Re: Owner of '99 328i & 2K S4 - honest opinion (archive)

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: My wife and I own a 99 328i sedan sport/premium 5 speed and just got a 2000 Audi S4(traded in a 98 Avant) so I think I am in a unique position to judge both cars (after all i bit the bullet on both of them). While the 328i sport is not an M3 the platform, interior, and the general look of the car will be similar to what is available now. I know all the changes that will be made on 2001 M3 so save your breath. The fact of the matter is you can get a good taste of how good the M3 will be by driving their current offerings.

: First, I love our BMW, in terms of fit/finish they make one of the finest cars on the road. My boss's Mercedes CLK seems cheap compared to the Bimmer. The M3 will certainly build on already awesome 3 series.

: I have no doubt the E46 M3 will be faster than the S4. It will have 100 more horses and will certainly cost alot more than the 42K we paid for the Audi. Having said that I would trade the 328i in a second if they offer the M3 in a Sedan.

: I realize most everyone here is diehard M3 fan..and is annoyed by Car and Driver replacing the E36 M3 with the S4 as their top sport sedan. In my opinon, they were right on the money. First, the S4 is way fast and has a ton of torque and will easily "compete" and in most cases beat the E36 M3 in 0-60 times (no flames please). In terms of fit and finish the E36 M3 seems like "old technology" compared to the S4. The interior is less than comfortable and plastic in the BMW is a joke for 40K+ car. Go drive the S4 and an E36 M3 back-to-back (I did) and you will see what I mean. IMHO, there really is not alot that is comparable on the two cars.

: When the E46 M3 is released it will still have one HUGE disadvantage to the Audi. If you add rain or snow to the equation the BMW is down right scary. On the other hand, I can drive the quattro equipped S4 like it was sunny and 80 degrees. Do not discout Quattro - people are dies hard fans of it for a reason - it rules.

For the large percent of the U.S. population in the Southwest and West quattro is not necessary. Yes it helps, but considering how fast I drive most of the time taking it easy for the few days a year I drive in the rain is probably good for my driving record. Quattro is great on dry track days too but my observations of an A4 at speed and an S4 autocrossing is that they really haul ass but some of the fun is taken out by the "traction control". If it is about lap times, I would agree with you, quattro allows great exit speed and you can go faster with equal suspension and power. However, the throttle steer and other techniques which make driving fast really fun and challenging are somewhat negated. Essentially, quattro is acting like traction control by putting power to the wheel with the most traction rather than the driver making those adjustments. I mean you have to admit getting sideways on occassion is fun.

With that said, I am sure it easy great in certain parts of the country and adds some safety anywhere. But as for the S4 v. the new M3, I can't believe anybody would not buy an M3 because it has poor traction in the snow. Not really what it is built for. If AWD is that important, you would never consider the M3 anyway.

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