Audi S4 vs BMW M3 vs C43 AMG: Foes Reunited
How do three super saloon heroes of the 90s compare 15 years on?
In March 1998, the battle between the three focused on the mid-range saloons, with the new kid on the block, the Audi S4, taking centre stage. It went on sale after what seemed like an age after the S2 and RS2 had been phased out in 1995. During those three years, the battle had certainly hotted up, with the E36-generation BMW M3 becoming the de facto number one car in its sector, thanks to peerless handling and brilliant performance from what Autocar described as an engine which was 'half a McLaren F1's'.
But Mercedes-Benz wasn't standing still. The C43 AMG was less than a year old and already winning plaudits thanks to its muscular - and tuneful - 4.3-litre V8 engine, responsive auto and lairy handling when you wanted to crack on. So, the four-wheel drive twin-turbo 2.7-litre V6 Audi S4 looked like it had a mountain to climb if it was going to make any sort of impression in this little tussle - not least because it put out 265hp compared with 306hp for the AMG, and a whopping 325hp for the Evo-spec M3 tested.
But price could be an equaliser. At the time of the test, the Audi weighed in at £36,615, compared with £38,420 for the M3 Evo and £47,640 for the AMG. Until the rather more special RS4 sauntered on to the scene two years after Autocar's test - this was where it was at. Game on, as they say.
Audi was the new boy in '98
Peter Robinson was tasked with choosing the winner. The victor was never in any doubt, but sorting out the other podium positions could be interesting. The BMW went into this fight with the cocky swagger of a multi-group test winner faced with the knowledge it was going in the ring against two heavier, less powerful opponents - and this test did little to change the preordained result... although there was a twist or two along the way.
These cars were all about performance first and foremost, and the BMW's on paper advantage wasn't as clear cut as it should be. "Already we know that real world, on-road performance of this seductive threesome doesn't reflect the difference in their power-to-weight ratios. The M3 is the quickest as expected, powering to 60mph in an effortless 5.3 seconds."
But the inevitable happened beyond that yardstick. "It's above 60mph that the M3's power-to-weight advantage becomes unmistakable, and it turns outrageously fast supercar times, hitting 100mph in 12.2 seconds. Not that the C43 hangs around, you understand, as 14.1 seconds to the ton confirms. And all three storm to 125mph before the rate of urge gradually subsides."
However, the Audi put up an incredible fight. "So tractable is this engine, as the turbos scroll up instant power, that old fashioned turbo lag is rendered irrelevant. It is quicker in all gears than the M3, because power comes in at lower revs - 50-70mph in top is covered in 6.3 seconds compared with the M3's 7.9 seconds." That was as surprising as the C43's monster mid-range punch was predictable. "Once the engine's computer understands the driver is in a sporting mood, the transmission sometimes goes down two or even three ratios in quick succession."
C43 an old school AMG in every sense
The Audi was dominated by its all-wheel drive system. "Just when it seems to be heading for understeer, you'll feel the power shift to its front wheels, so it's pulled out of corners and hurled down the road to the next bend. Point to point, over demanding roads, the S4 proves the quickest car, at least for drivers who don't want to raise a sweat."
But the M3 aced it, especially for skilled drivers who revel in feel and sensitivity. "The steering, more accurate and sensitive than its rivals, is the key; it unlocks a chassis whose deficiencies in terms of body composure have only just been shown up by the new (E46) 3 Series. It remains stable and, via throttle or steering, allows pinpoint placement, yet demands a delicate balance of the of the two inputs on the limit, especially on slippery roads."
As for the verdict - you could write it yourself. "We'd take the M3 for Sunday mornings, but gladly compromise with the S4 as an everyday machine. The C43 finishes third here, and we'd happily open the garage to greet it. It seems everyone's a winner."
A new S1 is only 30hp down on this!
Two of these cars are already dangerously close to being considered classics, while the Audi S4 won't be too far away once numbers thin out a little. But it's the Audi that feels the freshest to sit in and drive today, thanks to its high quality interior, less dated styling, and all round competence. You're still looking at a very usable daily, with more than a little PH-factor.
PHer DanoS4 loved his, even if he was the first to admit it wasn't as exciting as it might have been. "It was a great car, but ultimately boring. Although it was a good all-round Q-car, and shocked a lot of people! I had the Avant, and the look of surprise when I overtook people with my Lab in the back was priceless." He found it reliable, too, although being conversant in the S4's potential failings clearly help a lot.
Neil_M's M3 is a featured PH Carpool motor, but his love of his four-door saloon and the way he describes his ownership serve to underline why these cars are considered so special, 20 years on from their launch: "The engine, it's so tractable, responsive and revs out beautifully. A work of art." But he loves the fact that it's actually a bit of a Q-car, thank to being the saloon version. "I love the subtlety of the package. The saloon body with no spoiler is a bit of a sleeper, and combine the with a superb engine, great brakes, a good chassis with a mechanical set of controls, you get a very organic car in an ever growing digital age".
Of the three, the AMG is the rarest and potentially the most fragile, thanks to Mercedes-Benz's 1990s cost-cutting. But UltimaCH loves his mint and high mileage example, and has kept on top of it. "With a little more than 155,000 miles on the clock, she pulls like a train and gives me a big smile every time I take her out. He's been unable to avoid the modifying bug - but you can't help but admire the direction it's gone. "I have fitted a secondary de-cat and resonator delete, so the exhaust now sounds like an AMG should. With the rear debadged, no one knows what's going on until you disappear up the road with a snarl."
It's good to know that 15 years on, these cars are still in the hands of enthusiasts who really appreciate them.
