Jump on S4 or wait for M3????

[Damage Inc]

Decisions decisions.... I'm itching to get a new car (past are 01 330i, 01 M3, 06 330i current) this summer, was 99% ready to pick up a 06 S4. You can go back and forth vs. 335i - for me I like the V8 rumble + 335 is pretty similar to my E90. Something different.

Anyway, my budget is $40k for an S4. A little patience and I'll get a good one.

But..... I would spend an extra $10 on the M3 no question. However I see the price with a few options will be $60k+ and there's no firm release date. So I would have to pick up a slightly used one, and that could be October 2008. I would be willing to keep my car until April 2008, but not till October!

Soooo..... if anybody has a crystal ball.... what are the chances of picking up a used E92 M3 in April for $48k? As I type this I'm thiking the chances arent too good. Maybe I'll pick up the S4 and drive it for 1.5 years.

Thanks for reading. I guess since you all are car geeks\dork like me and think about this stuff all day, I would get some opinions.

[x5love]

Impossible. It's not going to happen. The M3 is scheduled for US launch in March 2008. Sorry dude...

maybe you should get the S4 like you said for 2 years and then upgrade to the M3.

[SpencerM3]

I got my '06 B7 S4 back in November '05 with the anticipation that once my lease is up i will get the E92 M3.

I love my S4, however I would be willing to bet ANY AMOUNT of money that as soon as the S4 hits the states you will wnat to switch into an M3. If I were you i would sit status quo until the E92 M3 comes out.

[Epacy]

I would throw out a cliche, but you know the answer to this question. Spoke with my local dealer today and they think they will have models before the end of the year. After probbing a couple of their guys for about 1.5-2 hrs I got the feeling that they actually have additional details beyond what is public.

[vladinecko]

even a year or two after its initial release, the new M3 will surely hold its price strong and firm. so i don't know how cheap you're hoping the new-used M3 to get for but it's not going to be much cheaper than MSRP. in other words, i highly doubt you'll get a $60k E92 M3 with a few thousand miles on it for $48k. it's simply not going to happen. look on eBay, E46 M3s are still going for mid-high 40s and they're pretty much old cars now.

[rvacha]

[QUOTE=MojorisinM3;758425]Soooo..... if anybody has a crystal ball.... what are the chances of picking up a used E92 M3 in April for $48k? As I type this I'm thiking the chances arent too good. Maybe I'll pick up the S4 and drive it for 1.5 years. QUOTE]

I would think fat chance, specially if you want to hold out for DSG (or SMG if that actually happens). They might not even be launched by then

[Hans Delbruck]

Don't waste your money on a car you don't really want (S4) with the thought in mind that you will get rid of it in a year or two. You're going to get sucker-punched with massive depreciation, not enjoy the car that much (you'll be saving it for the next owner) and you'll end up spending as much $$ on a new S4 + used M3 than if you bought a New M3 to begin with.

I know it's hard to wait... but the videos/sounds/pics I saw this week tell me it's worth it.

You have an '06 330i.... you probably haven't had that more than a year, yet you already want another car, but say the M3 is too expensive? Buying new cars every year is what is expensive.... ask me, I know!!

Try to step back a bit on the car buying... I know, easier said than done. Maybe put some wheels on your 330i to keep it interesting... lots cheaper than a new S4.

[Damage Inc]

Originally Posted by Hans Delbruck

Don't waste your money on a car you don't really want (S4) with the
You have an '06 330i.... you probably haven't had that more than a year, yet you already want another car, but say the M3 is too expensive? Buying new cars every year is what is expensive.... ask me, I know!!

.

Had the 330i for 1.5 years now, did ED to get a discount to shave depreciation. I added an aftermarket exhaust to get me by, but ain't quite cutting it....

No worries guys, having to drive an S4 or 330i isnt such a bad "problem" to have. Unless I'm willing to pony up $60k + 6% tax for an M3 (could I -yes. will I - prob not), I'll be out test driving the S4 again....

[Damage Inc]

Originally Posted by SpencerM3

I got my '06 B7 S4 back in November '05 with the anticipation that once my lease is up i will get the E92 M3.

I love my S4, however I would be willing to bet ANY AMOUNT of money that as soon as the S4 hits the states you will wnat to switch into an M3. If I were you i would sit status quo until the E92 M3 comes out.

How do you like your S4? From my brief test drive:

Likes - V8 rumble, exhaust, quattro, interior quality\materials, fairly rare where I live, seats, did I say V8 rumble?

Not so great - exterior doesnt excite me as much as I would like, narrower and tallker than 330i (interior feel)

If BMW put a V8 in the 3 series, it would be a no brainer. The 335i sounds like a diesel to me at idle and is super quiet.... thus waiting around for the M3.

