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      06-13-2012, 12:05 PM   #1
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Motor Trend Pits F30 335i Against Audi S4




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      06-13-2012, 12:17 PM   #2
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lol...i just made a post in the video/pic thread.....since i made mines 10 before you..its only fair that u delete
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      06-13-2012, 12:34 PM   #3
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Carlos! My Favorite Reviewer !!

Fair game here !! I bought the wrong car Damn It! and honestly the A4 is a prettier car too!


EDIT: having said that, i am still very satisfied with my choice, and i dont regret it!

Last edited by DrivenByE30; 06-14-2012 at 12:25 AM..
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      06-13-2012, 12:37 PM   #4
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According to me, the review is quite accurate. The S4 is a better car! but it also costs about 5K more (3K if AWD), does not include free maintenance and the residual value is about 6% lower than the 335 (56% vs 62%, 3 yr, 15k/yr). Even though I liked the S4 better I ended up ordering a 335 Msport because the performance advantage was not worth the extra money IMO
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      06-13-2012, 12:42 PM   #5
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Pretty fair review. Regardless if you love the car or not, there's no denying that the F30 has gone soft. Just from this video, it seems like while BMW was trying to find that balance of soft and hard, they've made it more soft than expected - even with putting the 335 in Sport+, the Audi S4 still felt better.

It's disappointing because what made BMW so popular to those who love driving was the steering and the feedback and it looks like it doesn't do it that well with the F30, instead it's found on it's competition.

It's only one review that really calls out the flaws of the F30 but I could imagine there will be others, BMW really needs to "fix" or adjust the steering.
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      06-13-2012, 12:46 PM   #6
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I can't believe BMW just lost a comparison on driving feel and excitement. Yikes!!
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      06-13-2012, 12:50 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yay-Z View Post
I can't believe BMW just lost a comparison on driving feel and excitement. Yikes!!
the king has gotten soft...
it was only a matter of time until its tailgaters come around in front of it...

In this case, the A4 is the most successful one in sticking very close to the 3 series rear end.

I have to applaud Audi for not letting go of the fight, and continuing the improvement...

I prefer BMW losing to Audi than to any other competitors

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      06-13-2012, 12:55 PM   #8
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I thought the two videos were going to be different, but they're not.

I think the reviewer did a great job objectively comparing the two cars, with the possible exception of the seats/seat coverings. The Audi he reviewed came with ultrasuede seats, so his comments were based on that. Audi does, however, offer red, leather seats, and they cost less than BMW's also optional red leather seats.

What I want to know is, what Audi feature makes it go from being one inch taller when standing still to about 1/2 shorter when driving down that canyon road?

Based solely on what I saw in the video, I'd be more inclined to buy the S4. Based on the fact that the "lines" approach BMW have gone to pisses me off to no end (especially when I heard that folks in Europe can still pick and choose what bits they way on their cars, for example, Lux line + sport seats), I am 98% certain I won't buy an F30 for myself. I think I'll wait for the BMW coupe, but it sounds like the S4 is the better driver's car, at least for the guy in the video.

Finally, it's really surprising that BMW managed to come out with a brand new model 335i that, like its predecessor, is inferior, as a driver's car, to its closest competitor, which is not an all-new vehicle. If one needed further evidence that BMW plan to take the 3er in a different direction -- away from being the premier, compact, sport sedan -- one has it. As it stands right now, it seems I'll be replacing (when the time comes in five or six years) my e92 with a 1er or an Audi if the F32 follows character of the F30.

(Perhaps the coupes are getting a different number because they will be more sport focused.)
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      06-13-2012, 12:56 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DrivenByE30 View Post
the king has gotten soft...
it was only a matter of time until its tailgaters come around in front of it...

In this case, the A4 is the most successful one in sticking very close to the 3 series rear end.

I have to applaud Audi for not letting go of the fight, and continuing the improvement...

I prefer BMW losing to Audi than to any other competitors

I agree. Like I said in another thread, Audi has done way more to better their cars than BMW has in trying to stay the frontrunner. I wouldn't be so disappointed if there wasn't such a drastic change to the core things that made BMW a BMW but the 3-Series is a almost a shell of it's former self. Now it gets real interesting with the ATS only a couple months away, BMW no longer is the clear cut winner in this segment.
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      06-13-2012, 12:58 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DrivenByE30 View Post
Carlos! My Favorite Reviewer !!

