2002 330ci vs. audi S4

[rviradia]

I'm leaning towards a 2002 330ci over an S4 due to it's sporty nature, any thoughts?, also does anyone know if it will have a Sequential Manual Gearbox as an option in the U.S.?

thanks

[F20C]

What sporty nature are you refering to? S4 would run over 330Ci in all weather situation. Plus it's so easy to tuned S4 engine. SMG2 actually stands for Sequential M Gearbox II. The one you are refering to is Sequential Sports Gearbox also known as SSG. Yes it will be available as a option in 3 series soon. But no word yet on when that soon becomes reality.

[Porsche]

S4 Hand down, If it was a 330xi then it may have a chance but the S4 wins because of the fact that it is a tuned A4 which would be the 3 series competition, it has a 250 Bhp 2.7L Biturbo V-6 (Love that engine) and it has Quattro which turns all of the wheels which puts th S4 way out of the 330ci's reach. The S4 does have one setback though, I found it to be smaller than a 3 series (I'm 6 2' so That is a problem for me) i'm not aying it's more expensive because BMw's options can really add up and the 330xi is competitvely priced with the S4.

[rviradia]

>What sporty nature are you refering to

I just feel the bmw has more road feel, is lower to the ground, and better driver feedback, and I've read for 2002 they are un-boosting the steering back to normal and also re-doing the suspension, making it even better.

While I love the S4's super torque, super-gripping quattro, and kick ass interior, but it just feels too much like a luxury sedan for me (which it is). I was considering the new 2002 A4 but they made it into a pure luxury car now, I was reading a car mag and they said the new V6 is so smooth and quiet, "you'd swear it's being powered by an electric motor", my audi salesman drove one and he also said it was very muted.

I would get the new M3, but I can't wait that long (or over-pay and get it now), plus I have this fear that I will get jacked within the first week of driving it :-)

[F20C]

This is what's most recommanded for modding a S4

Springs and Shocks
Short throw shifter
Aftermarket ECU Chip

[rviradia]

how has the reliability been on your S4?

[F20C]

No problems so far and the car is well taken care of. In my mind the look is aging fast. The body design has been out since 1996.

[rviradia]

One of my main concerns with the Audi was reliability with the twin turbos and all (more strain on the engine, turbos needing to be replaced after certain milage), if the it's up to par with the bimmer I might lean back, but I'll have to test drive the two back to back again to make up my indecisive mind. I better make it up quick, my 92 legend coupe has 120K mi. and is starting to do wierd things.

p.s. - I think the current S4 looks very classy, the new A4 looks too much like an A6.

[F20C]

The twin turbo are small applications. As long as you take care of it properly you won't run into any problems. If you tuned it too much then you are risking that chance yourself. All luxury brand cars look alike. It's call a family resemblence. You can see an A6 in A4 and A8.

[johnmh@uwyo.edu]

I have an S4 Avant 6 speed purchased new in July of this year and I am loving it. I personnally find it much more attractive than any of the BMWs. I cannot imagine the BMer handling any better.

Handling and performance are superb - well beyond anything I have experienced before. The only complaint I have is that the shifting has that well known VW-Audi sloppiness to it. I am curious which short shifters folks have found to be an improvement.

Also curious what sort of snow/all-weather wheel/tire solutions people prefer on this car. Mine came with Pirelli rubber. I understand these are a softer rubber that might be less than ideal on snow and ice.

I welcome comments from S4 owners in colder climates. The thing has such superb traction with the quattro drive system that I don't think I need to be in a hurry to acquire snow tires for this winter.

So far the engine starts and runs flawlessy, as well it should in such a car. Torque is excellent even at lower RPMs. This should make for outstanding performance in the snow.

Enjoying the car and the forum. Glad to be a new member.

[rviradia]

Even though I really like the audi, I think the bmw is more my type of car, here are some links I kept from my audi days;

http://www.machvw.com/neusstainste.html

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/pdf/UUC...Directions.pdf

http://www.stratmosphere.com/tanoga_...rt_shifter.htm

http://www.stratmosphere.com/uuc_mot..._shifters1.htm

http://store.yahoo.com/machvw/uucshorshif.html

http://store.yahoo.com/machvw/neusshorshif.html

[gang$tarr]

An S4 is more meant to compete with the M3.... well not anymore, but it competes more with the E36 M3, that's what it was made for. The A4 competes with the regular 3-series

if i were you, I'd go S4

[rviradia]

Originally posted by gang$tarr
An S4 is more meant to compete with the M3.... well not anymore, but it competes more with the E36 M3, that's what it was made for. The A4 competes with the regular 3-series

if i were you, I'd go S4

I guess the question would be is the 330ci up to par with the old M3, not just power to weight ratio, but all around. I can get $1500 off the 330ci (have to order it), the audi dealer dealer calls me every other day ready to make a deal as they have a few sitting on the lot (~ 3K off).

Damn, I wish I could have both.

[gang$tarr]

The E36 M3 is ALOT better than an E46 330ci

the older M3 is said to handle better than a Ferrari F355!!!
it was called the best handling car

if I were you, i'd so go S4 over 330ci

[blakwolf]

I thought the E30 was supposed to be best handling M3.
The E36 seemed rather mediocre by comparison in the reviews.