and better in snow – but if I had to drive and cannot sell my car – I would drive my m3 until the E92 model come out. Look at depreciation for audi’s s4s. you will loose 50% within 3-4 years – with

11. Marlon on March 30th, 2007 1:37 pm

    Every time i read a post comparing Audi’s to BMW’s it appears to me that some of the BMW owners or fans do not seem to be cultured enough to accept with good grace a competitor who has finally meet and I dear say surpass their technology; in performance, style, quality and comfort.

    I would think that these persons would have had a different response, in that, they(BMW) have been the leaders in the 3series category for some time now and because of their prestiege with such dominance should not worry about an up and coming foe. Instead, some of them choose to stoop to an all-time low in degrading one of the finest engines ever produced for a sport sedan(4.2L V8 FSI)

    I think that both Audi and BMW fans should feel excited about this rivalry, because in the end it is the cutomer who wins…..think about it

    M

12. Zeon2080 on April 13th, 2007 4:28 am

    People, lets compare apples to apples, not pears to a 6 year old aplles.
    The new M3 has been announced and it has everything to beat the RS4, but at the same time RS^ details are emerging and it seems that Audi RS^ will beat the 3 year old M5.
    Technology is advancing and it would be funny or stupid if a new car was worse than a 6 or 3 year old car.

    A BMW fan.

13. Scatters on April 17th, 2007 9:11 pm

    I’ve just taken delivery of a new RS4, which replaced my B5 2001 S4. Prior to buying this, I spent a lot of time test driving and researching the then current M3 (this was back in late 2005 – I’ve spent a long time with this decision:).
    Unquestionably, the previous gen M3 is a stunning looking car (possible the most elegant sports sedan ever built), which produces incredible power for it’s displacement and is wonderful to drive. The problem is that BMW has never got the interior details right. The sound system is lack luster, and the interior materials didn’t impress me. Reading various forums, the car apparently has a tendancy to rattle quite badly – one of my pet peeves. Finally, having seen the spy photo’s of the forthcoming M3, I’m sorry to say that BMW has lost all sense – I don’t care how much horsepower it has, or whether it spanks my RS4 around the track; the visual design is oddly discordant and has lost all of the elegance of the previous model. The latest generation BMWs all appear to have been beaten with an ugly stick (with the exception on the M6, which is very pretty)
    I really enjoyed my previous S4, but was concious of all of the problems with its design – mushy gearbox, understeer & slightly vague steering feedback. The RS4 is a completely different experience. The build quality is simply unbelievable, the ride is firm but not harsh, and the engine, ah the engine – is sublime! The entire driving experience provides a sense of intense excitement wrapped in a safety blanket. Also, the styling is purposeful but subtly understated.
    I’m pretty sure that most people posting on these forums and claiming that one car is better than another because it’s faster on the track, etc., are not capable of even getting the car close enough to the edge for the performance difference to matter – I know that I’m certainly not. I am pretty sure however that I can get the RS4 around a track faster than I could drive an M3 as the RS4 is a very easy car to drive fast.
    You know that when Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear and Tiff Needdell from Fifth Gear agree on something, it’s going to be a very good car indeed.

14. IDUAS4 on April 21st, 2007 2:32 pm

    I owned bunch of Audis in my life ( 80, 90, 100, 200, urs4, A6 series, and now 2004 A4 quattro) and one thing I can tell about them is that they are awsome cars but they keep having the same problems over and over. From power steering failures to bad electronics generation after generation. They have probably the finest interiors in the class, and their AWD system is the best in the industry, glavanized bodies just to mention the few things but the their reliablity in general is well below average. BMW on the other hand is as reliable as Honda or Toyota and that’s why nowdays the 3 series with its contraversial design still outsells much better ( at least in my opinion) looking Audi A4. BMW has quality and reliablity while Audi only has quality. I think part of that can be contrinuted to the fact that BMW has been using the same engines for 30 years that still work great and they only go thru minor changes every time. On the other hand, Audi has been moving between different engines with every new model and they just dont have enough time to perfect any of them except 4.2 L V8 because they’ve been using it since 1990. it took 17 years to make something out of it even though early versions of this engine sucked in terms of the performance and gas milage and it could barely keep up with BMW 325i.
    For me BMW was always European Muscle Car. It was the car that was fast, brutal, sounded great and it could take the beating and that’s why thay are se desirable. It’s tha same kind of popularity that one could see in ’67 mustang, camaro, dodge charger just to name the few. I think BMW M3 is not trying to be an Audi RS4, and vice versa since these two cars created two diiferent catogories, the M3 ond and the S4 one. I think you can only compare these two cars in the straight line, but in none of the other discplines since they are two different beasts that cater to two different types of car owners.

