That question is not as easy as it sounds. I have had a chance to drive both, and they are both great cars. It really depends on what you need and are looking for. If you are looking for a 4 door, or a sporty 2 door. Neither is light, but the M3 is lighter, and a bit sportier in turns. I really did like the big V8/torque in the S4 though. Definitely felt more powerful than the M3, but the numbers are about the same. If you are staying in LV, the AWD is no big deal, but if you are going anywhere with inclement weather then the S4 makes more sense. Take a test drive and figure which one feels better.

 

it's kinda like comparing a honda vtec 4-banger motor to a v6 motor by another company that produces around the same amount of power. the m3's 3.2 inline-6 is not as torquey as the s4's v8. it also requires the motor to be revved in order to squeeze the upmost power out of it, unlike the s4's v8 that provides a hugh gob of power and torque in the lower rpms. also, like other's have said, you're other criteria in making the decision is whether you prefer a lighter rwd vs. heavier awd and/or whether you prefer a 4 door vs. a 2 door. based on those three criteria's i've mentioned (high revving inline-6 vs. low revving but torquey v8, lighter rwd vs. heavier awd, and 4 doors vs. 2 doors) you can pretty much make a clear choice as to which would be the more appropriate car for you. basically, one of the car will win at least 2 of the 3 criterias, and that should be the car you choose.

 

I don't know if you guys watch Top Gear or the Top Gear videos from the UK, but if you did you will see that the Audi S4 was faster than than the BMW M3 E46 around the Top Gear circuit (same driver - the Stig!).

Overall the M3 would be more fun to drive as all Audi's and S cars seem to have very numb boring steering with little or no feedback. The S4 is far from being a 'boat' though. I have driven it. Its got a awesome engine - 4.2 litre V8 as opposed to the 3.2 litre flat 6.

The cars really are different cars and meant for different things. The S4 is a far more refined cruiser with a large effortless silky smooth engine and the M3 is much more of a sports car and much more fun.

If you want an Audi wait for the RS4 to be launched, I sure its going to be amazing and with 420bhp it will be very fast.

Personally I would buy the M3 over the Audi.

 

is it confirmed that the rs4 will be available in the U.S.??

 

not sure about the US, but the word is that the car will be produced. Did you guys get the last Audi RS4? It was awesome. I knew a couple of people who drive them, one of them was tuned to 550bhp!!

 

S4 Avant will do nicely!

 

naa. we didn't get the last rs4...although we do have an rs6 here. don't know if the U.S. rs6 is tuned identically to the european version.

 

(Used) M5 V8 and 4-door

 

It is one of the finest I-6's in the world...it's an inline 6, Porsche uses flat 6's.

 

go with the M3.

Audi=Volkswagen=problems