F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > 2012-2019 BMW 3 and 4-Series Forums > General F30 Sedan / F32 Coupe / F36 Gran Coupe Forum > How many F30 owners looked at the S4?
proTUNING Freaks
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      01-18-2013, 08:17 PM   #23
buildbright
Major
buildbright's Avatar
155
Rep
1,400
Posts

Drives: F80 M3 MG
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Tampa, FL

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by pkim1079 View Post
Great car but RWD > AWD.
Wow, if this doesn't speak volumes I don't know what can. Coming from someone who had an AWD track monster.

Have you autocrossed your 328i yet?
Appreciate 0
      01-18-2013, 09:07 PM   #24
J1n
Lieutenant Colonel
65
Rep
1,549
Posts

Drives: R8 V8 '14
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Melbourne CBD

iTrader: (0)

Overpriced VW, no visual appeal to me at least. I would compare a Merc
Appreciate 0
      01-19-2013, 12:35 PM   #25
AstonKarim
First Lieutenant
Canada
38
Rep
378
Posts

Drives: 2022 Audi RS5 Sportback
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

I considered it but did not go and test drive it. Loved the interior and it had some neat features such as google maps and Bang and Olufsen sound system. But at the end of the day, when the vehicle is viewed from the side, it looks like a plain VW.
__________________
2022 Audi RS5 Sportback


SOLD 2013 BMW 335i M Sport Xdrive / MPPK / MPE / Alpine White / Black Dakota Leather / M Sport Brake / 19"Style 403m / M Perf Diffuser
Appreciate 0
      01-19-2013, 02:59 PM   #26
///MZ
Private
Canada
9
Rep
70
Posts

Drives: F82 M4 - Austin Yellow
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: The 6

iTrader: (0)

-

Last edited by ///MZ; 04-12-2014 at 02:51 PM..
Appreciate 0
      01-19-2013, 03:10 PM   #27
rich1068
has left the building
United Kingdom
89
Rep
3,359
Posts

Drives: F30 330d M Sport
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

I 'aspired' to an Audi a few years ago. Got one with all the bells and whistles but unfortunately it was the dullest car I've ever had the displeasure to own. A VW in a posh frock.
Appreciate 0
      01-19-2013, 03:14 PM   #28
Tsuvoi
Banned
22
Rep
272
Posts

Drives: 2013 F30 328i
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MZ335 View Post
The S4 I considered, non-reduced, was significantly cheaper than a reduced F30. The BMW dealer I was dealing with wasn't really interested in negotiating for the BMW, so I bought the S4.

Then I went to the next town over and negotiated on the F30 and bought that one too.
Yeah Canada is a different market. Here in the US 335i is cheaper.

Next time you go to town can you drop by the dealer and buy me an F30 with your pocket change?
Appreciate 0
      01-19-2013, 04:46 PM   #29
TreDirtyFive
Major
United_States
253
Rep
1,334
Posts

Drives: X3 M40i
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Los Angeles, CA

iTrader: (11)

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.
I have a 335 msport and disagree with almost every single thing said here as ive tracked both cars hard and have used them both for basic daily driving. Outside of audi generally having horrible lease deals and looking a little boring the S4 is much more of a drivers car imho.
__________________
X3 M40i G01, M235i F22, 335 F30 MSport, 135 DCT, 335 E92, Audi A3
Appreciate 0
      01-19-2013, 05:03 PM   #30
fshubert
Captain
fshubert's Avatar
89
Rep
710
Posts

Drives: 2015 F30 335i
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Northwest NJ

iTrader: (0)

For the last 3 cars, I've looked at MB and Audi and keep coming back to BMW. The 3-series just looks better and drives better.
__________________
2018 Mustang GT | Royal Crimson | Black Leather | 6-speed | Cold Weather | Premium Pkg | 20" Alloy Wheels | Tuned to 510HP | Less than $45K
Previous loves: 2015 F30 335i / 2013 F30 335i / 2009 E90 335i / 2007 E90 328xi
Appreciate 0
      01-19-2013, 05:35 PM   #31
justinnum1
Major General
651
Rep
5,803
Posts

Drives: 2018 330i Msport 6mt
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (0)

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.
All of this.

The worst part is how heave the S4 felt.
__________________
F30 330i Alpine white/Coral red Msport 6MT
Appreciate 0
      01-19-2013, 06:07 PM   #32
claykin
Brigadier General
United_States
1579
Rep
4,543
Posts

Drives: various BMW
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

I prefer the S4 seat leather quality. Like the smooth leather compared to the cheap looking stamped leather BMW uses (unless you get Individual which is not yet available on F30 in US). On the other hand, I suspect the BMW leather may wear better over time.

What I didn't care for was the very pronounced and slightly annoying exhaust note of the S4. Very noticeable inside the cabin and I think Audi went too far with it. That said, I think the F30 exhaust note is a bit tame compared to my E90.
Appreciate 0
      01-19-2013, 10:44 PM   #33
RPM90
Major General
890
Rep
7,047
Posts

Drives: 340i M-sport AT
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (1)

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.
If you really want and need AWD I'd say go with the S4.
Audi's quattro is excellent.
Plus quattro actually improves the cars overall handling and performance whereas X drive lessens the 3's overall handling performance, at least in my experience and in reading reviews of X drive 3's.
Not saying X drive is bad. One benefit, besides allowing better snow driving, is that it helps off the line acceleration.
It's just not the famed BMW RWD performance, whereas quattro is what makes an Audi and Audi.