15. Be afraid....here comes Audi on June 19th, 2007 12:16 am

    Dear Dan Edmonds,

    Your argument is like watching someone trying to get out of their own way. Dan, you debate like a trainwreck. First of all, don’t be a coward when you debate. You want to stand behind the M3, fine it’s a great car…..but your statement of “you’re comparing a V8 to a V6.” That’s part of your argument? That’s weak. Stand up straight…you’re embarrassing Audi and BMW fans alike. They deserve better than you in this healthy debate so let’s start your tutorial. When the M3 was beating the S4 (a V8 engine by the way) by about a car length and a half 0 – 60, you never heard Audi fans crying; “well it’s a V6 so that’s why it won.” See…makes no sense. Therefore, you don’t now get to cry….I only got spanked by an RS4 because it had a V8. With today’s technology a V8 versus a V6 means little. There are many V6′s on the road right now that would beat most V8′s. You know the number of valves a car has comes into play…its overall breathability making the V8 vs. V6 argument silly. Second you say, “the RS4 is a good looking car but it doesn’t impress me” Huh????? I don’t know about you but when I see a good looking car…..I’M IMPRESSED!! Dan, you loose creditbility when you make statements like this. Debate with facts and not your emotions. Next you say, “it only produces 80 more horsepower than the M3.” Yeah!!!…80 more horses you wished you had. If the M3 was winning this argument you wouldn’t say,…..yeah, my M3 smoked that RS4, but it was only because my M3 had 80 more horses. Or would you??? Next, you say, “the RS4 is only good in the snow”….are you crazy. That’s the best you can do. Dan, we’re talking about top notch sports cars here not snow mobiles. Dan, check out Top Gear on You Tube…the RS4 beat the M3 0 – 60 and a lap around the track and there was no snow in sight. I know, hard to believe. I could go on smacking around more of the silly things you have to say, but I need to go to bed. May I make one suggestion? If you’re going to debate in such a reckless manner, you shouldn’t use your full name on these blogs.

16. Be afraid....here comes Audi on June 19th, 2007 12:22 am

    Dear Dan Edmonds,

    Your argument is like watching someone trying to get out of their own way. Dan, you debate like a trainwreck. First of all, don’t be a coward when you debate. You want to stand behind the M3, fine it’s a great car…..but your statement of “you’re comparing a V8 to a V6.” That’s part of your argument? That’s weak. Stand up straight…you’re embarrassing Audi and BMW fans alike. They deserve better than you in this healthy debate so let’s start your tutorial. When the M3 was beating the S4 (a V8 engine by the way) by about a car length and a half 0 – 60, you never heard Audi fans crying; “well it’s a V6 so that’s why it won.” See…makes no sense. Therefore, you don’t now get to cry….I only got spanked by an RS4 because it had a V8. With today’s technology a V8 versus a V6 means little. There are many V6′s on the road right now that would beat most V8′s. You know the number of valves a car has comes into play…its overall breathability making the V8 vs. V6 argument silly. Second you say, “the RS4 is a good looking car but it doesn’t impress me” Huh????? I don’t know about you but when I see a good looking car…..I’M IMPRESSED!! Dan, you loose creditbility when you make statements like this. Debate with facts and not your emotions. Next you say, “it only produces 80 more horsepower than the M3.” Yeah!!!…80 more horses you wished you had. If the M3 was winning this argument you wouldn’t say,…..yeah, my M3 smoked that RS4, but it was only because my M3 had 80 more horses. Or would you??? Next, you say, “the RS4 is only good in the snow”….are you crazy. That’s the best you can do. Dan, we’re talking about top notch sports cars here not snow mobiles. Dan, check out Top Gear on You Tube…the RS4 beat the M3 0 – 60 and a lap around the track and there was no snow in sight. I know, hard to believe. I could go on smacking around more of the silly things you have to say, but I need to go to bed. May I make one suggestion? If you’re going to debate in such a reckless manner, you shouldn’t use your full name on these blogs.

