Calvin C

Let me preface this by saying I'm an Audi guy through and through.

However, I often see the S4 compared to the 335i. Most recently on a poster at the Audi dealer. What gets me is this doesn't seem like an appropriate comparison.

I see the A4 (2.0 or 3.0) = 3series (330 or 335) ( not sure of current offerings for BMW)

Thus the S4 = M3.

Comparing the S4 to the regular 3 series is not apples to apples the way I see it. S4 to the 3 series is an easy win.

DLAB

I think it's generally agreed upon that the S4 falls somewhere between the 335i and M3 performance wise.

Stock for stock it's best compared to a 335is in my opinion. With a pulley/tune your reaching M3 territory.

dr bryan

Stock S4 is more similar to 335 than M3: Price, engine size, efficiency, FI, features, performance... Better than 335 but similar

Start modding it and you get into the M3 performance realm... and price range.

tunes

I had 2 335s before switching to the S4. I can tell you that driving the S4 is more fun, and the Audi interior blows BMWs out of the water. There are a few nitpicky features i liked better in the 335 but overall the s4 > 335.

no cell

You're in the U.S. There is no A4 3.0. That would be the S4

FatalBert

It's all about the price range. I believe a standard S4 is closer in price to a standard 335i than an M3. Second the S4 is a V6T which automatically makes it comparable to a 335i6 tt.
They usually compare the S5 to the M3 since they both have a v8 and are closer to each other price wise.
Its quite simple really S4>335 and M3>S5.
If you ask me it all seems like a territorial thing between Audi and BMW, like they're trying not to cross each others lines.

jlarke

Audi saw the RS4 as the M3-fighter. In the US, an M3 starts out with no options whatsoever around the same price point as an S4 Prestige. Make them feature-comparable and the M3 becomes tremendously more expensive.

If I lived someplace I never needed AWD, I might have test-driven the M3. I don't need a new car and could have saved up an extra $10k if that was what I really wanted. However, here in MI I've come to love my AWD, so the M3 was never in the running.

JD15

Based on price and performance, the most logical comparisons would be the following:

328 -> A4
335 -> S4
M3 -> RS5?

DrGP

B6 B7 S4 VS E46 M3
B8 A4 VS E 90 328
B8 A5 VS E92 328
B8 S4 VS 335i
B8 S5 VS E 92/90 M3
S5 cab VS 335i/M3 convert
A5 cab VS 328 convert.

These are the direct marketing models. But there is some overlap and mismatching.

boostedE92M3

no intention on starting a feud, we are all grown men here, but in no way can the S4 be close to the M3 in any way. Not because I have one, but because of facts. AWD is fine and dandy for daily driving, it is great in the snow, and Audi is known for making arguably the best AWD. nothing wrong with the S4 at all. However, if you look at it performance wise, the M always comes out on top. The M beat the RS4 when it was out, and when they did the comparisons against the RS5 which was supposed to be its direct competitor, it still beat it, even with 35hp more than the M3. BMW knows how to make sports cars, they know how to build a car that handles well. Audi knows that too, but BMW has in a sense perfected it. Dont forget, AWD loses top end power since the power is split between 4 wheels not 2, and AWD is prone to understeer. Not saying they dont handle well. just not as good as a refined RWD from BMW. I have driven the S4. It is a very quick car for what it has. but I feel that even with chip tuning, pulleys, intake+exhaust, it still cant touch the M. I think the only place it has 1-up on the M is the AWD practicality. that being said, both cars are great value for money, and when you look at the philosophies of each manufacturer, both cars are the best at what they do.