Audi RS4 or BMW M3 CS (or an E90 330D?)
Discussion
RobCrezz said:
Rs4s struggle to make that power apparently.
It's not about the power - there's just nothing I don't like about the RS4. It's all round beautiful from every angle and the same for the interior.What would you rather do 25,000 miles a year in. An RS4 or an Evo. There's no comparison!
(and that's from one of the biggest evo lovers on the planet - i've had 14)
gsrgeoff said:
Great advice guys!
For info the other alternative is to keep the Co car and go for a Porsche 944 for the weekend (hence my other thread here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
But after years of doing this I really fancy a change and actually driving a car that I cherish everyday instead of once a week.
Obviously the £2k tax saving will be immediately used up with the extra cost of fuel (on the RS4 or M3 CS).
The problem with that is that the mind is fickle. Once you start using a car you cherish every day, you will usually stop cherishing it after a few months. Then again I completely agree that it's a waste to have that car used only once a week (I am in that position at the moment). I find the grass is always greener on the other side in the one car vs two car argument. If anyone has found a solution to this, please let me know!For info the other alternative is to keep the Co car and go for a Porsche 944 for the weekend (hence my other thread here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
But after years of doing this I really fancy a change and actually driving a car that I cherish everyday instead of once a week.
Obviously the £2k tax saving will be immediately used up with the extra cost of fuel (on the RS4 or M3 CS).
Munich said:
I would go for the CS now and then the RS4 next year. You will lose money on both, but as the CS has already lost more of it's inital value I think the damage to your wallet will be less this way round. Also, if you wait for your dream car, you are more likely to actually swap cars after a year.
That is sound advice, but if you want a keeper then best to get as young (low miles) an example of either. You will not go wrong. I'd suggest a warranty.billywhizzzzzz said:
had an M3, then a e91 330d, now a V8 S4. I loved the idea of the 330d - on paper my perfect car - but it was a car for my head, not heart so sold it after a couple of years and suffered enormous depreciation. The S4 has the most amazing engine - and whilst the chassis isn't perhaps as accomplished as the 330d (sublime) it's a better car for the poor, wet and slippery rural roads I spend my time on...
This ^^^Take a look at a V8 S4, they don't have the handling of the RS model but they aren't much slower and still make a great sound while having considerably lower running costs.
gsrgeoff said:
RobCrezz said:
Rs4s struggle to make that power apparently.
It's not about the power - there's just nothing I don't like about the RS4. It's all round beautiful from every angle and the same for the interior.What would you rather do 25,000 miles a year in. An RS4 or an Evo. There's no comparison!
(and that's from one of the biggest evo lovers on the planet - i've had 14)
edit: dont get me wrong, I really like the RS4 as well and I know its a much better car than an evo in so many ways. I was just warning you not to expect it to be/feel faster than an evo.
you've got far more cornering angle options with the M3 CS than the RS4. Fast and smooth - check, lairy and sideways - check, - RS4 on the other hand - power oversteer isn't so easy to achieve.
Not important to some people, but for me, it's what makes the M3 CS a real driver's car. The RS4 is an entertaining 4WD car, with an epic engine, but isn't so much fun, or so much of a challenge when you're on/near the limit.
Not important to some people, but for me, it's what makes the M3 CS a real driver's car. The RS4 is an entertaining 4WD car, with an epic engine, but isn't so much fun, or so much of a challenge when you're on/near the limit.
I've had a RS4 (Avant) and BMW e46 M3 (not CS though).
The RS4 is an awesome piece of kit and I have to say I do miss it. For me, I couldn't justify the cost of using it only a few miles a day and I had thought it would make a good 'family car' - but the leg room in the back of the RS4 was no better than the M3. The gear change and the way it puts down the power (feeling rear wheel driven) was very impressive and the gear change is a delight. You feel low fown in the car which makes you feel like you are driving a sport car. I lost £5k in a year depreciation (I bought from a dealer and paid a premium). I think prices still have a way to go and the release of the new RS4 will compress prices even more. B7 S4s are holding their value well ~10k and even the previous version is holding up well so this is encouraging. I can't see RS4s values loosing too much over 2-3 years and they will probably bottom out at £13-15. Don't forget that the new RS4 is only available as an auto and isn't to everyone's taste.
The M3 - I had a manual and didn't like the gear shift - very notchy. I don't know why, but the seating position always seemed too high, it crushed my thighs and it never felt like you were in a sports car. But what with currently driving a cheap run around (oh why did I buy one), I am yearning for something with a bit of poke again. Porsche 996 C2/4? BMW M3 CS SMG? Never driven an M3 with SMG but I am quite tempted and always liked paddle shifts. The M3 does have a bit more space for luggage / kids etc.
In retropect, I should have kept my old M3 longer than I did as over a year it would only have lost £1-2k and then looked at getting myself into a RS4 after a year or so. Unless you can find a decent RS4 at the right price, I would say go with the M3 CS and then trade up in a year or so. That way you get to enjoy two cars and you don't get hit with too much depreciation.
The RS4 is an awesome piece of kit and I have to say I do miss it. For me, I couldn't justify the cost of using it only a few miles a day and I had thought it would make a good 'family car' - but the leg room in the back of the RS4 was no better than the M3. The gear change and the way it puts down the power (feeling rear wheel driven) was very impressive and the gear change is a delight. You feel low fown in the car which makes you feel like you are driving a sport car. I lost £5k in a year depreciation (I bought from a dealer and paid a premium). I think prices still have a way to go and the release of the new RS4 will compress prices even more. B7 S4s are holding their value well ~10k and even the previous version is holding up well so this is encouraging. I can't see RS4s values loosing too much over 2-3 years and they will probably bottom out at £13-15. Don't forget that the new RS4 is only available as an auto and isn't to everyone's taste.
The M3 - I had a manual and didn't like the gear shift - very notchy. I don't know why, but the seating position always seemed too high, it crushed my thighs and it never felt like you were in a sports car. But what with currently driving a cheap run around (oh why did I buy one), I am yearning for something with a bit of poke again. Porsche 996 C2/4? BMW M3 CS SMG? Never driven an M3 with SMG but I am quite tempted and always liked paddle shifts. The M3 does have a bit more space for luggage / kids etc.
In retropect, I should have kept my old M3 longer than I did as over a year it would only have lost £1-2k and then looked at getting myself into a RS4 after a year or so. Unless you can find a decent RS4 at the right price, I would say go with the M3 CS and then trade up in a year or so. That way you get to enjoy two cars and you don't get hit with too much depreciation.
DutchSi said:
Unless you can find a decent RS4 at the right price, I would say go with the M3 CS and then trade up in a year or so. That way you get to enjoy two cars and you don't get hit with too much depreciation.
Agreed. I's have to pay £20-22k for a decent low mileage RS4, whereas I can get a CS for about £13-14k.I think the S4 pricing is more comparable with the CS rather than the RS4.
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