17. BMW freak ! on June 26th, 2007 7:53 am

    You guys make me laugh. i am south african and its so funny to find that this debate is so widely spread ! nice…

    I for one drive will and will only ever drive BMW ! it is only a lack of information or some kind of irrational bias that would make one opt for Audi or Merc or any other luxury vehicle in that class. The reason is that unlike other manufacturers BMW have managed for years to strike the balance between performance, style, saftey, economy and so on like NO other manufacturer !

    Using just BMW vs Audi… cause Merc is for old folks and besides .. they use cheap power to compete, viz: Kompressors or else huge truck pistons ,…hahahaha

    anyhow.. just have a look at a reliable car magazine in any country where the cars are tested and you will see. besides winning endless international awards just on performance alone…

    BMW320i vs A4 2.0L …. Audi smoked !
    BMW 320d vs A42.0L TDI…. Audi smoked !!
    BWW 330i vs A4 3.2L… Audi smoked !!!! despite larger displacement
    BMW 330d vs A4 3.0 TDI… same story.. Audi smoked

    hell even one of my old BMWs.. a 95 318i smoked an Audi A4 1.8 (1999 model) both bottom and top end !

    this is nothing new… so .. if we are reasonalble and compare apples with apples…. BMW rocks !!!

    the comparison between the M3 e46 and the RS4 is just stupid… and actually pathetic on Audi’s part… after years of failing they finally come up with the RS4, which while i respect and agree is awesome in terms of its performance, IT IS SIX YEARS YOUNGER AND 1000 CCS MORE !!!! is this apples with apples !

    on the other hand if you look at the M3 e46 in its own right, it was and is a masterpiece ! no other manufacturer has managed to extract that kind of horsepower out of a 3.2 litre engine and in fact, again to Audi’s shame, the same M3 leaves the S4 which is also a 4.2 litre engine !!!! i mean come on guys.. give credit where it is due ! this is nothing short of genius !!! the S4, with 1000cc more and two more pistons gets its ass kicked by this little 3.2litre monster… that is something to take your hat off to.

    any sensible people out there???

    ps. i now own and e90 330i, and e36 drop top, and an e36 sedan (328).. another brilliant motor… which also smoked the audi 2.8 in its day..hahahaha

18. CAR FINATIC on June 28th, 2007 3:19 am

    Finally someone with some common sense. Have the Audi fans seen the specs on the new M3 it is up to the same levels than you’re precious RS4 and the RZ4 barely beat the old M3 around the track. Hope the Audi blokes have small hats because they will be eating them as soon as the next comparison comes out. Plus BMW have developed their own 4WD system witch will be available soon so there goes Audi’s only advantage if you ever called it one. Sorry Blokes but BMW RULES

19. Be afraid.....here comes Audi on June 29th, 2007 11:37 pm

    Dear BMW freak,

    I’m from Southern California and we share something in common……you make me laugh too. First of all, calm down. Your arrogance is misplaced…..you don’t own BMW….you just drive them. Sounds like you probably have a nice collector set of BMW logo coffee mugs, headbands, member only jackets and wristbands. Hmm….where shall I begin to help quell this arrogance of yours.—————– Ok….I’m ready. Let’s get started.

    Okay, you’ll never drive anything but BMW’s…Hmmm…I’ll alert the press.

    You are clearly out of your mind if you think that someone is irrational for driving an Audi….well you did say you were a “freak.” What happened to you? What did you do; drive a 1993 Audi and decided that it was inferior to your BMW and that was it? Let me let you in on something….we all thought that about Audi in 1993. Hey Freak, the turn of the Century called and said they miss you. By the way, I thought the premise of your argument is to compare apples to apples….well bite on these apples. Audi opened its assembly line in 1990 and BMW opened their assembly line in……wait for it…….1928. BMW had a 62 year head-start……do the math; Audi is way ahead of the curve. How do you like them apples? BMW is a quality car, but I liken the success of their sales to the success of Corona beer sales. BMW markets well and so does Corona. Because the fact is, Corona is a horrible tasting beer. Take away the lime and the brilliant marketing and Corona would be sitting on the back display shelves next to Pabst Blue Ribbon. Give Audi the same marketing prestige (music videos, commercials and movies) with the 1928 head start that BMW has had and you wouldn’t have even written this silly blog.

