Anyone moved s4 (b6) cab to e46 330 or m3 vert?
Discussion
S4 has been a cracking car but in the near future thinking of a change
330i, would be auto so a cruiser with roof down. Still no slouch and appreciate it won't be as quick, but would mean potentially I can put £2k back into savings and save a bit more on mpg
On the other hand another itch would be a m3. I'm fully aware of running costs, but the rawness in power and revvy engine would be nice. But would probably need to put more money into it and maintenance. Although 90% of my driving is a 12 mile round trip commute through built up areas so not sure if it would be just waisted
330i, would be auto so a cruiser with roof down. Still no slouch and appreciate it won't be as quick, but would mean potentially I can put £2k back into savings and save a bit more on mpg
On the other hand another itch would be a m3. I'm fully aware of running costs, but the rawness in power and revvy engine would be nice. But would probably need to put more money into it and maintenance. Although 90% of my driving is a 12 mile round trip commute through built up areas so not sure if it would be just waisted
I've spent some time in all three of those options although never a manual M3 cab, only the SMG.
The S4 clearly you know; 330 I found pretty underwhelming; pretty heavy so never feels as nippy as you might hope and fuel economy surprisingly poor. Nice and smooth, decent soundtrack but interior in the E46 feels very dated now. Stereo is awful as well.
The M3 of a similar vintage has all of the same downsides but if you grab it by the nuts and swing it round your head takes on a different character. It's an occasion and quite addictive when driven above 80% but it lacks that any speed grunt of the S4 and I've never much cared for the soundtrack (sounds like a coffee tin full of wasps). When you're just bumbling around it almost feels like a waste, it's like owning a Honda Type R. You're constantly looking for excuses/opportunities to rev it out as that's the only time it feels like an M car rather than a normal BM. Ride on 19s I thought was very poor.
The S4 clearly you know; 330 I found pretty underwhelming; pretty heavy so never feels as nippy as you might hope and fuel economy surprisingly poor. Nice and smooth, decent soundtrack but interior in the E46 feels very dated now. Stereo is awful as well.
The M3 of a similar vintage has all of the same downsides but if you grab it by the nuts and swing it round your head takes on a different character. It's an occasion and quite addictive when driven above 80% but it lacks that any speed grunt of the S4 and I've never much cared for the soundtrack (sounds like a coffee tin full of wasps). When you're just bumbling around it almost feels like a waste, it's like owning a Honda Type R. You're constantly looking for excuses/opportunities to rev it out as that's the only time it feels like an M car rather than a normal BM. Ride on 19s I thought was very poor.
I sold my M3 and 535d touring and bought an S4 Avant.
Hand on heart it was the most disappointing car I have ever owned, and I have owned a few.
Nose heavy, terrible comfort in regard to seating position and pedals, gears far to short so a real effort on anything but a motorway, and even then it was revving its nuts off at 85mph (mine was manual, auto is much better) and therefore doing 18mg, the understeer was bordering on comedy.
Looked good though, inside and out and when the Milltek was added it sounded nice too.
I swapped it for a 335i sport touring, 100x better, however still no M3, so in the end swapped the 335i and bought an A6 3.2 Quattro avant and another E46 M3.
Surely you must find your 535d more engaging than the S4?
The M3 will trounce it if you like the BMW thing, if you like the planted ultra safe feel of an Audi then maybe you prefer the S4? But the fact you are looking to swap after a few weeks tells me that deep down you are not gelling with it.
I think an Auto Avant would be a good way to own an S4, but when you can be in your car that drives better and costs half the money to fuel why bother with that even?
My S4 cost me nothing, I bought it 2 years old on an 05 plate for £20k with 13k miles on it, it was seriously cheap, so wanted to love it, but after the 535d and M3 it just didn't cut it.
Hand on heart it was the most disappointing car I have ever owned, and I have owned a few.
Nose heavy, terrible comfort in regard to seating position and pedals, gears far to short so a real effort on anything but a motorway, and even then it was revving its nuts off at 85mph (mine was manual, auto is much better) and therefore doing 18mg, the understeer was bordering on comedy.
Looked good though, inside and out and when the Milltek was added it sounded nice too.
I swapped it for a 335i sport touring, 100x better, however still no M3, so in the end swapped the 335i and bought an A6 3.2 Quattro avant and another E46 M3.
Surely you must find your 535d more engaging than the S4?
The M3 will trounce it if you like the BMW thing, if you like the planted ultra safe feel of an Audi then maybe you prefer the S4? But the fact you are looking to swap after a few weeks tells me that deep down you are not gelling with it.
I think an Auto Avant would be a good way to own an S4, but when you can be in your car that drives better and costs half the money to fuel why bother with that even?
My S4 cost me nothing, I bought it 2 years old on an 05 plate for £20k with 13k miles on it, it was seriously cheap, so wanted to love it, but after the 535d and M3 it just didn't cut it.
S4 still here, but just thinking what next
Yes the 535d even the big touring is more hooked up, but then it is a much newer in design; but I don't drive the 535d much on my own with the wife using it.
