According to the April 26, 1999 Autoweek, the NEW U.S. MZ3 Roadster and MZ3 Coupe wil get 321 Horsepower and the NEW M3 Coupe will get between 340 and 350 horsepower. Apparently, there will not be a sedan M3 in the U.S. to compete head to head with the Audi S4, but Audi seems to be playing catch up again with BMW. Just as they come up with something to match the current U.S. M3's power, BMW is raising the bar again. Now I know that a new M3 with 100 more hp will probably cost significantly more than it does now, but it seems like the S4 will fit performance-wise somewhere between the BMW 328i and the M3. I just think that Audi needs a special vehicle that sets the standard in its class, and what better than an S-badged car as a performance flagship in the U.S.?<p>I know that the M3 doesn't have AWD, but in terms of shear performance, the upcoming U.S. S4 lags the outgoing M3 by 0.5 seconds already in 0-60 time (5.9 vs. 5.4 seconds). I hate to see this gap open up significantly more with the 2001 M3.

OK, even IF it gets the S8's 340hp V8, and they make it a S6, it will STILL be 60hp below the M5, due here sooner than the S6 will be.<p>And ANY company will be hard pressed to beat the M5's handling, too.<p>Just food for thought.. I STILL love my A4, and can't afford ANY of the cars that myself or "concerned" spoke of.<p>Rich<ul><li><a href="http://home.att.net/~richquinlan">Quinland</a></li></ul>

I don't understand your concern. The 2000MY S4 was not designed to compete with the MY 200? BMW M3. One is a sedan and the other is a Coupe. Yes I have heard the reports of a 350hp M3, but I'll believe it when I see it. Audi is currently working on a 408hp RS4 Coupe version of the new A4 which is slated to be introduced in MY 2002 based upon an entirely new platform. Conflicting reports have indicated either a 2.7l Bi-turbo or a V8. Most reports relate it to a modern day UR-Quattro. I will also believe that when I see it. The current 3 Series was introduced about two or three years before the current A4, so it is no surprise that the new M3 will be out before the new RS4. When the new M3 gets here, it is also estimated to have a price tag starting in the $50,000 range. I would expect the RS4 to be less. I suggest you revisit this issue in a year or so, when these cars start hitting the Autoshows.

BMW may be the "Ultimate Driving Machine", but Porsche.... there is no substitute.<p>Cris

The new S6 is rumoured to have a twin turbo charged V8 with the total hp undetermined at this time. The new M5 is an awesome vehicle, and I agree it will be difficult for any car manufacturer to equal or beat the M5 as a total package. However, I do believe the new S6 will be considerably different than what most of the earlier reports have indicated. Since BMW raised the stakes a little higher than expected, I would assume Audi will make the necessary changes to the S6.

I'm not concerned with what might come out in the future. The S4 fits my needs now (or the relatively soon now). AWD, four doors, and enough juice to keep a large smile on my face. I'm not buying it because it has 10 more ponies than the bimmer, and I will NEVER be jealous of some guy that pulls up next to me in three years with a 340HP M3, I'll simply respect the nice car he has and enjoy what I have. Advances in technology will always bite you in the ass, whether it's the $4000 computer you bought in '91 that can't even run today's games or the guy in a Ferrari 308 that gets dusted by a Taurus SHO!!<br>Kev<br>98 2.8QMS, TAP'd<br>2000 S4, Imola Yellow, soon with no concerns

NT

(nt)

nt.

Even a 1.8T is soupable to 400 hp (of course a lot of mods) but then, think of what a 2.7 can do, what 600hp? I believe it. I still think A4 is more vesatile, upgradable and best bang for performance - Sport Compact Car thinks so too.

nt.

I am thinking more like $44-47K for the hard-to-get S4....with a chip for $700-1,000....you will be doing pretty good.<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM

Or is what was said in the above post pretty much it?<br>thanks<p>-andrewt

I'll strap a turbo, supercharger, nitrous and a big hood scoop on my new 340 hp M3..that'll teach ya! :)<p>Brad

nt.

period

What was the original delay with S4, Cracking manifolds or something?<br>I would think twice about flooring this car for a extended time, especially with K-04's fitted running 1 bar, they get Hot!

Not that I like subaru's, every one has their own taste, this is why there are so many choices!

BTW, where is this $55K number coming from? I haven't heard any prices on the new M3 yet. Heck, the U.S. M5 is supposed to go for just a tad over $60K, and my 97 M3's MSRP was $45 loaded..I can't see a new engine costing $10K extra. *shrug*<p>Happy Trails!<p>Brad

You can run 6 or 7 psi with an intercooled turbo system on an M3 with stock internals and have no problems....The Active Autowerke stage 1 produces about 355 hp. Their stage 2 lowers compression with a thick head gasket, bigger turbo & intercooler, runs about 12 psi and produces around 420 hp. You can really go nuts and change the pistons etc and produce 500+ hp (they have a kit), but that can get quite pricey.<p>Brad<p>

(nt)