    Yeah, BMW has won a lot awards…so what. They better be getting lots of awards….they’ve been at it since 1928 for God sakes. Based on the curve, if we are still comparing apples to apples, then Audi has lots of awards too. By the way, since shortly prior to 2002 (the year I decided to buy an Audi over BMW or Mercedes) I’ve read a lot of performance car magazines and BMW does not always win….I guess we’re just suppose to take your word for it? Here’s my challenge to you. Give me 10 awards BMW has won in the last year and I will match them with 10 awards Audi has won in the last year.

    If you want me to respond to your BMW vs Audi section, I will be happy to enlighten you on this also….but I need to know specific year, make, engine size and model for those not listed. You better make sure we’re comparing apples to apples (stock). Let’s take a look at one of your examples that I assume are 2006 models (330i vs A4 3.2). The BMW smoked the Audi. Smoked the Audi??? Right!! I guess we’ll just have to take a BMW Freak’s word for it. Hmmm??…..All the car literature I’ve read has them at pretty much dead even 0-60 times….6.3 or 6.4. Not to mention Audi has the heavy Quattro system weight disadvantage to deal with (an all wheel drive system that saves lives, helps prevent injury, avoids collisions and improves performance). Any pioneer all wheel drive systems from BMW….Ahhh…No!! BMW only recently gave in to the advantages of installing all wheel drive systems into some of their premium cars. Who taught them to start doing this? Sorry Freak. It wasn’t BMW…….can you say Audi?? But you’d probably like to drift and smoke your tires because it looks cool. By the way, while you’re drifting and smoking your tires around the track, the S4 beats the M3 around the track hugging corners like a rail (check out You Tube Top Gear). Audi fans; here’s another little tidbit the Freak is trying to peddle. The 1995 BMW 318i (138 HP, 129 Torque) smoked???? 1999 Audi A4 1.8 (150 HP, 155 Torque)????…right. Once a liar …..(well Freak, you know the rest).

    As far as your M3 vs S4 comparison, don’t be disingenuous Freak. You BMW guys always like to argue over the fact that the S4 has a V8 and the M3 beats it with a V6. This isn’t the 1960’s when it was a given that if you had a stock V8 it was sure to beat your stock V6. We’re dealing with a lot more sophisticated car technology today. It means very little when comparing a V8 to a V6; so many other factors come into play…..number of valves that help with the engine’s breath ability, advanced types of fuel injection, obviously, stock turbo systems, high rev capability, etc. The fact is the M3 has 333HP and the S4 has 340HP, basically the same. However Freak, when I think of the word smoked the way you use it, a novas would think the M3 disappeared from the S4’s sight. This never happened. M3 beat the S4 by about a car length and a half. By the way, just for race purposes, if Audi were to uninstall its heavy Quattro system and put it head to head with the M3, I wouldn’t have had to respond to this silly and disingenuous comparison. By the way, if BMW makes such superior cars with fewer cylinders, then why is the new M3 going to be a V8? Don’t be a cry baby Freak….so Audi decided not to build a car that finally beat the M3…..they decided to build a car that blew it away. Now it’s your move. You want to convince Audi fans on how superior BMW’s are? Here’s some advice for you Freak. Stop writing blogs with laughing notations like “hahahahaha.” You sound like an idiot sitting in front of your computer wearing nothing but underwear and sunglasses while 5 feet away in your living room sits some old BMW engine block you’re currently working on.

    I’m very impressed with the craftsmanship and design of Audi’s (particularly 2002 models) and I wish them all that they’re due, but selfishly I wish they would never catch up to the number of units that BMW sells (3 Series in particular). BMW’s saturation of the market is their Achilles’ heel; no uniqueness. Unfortunately, a lot of people are starting to wake up, I’m starting to see a lot of Audi’s on the road. Sorry Freak.

    P.S. Tell your lapdog “Car Finatic” to write his own material. Freak, you gonna let him share your thunder?

20. HOUSTON on July 13th, 2007 8:44 pm

    If I recall correctly, the B5 2.7tt & B6 S4 gave the M3 the blues as well as the C32 & C55. The B7 S4 with the 40/60 drive diff is the vehicle I was waiting on to be compared with the M3 that’s on sale now. I expect the B7 RS4 to raise the S4′s game seeing as though it’s built by “quattro gmbh”.

    Mind you, the B7 has been around since 2001 in lessor form, it’s an updated B6 platform, not completely new or newer like the e92 models. Now that the B8 A5/S5 is on the horizon, it’ll be more interesting from here on out.