S4, i'm giving it time and wanting to love it, but it just lacks something. It's a great piece of machine, top down is nice and I'm converted on soft tops for it, but even driving like a granny the mpg isn't great which I knew (but I don't think helps the feeling), the sound track isn't all there in standard form and reluctant to spend the likes of £800 on a Milltek. I think I may like it more with a more tuneful exhuast note. The Tiptronic is at ease and suits the cab s4.
I'm thinking back to the cars I enjoyed, Celica VVtli for the low slung driving position, poised at high end which was fun yet tiring, then the TT whistle of a DV with a remap was nice when hooked up to an aftermarket exhaust. The R32 DSG was capable and sang tunes joyfully, but could have handled more power.
Maybe I'm hampered with the roads i drive the S4 and not much opportunity to give it full tunes
Just thinking is there something else worth scratching at
Yes the 535d even the big touring is more hooked up, but then it is a much newer in design; but I don't drive the 535d much on my own with the wife using it.
S4, i'm giving it time and wanting to love it, but it just lacks something. It's a great piece of machine, top down is nice and I'm converted on soft tops for it, but even driving like a granny the mpg isn't great which I knew (but I don't think helps the feeling), the sound track isn't all there in standard form and reluctant to spend the likes of £800 on a Milltek. I think I may like it more with a more tuneful exhuast note. The Tiptronic is at ease and suits the cab s4.
I'm thinking back to the cars I enjoyed, Celica VVtli for the low slung driving position, poised at high end which was fun yet tiring, then the TT whistle of a DV with a remap was nice when hooked up to an aftermarket exhaust. The R32 DSG was capable and sang tunes joyfully, but could have handled more power.
Maybe I'm hampered with the roads i drive the S4 and not much opportunity to give it full tunes
Just thinking is there something else worth scratching at
I spent loads on mine trying to get it 'right' but couldn't do it, it was better, but never could get over the massive V8 block being slung over the front axle.
I bought bigger anti roll bars, suspension, Milltek exhaust, Revo remap etc. etc. but I also had a 120d M-Sport that was mapped at the same time and we would argue over who got to take the 120d every morning, which told me that the S4 just wasn't cutting the mustard.
I struggled to keep up with my wife following her in the 120d while I was in the S4 on a twisty road we knew well, for all the traction it had you could never really exploit it as you couldn't actually get into a corner fast enough to need it, it understeered so much.
As a big V8 cruiser it works, and I would probably appreciate it now more than I did then, but seeing 16mpg a lot of the time I want more than a cruiser is that makes sense.
Also didn't help that a mate got a CLK55 when I had it, which was in a different league handling wise, that to me showed what a V8 should handle and sound like. Back to RWD with a nicely balanced chassis, I started looking at E55 estates, but then tried the 335i and bought one, just as quick and 30mpg rather than 15mpg. But I still fancy a CLK55, and would even have a cab in that, or a CLK500 for that matter, they are glorious.
Maybe try one?
I bought bigger anti roll bars, suspension, Milltek exhaust, Revo remap etc. etc. but I also had a 120d M-Sport that was mapped at the same time and we would argue over who got to take the 120d every morning, which told me that the S4 just wasn't cutting the mustard.
I struggled to keep up with my wife following her in the 120d while I was in the S4 on a twisty road we knew well, for all the traction it had you could never really exploit it as you couldn't actually get into a corner fast enough to need it, it understeered so much.
As a big V8 cruiser it works, and I would probably appreciate it now more than I did then, but seeing 16mpg a lot of the time I want more than a cruiser is that makes sense.
Also didn't help that a mate got a CLK55 when I had it, which was in a different league handling wise, that to me showed what a V8 should handle and sound like. Back to RWD with a nicely balanced chassis, I started looking at E55 estates, but then tried the 335i and bought one, just as quick and 30mpg rather than 15mpg. But I still fancy a CLK55, and would even have a cab in that, or a CLK500 for that matter, they are glorious.
Maybe try one?
That's a good summary there
I think that's how I feel but couldn't quite put into words
My situation probably not amplified like yours as price now is better on the wallet.
A lot of car for c.£7k
I'll see it out for the summer and decide
As for the merc, the older style isn't really for me
I think that's how I feel but couldn't quite put into words
My situation probably not amplified like yours as price now is better on the wallet.
A lot of car for c.£7k
I'll see it out for the summer and decide
As for the merc, the older style isn't really for me
I made this exact change, b6 s4 to a e46 330, I sold the s4 due to 1st child. I do miss it from time to time, as it was a quick car, but for half the price I sold it for I got a rather nice 330, and it does low 20s all day long. The s4 never saw more than 14. Plus it has meant I have been able to save on the side for whatever I go for next,
I made this exact change, b6 s4 to a e46 330, I sold the s4 due to 1st child. I do miss it from time to time, as it was a quick car, but for half the price I sold it for I got a rather nice 330, and it does low 20s all day long. The s4 never saw more than 14. Plus it has meant I have been able to save on the side for whatever I go for next,
lewis328 said:
I made this exact change, b6 s4 to a e46 330, I sold the s4 due to 1st child. I do miss it from time to time, as it was a quick car, but for half the price I sold it for I got a rather nice 330, and it does low 20s all day long. The s4 never saw more than 14. Plus it has meant I have been able to save on the side for whatever I go for next,
330's do seem a good buycan get a facelift one for £4k, auto, convertible, nice sounding, albeit knowing it will never be quick, but capable enough in most road conditions
p1tse said:
330's do seem a good buy
can get a facelift one for £4k, auto, convertible, nice sounding, albeit knowing it will never be quick, but capable enough in most road conditions
It's still quick enough for day to day driving, plus 330's have a superb exhaust note, my one is auto so I find myself cruising a lot, I say shift s4 as if your thinking about it already, do it now while it's still summer ish.can get a facelift one for £4k, auto, convertible, nice sounding, albeit knowing it will never be quick, but capable enough in most road conditions
gizlaroc said:
I spent loads on mine trying to get it 'right' but couldn't do it, it was better, but never could get over the massive V8 block being slung over the front axle.
