BMW M2 v Audi B9 S4
Discussion
Different cars but not sure what to get next. Hoping for some inspiration here as everyone has an opinion 
I've had an M2 a couple of years back but sold it as I was piling on the miles (14k in 6 months) and tried to go semi-sensible with a LR Discovery Sport which was a horrible experience. Now just about to get out of the LR and the default option was to go back to an M2.
I'm not sure I need the practicality of a big car anymore, divorce has put paid to that, but I would like to move some mountain bikes from time to time so the S4 appeals a bit without the RS tax that you get every time you visit a dealer. I was also just going to get hire a van to move my track bike but just found out that the S4 can have a towbar fitted which, although sacrilege to some, does add value to me. I do have an active lad who likes to get out regularly and I'll get my dog from time to time but each car has it's compromises (the practicality for the small proportion of time I would need it v the inconvenience when I do need practicality)
I prefer BMW's if I'm honest, and I know they are very different cars, but I've had a couple of Audi's in the past including a C6 RS6 so I'm not against them but the S4 feels like it would be more of a thief magnet whereas the M2 never really got that attention.
I think they would probably do similar mpg on a motorway run (low/mid 30's) which is fine. The S4 seems to have a better interior but the M2 probably more fun. Both similar price for a 2017 car. A lot of my miles are motorway but I do like a bit of fun from time to time and I miss the fun part of the driving for the last couple of years while I've had the LR.
Maybe I should just get a Volvo and accept middle age.
I've had an M2 a couple of years back but sold it as I was piling on the miles (14k in 6 months) and tried to go semi-sensible with a LR Discovery Sport which was a horrible experience. Now just about to get out of the LR and the default option was to go back to an M2.
I'm not sure I need the practicality of a big car anymore, divorce has put paid to that, but I would like to move some mountain bikes from time to time so the S4 appeals a bit without the RS tax that you get every time you visit a dealer. I was also just going to get hire a van to move my track bike but just found out that the S4 can have a towbar fitted which, although sacrilege to some, does add value to me. I do have an active lad who likes to get out regularly and I'll get my dog from time to time but each car has it's compromises (the practicality for the small proportion of time I would need it v the inconvenience when I do need practicality)
I prefer BMW's if I'm honest, and I know they are very different cars, but I've had a couple of Audi's in the past including a C6 RS6 so I'm not against them but the S4 feels like it would be more of a thief magnet whereas the M2 never really got that attention.
I think they would probably do similar mpg on a motorway run (low/mid 30's) which is fine. The S4 seems to have a better interior but the M2 probably more fun. Both similar price for a 2017 car. A lot of my miles are motorway but I do like a bit of fun from time to time and I miss the fun part of the driving for the last couple of years while I've had the LR.
Maybe I should just get a Volvo and accept middle age.
I think I'd rather have the M2 myself but I do about 20k per year and the practicality of the S4 has some appeal with a turn of pace for when it's needed.
Slightly concerned about the theft reputation of the S4 though. M340 is a good shout, might have to see if I can get a drive in one.
Slightly concerned about the theft reputation of the S4 though. M340 is a good shout, might have to see if I can get a drive in one.
I've not driven a B9 S4 specifically, but I have driven a few fast Audis and they're always very similar: competent, grippy, bland, and little interaction. I even once drove a 2.0 TDi A4 back to back with an RS4 and genuinely thought they were very similar overall experiences, it's just the RS4 had bigger numbers coming at me from the speedo. I hope I don't offend anyone by saying that, because having chatted to owners that's exactly what they want. If you're after a spacious saloon that drives well, then BMWs just always seem much more alive and interactive, but you do need to get the right spec; some of the worst and best cars I've driven in recent years have been BMWs.
The other option is two cars, as others have suggested. If I won the lottery the first two cars I'd buy would be a van and an Elise
As a final thought, how about carrying a bike on roof bars or a tow bar mounted carrier? That way you don't need the space inside the car, and can buy something smaller that drives better. Even the Z4 Coupé had a specific bike carrier made for it by BMW.
The other option is two cars, as others have suggested. If I won the lottery the first two cars I'd buy would be a van and an Elise
As a final thought, how about carrying a bike on roof bars or a tow bar mounted carrier? That way you don't need the space inside the car, and can buy something smaller that drives better. Even the Z4 Coupé had a specific bike carrier made for it by BMW.
Edited by RobM77 on Thursday 15th August 12:06
Rob, agree on the driving characteristics. I've had both marques in the past and the BMW has always been better in that respect.
