r/B5Audi 18d ago

S4 B5 s4 or an M3?

Which would you prefer? I’m trying to see.

3 Upvotes

14 comments sorted by

9

u/Beneficial_Elk_182 18d ago

Have had both. The m3 burned itself up in a driveway😅 true story. B5 S4 all day long. But it really depends on what you're looking for, they feel totally different and offer something different, but I feel the S4 does it better. 95% of m3s are beyond clapped out these days. Just brutally thrashed neglected and passed around. Its a legit lemon mine field. The S4 has much much more to offer. Besides who doesn't like twins? (I'm not against STKs though) s4 is a MUCH cooler car, feels better, is more refined, it IS a timeless model and its reflected in prices for good ones. That said- they arent 'fun' to work on if that's not your thing. They ARE reliable if it's done correctly and taken care of. No matter what they are both going to be used old cars and will need consumable parts addressed sooner or later.

4

u/stumazzle 18d ago

Only if it's an e30. E36 is good too(and much cheaper) but idk if I would take it over an s4

2

u/dakota137 17d ago

Have a B5 (for like over 20 years).  Driven a few older M3s.  The B5 is more tunable, AWD is fantastic.  I would say it is more resistant to major engine problems than a M3, but the stock turbos can be a weak point.  The S4 will have that turbo pull / torque and the M3 a high revving NA motor (also fun in a different way).  The M3 will handle better.  I think the interior on each are good and they are both fun to drive.  The S4 is fantastic in the snow.  They are both really fun cars

2

u/mauromj1893 18d ago

Depends what you want out of it.

I happen to have both. The M3 comes out when I want to drive mountain roads, do a track day, etc. The B5 (tial 605.2) comes out when I want to do some fast highway rips, roll race, etc.

1

u/eddub_17 17d ago

Which M3

1

u/Rd6-vt 17d ago

B5 S4 over anything but the E30 or E46 M3

1

u/VR6Bomber 16d ago

If we are doing an 'apples to apples' comparison:

The S4 should be compared to the BMW 340 model

The RS4 should be compared to the M3

1

u/Bad_bitch_420609 16d ago

UPDATE

I should’ve specified, the e36 m3 🫡

1

u/nolimitpullupinatank 18d ago

I’ve had a few e46 m3s and currently on my first b5, imo m3 all day. I regret the switch

1

u/heywhatsupladdies 17d ago

Why so? :)

1

u/nolimitpullupinatank 17d ago

I miss the linear power of the s54 the most, handling felt better. I’m not a huge car guy or anything but overall my driving experience with semi beat up e46 m3s were better than my current experience with a pearl white b5 that’s pretty clean

1

u/heywhatsupladdies 17d ago

But is it the s4?

2

u/nolimitpullupinatank 17d ago

Yea, 6 speed stage 2 rs4 clutch. It’s pretty tastefully modified

1

u/heywhatsupladdies 17d ago

That’s cool! But yeah, having tunes will make the HP less linear, since they will come from turbo boost x) my 1.8t is already non linear, can’t imagine that