21. BMW FAN2 on July 19th, 2007 10:51 pm

    HI GUYS

    I just want to say well done to all of you for standing by what you believe in, but remember at the end of the day the big winner is engineering. We should be happy that there are cars such as the Bmw m3 and the rs4. Life on the streets would be dull. They are both fantastic cars and deserve every bit of accolade given to them.

    I hate mindless people who argue about speed all the time. Speed is not everything guys!!! through out the years Bmw has shown consistancy in its engineering, to think they built plane engines and look now. The cars they build only need wings and they would probably be able to fly. Lets Take the m3 and the rs4 in to consideration, both are beasts in their own right. But the current m3 is has a smaller engine displacement and is not turbo charge. That is a very important fact that you guys are forgetting. It is not force fed. And yes they are both standard production, which means they come off the line like that, it does not mean that they can be compared.

    I just think that finally Audi has built this magnmificent machine and the fans feel the need to show BMW that this is the real deal. And they have the right because BMW has been doing it for ever.

22. Big Rab on July 29th, 2007 2:18 pm

    Fascinating debate. And I am about to upset all these RS4 owners.

    Last week my chipped 2000 S4 B5 was smacked from behind – imola yellow on a sunny afternoon obviously wasn’t bright enough for the clown to see it, and for the last 5 days I have been driving an RS4, courtesy of the insurer. I have covered 500 miles in the RS4, and it looks and sounds fantastic. Build quality is superb, and the handling is sublime. But it disappoints.

    As an everyday car, at sensible speeds on typical Scottish A and B roads, it lacks the punch and aggression of the old S4 unless you screw the nuts off it. The power and torque are developed so high up the rev range compared with the turbocharged S4, the RS4 feels cumbersome and ponderous to wind up when you need to overtake someone doing 40 – unless you like driving around in 2nd and 3rd gear. And don’t even mention the fuel it guzzles, no matter how carefully you drive. I couldn’t believe my luck when I was lent the RS4 – my old S4 is due for replacement and the RS4 seemed like the obvious successor. Not for me. Unless you spend your life on the track or you own an oil well, you buy it for the noise and the good looks.

23. Be afraid.....here comes Audi on August 9th, 2007 11:33 pm

    Dear Big Rab,

    Please tell me you’re kidding. You go from a 2000 “chipped” S4 to a 2006 RS4 and you are comparing it to your old S4. I’m absolutely speechless….I could not believe what I was reading. Big Rab, no one is buying this car thinking about how much gas it consumes…..I mean no one!!! The RS4 is not a commuter car…that’s what Honda Civics are for. That was the worst critisism of a car I have ever read. You basically said this car has more power than I could ever hope to handle while I’m running my errands between the mall and the grocery store…….see sounds ridiculous. Somebody please help me out here.

24. GanonGrey on August 18th, 2007 8:30 pm

    A few questions…How many of you own either an M3 (E46) or Audi B6 S4 or RS4?

    How much seat time do you have or are these decisions made based on the 10 minute test drive you got because you put on suit and looked grown for once?

    I-6 (not V6) vs. V8. We know this. It’s a bigger engine in the Audi. The companies are trying to build the best car they can. Why not compare the M3 to the Honda S2000′s I-4? Because you don’t. What does each car do with what it’s got is the real question. To say Audi needs a V8 to compete (btw there is a move in all the luxury sports car segment towards V8′s for their unhurried, non-stressed, smooth power delivery) and what engine does the E92 (2008 M3) have…

    Ok. Apples to Apples? Why bother? They are very different cars. Coupe without a ton of concessions to luxury- more focused. S4- a luxo ICBM, very nice interior (the kind of place you can spend time in during rush hour) but it can kick it into high gear when called for.

    0-60 M3 4.4-4.8
    0-60 S4 4.9-5.6

    How often do you get to go 0-60? I know some guy with a Camaro is fuming right now. Stoplight Assasins.

    No need to bring up the fact that neither car can compete with a stock vette- course they’d be a tosser in a vette, so that’s negated.

    S4 better in the snow, rain, misty, gravel…we know this. Only a knob races in these conditions…it’s unsafe. However all things being equal- I’d rather not have to worry about my rear end sliding out in the wet.

    Buy a winter beater? A second car? Maybe some people just want one car…which leads us to concessions.