Bikes will be on a towball carrier which the M2 can't do (I'm not a huge fan of bikes on the roof). I also have a track bike that I tow around rather than hiring a van if it's just me. There's a few tracks nearby that make it a day trip rather than an overnighter so more convenient just to tow.
I think I've just reached the age where I still want something that will have a bit of fun and execute an overtake with minimal fuss but also practical enough for the kid stuff and comfy enough for the 700 mile round trip I do for work every couple of weeks. In an ideal world I would get the M2 and a van but time/space/cost/inconvenience/etc......I think I'm convincing myself towards the S4 (which has a much nicer interior too if I'm honest). Best option would be for wife to have practical solution and me to have stupid solution but best we don't go there.
Bikes will be on a towball carrier which the M2 can't do (I'm not a huge fan of bikes on the roof). I also have a track bike that I tow around rather than hiring a van if it's just me. There's a few tracks nearby that make it a day trip rather than an overnighter so more convenient just to tow.
I think I've just reached the age where I still want something that will have a bit of fun and execute an overtake with minimal fuss but also practical enough for the kid stuff and comfy enough for the 700 mile round trip I do for work every couple of weeks. In an ideal world I would get the M2 and a van but time/space/cost/inconvenience/etc......I think I'm convincing myself towards the S4 (which has a much nicer interior too if I'm honest). Best option would be for wife to have practical solution and me to have stupid solution but best we don't go there.
jock mcsporran said:
Rob, agree on the driving characteristics. I've had both marques in the past and the BMW has always been better in that respect.
Bikes will be on a towball carrier which the M2 can't do (I'm not a huge fan of bikes on the roof). I also have a track bike that I tow around rather than hiring a van if it's just me. There's a few tracks nearby that make it a day trip rather than an overnighter so more convenient just to tow.
I think I've just reached the age where I still want something that will have a bit of fun and execute an overtake with minimal fuss but also practical enough for the kid stuff and comfy enough for the 700 mile round trip I do for work every couple of weeks. In an ideal world I would get the M2 and a van but time/space/cost/inconvenience/etc......I think I'm convincing myself towards the S4 (which has a much nicer interior too if I'm honest). Best option would be for wife to have practical solution and me to have stupid solution but best we don't go there.
I'm similar to you. My car deals with 18k a year of commuting and another 7k of my own miles. I tow a racing car in a large trailer and regularly go windsurfing with my stuff on the roof or cycling with my bike on a tow bar carrier. I also take my wife and 10 month old son with me regularly. My last two cars have been 320ds, the latest with Birds suspension. I've just bought a 530d M Sport as a replacement for that latest one. My focus is on handling rather than performance, but I can vouch that these cars have done the job supremely well. If you're more into straight line pace, then maybe a 3 or 5 series with a more powerful engine?Bikes will be on a towball carrier which the M2 can't do (I'm not a huge fan of bikes on the roof). I also have a track bike that I tow around rather than hiring a van if it's just me. There's a few tracks nearby that make it a day trip rather than an overnighter so more convenient just to tow.
I think I've just reached the age where I still want something that will have a bit of fun and execute an overtake with minimal fuss but also practical enough for the kid stuff and comfy enough for the 700 mile round trip I do for work every couple of weeks. In an ideal world I would get the M2 and a van but time/space/cost/inconvenience/etc......I think I'm convincing myself towards the S4 (which has a much nicer interior too if I'm honest). Best option would be for wife to have practical solution and me to have stupid solution but best we don't go there.
I have an B9 S4 at the moment and have had a M135 in the past. The M135 attracted the wrong sort who tried to take the car from me in a car park in Coventry so i have had the S4 de-badged which doesn't hide the exhausts or the name on the calipers but most people who i've asked think its just a 2.0 tdi so it's reasonably stealthy and doesn't get a second look.
The S4 isn't as exciting as the M135 to drive but it is just as fast, competent - as in neutral handling - and more economical, it's definitely a good cruiser, i travelled 360 miles on a round trip to North Wales on the motorways the other week on one tank and was getting 39mpg which was a surprise.
I lease the S4 but am considering buying it as it does everything i need and i'm covering about 25k a year in it.
The usual recommendations apply in that you need to drive one
The S4 isn't as exciting as the M135 to drive but it is just as fast, competent - as in neutral handling - and more economical, it's definitely a good cruiser, i travelled 360 miles on a round trip to North Wales on the motorways the other week on one tank and was getting 39mpg which was a surprise.
I lease the S4 but am considering buying it as it does everything i need and i'm covering about 25k a year in it.
The usual recommendations apply in that you need to drive one
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