Audi loses to BMW dynamically; sound familiar?
All three of these cars can be great value. But the AMG stands out as offering silly amounts of performance and drama for your money. We recently showcased it as a bargain to catch now while you can, with cars from as little as £2,500. Realistically, you're going to want to double that to ensure you pick up a cherished example that's not suffering from corrosion - and then pay up to around £10,000 for the nicest estates - they're still relatively affordable, but numbers are thinning fast.
Watch out for worn out gearboxes, rust, flaky and expensive wiper motors, rust, poor sunroof motors, rust, and boots that don't open properly. And beyond that, factor in the expensive AMG service items and need for specialist support, and that temptingly low price is soon eclipsed by high running costs. Oh, and they can rust.
That's also the case with the BMW M3, although not as extensively. But they can be responsible for some shockingly high bills elsewhere - and you should expect this for any M-Division car with 325hp to play with. We've already covered the M3s in detail in our Market Watch feature so won't cover too much old ground.
Lots of miles, lots of servicing and £4K
In terms of values, the Audi starts at around the same price at the C43 - although it's far easier to find an S4 for less than £3,000 - as it's considerably more numerous. But if you can stretch to £7,000 or a little more, you're going to find one of the best around. It's probably a little less special than the other two, and will always be overshadowed by the later RS4, but it does mean that the S4 remains a relative bargain for a car of such quality and ability.
Running costs are a factor, too, which is the case with all three of these cars, and even if you visit an independent specialist instead of an Audi main agent (scary for those on a budget), an S4 can consume your money at a staggering rate. But driven sensibly and looked after correctly, these high quality saloons are fundamentally reliable. Watch out for worn turbos though, as the cost of replacement could turn you grey overnight.
C43 wagon tempting at £7.5K
In 1998, Autocar rather predictably - and deservedly - went for the BMW M3. It was the most focused driver's car and in a straight race would show a clean pair of heels to its rivals. But you needed to be truly on it to get the most out of a BMW M3 while the Audi, with the added security of its Quattro all-wheel drive system, could make a better fist of things when the weather turned nasty. As for the Mercedes-Benz, that was just an expensive hooligan's car in an understated set of clothes and came with a riotous soundtrack.
Today, these unique qualities still shine through - the BMW is the most extreme, the Audi the most subtle and the AMG the most lairy. The only difference is that now age has made them so much more affordable.
Despite the Audi and AMG's temptingly low start prices, it's hard to turn around Autocar's original verdict. In the context of its time - and in relation to its rivals - the BMW M3 is still the most rewarding of the three to drive on the right piece of road.
We'll turn round the podium positions, though. The sensible Audi lacks that final flourish that marks the AMG as a bit special. It's the most practical car here to run on a daily basis, but it's also the one least likely to encourage its owner to get up early for a early morning hoon. The S4 is a consummate all-rounder, and the twin-turbo four-wheel drive saloon is still hugely capable more of the time that the other two, but when confronted by the bellowing V8 of the AMG it doesn't really have an answer.
AUDI S4
Engine: 2,671cc V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 265@5,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 295@1,850-3,600rpm
0-60mph: 5.5 sec
Top speed: 153mph
Weight: 1,562kg
MPG: 25.0mpg (NEDC Combined)
CO2: N/A g/km
Price then: £36,615
Price now: £2,500-£8,000
From the classifieds:2000 Audi S4 B5 saloon, £6,495
Why you might: Reassuringly low mileage and full service history.
BMW M3
Engine: 3,201cc straight six
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 325@7,400rpm
Torque (lb ft): 258@3,250rpm
0-62mph: 5.3 sec
Top speed: 158mph
Weight: 1,471kg
MPG: 25.7mpg (NEDC Combined)
CO2: N/A g/km
Price then: £38,420
Price now: £4,000-£20,000
From the classifieds:1996 BMW M3 Evolution saloon, £4,500
Why you might: Love the fact it's a four-door, and despite having been to the moon attracting battle scars along the way, it's been properly looked after.
Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG
Engine: 4,266cc V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 306@5,850rpm
Torque (lb ft): 302@3,250-5,000rpm
0-62mph: 5.8 sec
Top speed: 158mph
Weight: 1,569kg
MPG: 24.1mpg (NEDC Combined)
CO2: N/A g/km
Price then: £47,640
Price now: £2,500-£10,000
From the classifieds:1999 C43 AMG Estate, £7,495
Why you might: Rarer estate version with sub-100K miles on the clock and claimed to be rust-free
Thriving owners clubs help keeping them going, whether it's on a budget or those seeking maximum power. There's a number around with RS4 widebody panels grafted onto the saloon and they generally look very successful
Just watch out for sheds if buying - for every good one there's probably a handful of dogs...
Nowadays, when the majority of basic 3-series/c-class/A4 have all those features, these cars have become very understated indeed. The S4 in particular is virtually a sleeper now.
I have a C43 because I had to have the V8 and the OH prefers auto. It's usefully bigger than the other two (rear seat room and boot space) so it hits the sweet spot for my family transport needs. I have enjoyed some early morning drives and a track day in it, but I won't pretend it matches the M3's fun.
There isn't a bad choice to make amongst this trio. The tricky bit is making sure you buy a good example of whichever model you choose. Running costs will be hefty on all of them but if you want a 200hp/ton 5 seater, that is inescapable.
Uprated ARBs
full milltek
I LOVE MY S4....it makes me smile EVERY time I drive it.
Edit:
not my vid, but listen to it launch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59Rt9mB2tpM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWVGXW2jLmQ
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