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      01-18-2013, 10:13 AM   #1
seis-speed
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How many F30 owners looked at the S4?

If so, what was the deciding factor on not buying Audi? I am a longstanding BMW buyer, but I am curious what other BMW owners think?

F30 in XDrive loaded is in the same price range as the S4.
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      01-18-2013, 10:25 AM   #2
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I test drove the S4 twice.

- Felt heavier, bigger, less nimble
- MUCH more expensive lease payment. Residual was not as good as BMW.
- (opinion) F30 looks better inside and out
- That silver painted plastic around the instrument cluster was a huge turnoff, looks cheap
- S4 body style is OLD now. Likely to get a complete overhaul before the end of a lease, rather get the all new look of the BMW.
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      01-18-2013, 10:28 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by seis-speed View Post
If so, what was the deciding factor on not buying Audi? I am a longstanding BMW buyer, but I am curious what other BMW owners think?

F30 in XDrive loaded is in the same price range as the S4.
i considered looking at it, and for some reason one day my friend and I decided to go test drive the 2012 tts and I was so dissapointed by that car that I didn't even want to go look at the S4. I saw the S4 at the auto show and the interior of S4 didn't look good at all it looked outdated, I sat in the S4 and there was no room in the back at all and in the front it felt smaller, and one other reason to me audi feels like an overpriced VW, particularly jetta/passat
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      01-18-2013, 10:42 AM   #4
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I test drove the S4. Felt more powerful than my 335i. There was a significant difference between the interiors of the 2012 and the 2013 s4 models, the 13 being more upscale than the f30 interior. It seemed a bit smaller than my f30. Most people should find the seats on the S4 very nice, but I can't stand sport seats. I would have gone in for the s4 if it had comfort seats option. Still I am very happy with the F30 as long as BMW makes the PPK available for all lines.
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      01-18-2013, 10:44 AM   #5
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I would have considered it more if the leasing wasn't so bad. Huge difference in monthly payments.
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      01-18-2013, 10:58 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cardsdoc View Post
I would have considered it more if the leasing wasn't so bad. Huge difference in monthly payments.
I bought a precursor to the Audi A4 range, the Audi 80, in 1979.
The worse built car I have ever had !
I swore that I would never by another Audi, and I never have.
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      01-18-2013, 11:02 AM   #7
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I didn't test drive an Audi, but from looking over reviews, it had worse mileage than the 328i, the design dates to 2008, more expensive as an S4, lower Consumer Reports rating (76 vs 86), and lower percentage of people who told Consumer Reports that they would buy it again (74 vs 79%). Also, the estimated reliability was worse.

The A6, on the other hand, was tempting, but too much more expensive and too big.

Besides, my wife liked the Audis more, which alone disqualified it.
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      01-18-2013, 11:19 AM   #8
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Did consider it briefly. But gave up in the first half-mile of test drive. Just didn't feel right.
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      01-18-2013, 11:27 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by webdither View Post
I test drove the S4 twice.

- Felt heavier, bigger, less nimble
- MUCH more expensive lease payment. Residual was not as good as BMW.
- (opinion) F30 looks better inside and out
- That silver painted plastic around the instrument cluster was a huge turnoff, looks cheap
- S4 body style is OLD now. Likely to get a complete overhaul before the end of a lease, rather get the all new look of the BMW.
EXACT same reasons for me...great mind's think alike!

I think the new tech in the F30, and how it's very driver's oriented (like the subtle angling of the controls towards the driver) all add to the "ULTIMATE DRIVING" experience...

AND MOST IMPORTANLY: Aftermarket support. M Performance, Dinan, JB, etc. made the difference. For the S4, I found limited options and they were not factory supported NOR as "affordable" as the BMW options...
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      01-18-2013, 11:32 AM   #10
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I will not buy because:

- Price way too high. Much higher than 335i for similar performance.

- F30 M-Sport design better for a sedan. A5/S5 still a stunner tho.

- My neighbor has one!
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      01-18-2013, 11:38 AM   #11
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Test drove an 2012 S4, then test drove a 2013 rwd 335. Both felt similar. Both my wife & I thought the 335 felt quicker (not stating this as fact) and both preferred the steering feel. The wife thought the S4 had a "sexy" exterior, and I thought it was bland. We both felt comfortable and familiar in the 335, as we had a 328 at the time. Bottom line, here in Canada, the S4 was going to be about $3,000 more similarly equipped. We ended up with a 2013 335 xdrive.
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      01-18-2013, 11:45 AM   #12
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I thought I would test one, but when I test drove the F30 it felt exactly right. I felt like I was "home;" no need to test anything else.....


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      01-18-2013, 11:46 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cardsdoc View Post
I would have considered it more if the leasing wasn't so bad. Huge difference in monthly payments.
+1

Also smaller back seat. Felt cramped being 6'3 and I fit much better in the 335.
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      01-18-2013, 12:52 PM   #14
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I test drove a 2010 S4 the same day I test drove my 335i M Sport. Both the wife and I agreed that while the s4 was nice the 335 blew it away in overall driving enjoyment.
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      01-18-2013, 02:18 PM   #15
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I looked at the audi S4, It def felt a bit faster than the 335 but they are both par. I don't like the interior of the audi and i loved the new f30 style compare to the ongoing model of the S4 which should be due for a model change soon. the biggest factor is i don't like the Audi brand for some reason, not one bit. I would buy a honda rather than a audi...

If A6 didn't have an audi badge on it, i would buy it any day
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      01-18-2013, 02:25 PM   #16
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      01-18-2013, 04:44 PM   #17
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For me:

- S4 felt too small and cramped inside. When sitting in driver seat, my left shoulder was almost touching the window. Plus back seat was really small. Also S4 sport seats are very thick, so eats up even more back seat room.

- Living in SoCal, awd is not necessary; in fact, its a negative as it reduces mpg.

- S4 was much more expensive than F30

- S4 gets worse gas mileage

- Audi does not include free maintenance
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      01-18-2013, 05:22 PM   #18
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No more wagon, only an "allroad", no S4 allroad anyway.
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      01-18-2013, 05:52 PM   #19
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Test drove both the S4 and S5 and I thought both cars were great before driving and seeing the F30. The back seats in both S4 & S5 were complete deal killers for me.....way too small for people to sit back there.

I also decided that I would rather have a 2WD car rather than an AWD car. The front and rear views of the Audi's are great but I did not like the rear view. It really just came down to liking the styling and the looks of the F30 M sport vs. the Audi's.

Audi is a great choice. Interiors are great and leather nice if not nicer than the F30. I hated the fact I had to spend $40 a month on the navigation system, another deal killer. I will NOT pay a monthly for ANYTHING which is why I've never even turned on Siri in my car nor will I even though it's free.

Lease factors, residuals, payments and overall cost of the Audi compared to the F30 was much more. All added together and it was a no go for Audi.....this time. I do plan on driving an S6 if there is ever one to test drive. I don't like how Audi dangles a carrot on their high end cars and then they're impossible to find, test drive, buy.
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      01-18-2013, 06:49 PM   #20
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It's a great car, nappa leather, supercar qulaity steering wheel, gorgeous seats, and more.

For me it wasn't what the S4 had its what it didn't have. RWD, Better Tuning Options, BMW Perks (Welt and Performance Center), A Large Interior in a Small and Nimble Package.
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      01-18-2013, 06:54 PM   #21
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Great car but RWD > AWD.
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      01-18-2013, 07:09 PM   #22
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A4/S4: Painfully drab looking. Could not consider...
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