Which is best: 335i or S4
Discussion
Hi guys
Be curious to know which you all rate more the latest 335i or the recent audi (b8) S4?
I have had both BMW s and Audi s in the past favouring the former of late but a recent test drive of s4 following a august review of both cars had me quite impressed with the new s4. I have gone so far as to hold a build date on one. But is it a mistake?
Welcome your views on which is best and why?
Be curious to know which you all rate more the latest 335i or the recent audi (b8) S4?
I have had both BMW s and Audi s in the past favouring the former of late but a recent test drive of s4 following a august review of both cars had me quite impressed with the new s4. I have gone so far as to hold a build date on one. But is it a mistake?
Welcome your views on which is best and why?
I cant give a view on the S4 but i had a loan of an Sline B8 Audi A4, and nice as it was inside, i didnt particularly like it, to be fair it felt like piloting a cruise ship down a narrow canal on a run.
Currently have a 335d, and i find it far more focused and driver orientated than the Audi, not to mention more fun.
Not the comparsion you were after, but drive both and see what you prefer
Currently have a 335d, and i find it far more focused and driver orientated than the Audi, not to mention more fun.
Not the comparsion you were after, but drive both and see what you prefer
The new S4 is the best all round Audi they have built I reckon, if they did the RS4 with DSG that would win but they don't and I don't like the pedal positions and the gear ratios.
However, I still think the 335i has the edge.
If buying new or nearly new though I think you have to look closely at the S4, the fact it has the S badge should mean it holds its value pretty well over 2-3 years.
I would happily take a DSG S4 avant in exchange for our 3.2 A6 avant, if I din't have a BMW at all though there is no way I would just have the Audi.
However, I still think the 335i has the edge.
If buying new or nearly new though I think you have to look closely at the S4, the fact it has the S badge should mean it holds its value pretty well over 2-3 years.
I would happily take a DSG S4 avant in exchange for our 3.2 A6 avant, if I din't have a BMW at all though there is no way I would just have the Audi.
(Although for Me personally it would have to be the 335i, I'm a Beemer Boy! 
)///Mike said:
I think you are going to get a bias response in the BMW section of the forum.
I'd have the 335i. I have a 135i and the engine is brilliant. I just wish it made the same noise as my old M3's. That said it goes better and as with most things in life, you can't have it all.
MikeI'd have the 335i. I have a 135i and the engine is brilliant. I just wish it made the same noise as my old M3's. That said it goes better and as with most things in life, you can't have it all.
Have you heard a 135i fitted with the BMW performance exhaust and induction kit?? You can also get a BMW engine tuning kit from this month as well!!
PartsGuru said:
///Mike said:
I think you are going to get a bias response in the BMW section of the forum.
I'd have the 335i. I have a 135i and the engine is brilliant. I just wish it made the same noise as my old M3's. That said it goes better and as with most things in life, you can't have it all.
MikeI'd have the 335i. I have a 135i and the engine is brilliant. I just wish it made the same noise as my old M3's. That said it goes better and as with most things in life, you can't have it all.
Have you heard a 135i fitted with the BMW performance exhaust and induction kit?? You can also get a BMW engine tuning kit from this month as well!!
I am fortunate enough to have owned both of these cars and as a consequence can offer a balanced view on both vehicles.
I owned a 07 plate 335i Coupe with a manual box and I have recently taken delivery of a 59 plate Audi S4 manual saloon. I needed to change vehicles, as I required four doors to transport a newborn baby! The obvious replacement for the coupe would have been a 335i Saloon, but unfortunately I had a number of issues with the 335i.
In my view the build quality of the 07 coupe was poor (in comparison with my previous BMW – an 04 325i saloon). I had numerous infuriating interior rattles from day one and both front and rear towing eyes ‘fell off’ on two separate occasions. In addition both front headlight washers failed to fully retract. The supplying dealer addressed these issues to no avail on a number of occasions.