For the best handling 3 series I'd go RWD.
For the best handling Audi A4/S4 I'd go AWD.

The S4 is one very sweet sport sedan. I had an A4 sport 2006 and it was very fun to drive, GREAT in the snow.
Not as nimble as my 325i, 135i, or current 335i, but fun non the less.
The S4 is a stellar sport sedan. It readily beats the former and current 335i in performance reviews.
Awesome V6 supercharged engine. Equally kinda numb steering as the F30, but just as responsive and accurate.
Sport suspension feels a bit firmer than my 335i Msport, and I would prefer a firmer feel in my 335i.
Mechanically and driving/handling is as good as my 335i Msport, and maybe even a bit better.

But, what stopped me from getting the S4 was the seating comfort and a good bit higher lease payment for nearly the same MSRP and selling prices.
The S4 sport seats are quite nice, but they just sat too high and wouldn't go lower and I needed them too. I felt like I was sitting ON the car instead of IN it. That sucked as I put driver seat comfort as the #1 priority on my list of 'need/must have'.
Also, MPG isn't as good with the S4 compared to the F30 Xdrive and especially RWD 335i with sport AT.
Leasing was awful for the S4.
My 335i Msport has an MSRP of around $52K and with good negotiating and decent BMW incentives and great lease rates my monthly is around $512 tax included.
The S4 would have been in the mid $600's.

When you equip and option an S4 with an equivalent 335i Msport the 335i is more expensive.
335Xi Msport - MSRP: $54,520
335Xi Sport - MSRP: $53,020
S4 - MSRP: $52,470

The S4 is an excellent choice for an AWD sport sedan.
The 335Xi is also an excellent choice.
But since you asked which one, I pick the S4 for an AWD sport sedan.

Last edited by RPM90; 01-19-2013 at 11:27 PM..
Appreciate 0
      01-19-2013, 10:54 PM   #34
Carnook
First Lieutenant
United_States
132
Rep
394
Posts

Drives: iX
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Audi Drive Select is a $4000 option in Canada. Seemed a bit insane to me.

Plus Audi interiors are boring and generic.
Appreciate 0
      01-20-2013, 05:39 PM   #35
ianturner
Second Lieutenant
13
Rep
287
Posts

Drives: 2013 335i M Sport
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: DE

iTrader: (0)

i came from a 2011 S4 to the f30
Appreciate 0
      01-20-2013, 07:25 PM   #36
TreDirtyFive
Major
United_States
253
Rep
1,334
Posts

Drives: X3 M40i
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Los Angeles, CA

iTrader: (11)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ianturner View Post
i came from a 2011 S4 to the f30
and?
__________________
X3 M40i G01, M235i F22, 335 F30 MSport, 135 DCT, 335 E92, Audi A3
Appreciate 0
      01-20-2013, 07:47 PM   #37
DarkTrigger
Professional
DarkTrigger's Avatar
United_States
50
Rep
977
Posts

Drives: 335i MPPK
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: LB, SoCal

iTrader: (0)

"According to Jeremy Clarkson (BBC Top Gear), cocks drive in Audi’s. He has always thought of BMW as uncool just because cocks drive in them. In 2008 he saw a turn-around. Cocks have traded in their BMW for an Audi making Audi, finally, the new ‘cock’-car."

Looked at an A4/S4, then ran.

Name:  cock.jpg
Views: 1458
Size:  29.0 KB
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2013, 08:56 AM   #38
ianturner
Second Lieutenant
13
Rep
287
Posts

Drives: 2013 335i M Sport
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: DE

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by TreDirtyFive View Post
and?
i think coming to the f30 says it all. I went from e92 to s4 to f30.....

audi quattro is amazing, audi MMI/interior >iDrive/BMW interior....bmw driving > audi

i test drove a Xdrive car but bought a non X drive since i dont need AWD anymore.
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2013, 05:37 PM   #39
BMWforLife
Second Lieutenant
BMWforLife's Avatar
United_States
26
Rep
234
Posts

Drives: 2021 330i
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Florida (Jax/Gainesville)

iTrader: (0)

Yeah, I looked at it. All I saw was overpriced VW Jetta parts
__________________
Gone but not forgotten
14 335i
12 335i 6 speed
11 328i
06 330i
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2013, 05:49 PM   #40
vols1
New Member
5
Rep
28
Posts

Drives: bmw
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: canada

iTrader: (0)

Owned an Audi once. Never again. Repair after repair. Even the service manager told me to get rid of it. Dealer was pretty good but Audi head office was brutal.
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2013, 08:02 PM   #41
seis-speed
#savethemanuals
seis-speed's Avatar
United_States
2425
Rep
1,966
Posts

Drives: 1M | GT3 | J392 | GRc
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: West Coast

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by TreDirtyFive View Post
I have a 335 msport and disagree with almost every single thing said here as ive tracked both cars hard and have used them both for basic daily driving. Outside of audi generally having horrible lease deals and looking a little boring the S4 is much more of a drivers car imho.


