Your choice: E90 M3 or Audi RS4?
 

As some of you know, I am number one on the list at my dealer for an E90 M3 due to arrive in the fall of '06. Nobody really knows what it will look like and what specs it will have but most believe it's going to be about 400 hp from a V8 and come in 2 and 4 door variants. Price is not set yet but most guess it'll be about $65K. There's nothing like a badass M car and having had the original M3, I am partial to it.

Now comes the Audi....

2006 Audi RS4 - Automobile

2006 Audi RS4 - Car & Driver

Wow! It's coming to America and is supposed to be about $55K.

What would you do if you wanted a 4 door? I haven't decided if I'd go with a coupe or a sedan but if I knew I wanted a coupe, the M3 is a no brainer but if I want a 4 door, the choice becomes less easy.

Oh the mental masturbation continues.... :tsk:

since its destined to stay a street car, i would get the rs4 avant. more pratical with all the handling and power you crave and can unleash at the stoplight grand prix.

if headed more towards a race car, the m3 of course...

I'm planning on getting the e90 M3 as a birthday present to myself. Either the 39th or 40th ('09 or '10) depending on my patience and college savings balances :dunno: :thumbup: :p .

When it comes time to make the decision, I'm probably gping to do a "seat of the pants" comparison. Whichever fells better to drive - or if I sit in one car and hate the feeling of sitting in the car - that's where I'll make the key decision. The M is my first choice because I've alsways wanted an M3.

I'll probably never drive a Volvo because of the way I don't like the "karma" of their products when I sit in them. I really didn't like the XC90 - but that's not important right now...

My .02

This is great news. For a number of reasons. Having owned two quattro's, a 1996 A4 and a 2000 S4, I can tell you, this is going to be an awesome vehicle.

The first upside, now correct me if I'm wrong, but BMW has not listed what the MSRP on the M3 is going to be yet. With the information that the RS4 is coming to town, I assume it is going to effect the selling price on the M3. They are going to have to keep the price down to compete with the RS4.

The immediate thought that comes to my mind, why pay $60K-$65K for a rear wheel drive M3 when you can pay 10K less for a car that has Quattro !

The only place I still see BMW having a clear advantage is with the SMG. As far as I know, Audi only offers two options, manual or auto (steptronic) trans. With the M3 having SMG (at a premium though) some might opt for that. But clearly, Audi is going to have BMW shaking a bit.

4 door vs. 2 door, to me that is a symantic argument. Matter of fact, besides styling looks, I have never understood why someone would prefer a two door. It makes no sense to me. They are the same car, same size, wheelbase, Hp, etc. So the only real difference is, how convienent it is for the owner. I always liked having 4 doors for those times I did need to load tires, carry groceries, friends, or throwing stuff in the back seat. And, it makes the car even more of a "sleeper"

So my opinion, sight unseen of both vehicles, is that the RS4 is going to be the better car at the better value. Just my .02.

B

Great observations! The SMG thing will be made far more interesting if Audi fits the DSG to the RS4. Now that would be something BMW will say "oh crap" to. I have not driven a DSG equipped car but I have heard that DSG is the transmission to get.

Lots of food for thought....

RS4 no doubt if you can get it.. the quattro is going to be really rear wheel biased (30,70 from what I've heard) so will be completely different feel than the current S4's... not to mention that it will definitely be cheaper than the M.... you would love it... and BTW.. :)

only on upshifts... multiple gear downshifts on the TT 3.2 sucks... it's slow..

RS4 would be a more fun and practical car.

First of all, due to its turbocharged engine, in the city, 0-30MPH would be a complete beast.

Second of all, having AWD will make your car still drivable in bad weather and the winter.

The final argument is that I personally have a weakness for Audi's RS creations. They are just so under-stated, yet so fast!!! And all of this without funny fish gills on the side, like the M3 has. :rofl:

Hey Bavarian,

Slight correction for you. The RS4 will not be turbo charged. It is a naturally aspirated V8...

B

You're biased though. ;) I love the sound of the engine in your S4. I have never owned an Audi and have been very impressed with them the last several years so that might swing me that way. I had always drooled over the previous RS4 that never made it to N. America too. The big thing would be the price difference.

Hey, e-mail me your home address to my GMail account. I have to mail you something. This is a directive per my CEO. :tsk: