M3 (E90) or Audi RS4 ????

[KFPDX]

I know I'm in a BMW forum but I will ask it anyway.

I'm going to be buying a used RS4 if I can find one with low miles, or a E90 M3, in a couple months. It will be a second car and not driven daily. Looking for some input on both cars if someone here has driven both.



Thanks

[SoreHead]

Originally Posted by KFPDX

I know I'm in a BMW forum but I will ask it anyway.

I'm going to be buying a used RS4 if I can find one with low miles, or a E90 M3, in a couple months. It will be a second car and not driven daily. Looking for some input on both cars if someone here has driven both.



Thanks

DO you get much rain/snow where you live?
If so then the RS4 will give you all year round performance. If not I'd say think about how you can handle RWD. If you're not comfortable then got RS4. If you are then go M3.

[KFPDX]

Get both rain and a little snow but wouldn't be driving in those conditions much.

Have had both RWD and AWD cars in the past, Evo,STi, E90 330i.

[camcar33]

As a second car the decision is tough but to me its obviously the bimmer haha but everyone on this forum will say that. Test drive both

[SoreHead]

Originally Posted by KFPDX

Get both rain and a little snow but wouldn't be driving in those conditions much.

Have had both RWD and AWD cars in the past, Evo,STi, E90 330i.

well then it's down to visuals. I prefer the RS4 to the M3 sedan but prefer the M3 coupe to both. Personal taste now my friend. Get a drive in both and see how you feel. I've had the 2 rally reps so I know how much fun 4wd can be but I also love the chassis on the M3. It's the best sorted RWD I've ever driven.

Either way I suspect you won't be disappointed.

[tunawi7cheese]

Originally Posted by KFPDX

I know I'm in a BMW forum but I will ask it anyway.

I'm going to be buying a used RS4 if I can find one with low miles, or a E90 M3, in a couple months. It will be a second car and not driven daily. Looking for some input on both cars if someone here has driven both.



Thanks

I have an E90 M3 6spd. This past weekend, I have been wander around test driving RS4. Taking into consideration that this vehicle will be your second car. I suggest E90 M3. This is why...

HP/Torque: Setting aside 0-60 times and black and white specs. In real life, both cars can attain tripple digits speed effortlessly. Which means that both can land you in jail at about the same time. So, power? Plenty to get you a date with local law enforcements. M3 = RS4

Driving Enjoyment: The M3 is a tighter, more responsive car. The steering feedback is precise, firm, very controlled. The RS4 feels a bit more loose and easy. However, driving the RS4 feels like you're driving on velcro. I thought my M3 grips the road well, WOW, the RS4 is even better. Quattro, what do you expects?
The M3 requires you to drive it. Definitely not a fun car if you simply commute in it. Though it can be use as a daily driver, I think the RS4 is much easier to live with as a daily driver, but it's not as fun as a M3. RS4 is a better DD because the 6spd is AMAZING. You simply have to test drive it to see what I'm talking about. M3 6spd is good, but RS4 is great. RS4 seems to be quieter and more comfortable than my M3. I didn't like the seats on the RS4 because they are wide and the side bolsters are not adjustable. M3 side bolsters can be adjusted to fit you body. M3 seats seem to be design for more spirited driving. I also didn't like the skinny steering wheel in the RS4. I like the thickness of the M3 steering wheel.


M3 - fun, but demands the driver to be involve
RS4 - user friendly, can be fun, but not like the kind of fun the M3 can provides

Just my 2cents. All the reviews in the world can't match the feeling you'll get when you drive the car. ONLY then will you know which ones fits you best. Good luck. Every driver is different. You just have to find out which kind of driver you are.

[M3_LIN]

I agree with kevin on his comments.

I have both an RS4 and E90M in my garage at the moment. My friends' RS and My M. They are both fun to drive. They are both different beasts. It all just depends on what your looking for. If your looking for a more refined car and more "luxurious" i would go audi, but if ur all about performance, then its M3 hands down

Ed Lin

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by SoreHead

DO you get much rain/snow where you live?

Umm, he lives in Portland.

[tunawi7cheese]

Originally Posted by M3_LIN

I agree with kevin on his comments.

I have both an RS4 and E90M in my garage at the moment. My friends' RS and My M. They are both fun to drive. They are both different beasts. It all just depends on what your looking for. If your looking for a more refined car and more "luxurious" i would go audi, but if ur all about performance, then its M3 hands down

Ed Lin

Thanks Ed. Hope to meet you at VIP Status meet. Love your car BTW. I want to check out your LED reverse lights. Sorry OP for the off-topic chat.

Anyways, pay attention to the power windows switches, the chrome plated door handles. It just seem like the plastics that audi uses are not as well made as BMW. I have notice this on several audis I have looked at.

[footie]

I have said this before and will repeat it once again. The difference between the M3 and RS4 in out right ability is small but it's there and the edge goes to the M3 but unless you are a gifted driver the Audi through it's quattro system will always prove to be the quicker on the back roads.

The only area that BMW and especially the M3 score big time against the RS4 is driver involvement and pure entertainment from having the ability to control the chassis but again this is not something that unskilled driver should try because it will end in tears.