In addition I experienced 'turbo problems' that required the car to spend three days at the dealer to correct these issues noted at the 24k service. The dealer was reluctant to explain the extent of these problems, but the car certainly felt considerably better after this work was carried out. Thankfully all of the work was carried out within the warranty period. These were not the experiences I expected from a car cost this much money.
Unfortunately this put me off purchasing another BMW, which was a shame, because it was an exceptional car to drive. The torque (and noise ) from the twin turbos was quite frankly sublime, and the communication from the chassis is superb. For the money you will not find a BETTER DRIVERS CAR!
In my opinion the S4 is undoubtedly a quality product, feeling more solid in every respect than current BMW’s. I cannot comment on the reliability, as I haven’t as yet covered serious mileage. In comparison to the BMW the steering is ‘numb’ and I confess that I miss the punch and noise from the BMW twin turbos. The supercharged Audi feels less ‘dramatic’ but is still a ferociously quick car, particularly on wet roads. The confidence that the 4wd system provides is just incredible and this is without the ‘trick’ sports differential that Audi offer. In addition the ride quality of the Audi is superb in comparison to the BMW. (This is possibly due to the ‘dreaded’ run-flats fitted to the BMW).
In summary it is very much ‘horses for courses’. If you want the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ and can overlook the potential quality issues - carry on past your local ‘Audi Centre’ and visit your BMW dealer. If your looking for a fast, quality, comfortable and practical, saloon/estate the Audi S4 is the car for you.
Please remember these are only my opinions and I may have been unlucky with my BMW – however I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed whichever route you choose.
I owned a 07 plate 335i Coupe with a manual box and I have recently taken delivery of a 59 plate Audi S4 manual saloon. I needed to change vehicles, as I required four doors to transport a newborn baby! The obvious replacement for the coupe would have been a 335i Saloon, but unfortunately I had a number of issues with the 335i.
In my view the build quality of the 07 coupe was poor (in comparison with my previous BMW – an 04 325i saloon). I had numerous infuriating interior rattles from day one and both front and rear towing eyes ‘fell off’ on two separate occasions. In addition both front headlight washers failed to fully retract. The supplying dealer addressed these issues to no avail on a number of occasions.
In addition I experienced 'turbo problems' that required the car to spend three days at the dealer to correct these issues noted at the 24k service. The dealer was reluctant to explain the extent of these problems, but the car certainly felt considerably better after this work was carried out. Thankfully all of the work was carried out within the warranty period. These were not the experiences I expected from a car cost this much money.
Unfortunately this put me off purchasing another BMW, which was a shame, because it was an exceptional car to drive. The torque (and noise ) from the twin turbos was quite frankly sublime, and the communication from the chassis is superb. For the money you will not find a BETTER DRIVERS CAR!
In my opinion the S4 is undoubtedly a quality product, feeling more solid in every respect than current BMW’s. I cannot comment on the reliability, as I haven’t as yet covered serious mileage. In comparison to the BMW the steering is ‘numb’ and I confess that I miss the punch and noise from the BMW twin turbos. The supercharged Audi feels less ‘dramatic’ but is still a ferociously quick car, particularly on wet roads. The confidence that the 4wd system provides is just incredible and this is without the ‘trick’ sports differential that Audi offer. In addition the ride quality of the Audi is superb in comparison to the BMW. (This is possibly due to the ‘dreaded’ run-flats fitted to the BMW).
In summary it is very much ‘horses for courses’. If you want the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ and can overlook the potential quality issues - carry on past your local ‘Audi Centre’ and visit your BMW dealer. If your looking for a fast, quality, comfortable and practical, saloon/estate the Audi S4 is the car for you.
Please remember these are only my opinions and I may have been unlucky with my BMW – however I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed whichever route you choose.
That is a supremely balanced view. Currently driving a 330d m sport I cam definity vouch for the superb steering. I never tire of the direct feel. It was one oft biggest reservations when considering returning to audi.
I tested the s4 with the trick diff and found that it did improve matters as well as the ability to tighten up the steering with the drive select option.
