Audi RS4 vs E90 M3 Buyers Guide!

[SchnellList]

Hey Guys,

What do you think of the Audi B7 RS4? I personally own a B7 S4 and believe the RS4 is a giant step up but how do you think it compares to an E90 M3? Here is a nice basic buyer’s guide for anyone interested in the B7 RS4!


http://www.schnelllist.com/buyers-gu...de-audi-b7-rs4

[templarklimek]

While a E92 M3 owner I've always admired the RS-4. V8, AWD and a manual tranny with a tight looking body. If you found a good one, go for it!!!

[thekurgan]

I think bad HDR imagery make a sweet car look bad ... but I digress.

+1 on the RS-4 V8 beauty, -1 on the carbon issues owners have had to suffer through.

[BrewRifle]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

I think bad HDR imagery make a sweet car look bad ... but I digress.

+1 on the RS-4 V8 beauty, -1 on the carbon issues owners have had to suffer through.

I had to get walnut blasting on my N54 135i and it's not too bad, but still something to worry about every 40-50k miles.

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by BrewRifle

I had to get walnut blasting on my N54 135i and it's not too bad, but still something to worry about every 40-50k miles.

Absolutely agree, if carbon is the only thing to worry about (minor), the RS-4 is amazing!

[bga23]

Always been a big fan of the RS4 but not sure I'd want to buy a 7+ year old one.

[DemolitionJim]

Originally Posted by bga23

Always been a big fan of the RS4 but not sure I'd want to buy a 7+ year old one.

this.

i was very tempted to get one before i got my m3 but the mileage and years were what really turned me off. that and i really wanted white lol

[jblaze21]

I was in the market and deciding specifically against a RS4 or E90 M3. I did a ton of research and ultimately decided to go with the M3. It just seemed to perform better in the majority of categories and it just looks better. Also the community around the RS4 is nearly non-existent while there is a very active E9x community and that really helps with DIY's, mods, knowledge, etc.

Also the direct injection carbon issues were a worry since I want to keep the car a while. Seems like the E9x M3's are very solid and reliable which was a factor as well. I'm also a big fan of the DCT transmission and it's pairing with this engine.

I couldn't be happier. I found the following article very informative as it compares the RS4 vs. M3 vs. C63

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...mparison-tests

[typicaltrabes]

Just before getting my M a good friend of mine purchased a beautiful RS4. Low miles and super clean. I have to admit I love driving the car, the gear change is like shaking hands with god. When you are really on the car its is probably my favorite 6 speed. I looked into getting one myself for a long time but after driving the M it was all over. I never get as much joy out of the RS4 by taking it on the back road as I do with the M. Its not nearly as involved as the M, the RS4 goes to the limit quickly, it understeers and just is not nearly as rewarding in my mind as the M3s. Just my 2 cents, everyone has their own opinion. 7+ years later though and I still think its a hell of a looker

[maloo]

Originally Posted by jblaze21

I was in the market and deciding specifically against a RS4 or E90 M3. I did a ton of research and ultimately decided to go with the M3. It just seemed to perform better in the majority of categories and it just looks better. Also the community around the RS4 is nearly non-existent while there is a very active E9x community and that really helps with DIY's, mods, knowledge, etc.

Also the direct injection carbon issues were a worry since I want to keep the car a while. Seems like the E9x M3's are very solid and reliable which was a factor as well. I'm also a big fan of the DCT transmission and it's pairing with this engine.

I couldn't be happier. I found the following article very informative as it compares the RS4 vs. M3 vs. C63

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...mparison-tests

+1.

[Hurricane]

I loved my RS4. Don't get me wrong it has its faults but it holds a special place in my heart. With that said here is the progression of cars after the RS4.

[SchnellList]

Hey guys,

I wanted to let you I missed an edit. The Recaro seats were only for the European model, my bad!

[templarklimek]

Originally Posted by Hurricane

I loved my RS4. Don't get me wrong it has its faults but it holds a special place in my heart. With that said here is the progression of cars after the RS4.

I had and loved the beauty of my S5, De'silva penned a timeless design. I was bitterly disappointed that RS-5 didn't offer a manual. If they did I would have one right now.

Your stable is awesome!

