Audi RS4 vs E90 M3 Buyers Guide!

[Sinful]

Test drove a Audi RS4 before I bought the M3. Not impressed, wife said it looked like a camry -boring. Bought the M3 instead. Seriously no comparison in sound, performance or looks IMOP. Buy the BMW.
Of course I have become a BMW fan boy so dont listen to me.

The word "boring" again popped up in this video when the Audi was being tracked.

[Brian0473]

From the archives...of course taste is always subjective but I'm not sure I agree with these cars "looking like a Camry".

Quick pics of my RS4's.

[crypticc]

Electronic interfaces aside, Audi interior rocks.

[regCT]

I drove an RS4 for 3 years and have been driving an e90 M3 for 2.5 years. Here is my take;

-RS4 is better looking; understated with none of the M3's boy racer details (hood bulge and front fender vents)
-RS4 engine has better low and mid range power, M3 has that crazy high rpm surge. In 90% of situations RS4 felt at least as fast even though all road tests show the M3 to be significantly quicker. Be prepared to hammer the M3 to redline to get it to feel really quick.
-M3 has better throttle response
-RS4 has a higher quality interior
-RS4 has better steering and gearbox feel
-M3 has better seats
-M3 has more rear seat room
-M3 has rear wheel drive dynamics, RS4 under steers when you start to push it. Unless you are tracking it this is not a big deal on public roads.
-Ride quality is a draw
-Be sitting down when you need to replace front pads and rotors on an RS4
-RS4 has know issues like carbon build up and issues with DRC suspension
-RS4 is a year round car in the northeast, M3 is not
-Fuel economy in both are bad
-RS4 is much rarer car, I probably see 20 M3s for every RS4.

All in all I preferred the RS4. I know I am in the minority here but the RS4 was a really special car and one I regret selling to this day.

[tareemaa]

Originally Posted by typicaltrabes

Just before getting my M a good friend of mine purchased a beautiful RS4. Low miles and super clean. I have to admit I love driving the car, the gear change is like shaking hands with god. When you are really on the car its is probably my favorite 6 speed. I looked into getting one myself for a long time but after driving the M it was all over. I never get as much joy out of the RS4 by taking it on the back road as I do with the M. Its not nearly as involved as the M, the RS4 goes to the limit quickly, it understeers and just is not nearly as rewarding in my mind as the M3s. Just my 2 cents, everyone has their own opinion. 7+ years later though and I still think its a hell of a looker

I agree 100%, got the same feeling when I tested one

[Flying Ace]

I considered the RS4 when I was purchasing the M3. My thoughts:

Pros:
Exclusive
Better sounding stock exhaust
Styling (just so slightly in my book compared against the C63 and M3, really I love them all)
AWD

Cons:
weight and weight distribution
outdated navigation and electronics
carbon build up
lack of supply and high price
runner-up finish in magazine comparisons and tests to the M3 and C63

[whats77inaname]

Anyone ever have the cabriolet? To this day, I find it interesting. Only 300 sold in the states, from what I understand. Every now and again, one pops up on eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251700817088

[Ben Ingraham]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

I used to own an RS4. Compared to the M3:

RS4 has better stock exhaust sound
RS4 has better stock shifter
RS4 grip allows you to hammer it very safely

M3 has better sounding and feeling engine, but not by much
M3 has significantly better ride-handling balance
M3 has significantly better steering feel
M3 drives like a much more nimble car

Keep in mind that when you compare cars of this caliber, it becomes highly subjective and you are splitting hairs to a degree.

Not sure if I agree with this. I had a '07 RS4. The Audi was more planted. Torque for the Highway and mountains was better. Surely the AWD made it a better handling car. Carbon cleaning was the end for me. I wish my E90 was AWD. The M has a better interior.