[SpencerM3]

Originally Posted by MojorisinM3

How do you like your S4? From my brief test drive:

Likes - V8 rumble, exhaust, quattro, interior quality\materials, fairly rare where I live, seats, did I say V8 rumble?

Not so great - exterior doesnt excite me as much as I would like, narrower and tallker than 330i (interior feel)

If BMW put a V8 in the 3 series, it would be a no brainer. The 335i sounds like a diesel to me at idle and is super quiet.... thus waiting around for the M3.

I love the S4. There are many many great things about the car. The negatives are it has a very small back seat, the gas mileage borders comically bad, and yeah it doesn't really have the "flash" you may be looking for, however new '07 S4's have the DTM option which basically is the RS4 kit which is really nice and aggressive.

I personally love the car, i picked it over the E46 M3 since I wanted 4 doors and a "newer" look, as opposed to the soon to be out dated E46 (I previously owned an E46 325ci and absoluetly love the look).

As great as the S4 is, I think after driving it for a year and a half and you start seeing E92 M3's on the road, you are going to want to get ride of it for the M3.

[E36CabCT]

I have a 2006 S4 and I have 1998 M3 cab. The S4 is a great car, but it is completely different than the M3 - especially my E36 M3. The M3 is so much lighter that they can not even be compared. The S4 is a beast and while it is much faster off the line, it is not nearly as enjoyable to drive as the M3. Weight is a huge issue in these cars. MY DD is the S4 and it is great, but for a weekend drive on the twisties even with a 100 less ponies the E36 M3 is much more enjoayable to drive. This is why I have a dep on a E92 M3.

If your goal is great track times the S4 may be your car, but if you are after a superior driving experience you must take the weight of these cars and their tossability into consideration. Just my 2 cents....and the E92 track times will rock (though the RS4 might be faster on the track - the E92 M3 will be a much more pleasurable drive and def faster 0-60)

[MI6]

I have an 04' S4 and enjoy it a lot........I like the look of the 335i better but you are right- the 335 sedan sound is tame compared to that V8 rumble(even compared to the E92 coupe) and the interior qual doesn't match up.....

That being said I have to say there is a 3rd option.......

The new B8 S4..........

Rumor has it the next gen Audi A4 will be at Geneva next year and if my guess is right the new S4 will show at the same time just like the A5/S5 were....... possible deliveries commencing Fall of 08'.......

Price well loaded will probably be 58-60K. Course it won't be an M3 but a well loaded E92 M3 will prob be closer to 70k than 60k. And if price is an issue then...................

Either way you slice it they'll both be sweeeeeet....

[m_bazeepaymon]

Originally Posted by x5love

Impossible. It's not going to happen. The M3 is scheduled for US launch in March 2008. Sorry dude...

maybe you should get the S4 like you said for 2 years and then upgrade to the M3.

whats your source on march 2008 launch

[mdriver]

Don't waste your $ on an Audi which is not the same kind of a driver's car like a Bimmer. To me, an Audi is a compromise if the quattro is a requirement in slippery driving conditions or mountainous environments. The S4 is respectable, but if your heart is in the M, it will always be there.

[RandyB]

Good things come to those who wait.

[richardg]

Originally Posted by MojorisinM3

Had the 330i for 1.5 years now, did ED to get a discount to shave depreciation. I added an aftermarket exhaust to get me by, but ain't quite cutting it....

No worries guys, having to drive an S4 or 330i isnt such a bad "problem" to have. Unless I'm willing to pony up $60k + 6% tax for an M3 (could I -yes. will I - prob not), I'll be out test driving the S4 again....

Hey where are you at? Im in troy/bloomfield hills area

[Smoltz]

Having owned 2 E46 M3s, an E46 328 and a B6 S4. If I were in your shoes, I'd stay in the 330 until the new M3 comes out. The S4 is a good car in many respects, but it lacks the handling and feel of the 330 and it's far less fuel efficient, the power is nice, but as with any car, you get used to it, and at the end of the day you're driving a 38xx lb behemouth.

-Adam

[E36325is]

Should compare the 08 M3 to the RS4... similar high revving 400+hp V8, S4 is a bit too tame and heavy for me.

[ajj]

odds of an e92 m3 at ur price point by oct 08 are nearly 0%. will be at LEAST $20k + tax more than ur $40k price point new. used will not be much cheaper at this point in the game of demandand supply.

[Damage Inc]

Originally Posted by ajj

odds of an e92 m3 at ur price point by oct 08 are nearly 0%. will be at LEAST $20k + tax more than ur $40k price point new. used will not be much cheaper at this point in the game of demandand supply.

well, i stated i would spend $50k on a used M3. hopefully that increases the probability a little bit...

[Last E92 M3]

thought it was RS4 vs M3...

if you are tired of waiting, just get S4 and have fun for a year or so, then get M3 if you like it.

[New335iSedan]

wait for the 2050 M3... j/k