[dmppdx]

I was shopping for an RS4 initially since I had an S4, but for the prices they were going for, they were just too old to justify spending that type of money. Then throwing in the maintenance issues with them, carbon, suspension, burning oil, and all the other stuff that was always breaking on my S4 I was constantly replacing which would have been the same with the RS4, I just couldn't justify it. I decided to go for an M3 and been very glad I did. It's just a much better built car then that Audi platform. I look back at the audi and not necessary sorry I bought it, but it left kind of a bad taste in my mouth quality wise for audi's in general.

[E46M3forRay]

I crossed shopped between the RS4 and the E9x M3 as well and I couldn't get over the horrific issues I had with my B5 S4. I tried my best to give Audi a 2nd chance but knowing I've already owned 2 Ms in the past and the positive experience in my entire ownership.. I knew I had to get another M. And that video of that 1mile race between the RS4 vs E92 M3, that pretty much sealed the deal for me.

Resale value and the rarity of the RS4 is probably the only positive thing going for that car.

[LarThaL]

I used to own an RS4. Compared to the M3:

RS4 has better stock exhaust sound
RS4 has better stock shifter
RS4 grip allows you to hammer it very safely

M3 has better sounding and feeling engine, but not by much
M3 has significantly better ride-handling balance
M3 has significantly better steering feel
M3 drives like a much more nimble car

Keep in mind that when you compare cars of this caliber, it becomes highly subjective and you are splitting hairs to a degree.

[Ra_]

Originally Posted by Malloybmwm3

Hey guys,

I wanted to let you I missed an edit. The Recaro seats were only for the European model, my bad!

I believe the usdm seats are made by recaro too, without the branding. However, you are correct, Europeans get the recaro sportster-ish seats.

I crossed shop the rs4 also. The exhaust is intoxicating. Transmission is one of the best I've driven, so precise and effortless. And those fender flares! When it came down to it, there just weren't many available around me, let alone with low mileage.

[Hurricane]

Originally Posted by templarklimek

I had and loved the beauty of my S5, De'silva penned a timeless design. I was bitterly disappointed that RS-5 didn't offer a manual. If they did I would have one right now.

Your stable is awesome!

Thanks! I have to agree with your decision. Although I do like the RS5 I loathe DSG transmission. While the shifts are lightning quick I find it boring. I really wonder what reviewers would have thought about this car had it been given a manual similar to the B7 RS4. I have always driven manual sports cars. The RS5 was my first dual clutch variant and I kick myself for doing it.

[spool twice]

Let me realistic, why would you want a car with a chassis that dates back to 2002 (B6 Audi days)? I'm a previous S4 owner (B5 & B6 myself), and didn't step up to the B7 RS4 because the performance is on par with an E46 M3, has carbon build up issues, and the hydraulic suspension is unreliable (which is strange considering that its a mechanical system). And an RS4 with an intoxicating exhaust note? When? It sounds like another V8 with nothing unique about the sound like the S65 (personal preference I suppose)

get the E90, the technological advancement in electronic wizards, performance, reliability (yes I said that), and overall feel and body structure solidity is beyond what an RS4 has to offer.

[tjsabec]

When I was shopping for a car in 2010, I originally wanted an rs4, I had always been a Audi/vw guy... I love the interior of the B7 Rs4, and have always liked the exterior styling as well, although I feel that the E90 is just as good.

What made the desicion for me was distance, there was an E90 M3 an hour from me and an Rs4 about 3 hours, and I set off with the intention of driving them both... I drove the M3 first, fell in love with it, my wife fell in love with it, decided I would rather have a RWD car anyway and less weight was a plus... So I bought the E90 and never looked at the RS4.

I am a former owner of a mk5 gti,
And current owner of a B8 A4 and I think the carbon build up issues are enough to make me not want an rs4 a few years later. I have always thought the 4.2 v8 never got any respect on this forum and never understood why, it is very similar to the S65, it's just in a heavier car with worse suspension.

[Brian0473]

I actually owned 2 different 2007 RS4's - one was basically stock and the other modded out pretty well. The RS4 is a far rarer beast than the M3, which really appealed to me. In San Antonio I've only seen 3 RS4's on the road and that exclusivity is pretty cool. The engine, like the E92 M3, is magnificent...high revving, fast, sounds great. The "bad" parts to me of the RS4 are the carbon buildup issues which are very well documented and now almost 7 years later the cars are starting to show a little age. However, if I lived in a snowy climate I would probably be driving an RS4 (or RS5 actually now) over the M3...hard to beat Quattro in the snow.

[nvlarchitect]

RS4 is a great car. It's highly subjective comparing at this point. Here and there you may like certain features for each car. Just best to drive it and see what best fits you.