I changed from the S5 to the M3 simply because I didn't get the same thrill/enjoyment with the S5, in every other way the S5 was the superior car but I know how to control a car and do get the full enjoyment from it's finer chassis, though if I had to keep DSC on all the time because I wasn't confident pushing the M3 then I would hands down say to anyone with that level of skill that the RS4 would be the right car for them, it's safety net is far greater and the chances of getting into trouble through inapprociate use of the throttle is greatly reduced.

Though after driving the S4 with it's trick diff I do think Audi have the potential to make the new RS5 every bit as rewarding a drive as the M3 currently is.

Lets hope they don't f@#k it up again as they appear to have don't with the TT-RS.

[mixja]

IMO M3 DCT > Euro RS4 > M3 6MT > US RS4

The RS4 has a much better transmission than the M3 6MT, shorter gearing as well which helps low to mid-RPM response in higher gears. The M3 DCT is a class above both cars though in terms of performance and daily driveability, but I'm guessing you want a manual transmission.

One concern I would have is that I understand the US Spec RS4 is quite a bit heavier than the Euro Spec RS4, which already is giving up around 100-120kg of weight to the M3. So you could be looking at 170kg+ more weight in the RS4.

If it is a second car, then I'd be inclined to go for more fun and go the M3. I'd only go an 09 M3 Sedan though, the shape is much nicer and the iDrive is much better.

The final thing to consider is the clogged valve issues that have been occurring with RS4s as a result of Direct Fuel Injection - I'd be really concerned about picking up a used RS4 with high miles on it...

[footie]

Originally Posted by mixja

IMO M3 DCT > Euro RS4 > M3 6MT > US RS4

The RS4 has a much better transmission than the M3 6MT, shorter gearing as well which helps low to mid-RPM response in higher gears. The M3 DCT is a class above both cars though in terms of performance and daily driveability, but I'm guessing you want a manual transmission.

One concern I would have is that I understand the US Spec RS4 is quite a bit heavier than the Euro Spec RS4, which already is giving up around 100-120kg of weight to the M3. So you could be looking at 170kg+ more weight in the RS4.

If it is a second car, then I'd be inclined to go for more fun and go the M3. I'd only go an 09 M3 Sedan though, the shape is much nicer and the iDrive is much better.

The final thing to consider is the clogged valve issues that have been occurring with RS4s as a result of Direct Fuel Injection - I'd be really concerned about picking up a used RS4 with high miles on it...

I calling into my local Audi dealer on Thursday to see about a small A3 for the niece, I will ask them whether they have had any problems with clogged valves on the R8 and RS4. Will report back on my return.

[dawgdog]

I met a gentleman that tracks his RS4 at an Alfa event. He has been doing HSDE events for the last 3 years, and believe me he is fast around Pacific Raceways. The direct injection issues would give me pause, though.

[SoreHead]

Originally Posted by JetBlack5OC

Umm, he lives in Portland.

Hey. I just moved here. I have no clue who gets snow and who doesn't. All I know is that from December on I GET IT. And I'm not looking forward to it. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[akh23456]

Both cars are great i was looking into the same cars the Rs4 and The M3. So i went to the audi dealership and went in to ask about a Rs4 and the sales guy was like this is a great car far superior to the Bmw M3. I was like ok took it for a test drive. It was a great car held to the ground real well very, easy to drive and fast .

Then i went to the Bmw dealership and saw a white e90 m3 sitting there and i was just in shock.Go in start talking to one of sales guy and take the car out for a test drive. As soon as i sat in the car i felt like i was in heaven. The sound of the V8 was just amazing and i couldnt wait to take it out. As i drove around i was like dam this car stick to the ground through every turn no matter how hard you push it. After driving it i felt like i was going to have a heart attack because my heart was beating so fast. All i know is from that day on some how i have a white e90 M3 and will always own a M3.

[MJC///M3]

Originally Posted by akh23456

So i went to the audi dealership and went in to ask about a Rs4 and the sales guy was like this is a great car far superior to the Bmw M3. .

I would have laughed in his face if he said that too me.

[cj350]

audi is a nice car but looses value quick and also changes shapes faster than i breath think about it .... also can never beat bmw's warranty

[footie]

Originally Posted by cj350

audi is a nice car but looses value quick and also changes shapes faster than i breath think about it .... also can never beat bmw's warranty

If in your country that is the case then I would agree but each import may differ, in Europe BMW and Audi have the same standard warranty of 3 years so no advantage there. The shape, I don't see where that opinion comes from, the A3, 4, 6, 8 all roughly have a life cycle of 6~8 years and usually get a mid-life 3~4 years in which is roughly the same as what BMW and Mercedes do.

The loosing value is the one reason why I would definitely pick one over the other, if where you the BMW holds it's value better then with all else equal I would also chose the BMW first.

[footie]

Originally Posted by akh23456

All i know is from that day on some how i have a white e90 M3 and will always own a M3.

All I know is I have had too many different brands to settle of just one, no matter how good the M3 is. All have their plus and minus points and the BMW is no different.

[tunawi7cheese]

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/200...2008-audi-rs4/

[akh23456]

Originally Posted by footie

All I know is I have had too many different brands to settle of just one, no matter how good the M3 is. All have their plus and minus points and the BMW is no different.

i am not settling for one car but down the road i plan on owning multiple cars and a m3 will be one of em.

[tunawi7cheese]

Originally Posted by akh23456

i am not settling for one car but down the road i plan on owning multiple cars and a m3 will be one of em.

+1