2004-5 S4 Avant or 2001-2 BMW M5, please help...

[knoll]

I know that this is an Audi board, but I want to still get your opinions.

Here is my situation: I have two young daughters (four and one) and we are very active - always going places. We have a Lexus LX470 which is the perfect vehicle for doing the family stuff, but I do not want to drive it everyday.

I also have a 2002 M3, as my daily driver but it is not practical enough for me. I want my daily driver to be a car that I can throw my kids in once in a while when we do not need all of the space of the Lexus. While it has OK rear seats for kids, it only has two doors and is a pain the rear to get the kids in and out, clean up after them, etc.

Therefore, I need to get a new daily driver. In no particular order, I need something that is fun to drive, be great looking, have four doors so that it is easy to throw the kids in, be able to take it to Willow Springs once or twice a year for a driving event and be reliable. I know that sounds like a lot too ask, but it seems as though both a used 2001-2 M5 or a new 2004-5 Audi S4 Avant (wagon) would fit the bill and both are in my price range of about $50,000.

By the way, my wife has a company car which cannot be used for anything else, so there is no option there.

Please share your opinions.

[JDBlueAudiS4]

I think you would be happier in the S4. Plus a new car is always better then a Used car IMHO. The best part about the Avant is the extra room. If you need the Avant as a family car it will fit the bill, but as many will tell you it will fit the bill as an amazing road warrior and a track demon. Also a low milage 2001 M5 is gonna be at least 55k+.

[Miwa]

What sort of warranty will you have on the M5? Have you driven both yet?

M5 is an awesome car. It's bigger than the S4, so the kids will fit better (tho at 1 and 4, either is big enough). Being used, I'd worry less about putting kids into the M5.

The S4 is smaller, has great seats, and plenty of power. It's been so long since I've driven an M5, I can't really compare the 2 driving-wise, but I'd likely prefer the smaller S4.

Of course, Avants rule. You'll be able to fit more stuff into it.

Don't think I'd pay $50k for a 2001, and I'd be hard pressed to consider the 2002 at $50k too... I just don't have a lot of faith in higher-mileage German cars.

If you really like your M3, then I imagine you'll probably like driving the S4 more than the M5. And it'd be a new car too, complete with all the new toys.

[ThanksForAllTheFish]

If I were to choose between the M5 and S4 again, I would still take the S4. I feel the M5 looks/feels somewhat dated and the interior reminded me a lot of my E36 M3. I was looking for a change and the S4 was a step in the right direction.

Have you looked at the E60? Yes, it's above your price range (if you consider the 545i), but I'd choose a 545i over the E39 M5. Even though I felt the S4 was over priced, it was the best compromise for me when I bought it.

[ESFO]

in your description of what you need, YOU seem to be saying that you need a car like the S4 Avant, rather than the M5. You seem to need the utilitarianism that the Avant will afford you (like the LX470) along with the balls out fun that your M3 gives you. Dude, buy the S4. As we always say, "You won't regret it."

[jinglis]

so for me there were very few choices when it came to 4 door performance cars. I wanted manual so that brought the choices down to M5 or S4 and something different from Mercedes and BMW was in order ( I am not knocking these cars ). My also wanting something "different" does not mean that the avant is "the other choice", it just helped almost finalize the choice. My last decision was priced based, then it was easy.

I've had the car almost 4 weeks and it's just hit me that I've never once questioned my decision, I guess that's the indicator of how good the car is.

[Captain Sheetmetal]

I borrowed an '02 A4 Avant for a few weeks. Man, that thing does everything! Very solid, well-engineered, beautiful inside and out, ultra tight turning radius (about like your M3's actually), and I put a brand new dryer in the trunk...with the trunklid closed! Throw in a V8 and that sealed the deal.

[sayemthree]

M3 - IMHO. I have an M3, my wife a 528it and a 318ti.....also too daughters. we are replacing the 318ti with a S4 Avant - I bleive it (S4) is the superior "family" car - holds more in the back , has the roof rack and can throw the dog in the back too. And this from me - a HUGE BMW fan (not that I am large but a dedicated fan). we considered the upcoming new 5, 2006 530it wagon but dont like the looks or i-drive.

[sayemthree]

i-drive

[nirad]