Fair game here !! I bought the wrong car Damn It! and honestly the A4 is a prettier car too!

I'd feel the same way if I bought the BMW sport line. I don't think I'd care at all if I bought the lux or modern line.
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      06-13-2012, 01:05 PM   #11
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335i or 328i...
sport line or lux or modern line.. it's not drastically different.
it's not like you are getting completely different cars.

Compared to the Sport line, the Lux or Modern is only approximatively 90% of it.
you are just missing the dynamic electronic adjustments of Sport+.

and that's all, otherwise, no matter what lines you are getting, it is the SAME car...
i dont know why you guys make such a big differentiation... the trims are the main visual difference, but those dont do squat for the performance of the car.
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      06-13-2012, 01:18 PM   #12
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I have a 2008 335xi and I test drove the Audi S4 yesterday. With the sport differential it cornered incredibly and like a rear wheel drive car with a bit of oversteer. Power is close in the S4 but it seems a little better than my BMW N54 engine which is supposed to be more powerful than the current N55 engine. 0 to 60 in 4.4 seconds for the S4 is the same as the E90 M3!

I am on the fence on upgrading to the 2013 S4 or 2013 335xi or 335i because in Canada a comparably equipped S4 and 335 are almost the exact same price if not a little lower for the S4 which has the navigation, backup camera, and B&O stereo included in the premium package in 2013 models. I am also not so fond of the new display unit that sits on top of the dash in the new 3 series. The new 3 series does seem to have an additional 1" of leg room for the back seat passengers which comes in handy at times.
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      06-13-2012, 01:23 PM   #13
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very objective review. i should follow this dude. he's a rare breed
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      06-13-2012, 01:28 PM   #14
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I was on the fence with the S4 and the 335i sport 6MT. I chose the BMW because of the better interior, more comfortable ride for everyday business and the fuel economy. Also, Audi maintenance scares me. I like the piece of mind BMW gives with their maintenance plan. The BMW is several grand cheaper with how I had each optioned out. Also I think the BMW looks far better on the exterior and interior. Sure the S4 was quicker, but the BMW left me with a much bigger smile after driving it. It was all about the power delivery. Audi has done a fine job with the S4 and I am glad they are pushing the competition. This just means that BMW will have to progress their line to be that much better. Close competition breeds better cars in the long run. Either one is a fine choice, but for me, the BMW got the sale.
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      06-13-2012, 01:58 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Autobahner View Post
I was on the fence with the S4 and the 335i sport 6MT. I chose the BMW because of the better interior, more comfortable ride for everyday business and the fuel economy. Also, Audi maintenance scares me. I like the piece of mind BMW gives with their maintenance plan. The BMW is several grand cheaper with how I had each optioned out. Also I think the BMW looks far better on the exterior and interior. Sure the S4 was quicker, but the BMW left me with a much bigger smile after driving it. It was all about the power delivery. Audi has done a fine job with the S4 and I am glad they are pushing the competition. This just means that BMW will have to progress their line to be that much better. Close competition breeds better cars in the long run. Either one is a fine choice, but for me, the BMW got the sale.


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      06-13-2012, 02:43 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by Maz335i View Post


I agree. I just came off of a weekend where I test drove the AUdi S4, MB C350, and 335i (actually had the BMW for teh entire weekend).

I drove the S4 first. Have to say, I was impressed... but I do have to say, I was expectting "more". Didn't feel as quick as I thought it would. I would say that the review was spot on w/ the braking - which was significantly better on the S4. Look of teh exterior - didn't do much for me. Interior - carbon fiber touches make it feel a lot more premium.

MB C350 - what a waste of time. Wouldn't drive the car if it was $30K cheaper. Handling like a 1985 Caddi. Acceleration was decent. Cheap use of plastics on the interior. Would never purchase this car.

