CDNROCKIES

Great review as usual Mike.

I would agree with others that this vehicle targets the 335i far more than an M3. I'm not sure it's such a value if compared as such.

And no, the 335i is not almost as much car as the M3. There are hundreds of posts on the Bimmer forums discussing this topic. The 335i is certainly a great car and good bang for your buck, but it isn't close to an M3.

The S4 is a beauty.

mmarshall

Thanks.

In the form I reviewed it, the S4 lists for slightly more than the average 335i, but that includes standard AWD and a far high level of fit/finish. The 335, admittedly, has a better manual transmission and a slightly more driver-centered chassis/steeering system.

Yes, I know that debate has gone on endlessly....and both CL and BMW-forum posters feel strongly both ways. I respect the views of the other side, and agree that the M3 is more suited for extreme and track-oriented driving, but for daily driving and some occasional aggressive stuff, I still say it's hard to beat the 335. And, if you pay for it, you can get AWD on the 335xi....you can't on the M3.

92 SC400

Nice review as always!

Interesting to see how the S4 used to draw comparison to the M3, but now it seems Audi has no interest in competing with it. Perhaps they are looking for more of a middle ground between the 335 and M3 where they may be able to attract some buyers...

I saw one of these in red at a dealer a few months back and it looked very nice. A friend was tossing around the idea of perhaps getting one of these vs maybe a 335xi. He's owned 2 Bimmers, 2 MBs, and 2 Infinitis in the past 8 years (a Range Rover and Xterra as well), and this would his first Audi though he considered a A4 on numerous occasions before almost bought an S6 but was getting a horrible deal on his trade.

So, the "million dollar question" to you: if it's your money, are you buying an S4 or 335xi? Assume both are loaded and will likely be automatics.

mmarshall

Thanks.




Make that a 2 million dollar question......a VERY tough choice. The 335's driver-centered appeal (and chassis) is obvious, but the S4 has superb fit/finish, and cradles you in some pretty nice seat leather (though it's a $1000 option).....far better than the BMW's.

I'd probably (reluctantly) choose the S4, as you say, with the S-tronic....it is more pleasant to drive, IMO, than the 6-speed manual version, despite the manual's smooth clutch. Still, I'd miss the 335's superb steering and chassis

Fizzboy7

Great review!
However, the new 3.0 V6 has less horsepower than the old 4.2 V8 it's replacing. Old V8= 340, new V6= 333.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

Oh my...
That is bad quality control.
My 335i was made in South Africa.Said to have a bit better quality control then Munich.

mmarshall

Thanks.

Yes, there may be some very minor differences (and those differences may vary by states and different emissions packages), but, basically, it is pretty much the same power level. In fact, the new V6 also produces its peak over a lower, wider RPM range....which boosts low-speed response.

mmarshall

And, on top of that, you can bet that auto workers in Germany, which has some of the highest wage/benefit packages on the planet, earn a lot more than they do in South Africa.

The G Man

That question can be answer by the difference between the 2 cars, just like BMW and Audi's entire line up. BMWs are more focus on performance, where Audi is more well rounded in all areas.

mmarshall

There's not that much noticeable difference in actual performance. The main difference seems to be in the 335's better steering feel and the S4's much better fit/finish. The S4, of course, also offers the superb S-Tronic.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

Car & Driver Test


2nd Place BMW 335


Highs: Drives like a sports car in a large box, that solid BMW thunk to everything, vibe-free to 7000 rpm.

Lows: Lacks the Audi's grip, tighter back seat, aging and ready for its reboot.

Verdict: it taught the competitors what a sports sedan should be. They learned.

1st Place, Audi S4 Quattro.

Highs: As planted as a giant sequioa, Torque-vectoring diff feels like rear-wheel steering, rumble from the rump pipes.

Lows: Heavier, interior plainness, option it carefully or it gets expensive.

Verdict: An often also-ran finally ties up the loose ends.

performance stats:
BMW/Audi

0-60: 4.9/4.9
0-100: 12.1/12.0
1-140: 27.1/26.4
1/4 Mile: 13.6@105mph/13.4@106
rolling 5-60: 5.8/5.6
30-50: 7.9/8.9
50-70: 6.3/7.5
Sound Dba @ 70mph: 67/64
MPG in 550 miles: 18/17
Braking from 70-0: 165ft/167ft
Skipad: 0.95g/0.93g
Lane change: 62.1mph/60.4mph
Weight: 3620lbs/4000lbs
weight distribution front: 50.8/55

Points:
BMW/Audi

Driver comfort: 10/9
Ergonomics: 8/9
Rear seat comfort: 3/4
Rear seat space: 5/5
Trunk space: 5/5
Features: 8/10
Fit and finish: 9/9
Interior Styling: 8/9
Exterior Styling: 8/10
Rebates: 1/0
As tested price: 20/16
1/4 mile Acceleration: 19/20
Flexibility: 3/3
Fuel Econ: 5/5
Engine NVH: 9/9
Transmission: 8/9
Chassis Performance: 20/19
Steering Feel: 5/5
Brake Feel: 4/5
Handling: 9/10
Ride: 9/9
Gotta have it: 23/24
Fun to Drive: 24/25
Total points: 223/229

We'll have to see what BMW does with it's 3 Series with the new generation in '12.

mmarshall

First, for a real comparison, they should have compared a 335xi AWD with the S4, not a RWD 335i. Second, I didn't notice that much "rumble" drom the S4, though it did have some mild exhaust noise, and I also disagree with C&D's assessment of the Audi's "plain" interior. The version I tested, with the $1000, two-tone leather (real, smooth leather, not that cheap synthetic grained stuff) , was superbly well-finished and appointed inside.

The G Man

Audi have some of the best interior in its class, C&D do make some questionable remarks sometimes. As far as exhaust note, many on the Audi is complaining about the note in the new 3.0T V6, it doesnt sound as nice as the 4.2L V8 it replace, but that pretty much a given when going from a V8 to a V6.

The S4 is a brand new design and the 335 is a few years old, these two cars will gp back and forth as far far as who will be on top. In a few years, the new redesign 3 series will be rated batter than the S4.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

Kind of odd C&D went with the 335i but maybe they did because 335 IX or X-drive as it's known now doesn't sell as well as the 335i and the S4 only has the AWD.
I feel the BMW's run flat tires hurt the ride comfort,are noiser and don't handle as well as a high performance summer conventional tire.
The S4 stock tires are Max summer performance Bridgestone Potenza RE050A or High performance summer Pirelli Cinturato P7.
I did the switch with an all season Michelin Pilot Sport Plus and there's a big difference in noise,ride comfort and handling is great.Sticky soft rubber high performance summer conventional tires would make the handling even better.
My 335 will not see snow and never sees rain but still will be used in winter's dry days so I went with all seasons.As you may know summer tires do not do well even o dry roads when the temp drop to 40 F and lower.

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

It would of been great for C & D to compare the 335 xdrive vs. The Audi S4. The xdrive 335 is quicker than the S4 with a 0-60 time of 4.7 vs. 4.9 for the Audi. Magazine impressions are what they are.. People will have to try these cars out for themselves.. The price of an equipped xdrive 335 is closer to that of the S4 and is the fair comparison regardless of outcome.