The G Man

But the S4 should be comapre to a 335 and the M3 should be comapre to the RS4, which Audi have stop making.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

True,that's why I'd rather have the one or two year old low mileage M3.
If I made the move,I'd want something more than both my 335 and the S4.

The G Man

The M3 is a beautiful car, certain 1 class up from the S4. The funny thing is that most people who buy the M3 will never use it to even 50% of what it is capacble of.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

Nor would I but it would be a great feeling to know it's there.

metalgear

very nice review. that's weird, no more pull up lever for the parking brake? man, cars are having too much gadgets nowadays.

rdgdawg

Great review Mike ... I'd like to test this against the V-8 in the S5 and see how they compare, especially handling... VERY surprised it didn't have Audi Drive Select... would get an S4 or S5 without it... HUGE difference in both S5s and S6s I test drove...

mmarshall

Thanks.

Yes, more and more cars are getting electronic parking brakes today, even some non-luxury ones. The automakers claim it saves space on the console and the levers don't get in people's way. I'd rather have a simple lever myself.....as you note, it is one less gadget to malfunction.

mmarshall

Thanks, Russ.

The specs list the Audi Drive Select as optional on both the A4 and S4, not standard. The standard set-up, without it, IMO, is fine, ride/handling-wise, except I'd like a little more feel in the steering....the effort/feel is too low, at lower speeds, for my tastes.

mmarshall

OK...opinion noted. I haven't reviewed a newer A8, and can't verify that, but it makes sense that the A8 would have a better system than the A4. How it compares to the LS460's ML unit, of course, may be another matter.

mmarshall

I asked about the RS4. The Audi people said that a new one is on the way.

mmarshall

Check out a 335i, and I think you will agree that it is almost as much car for a lot less money. I have said numerous times, that, IMO, it is a far better buy than the M3 for daily driving and non-track use. The M3 has a stiffer, more track-oriented suspension, but, at lower RPM's, the 335i's 3.0 twin-turbo out-powers it, and actually has more peak torque (305 ft-lbs. to 295). I've reviewed both a newer 335i and M3, and at 16K difference between the two cars as tested, I'd take the 335 hands-down.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

MM,the M3 does have a Electronic Damping Control option with driver adjustable shock absorber settings of Comfort,Normal and Sport.
Another plus is the lack of a high pressure fuel pump issue,along with fuel injector,turbo,wastegates,sensor issues.
No doubt the 335i is a fun car to drive but it does have it's problems.
The M3 has far less issues and the 414 HP is nice too.
$16K is a bit much but a low mileage '08 can run the same cost or less than a new '09 or '10.
I was looking into a well equipped '08 M3 sedan with 5K miles at a BMW dealer in Springfield,NJ for an asking price of $49995.Too bad it was red.White and I would have probably bought it.

mmarshall

I was refering to the price difference between the 335i and M3 I reviewed, brand-new. The RWD 335i, without the AWD option, listed for 47K. The M3 with 6-speed manual was over 63K.

The 335 I reviewed did not have any noticeable defects in it when I reviewed it. The M3 not only had a defective power-seat-motor system that wouldn't work properly (it took almost 20 minutes to get the front seat set up the way I wanted it), but also, when I went to check the rear-seat room and accomodations, the whole center-armrest section in the middle of the back seat pulled right off of the seat and fell down on the floor...it had never even been attached, just stuffed in the hole. Pretty p**s-poor quality control for a 63K car.

rdgdawg

Yes... but NOT for North America (as of now)... and 550+hp

rdgdawg

Yep, I know it's an option, surprised it didn't come optioned with it as 9 out of 10 I have seen have had it...

Appreciate your response on handling as well.... I thought the S5 had slow response as well