Interesting, it is hard to find a manual to test drive, I finally found one a 2012 s4, hoping to get some saddle time in the next week. I only want to own 2 cars so this is a f30 XDrive vs S4 debate.

Were you tracking a manual?
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2013, 09:35 PM   #42
drob23
Lieutenant Colonel
drob23's Avatar
United_States
50
Rep
1,730
Posts

Drives: S4
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Michigan

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by seis-speed View Post
Interesting, it is hard to find a manual to test drive, I finally found one a 2012 s4, hoping to get some saddle time in the next week. I only want to own 2 cars so this is a f30 XDrive vs S4 debate.

Were you tracking a manual?
I'll jump in here since I was in a similar position cross shopping S4 vs EB2 335ix.

The engineer in me couldn't get away from the superiority of the drivetrain in the S4. It is more or less the same as the RS5 - including the crown center differential, active sports differential (made by ZF - BMW has this *as an option* in the x6/Mx5) and DSG. The RS models have much better suspension and brakes and of course bigger engines within segments - although the V8 requires you to keep the engine at boil to hit the sweet spot of the power band (probably same thing in M3).

The electronic clutch pack that makes up the x-drive is really not a center differential - ie torque sensing - and thus only clutches power (max 50-50) to the front when either (a) it's obvious - ie launch or heavy throttle application- (b) *after* traction has been lost. I'm not saying an electronic control system can't be awesome - ie evo - but usually performance AWD vehicles use torsen or mechanical LSD's - e.g. M3 has rear LSD. BMW is not in the business of making performance AWD vehicles, it seems like more of a safety/practicality feature to help sell cars in winter weather areas. Maybe this will change with an M5xdrive?

The weight is substantially greater - S4 (DCT) 3935 (lb) - 335i (AT) xdrive 3710 (lb) - 335i (AT) 3593 (lb) - 328ix (AT) 3596 (lb) - 328i (AT) 3461 (lb) (source)- but the supercharged V6 is noticeably torquier (is that a word?) and probably makes the torque/weight ratio about even - which doesn't change things in corners of course. The 50/50 weight distribution exists in the 328i, and the n55 + xdrive throws this off. I personally can't tell, but I only took the car on some limited test drives.

EDIT - Original curb weights were incorrect, added values for 328...

My guess is that if you were to track the cars, the S4 will devour brake pads due to heft and the BMW will do the same to rear brakes due to E-Diff brake steering.

I'm not even going into exterior/interior, because everyone seems to have a different opinion and in the end it's pretty personal. There is no way one can go wrong with either car, they both seem to be at the pinnacle of the segment. Audi being part of VW Auto Group would seem to be a strength from a manufacturing perspective - drive down prices across the board - do people consider Bugatti/Ferrari/Porsche to be overpriced jetta parts?!?!
__________________
UNDRSTR

Last edited by drob23; 01-22-2013 at 10:13 AM..
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2013, 09:54 PM   #43
FotiosF90M5
///M Specialist South Shore BMW
FotiosF90M5's Avatar
United_States
766
Rep
7,108
Posts

Drives: 2021 M5 Comp BHG/Silverstone
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: South Shore, MA

iTrader: (62)

I really wanted to like the s4 more. I was a bit upset that I didn't. I like the way they look and the power. I think it was just too cramped and felt heavy. It was uncomfortable for me. I test drove the 335i and right away it felt much better. Better sound, better acceleration it seemed, and it felt way more tossable. I love the s4, I've had an a4 and a 2000 s4 and they were great. I just like the BMW more and BMW as a whole more.
__________________
2021 M5 COMPETITION LCI Brands Hatch Gray on SIlverstone, carbon roof, comp wheels, Mperf splitter, carbon pro spoiler, carbon diffuser , carbon paddles, executive pkg. Dinan HAS, RaceChip, dinan spacers, FC stud kit, etc
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2013, 10:24 PM   #44
MiladsFrozenM5
M5, 335i, Maserati gts, Audi A8L, CLS 63
MiladsFrozenM5's Avatar
49
Rep
100
Posts

Drives: m5
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: laguna niguel

iTrader: (0)

I just recently bought an A8L and love it and also recently leased 335i f30. I test drove the s4/s5 before going to the BMW dealership and the cars way to heavy. The low end torque felt like my old audi a4. Don't get me wrong the seats are amazing and the cars wonderful but by test driving these two cars an hour apart from each other you realize what car handles better
Feels faster
More comfortable
The s4 sounds way better though

I just recently bought my A8L and for me Audi is better for high end cars. LOVE MY AUDI A8. Wouldn't change it for ANYTHING. If you are looking for performance the 335i blows the s4 out of the water IMO.
The s4 felt like my A8L lol so heavy
__________________
M5, 335i, Maserati gts, Audi A8L, CLS 63
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:42 AM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST