335ix vs S4

[HaloEye]

as title says, 335ix vs S4. what do you guys think? am referring to 2010 models. i have done build your car for both and S4 actually comes out a little bit cheaper (i added a lot of options into the 335i). when comparing cars on here, posters do not seem biased towards BMW so i wanted to hear some of your opinions.

i am leaning towards getting the 335i because i have always wanted a BMW and i like the options i can get with the car but i saw an 2009 a4 and i think the car looks really nice, a bit bigger which i kind of like also. what do you all think?

[ceb]

...Audi dealerships are so bad that I refuse to buy an Audi in the US.

To properly compare prices, you'll need to add about $2000 to the price of the Audi for a maintenance plan ($750) a set of brakepads and the 50/55k service.

The new S4 is a very nice car with some quirky ergonomics (odd for Audi), outstanding fit-and-finish. You won't see nearly as many Audis as BMWs on the road and the new design is quite nice.

If the dealers were better I'd be driving an A4 now...

[HaloEye]

i have heard that a bit, that audi service sucks and bmw is the one of the best. above poster said, i do like that you will not see too many s4's on the road, but at the expense of service? i think i would rather have a good warranty instead of a car that is rarely seen on the road. i will do some research on audi's warranty

[StigNV]

How long do you plan on keeping the car? the BMW maintenance issue is something to consider in that money DOC issue. Audi's depreciate faster than BMW's and have a reputation of breaking down more frequently. I do see the Audi's losing half their value at the 2 year point where bimmers are around 40%, probably splitting hairs. Just go to Edmunds.com or KBB.com to get those numbers. The maintenance issue I don't have much experience with. A buddy of mine got a 3.2TT the same time I got my 335xi. He hasn't had any problems to date, neither have I, so I can't attest to that issue. Been a wash over roughly 1.75 years. Both cars are really nice to ride in and drive. He drives like a sissy so I can't put claims to which is faster or handles better. I just know I always get there first.
I chose the Bimmer over the S4 when I was looking. I was comparing to the older S4 with the V8 cranking out 340hp. I understand they have a new V6, turbocharged?? I'd give them a year to work out the kinks in their system as well. the 335 had issues with oil coolers and operating temps when it came out, and now there seems to be a friccus about fuel pumps with people. Just some things to think about....

[HaloEye]

it is a v6 supercharged i believe. the 335i is turbocharged correct? i have heard about fuel pump issues too much. from what i hear, people have to put in orders for the S4 and they might not manufacture a lot of them. i breezed through some audi forums and people are waiting like 3 months to get their s4. i dont see myself doing that, i am not that crazy or in love with the s4 enough to do that. is the M3 the same way? and after a few months will the craze die down and will dealerships have S4s in stock?

and i did some research on audi's warranty. they have a similar warranty as BMW except BMW has free maintenance for 4 years. audi has 1 free maintenance service at 5,000 miles/12 months which ever comes first.

i might end up going with the 335i just because i think i can get a better deal. i have a feeling the S4 will be a little rarer so i would not be able to talk down price too much.

[StigNV]

The 335 is a twin turbo. The M3 craze seems like it died down a little while ago. Our local dealer has them in stock when I stop by. IMHO, I think people balk at the gas tax of getting the V8 in the M3. The 335xi knocks at it's heels in performance with mods in place. I think it's been a killer for Audi of late. That's would be a good reason for the change to the V6 in the S4. Steve Dinan, BMW tuner, has been talking about forced air induction (turbo/ supercharging) being the way of the future in the 21st century. I think he has a thread on this cite on the subject.
I haven't had issues with my fuel pump, knock on wood. The S4 is the new kid in town, it's getting all the hype. I really like my 335. No buyers remorse whatsoever. Aftermarket parts are becoming more available and the service is great. I didn't know that Audi started a limited maintenance program. They make a great car as well, sounds like they are getting more competitive with what BMW offers. Nothing like a slower economy to get the big car groups to get more competitive.

[HaloEye]

i guess it is just the hype of the S4 then. in a couple of months when i am ready to make my purchase they will prolly have S4's in stock. i think i may go with the 335i though. i will just have to wait to test drive both cars

[E39]

Wait didnt you say it was either 335i or S4 but then you mentioned "A4"...??? :confused:confused

[HaloEye]

i mention the A4 because that is the car i saw the other day. the S4 and A4 body styles are very similar. I would've wanted an A4 but they do not make 3.2 A4s (2010), only 2.0 and i do not want 2.0. i also like the sportyness of the S4 and the size.

[Beer Goggles]

Not sure how the S4 is cheaper...they are more expensive that BMWs. But I guess if you add all the options the 335 gets up there. I know when I looked at an S4 it was easily 12k More than my 335 coupe.

[HaloEye]

ok i did build a car again for both cars i want, audi s4 and bmw 335i with xdrive, just to make sure.