335i - Absolutely loved it! I actually loved the low end power and the "burble" pop of the exhaust. Didn't want to give the keys back. Asthetically, just a dream boat inside and out. 335 M Sport it is for me.

We're talking nomial differences in performance. Let's face it, none of us are competing for podium placements on our every day commute to work. But if I have an ear to ear smile on my face every day on the way there ... an extra $5K in my pocket, more gas in my tank and look better along the way - well ... that's "WINNING" in my book. 335i M Sport it is.
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      06-13-2012, 02:53 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by martinf79 View Post
We're talking nomial differences in performance. Let's face it, none of us are competing for podium placements on our every day commute to work. But if I have an ear to ear smile on my face every day on the way there ... an extra $5K in my pocket, more gas in my tank and look better along the way - well ... that's "WINNING" in my book. 335i M Sport it is.
This is not directly a response to you but more in general...

Usually it's the BMW drivers mocking the Audi/Mercedes for saying this but now that the 335 has fallen (and pretty hard in this comparison), it's the other way around.
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      06-13-2012, 02:59 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 宝马.e90 View Post
This is not directly a response to you but more in general...

Usually it's the BMW drivers mocking the Audi/Mercedes for saying this but now that the 335 has fallen (and pretty hard in this comparison), it's the other way around.
New to the forum - so I have no previous exposure to what others have said historically, only my own personal perspective. I can get the S4 for just about the same price as the 335 M Sport, but I still choose the BMW. Its difficult to put my finger on ... but the BMW 335i made me want to drive it more and more (even with no where to go). S4 ... not so much. MB 350 made me want to pull over and wait for a bus.
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      06-13-2012, 03:06 PM   #19
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The inclusion of all season tires on the BMW vs summer performance tires on the Audi had to have a pretty serious impact on the figure 8 times and turning feel on mountain road. I test drove both the S4 (minus the optional sport differential) and F30 335i Sportline (with the optional 19" wheels and summer rubber) and I felt the BMW was more fun to drive, with the BMW suspension feeling much more capable. Having said that, both cars are very capable, and I would be very happy to own either one. I decided to stay with the BMW brand and ordered a 335i M-Sport.
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      06-13-2012, 03:14 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Boondoggler View Post
The inclusion of all season tires on the BMW vs summer performance tires on the Audi had to have a pretty serious impact on the figure 8 times and turning feel on mountain road. I test drove both the S4 (minus the optional sport differential) and F30 335i Sportline (with the optional 19" wheels and summer rubber) and I felt the BMW was more fun to drive, with the BMW suspension feeling much more capable. Having said that, both cars are very capable, and I would be very happy to own either one. I decided to stay with the BMW brand and ordered a 335i M-Sport.
I think you're right... the braking, figure 8, and 1/4 mile would be affected because of the all season tires. And I remember this guy talk about the 335i alone (not in a head to head) and also complained that the breaking was affected because of the all season tires. Not fair! It looks like a basic Sport line 335. I think you can include the 19s with the mixed tires with this. (They should have)

Personally, I'd go for the BMW for many of the same reasons posted here: cheaper, more economical, better service guarantee, better interior, looks, and overall emotional feel I get with the BMW.
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      06-13-2012, 03:32 PM   #21
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So I guess the tires make a big difference when you care with his ignition review of the 335i.

Audi S4 on Head2Head by Carlos
0-60 = 4.4sec
1/4 mile = 12.9 @ 108.7
60-0 = 108ft
figure 8 = 25.6sec

BMW 335i on Ignition by Carlos
0-60 = 4.7sec
1/4 mile = 13.3 @ 103.9
60-0 = 109ft
figure 8 = 25.7sec


BMW 335i on Head2Head by Carlos
0-60 = 4.9sec
1/4 mile = 13.5 @ 103.9
60-0 = 131ft
figure 8 = 26.7sec


“2012 BMW 335i: Still the Benchmark? - Ignition Episode 5” — On this episode of Ignition, Carlos Lago finds out if BMW's latest 335i still...
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      06-13-2012, 03:34 PM   #22
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Not much has changed. Pick what you like and buy it.

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...mparison-tests

http://www.insideline.com/audi/s4/20...-bmw-335i.html
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