trent

Keep the GS, you don't want to have to deal with the reliability issue's of the M3. I had my GS for almost 2 yrs and I still enjoy driving it.

kyle3481

i have 02 M3 coupe, and i love it!! also i hav a 02 GS430 as well.
the lexus is really smooth and fast enough, but you can not beat the M3 in the fun to drive factor...even with a modded lexus...the driving dynamics of a BMW is just far superior than lexus..but if you want smooth and having passengers on your car, lexus is the best!

GlockMan9c

If you like your GS and want an upgrade in performance, why not do the GS460?

SCWells72

I sold my '01 GS430 L-Tuned a few years ago when I bought my current Audi S4 4.2 6MT and have very much enjoyed the change. The S4 is a great compromise between the comfort and convenience of the GS and the performance and handling of the M3. As someone else pointed out, the 335i sedan provides a similar experience.

I've found the Audi ownership experience to be only a slight step down from the Lexus ownership experience, at least with regard to the dealers and service centers here in Austin. My only real issue with my Audi dealer is that it takes quite a while to get a service appointment with a loaner because of the small loaner fleet they have relative to the Lexus dealership. Otherwise they treat me incredibly well, and of course the service charges are inclusive during the warranty. And the electrical issues of a few years ago seem to be pretty much resolved these days, especially on the naturally-aspirated V8 in the S4 (as opposed to the V6TT from the previous-gen S4).

Audi's electronics have improved dramatically over the past few years. I have the DVD navigation system with integrated XM and MP3 playback from SD cards. I wish it were touchscreen, but MMI actually works quite well. It's *definitely* not as unwieldy as iDrive or COMAND! Great looking screen, too, and the SD-based MP3 playback is fantastic...no more burning CD-Rs! The nav directions are also replicated through the dash display which is cool while you're taking a trip and listening to music at the same time.

If you haven't considered the S4, I'd encourage it. The 335i sedan certainly warrants consideration as well. If you're dead set on a convertible, of course, there is an S4 Cabrio, and the 335i is coming out as a hardtop convertible in August.

Have fun!

LOLA3G

I'm starting to lean towards a 6 series convertible... alot more room than an M3 but just as much fun to drive as a M3. I was pretty impressed with the comfort of the rear seats in a 6 series coupe and the trunk space was HUGE. The price on these things are still sky high though....

I wish I didn't like cars so damn much! What an expensive love this is! Some people just want a car that takes them from point a to point b!?!?!

I to like the S4 (the RS4 even more so!!!) and agree it's a ton of fun to drive... but I am still stuck on a convertible.... If i stay with a sedan I'll wait for the GS460 ... I've scene the new 335 convertible and it's very nicely done! But for a $58K (fully loaded) that's just way to much money for the car!

BTW - Took down a 330i off the line today for about 1/2 mile and waved at him when while I pulled away from him in third gear! hahaha ...the GS is fun to drive!

Thanks for all the feedback - keep me the ideas flowing!

doug_999

Just got an email from a local dealer here offering $9K off any of their remaining M3 convertibles. That puts them at $53K without negotiation.

OMG, I can't even believe I'm now considering this......

LOLA3G - I blame you.

LOLA3G

Yup - traded in the Lexus for the last brand new 2006 Audi S4 Cab! Took the advice of SCWELLS72 and took another look into the S4. After looking at a ton of M3 convertibles - the S4 is the one i chose! The Audi is a driver's car!!! For those that haven't sat in a Audi lately - I HIGHLY recommend it! Styling of the whole Audi line is top notch especially their S and RS line up; and if you have never driven a "Quattro"!!!! man are you missing out! Sit in a Audi S or RS car and compared to a BMW or MB - Audi is stellar! Oh and driving with the top down is euphoric! I only miss the Lexus GS for the rear passenger room! Other than that - I only wish I could get a RS6 in addition to my S4!

Here are some pics! Just got my Bilstein Pss9 coilovers and RS4 sway bars installed! And some pics of her getting detailed along side her Lambo Cousin (Audi is in the same family of Lambo and Bentley - all owned by the VW group). And another pic of my S4 when I parked next to a black M3 cab.

Comments and suggestions welcome!

M3 or S4


Dropped on Bilstein PSS9's app 2inch drop


Stock Stance


Getting detailed (pre-drop) along side her blacked out Lambo cousin (not mine by btw)!

SCWells72

Very cool! Congrats! Yeah, Audi is definitely on a roll right now. The new A5/S5 is gorgeous, and assuming it's indicative of the B8 A4/S4, I may well be staying with Audi when the time comes to get something new in a few years.

Definitely check out the forums on both AudiWorld and AudiZine. Some great folks and info there. Also check out www.navplus.us for info on the telematics capabilities of your car.

You're going to love it. While my S4 is a sedan, we have a MINI Cooper S Convertible 6MT in the family so I also get to have the drop-top go-kart experience (at least when my wife will grace me with it!).

Looking forward to seeing you on the Audi forums!
Scott

audimerc

The Audi is nice especially the interior but the M3 handles much more balanced. The S4 likes to plow a little too much.

LOLA3G

... have you seen this video yet?!!?!?!? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzGBSvyuUwg Both cars are nice - but I chose the S4 be cause it's a "all around - smooth operator!" car - not just a weekend performer..

audimerc

I can agree with your all around car assessment but in your earlier post you said it was a drivers car and that it was better than the BMW which I think is incorrect. The S4 is a better all around car because it rides more luxuriously but does not handle like the M3. I have a A4 1.8T chipped and modded and I don't really like BMW's styling but I have to give it up to them in the handling aspect everytime on the track.

LOLA3G

There is one thing I have noticed though - there are tons of aftermarket parts for a M3; but then again there are a ton of M3 out there!

audimerc

Lots more you can do to the 2.7T S4 then the current M3. Try www.GOAPR.com. The S4 with the 2.7T can be chipped and it would put out around 325hp and torque. Then you can go really crazy and put two larger K04 hybrid turbos on and mod the intercoolers etc and you should be putting out close to 400-500hp ( not apr though).
You can go to www.audiworld.com and visit the very informative forums there.