Audi S4 came out to $50,800, with premium plus package (automatic), navigation and silk nappa pearl interior. i would like keyless entry but would have to get prestige package to get it and i do not want to pay $4000 for that package. that package comes with minor upgrades which really arent important to me

335i xdrive came out to $53,150 with m sport package, paddle shifter steering wheel (automatic), navigation, keyless entry, ipod integration, hi def radio, chestnut brown interior, antitheft system. these are the 2009 numbers, dont know if pricing with change much for 2010 models.

these are MSRP pricing so i might be able to get either car for cheaper. when i look at both builds i am still leaning towards my white 335i with chestnut brown interior, it looks like such a good combination. the m sport package wheels blow the S4 wheels away also.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/bodega360/CosyVehicleImage-1.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/bodega360/CosyVehicleImage.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/bodega360/zie4zb-1.png
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/bodega360/zie4zb.png

[BillSD]

I think I read a couple different places that Audi was lowering the price of the 2010 S4 to around $45k. Is that not correct?

[HaloEye]

i believe the base model is 45k, the manuel version. the base automatic is 47k and some change

[Reggie335i]

not being bias, but i too would take the bmw. I know the A4 and S4 are a world apart, but the 3.2l a4 i test drove did not compare in terms of handling with the 335i. 335i sedan also beats out the 335i coupe on the track. At the end of the day, with all the above mentioned features, what do you see yourself enjoying to drive?
I was b/w a G37s, A4, 335i, and a few others. I have never been bias towards a BMW, but I just really had a driving experience whereas the other rides didn't have anything that stood out.

[HaloEye]

i think i see myself in a bmw over audi. the fact that you do not see to many audis made me want to get one, but rarity is not better than performance. i hear it too often that bmw is a better drive and fun to drive.

[StigNV]

It's funny, there are a lot more audi's than BMW's here in Tahoe. People like the AWD. When you tell them that the XI is AWD, they just kind of look surprised. Jeeps, Subaru's, and Audi's. It's fun being the odd ball.

[skylar]

The Audi AWD system is incredible, keep that in mind. I also live in Mass and no car or truck has handled even close to the A4 I had in the snow or rain, that includes an Expedition. I loved my A4, wish I still had it. I am now looking at the same 2 cars as a Daily Driver replacement, not sure what direction I will take.

Good luck

[Bonds 25]

The Audi AWD system is incredible, keep that in mind. I also live in Mass and no car or truck has handled even close to the A4 I had in the snow or rain, that includes an Expedition. I loved my A4, wish I still had it. I am now looking at the same 2 cars as a Daily Driver replacement, not sure what direction I will take.

Good luck
Have you driven the 335xi in the snow or rain?

[MagneZium]

The Audi AWD system is incredible, keep that in mind. I also live in Mass and no car or truck has handled even close to the A4 I had in the snow or rain, that includes an Expedition. I loved my A4, wish I still had it. I am now looking at the same 2 cars as a Daily Driver replacement, not sure what direction I will take.

Actually BMW's xDrive used to be much more advanced and better than Audi's Quattro, now with the new models Audi has changed the AWD system to be pretty much exactly the same kind of system as BMW uses.

You can get the active rear diff in the S4 but that is apparently not that subtle and mostly just helps to correct the car's basic flaws. BMW doesn't offer that yet on the 3-series though it will at some point (it already offers it on X5 and X6), but the BMW is already a balanced car that is very natural to drive.


i mention the A4 because that is the car i saw the other day. the S4 and A4 body styles are very similar. I would've wanted an A4 but they do not make 3.2 A4s (2010), only 2.0 and i do not want 2.0. i also like the sportyness of the S4 and the size.

A4/S4 is not bigger in interior space. It is bigger on the outside, but not on the inside... Also it is actually the BMW which is sportier, even in basic spec it is better in handling and more enjoyable to drive.

Then there is the day to day issue in which IMO the BMW wins hands down. The Bimmer surprises you often on how well things are thought out and you appreciate it in that sense more and more over time. Audi on the other hand tends to annoy me with all kinds of thoughtless design features.

For me it is already pretty much decided on the way the cars are designed chassis-wise and on the suspension geometry and setup. The Audi feels so unnatural, numb and not nearly as nimble, even in daily driving the difference is huge.

And in your calculations remember that in addition to free maintenance the BMW drinks less fuel.

[Babagnush]

I'm on my second 335. I love this car very much. That said, I'd have gotten an S4 if they were available at the time. The interior of the S4 is amazing. I also have driven both quattro and x drive in the snow. Quattro seemed to perform much better. I see your getting an automatic as well. This is going to be another area where the S4 is going to outshine the 335. I'd drive both before I made a decision.

[skylar]

Have you driven the 335xi in the snow or rain?

No I have not that is why I did not write my opinion on which was better. I will say I have never heard anyone that has owned both say the BMW is better, but I will leave that to those who owned both like the person that just replied above me.

[rickshaw]

>posters do not seem biased towards BMW so i
>wanted to hear some of your opinions.

True, unlike Audi owners.

The current Car & Driver has a comparison between the 2010 S4 and the 335i and rate the S4 slightly higher. Which is surprising since they have always been accused of being on the payroll of BMW as they more often than not rate BMW's higher.

It's interesting they have picked the 335i and not the x-drive (xi) in the comparison. The reasons stated are the lack of a true sport suspension on the x and the better weight distribution on the i makes it a better handling car of the two BMW 335 models.

The S4 interior is rated higher however, the BMW 3 series is due to get a major facelift for the 2011 model year, so that should be next year.