By the way I too had more quality issues then expected with the BMW. Not aided by the stiff run flat set up. The car rattles more than my baby chair after having covered 70k miles. But on the twisties it still puts a big grin on my face.
I tested the s4 with the trick diff and found that it did improve matters as well as the ability to tighten up the steering with the drive select option.
By the way I too had more quality issues then expected with the BMW. Not aided by the stiff run flat set up. The car rattles more than my baby chair after having covered 70k miles. But on the twisties it still puts a big grin on my face.
Jhart said:
That is a supremely balanced view. Currently driving a 330d m sport I cam definity vouch for the superb steering. I never tire of the direct feel. It was one oft biggest reservations when considering returning to audi.
I tested the s4 with the trick diff and found that it did improve matters as well as the ability to tighten up the steering with the drive select option.
By the way I too had more quality issues then expected with the BMW. Not aided by the stiff run flat set up. The car rattles more than my baby chair after having covered 70k miles. But on the twisties it still puts a big grin on my face.
You've done 70K miles in a baby chair?!. Are You Stewie Griffin?. I tested the s4 with the trick diff and found that it did improve matters as well as the ability to tighten up the steering with the drive select option.
By the way I too had more quality issues then expected with the BMW. Not aided by the stiff run flat set up. The car rattles more than my baby chair after having covered 70k miles. But on the twisties it still puts a big grin on my face.
Magic33 said:
The confidence that the 4wd system provides is just incredible and this is without the ‘trick’ sports differential that Audi offer.
from what I have read & heard (not driven one yet so can't confirm) the trick differential package transforms the & latest A5 sportbacks into something very unAudi like. Pity its 2 grand for the whole package, with dynamic steering, suspension etcI've run a 335D coupe since Sept 06 and depending on work situation am seriously thinking of getting either a S4 Avant or the same engine S5 sportback in the spring.
Magic33 said:
Unfortunately this put me off purchasing another BMW, which was a shame, because it was an exceptional car to drive. The torque (and noise ) from the twin turbos was quite frankly sublime, and the communication from the chassis is superb. For the money you will not find a BETTER DRIVERS CAR!
I have been put off Audi's with the issues all my past cars have had (TT, S3, A4 1.8T Cab, A4 V6, A3 Sportback, all in and out of serious quality issues). Even last Thursday we were let down again by my dad's A3 2.0T leaving him on the hard shoulder of the M5 with another Coil Pack failure and making the olds late for their baby sitting duties. Finally after seeing the light and turning to BMW I cannot say they are that much better as both our M5 and now 335D have been back to the shop for a few 'issues'. So they seems as bad as each other.A spanking new S4 Avant parked up next us on Sunday, it did look very very smart and very subtle. I was thinking "ohh look at that 2.0TDI S-Line someone's been to town on the options list there" then I noticed the 4 pipes, and thought yuuummmm. I guess this is the best things about cars like 335 and S4 they just look like well optioned versions of repmobiles, but underneath they are very special. Looks wise inside and out then I'd take the S4 (it made my 335d Touring look a bit dated), but to drive (mainly in the dry) I'd take the 335i, if the wife had to do lots of miles in rainy cold weather then maybe I'd go for the S4...nice choice to have tho!
I just love both brands for sticking decent chassis and large engines in family cars, so us family men can have fun after we drop the kids off.
Wow, I thought I was a man who had dabbled in both brands. You must go through cars as a pensioner goes through anti hypertensives!
I think you called it right though, in the new s4 audi has a drivers car to rival the 335i. The audi will never drive quite as edgy as the BMW but the audi has plenty of other qualities going for it.
After much deliberation I opted for the s4 with the sports diff option. I will report back as to how it compares with my e93 BMW.
I think you called it right though, in the new s4 audi has a drivers car to rival the 335i. The audi will never drive quite as edgy as the BMW but the audi has plenty of other qualities going for it.
After much deliberation I opted for the s4 with the sports diff option. I will report back as to how it compares with my e93 BMW.
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