    S4 is a real car. It can do the track, but how many times do you track? My response to that guy is get a Miata and have real fun in SCCA (or better yet an s2000)

    30-50 and 50-70- those are real stats that matter daily. Can you merge- can you beat the truck. The S4 wins on that count…so does the 335i for that matter but…

    The M3 is more focused for the track. But it’s too heavy to be a track darling (the CSL however). S4 – you can track it but why? Drop $12K on a 2000 AP1 S2000 and learn to drive if you want to talk about the track.

    The new M3 is even more like the S4/RS4 (from what I read). It’s 3800 lbs or so, but has 80 more hp…carrying 400 more lbs. Kills your hp/weight ratio.
    Which btw is how you compare different cars. Because while the Lotus Exige is only pushing 200hp, it weighs less than 2700lbs, putting it in the 4′s.

    Ok, now some tackhead is going drop a hemi in it. Not the point. A true sports car is light, agile, reactive, makes no concessions…neither the S4 nor M3 fit that bill in my book.

    I own an S4. Had the money for the M3 but it wasn’t half as much fun as my old honda s2000- redlining at 9k, top down, feeling every seam in the road- that’s a sportscar…a roadster…and painful to go more than 30 miles in at a time. Now the new S2000 CR is hardcore- no AC, no radio. And I did track it in Jersey. It’s the real muther—–in deal. But a little too hardcore.

    For style- the M3 is hard to beat, the lines are great, it’s got balls (to quote an old nissan commercial)
    The interior is ok. It’s a GT though, not an all-out sportscar. Two doors are sexier than four though. From a stop, it’ll take an S4. On the highway, it’s a push, with a slight edge going to the S4. I won’t bring the wet/snow into this. The only goal then is to get where you’re going safely. However it’s easier to drive the S4 in bad weather. You can do it in the M3, snow tires will help.

    S4 has. A snarl of a V8. The interior is second to none. The seats, recaros, fit like jean’s on Rosario Dawson’s backside. You get in the car and go…fast…no matter what the weather is doing. You can pass and weave at will- less work on the engine than in the M3, but ease and agility goes to the M3. It’s a four-door. Not sexy. Unless you’re the one going in the back seat. Or you need a child seat.

    M3 does it all very well. However, unlike the S4 which is extremely utilitarian, there are better sports car choices.

    Success is what you set out to accomplsh over how close you came to it- simple.

    I think the S4 hits its intended mark more often.

    The M3. Has been bested by th M-roadster, Vette and of course 911 (which unless you have the GT2 is heavier than Rosie O’donnel after an all you can eat buffet.)

    Edge. Neither, they’re not in direct competition. I had to choose and I bought the S4. It’s more useful. Yes, the M3 looks badass- but for me it’s not a pure sports car. If a M-roadster or coupe or Lotus challenges you in the twisties you’ll figure out what a real sports car is.

    Bring on the flamers (LOL). Just my opinion. Just a 30 y.o. surgeon with SCCA experience and a love of cars. I also hate watching you all flail about making piss poor comparisons.

    Success- what you set out to accomplsh divided by how close you came to it.

25. ahuff on August 25th, 2007 2:55 pm

    I’d like to comment on something “Be afraid…..here comes Audi” said regarding BMW and AWD. BMW used AWD in the 1980′s not just recently.

    Also, if you just compare 0-60 times, then you can determine a winner in a straight. But honestly, how many people that own either an Audi or a BMW just want to go in a straight line? Put both cars on a track (I know the RS4 beat the E46 M3) and get the drivers feedback as to how the car feels (steering feedback, predictability, turn-in, acceleration out of a turn…) and compare the results of the drivers. I think that will yield the winner at least for the drivability aspect.

    If you are just concerned with looks and comfort, then get your average Joe on the street to sit in the car and touch the textures and smell the smells and look at the pretty contours and determine whatever the heck an average joe wants from a car. Do pretty looks and pleasant textures and blah blah blah make a car what it is? I am going to have to say NO! It is how the car feels to a DRIVER that makes a car…a car.

    So let’s take a poll. How many drivers out there prefer Audi? How many prefer BMW?

    I choose BMW.

