Audi RS4 (B8) vs BMW 340i (F31) vs BMW M3 (F80)

[survivalist]

A bit hypothetical at this stage, but as a fun daily driver all of these are in the frame. Anyone driven all three?

I’ve driven the M3 and was dissapointed by both the steering and the engine noise when not driving in anger. Drove a 320D F31 (Touring) a few years ago and the steering was pretty bad, controls pretty light.

Reason for asking is that I do relatively few miles but have kids and assorted stuff, so an estate seems like the best option. Logically the RS4 seems like the answer, but would have to be older with more miles than the 340i.

340i could be remapped for significant performance gains.

M3 is less practical, but would be similar in age and miles to the RS4.

I’ve assumed fuel would be ok for the BMWs, high on the RS4. That said, do low miles so les s of an issue.

What would you choose?

[couragebest88]

Sorry, I haven’t driven all 3, but I think I’d choose the M3 if I was after a fun drive. Audi S/RS cars are rapid especially off the mark, but personally I find RWD a lot more fun and engaging.

[stevemcs]

I've not driven the M3 but I have the M4, i've driven the 435i and the RS4 (all over at least 100 miles ) The M4 comes alive if you work it, the RS4 if you chase the redline ... for an eveyday car i'd chose the 435i, the engine does all you need and the gearbox is much better for day to day use. The RS4 is practical and a nice place to be but i would take an S6 avant over it.

[survivalist]

stevemcs said:

I've not driven the M3 but I have the M4, i've driven the 435i and the RS4 (all over at least 100 miles ) The M4 comes alive if you work it, the RS4 if you chase the redline ... for an eveyday car i'd chose the 435i, the engine does all you need and the gearbox is much better for day to day use. The RS4 is practical and a nice place to be but i would take an S6 avant over it.

Thanks for the feedback. Compared to the previous gen M3 I found the F80 had loads of low down power and auto mode in the dct was ok.

Would be interested to hear why you thought the 340/335 was a better all rounder. Even more low down torque?

Thanks

[stevemcs]

Smoother, gearbox that would creep in traffic, enough power for day to day use, reasonable noise, comfortable. The M4 no doubt if you put in sport everything and rung its neck it would come alive but it would be too quick for the road.

[carparkno1]

I bought a 440i recently, for these exact reasons. Day to day it does a lovely job of just creeping to work in traffic (short commute, mpg irrelevant). Occasionally I do some motorway work, stick it in comfort, easily get 35+mpg and probably close to 40mpg if I sat at 65mph

Yesterday I took it out for a couple of hours with a pal in his Mustang. Weather was rubbish but sport mode, manual paddles, foot down, managed to have plenty of fun. We’re doing the NC500 soon and it's perfect for this.

Is it a track day weapon with precision steering? No. Is it a nice place to sit, rear wheel drive, 326bhp (and remaps go well into the 400s)? Yes.

Chuck a lip spoiler on, black grilles and a splitter and it looks the business too without being “M4 nickable", and it's a fair bit cheaper too.

[ZX10R NIN]

C63 Estate would be my call as it feels special at low speed & can be a daily with ease, as an ex owner of an F80 M3 I have to say I was really disappointed the lack of traction terrible exhaust note (imo) & a few other little things meant that I only kept (as a side bar I think the M3 looks better proportioned than the M4) 3 months.

I will say I have since driven a few Comp Pack cars & they address a lot of the issues I had with my F80 were resolved but I will say that the C63 is the better all rounder.

[stevemcs]

I'd have a C63 over the RS4 any day, if budget wasn't a problem then i would probably have one over a 340i