I bought bigger anti roll bars, suspension, Milltek exhaust, Revo remap etc. etc. but I also had a 120d M-Sport that was mapped at the same time and we would argue over who got to take the 120d every morning, which told me that the S4 just wasn't cutting the mustard.
I struggled to keep up with my wife following her in the 120d while I was in the S4 on a twisty road we knew well, for all the traction it had you could never really exploit it as you couldn't actually get into a corner fast enough to need it, it understeered so much.
Understeer in an S4 on a public road? Enrollment in an HPDE course would have done more than tossing sway bars at it methinks. I bought bigger anti roll bars, suspension, Milltek exhaust, Revo remap etc. etc. but I also had a 120d M-Sport that was mapped at the same time and we would argue over who got to take the 120d every morning, which told me that the S4 just wasn't cutting the mustard.
I struggled to keep up with my wife following her in the 120d while I was in the S4 on a twisty road we knew well, for all the traction it had you could never really exploit it as you couldn't actually get into a corner fast enough to need it, it understeered so much.
The fact was, you could take corners far faster in the M3 or even the little 120d than you could in the S4, there is a really nice stretch of road near me with sweeping corners and adverse cambers, it is a great road and I know the 3 mile stretch inside out.
The M3 CSL could take a certain corner at just under 90mph without starting to break out at the back, the little 120d M-Sport could even manage it at nearly nearly 80mph, but the S4 really struggled to hit 75mph.
So, my point was, in every day driving the benefits of the Quattro system are not really realised in the way you would hope because the chassis doesn't allow the car to get to the speeds where it would be a real bonus.
When I was asking about this on the Audi forums everyone pretty much said the same thing, that you could change the anti-roll bars to help dial it out a little, but if you get within 10% of an M3 for cornering speeds you have tweaked about as much as you can expect.
The M3 CSL could take a certain corner at just under 90mph without starting to break out at the back, the little 120d M-Sport could even manage it at nearly nearly 80mph, but the S4 really struggled to hit 75mph.
So, my point was, in every day driving the benefits of the Quattro system are not really realised in the way you would hope because the chassis doesn't allow the car to get to the speeds where it would be a real bonus.
When I was asking about this on the Audi forums everyone pretty much said the same thing, that you could change the anti-roll bars to help dial it out a little, but if you get within 10% of an M3 for cornering speeds you have tweaked about as much as you can expect.
gizlaroc said:
The fact was, you could take corners far faster in the M3 or even the little 120d than you could in the S4, there is a really nice stretch of road near me with sweeping corners and adverse cambers, it is a great road and I know the 3 mile stretch inside out.
The M3 CSL could take a certain corner at just under 90mph without starting to break out at the back, the little 120d M-Sport could even manage it at nearly nearly 80mph, but the S4 really struggled to hit 75mph.
So, my point was, in every day driving the benefits of the Quattro system are not really realised in the way you would hope because the chassis doesn't allow the car to get to the speeds where it would be a real bonus.
When I was asking about this on the Audi forums everyone pretty much said the same thing, that you could change the anti-roll bars to help dial it out a little, but if you get within 10% of an M3 for cornering speeds you have tweaked about as much as you can expect.
In most proper tests, that gen. S4 achieved cornering speeds and skidpad gforces very close to those/that of the M3 (despite its weight), with the advantage that (on a course) corner exit traction is going to be superior. There is also the questionable bit (alluded to earlier) of the driver; AWD and RWD cars obviously require different technique.The M3 CSL could take a certain corner at just under 90mph without starting to break out at the back, the little 120d M-Sport could even manage it at nearly nearly 80mph, but the S4 really struggled to hit 75mph.
So, my point was, in every day driving the benefits of the Quattro system are not really realised in the way you would hope because the chassis doesn't allow the car to get to the speeds where it would be a real bonus.
When I was asking about this on the Audi forums everyone pretty much said the same thing, that you could change the anti-roll bars to help dial it out a little, but if you get within 10% of an M3 for cornering speeds you have tweaked about as much as you can expect.
I don't have a B6 S4; I just found it amusing that someone is claiming that an S4 heavily understeers on a public B-road. The car is a nose-heavy and certainly has limits, but you certainly aren't going to hit them there. We are talking about effectively the same chassis as was used for the B7 RS4.
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