26. Be aafraid....here comes Audi on August 31st, 2007 1:45 am

    Daer Ahuff,
    Well put. I definitely believe that overalll performance is more important than 0-60 times; don’t get me wrong…I like speed. But if I had the choice between better overall performance with 20-30 less horsepower; I’ll choose the less horsepower anyday. I only harped on the 0-60 times because the subject was brought up. Agian, well said Ahuff. For me, sitting in the Audi, taking in the contours, styling (especially interior), the way it drives, hadles, brakes, etc. is what sold me. But it was the fact that I wouldn’t see my car every other block is what closed the deal. If it wasn’t for Audi actually turning out to be a car I would be happy to own; I might have bit the bullit, become a cliche’ (kinda like the Chrysler 300) bought a 330i, put nice wheels and tires on it and 3 months later would have maybe not hated….but I would have regretted my purchase for sure. Again the 3 Series is a great car. BMW has been at it for a a long time perfecting the 3 Series. In addition to the decision makers for me to go with Audi that I mentioned above; I believe the 3 Series BMW is overhyped in most cases…..about 90% of the time. The 3 Series was by no means more thoroughly impressive to drive than its Audi competitor. BMW bulids great luxury performance vehicles and so does AUDI!!; and Audi got there in a very short amount of time and they’re just warming up. R8, S8, RS4, S3 just to name a few.

    P.S. BMW may have used AWD in the 80′s but it was not Quattro AWD type technology. BMW has only recently been using a simular AWD Quattro type technology in certain models. Audi incorporates Quattro almost exclusively in their vehicles. Correct me if I am wrong on this point. I will re-research it.

27. IDUAs4 on September 6th, 2007 7:43 pm

    There are many good and bad arguments on either side. Last winter we got about 12 inches of fresh snow overnight and I called my friend who owns BMW 325xi to take our cars ( I own 2004 Audi A4 1.8 Q) to this secluded parking lot to do donuts and stuff. We
    really abused the cars that day, however after 30 minutes my clutch started burning. I parked my car took my friends bimmer did the same thing I was doing with my car for another hour or so and I still couldn’t smell the clutch. Both cars had about 20k miles at the time but BMW just proved to be more solid, better built peace of engineering.
    I think Audi has always been a leader when it comes to innovations, but BWW has always been been focused on improving what they do best and not deviating too much from their standard product. That’s why their 6 cyl engine is so good, because they perfected it.
    One thing I couldn’t never understand is why did Audi stop making their 5 cyilinder turbo engine. That was an awsome engine, very capable and durable. I still own an Audi urs4
    and considering that it’s 13 years old, it still hauls ass, even with stock engine.

28. Chris on September 19th, 2007 7:22 am

    Here’s my story…

    I bought my first Audi this year and took it to the track as soon as the engine was ready for the push. It completly surprised me and I learned that it has more to give than I was prepared to use while maintaining control. The brakes were fantastic, the ESP got in the way a bit, the gearbox was smooth, the clutch just right, pedal placement good and had plenty of power. Steering was tight andthe heavy nose dived into the breaking zone and in general it understeered. Throttle steering was a must and the result was fantastic (lift the power and the feel the front come back in line). Grip and grab in the corners was fantastic and power through the corners used the quattro to thrust fowrad well. All this seems to make sense to me, the Audi has quattro that favors safety and the balance is toward the front.

    And the interior is comfortable with a clearn layout and great sound.

    I had an instructor for the two days who drives and brought his BMW. He drove the track a couple of times in my car, and I in his. Sometime on the second day he commented “I’m liking this Audi a lot”.

    I continue to be pleased with the innovation and engineering that Audi develops in the front lines and how quickly they implement it in the models below. I have not once experienced buyer remorse.

29. Peter Moranovich on October 7th, 2007 11:50 pm

    I own a 2008 S6, and want to reply to the person who said that the 2000 S4 is not a contender. My buddy has an RS4, and most of the time, I get the jump on him (on the highway), or we’re pretty even. Well yesterday I was really ringing the car out and I see old style audi lights behind me. I couldn’t shake him, up through 145 mph, I just slightly pulled away. He pulled up and turns out he had a late 90′s S4, “fully tweaked” as he put it….turbo cars can be modded much easier than NA…

30. SPIDER on November 5th, 2007 6:31 am

    Whether you compare the cars or not, I love BMW’s for one simple reason, they are beautiful cars. That is just my opinion and I buy cars based on my opinion. The bottomline, BMW is the benchmark. Every car that is build for speed, a BMW will be called upon to check if it makes the benchmark. BMW is car that you love or hate, but you can’t ignore it. Audi’s might be good cars, i don’t no and quite frankly, I am seriously not interested. After all is said and done, I’m the one who spends the money and I am prepared to spend it on BMW. It is a very good ride for me and no one’s opinion is going to change mine. By the way, BMW does not use artificial means to build faster cars with the exception of the 335i, which was build for the Le Mans.

