M3 Opponents

[NSX]

But with AWD comes understeer as well...the M5 is nothing but hardcore RWD

[bcinlaS4]

Addition of a rear sway bar neutralizes the handeling. RWD=oversteer, especially when tracking out of a turn. Did you follow last seasons Speedvision GT series? The S4 had major advantages in standing start launches and powering out of turns. Where it fell short was in breaking because it is so heavy.

[crayzayjay]

bcinla, i cant say ive driven an S4 but i have driven an M5... now we're not confusing speed with driving thrill.. going on what ive heard of the S4, and thats the best i have since i havent driven one, i hear the steering feel is poor (which is consistent with my experience with Audis) and the challenge of driving it fast simply isnt difficult enough, and that makes sense cos its a (comparatively) heavy AWD sedan. The M5 is also heavy, but let me assure you the steering is wonderful and that RWD chassis makes for a lot more driver involvement and thrill. Hence a driver's car. Not so the S4. A fine machine, but not a driver's car

[lowridder11]

i have drivin in a S4 but never in an M5 or drivin and M5

[crayzayjay]

The RS6 will leave the M5 choking in dust, AWD dust, that is.

BTW, while the RS6 is stonking fast the same i said about the S4 applies, only even more so. Effortless speed, no driver involvement

[lowridder11]

yah, the car has to be fun to drive. Has to have tight gears for me. I drove and audi A4 3.0L and it didn't even have gears! It was steptronic or something. If it is not manual it is no fun. And there should be effort put into it not just pressing the accelorater

[NSX]

Well, many race cars have a similar system as well, like the Indy Cars, JGTC cars, etc.

[lowridder11]

yah, but i'm talking about street cars

[tomlong]

The E46 M3 will smoke a S4, camaro SS, and will hold its own against the NSX any day. Granted the Audi's on the circuit are exceptional machines, but so are the Camaros, Vettes, BMWs and Porsches. Your talking about the difference for example a camaro Z28 cost what $25,000 and the ones they race on TV have about $500,000 into them. I could put $500,000 into a Cavilier and race with them. You cannot base who would win a race between stock production cars by who wins on the circuit.

[vortech]

I wish I had raised that point a long time ago---could have saved a lot of my hot air. You are totally right. You can't rate stock performance on the basis of what the race car versions do. Its about F*&$en time someone straightened out these knuckleheads about the M3. The S4 is catching up--but it isn't out performing the M3. I hate to point to car magazines---but I did read this months Automobile Magazine---and they sure state clear as night and day--that they don't think the car is as fast as it should have been made. They even make it clear that the handling has tremendously improved----but the power isn't there to match. Thats what makes the M3---an M3. Power, handling, luxury, sport car prowess. Thats a tough combo to get in any car---and the S4 is missing just a couple of those aspects. Keep trying though S4 fans----its still a piece of cake for us DOHC guys to blow right by ya and carve corners. (I should say, us non-stock DOHC guys

[AC Schnitzer M3]

You're exatcly right. Me and my dad beat an S4 in his E36 M3 which is tuned to about 300+ hp, and we didn't really have a hard time beating it. not saying that the S4 isn't a bad ass mamajama because it is, i love audi. My uncle has an A8 and i love that car.

[tomlong]

Have either of you guys dirven an S4 or an M5? What would make the S4 not a drivers car. Would it be the omission of traction control? I own a 360hp S4 (without traction control) and have driven an M5. They are two totaly diffrent autos. My 35k car would dust the M5 on both the strip and especially on the track; and all this for 30k less. Also, there is no comparrison between the S8 and the M5. The S8 is a large luxury car that could be compared to the 740 and the M5 is a mid size sport sedan that could be compared to the Audi RS6, of which there is no real comparrison. The RS6 will leave the M5 choking in dust, AWD dust, that is.

Not to be mean or anything, but you only wish could could dream of keeping up with the M5. One of my friends just traded his 540 for an M5 and we have put some pretty nice Porsches to shame. The Audi S4 is a nice car, but can not even be considered the same class as an M5.

[crayzayjay]

Audi fanatics who think their "S" cars are in the same league as BMW's "M" cars are severely deluded. The cars just arent built for the same thing, its as simple as that

[lowridder11]

i see some simularities though.

[crayzayjay]

There's really only one: straight line speed. Everything else is of completely different character