31. Gordon on January 4th, 2008 8:29 am

    Why are we fighting between Audi and BMW? The bottom line is that they are both good cars with each its pros and cons. The point is the Germans rule the automobile industry. They make better cars then Japan and America by a long shot.

32. ja on January 15th, 2008 8:25 am

    Finally at the end couple of post that make sense. I understand that Audi owners will stand behind their car as well as the BMW guys, but both are fine cars for what is worth and both are also different so why not settle on that.
    Even I, a long fan of BMW and with same feeling as “SPIDER” except that I’M impressed and interested in what the guys at Audi have achieved. I’m sometimes sick of praise that there is not better car then BMW as there are other cars that do what people need. Yet, to have Beemer is always plus and if some have that same feeling driving Audi, I’m just glad for them.
    Personally I think what “Gordon” said is what’s true.
    I’ll add just one correction for “Be afraid…..here comes Audi” that name started as part of VW in 1964 but the company is around much longer. It evolved from Auto Union, NSU, Horch and DKW, the former having incorporated the historic Audi company which was founded in 1910. See history at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi ,so your argument about the lenght of technical expertise doesn’t hold.

33. David M on March 5th, 2008 7:11 pm

    BMW is done for everyone who said the m3 is better than the rs4. rs4 will always beat the m3 in a race in any terrain, even on a perfect race track. for all those bmw groupies who flock to their m5s and m6s when finally realizing defeat. I wont even bring in thr r8 instead the rs6 will rip a new asshole in every bmw fans ass. Enough Said.

34. David M on March 5th, 2008 7:12 pm

    BMW is done for everyone who said the m3 is better than the rs4. rs4 will always beat the m3 in a race in any terrain, even on a perfect race track. for all those bmw groupies who flock to their m5s and m6s when finally realizing defeat. I wont even bring in thr r8 instead the rs6 will rip a new a$$h0le in every bmw fan. Enough Said.

35. Mike on March 11th, 2008 6:40 pm

    thats a hard question….BMW or Audi?? there both my favorite sports car…

36. JPags on May 28th, 2008 6:07 am

    I have been a previous audi driver, 2004 s4, and have had the chance to get some good driving in the new 2008 BMW M3 and audi RS4. I must say first of all, I have always been audi biased since winters in canada require four wheel drive and I prefer the interiors far more…

    Cost aside, the new 2008 RS4 has some serious problems along with the entire audi lineup, with the exclusion of the new R8 and S5, that affect handling at high speeds. The audi cars have typically been front heavy, and in combination with the mechanical quattro system that does not utilize any differentials meaning the wheels can not experience a change in power if need be and are only controlled by torque. These two unique features of the audi create an understeering problem, where at high speeds will slam your car into the wall or off the track! The audi’s are notoriously always too heavy reducing their performance, but i guess that is what is required for 4 cup holders in the front seats of the cabin. At the street speeds, this understeering is not noticed as much and audi may appear to keep up with the new M3. However, on the track BMW will outperform the audi any day of the week providing the driver is skilled.

    If you are having difficulty wrapping your head around the concept please watch TOPGEAR, where they compare the 2008 RS4 M3 & C63 AMG, or do some more research on why this $15’000.00 CAN less car is outperforming the audi. It all has to do with the balance and agility of the vehicle and the fact that BMW is a rear wheel drive car. Are F1 cars 4 wheel drive? Hells no because there are inherent performance advantages to having rear wheel drive cars and with the exception of the Bugatti Veyron or new Lambo, both of which i would take in a second but go through more gas than your grandma after a whole can of beans due to increasing the engine in order to have the best of both worlds. Also to make this clear, Bugatti and the Lambo both have way more advanced four wheel drive systems that have a larger rear wheel bias than the audi, so dont try argue that too me. Finally, driving the M3 is much more fun since you have to work a little more for the corners at high speed but then again the fear of slamming in to the walls from the understeering audi also gets the heart pumping.

    Bottom line, The audi RS4 is a beautiful car and so is the M3. The audi is more practical and much safer accompanied by that higher price tag that goes along with it. It is also much easier to drive and does not require as much skill which is why on the streets you might see them destroy BMWs. I think people need to stop and appreciate what both cars have to offer and stop being so fanatical about their car companies since clearly it is clouding your judgement, A lot of people would be lucky to have either car…

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