Having a trouble deciding on what my next car shoud be! 335is vs S4

Hi guys,
I guess it is my first post. I have had a trouble deciding which car I should buy.
Here is my option for the next car: 2012 335is convertible or 2012 Audi S4.
I know they both are great cars(I prefer 335is more), but I used to drive 2011 e92 M3.
If I purchase 335is convertible, will I feel the driving difference between 335is and M3?

What would you do if you were me?
Do you think I am gonna have more fun with 335is or S4?

So I also narrowed it down to the 335i or the S4. I'm choosing the the 335i. Here's why:

- 335i feels mean. S4 is an extremely nice vehicle - don't get me wrong. But it sometimes feels like more of a upscale sedan than anything.
- Cost. I am looking for 6MT and this seems to be very hard to come by. S4's are not as prevalent as the 335i's. I'm looking for a CPO and the S4's seem to break that maximum cost I'm looking to spend.


Both cars are well built, I just feel tied to the BMW for some reason. Still haven't found the one I will purchase, but does something for me. However, you need to test drive both thoroughly and see which one fits you more.

Originally Posted by yhj16467

Hi guys,
I guess it is my first post. I have had a trouble deciding which car I should buy.
Here is my option for the next car: 2012 335is convertible or 2012 Audi S4.
I know they both are great cars(I prefer 335is more), but I used to drive 2011 e92 M3.
If I purchase 335is convertible, will I feel the driving difference between 335is and M3?

What would you do if you were me?
Do you think I am gonna have more fun with 335is or S4?

Two totally different cars. Only you can decide. Do you feel a big need for AWD? The inline six in the 3er has inherent balance and smoothness the V6 in the S4 will never match.

You might just like the "is" better than the ///M3 (blasphemy, I know). Because of the superior low-end torque you may find it a better daily driver.

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Two totally different cars. Only you can decide. Do you feel a big need for AWD? The inline six in the 3er has inherent balance and smoothness the S4's engine will never match.
You might just like the "is" better than the ///M3 (blasphemy, I know). Because of the superior low-end torque you may find it a better daily driver.

I would say the exact opposite, and we own both the S4 and the 335is. The engine on the S4 is much smoother at every RPM range as compared to the 335is. The turbo charged 335is has hesitations when accelerating from a stop, whereas the S4 does not with their supercharged induction system. Our S4 is loaded and includes the handling package and differential package. Put the S4 DCT in Dynamic Mode (sedan) and it handles better and more responsive than the 335is (coupe).

My 335is is a convertible which the Audi would now be compared with the S5 coupe convertible (they did not offer the same engine in the coupe/convertible when we bought the sedan S4). For highway trips, the S4 beats the 335is hands down. The S4 is also more comfortable on long trips, and with the selectable suspension, the S4 beats the 335is around town as well.

Even though it is much more money, I would personally buy the new Audi RS5 over any BMW (we also own an M3 sedan).

Originally Posted by beden1

I would say the exact opposite, and we own both the S4 and the 335is. The engine on the S4 is much smoother at every RPM range as compared to the 335is. The turbo charged 335is has hesitations when accelerating from a stop, whereas the S4 does not with their supercharged induction system. Our S4 is loaded and includes the handling package and differential package. Put the S4 DCT in Dynamic Mode (sedan) and it handles better and more responsive than the 335is (coupe).

My 335is is a convertible which the Audi would now be compared with the S5 coupe convertible (they did not offer the same engine in the coupe/convertible when we bought the sedan S4). For highway trips, the S4 beats the 335is hands down. The S4 is also more comfortable on long trips, and with the selectable suspension, the S4 beats the 335is around town as well.

Even though it is much more money, I would personally buy the new Audi RS5 over any BMW (we also own an M3 sedan).

I live in Los Angeles,alway horrible traffic jams. When I had e92 M3, I had a issue with engine termperature and hesitations when accelerating from a stop. I dont know these problems were only for my M3.
If I go with a Audi S4, I will definately load SPORTS REAR DIFFERENTIAL PACKAGE, but not sure about Audi adaptive damping suspension, I guess this option is the hanlding package you mentioned.

Originally Posted by yhj16467

I live in Los Angeles,alway horrible traffic jams. When I had e92 M3, I had a issue with engine termperature and hesitations when accelerating from a stop. I dont know these problems were only for my M3.
If I go with a Audi S4, I will definately load SPORTS REAR DIFFERENTIAL PACKAGE, but not sure about Audi adaptive damping suspension, I guess this option is the hanlding package you mentioned.

Our S4 has the sports rear differential package as well as adaptive suspension. I would have to check the window sticker on our 2011 S4 to see whether this is a separate option. If you are mostly in heavy traffic, the S4 is a no brainer. You will not get the hesitation that one gets with a turbo engine.

My daughter drives our S4 and I am not going to be able to check her window sticker for a couple of weeks. In dynamic mode however, the steering, shift points, rear end gear ratio and RPMs react much differently than in auto/normal mode. You would need to check which option you would need to duplicate.

With the total handling/performance options, along with their version of the dual clutch transmission, you would be hard pressed to not go with the S4.

My son drove a manual S4 without the sports rear end differential package and he did not feel it was comparable to the M3 sedan which he ended up choosing. He never got the opportunity to drive one with the option, or, IMO, he would have had a tougher decision to make between the two.

Originally Posted by beden1

The turbo charged 335is has hesitations when accelerating from a stop, whereas the S4 does not with their supercharged induction system. Our S4 is loaded and includes the handling package and differential package. Put the S4 DCT in Dynamic Mode (sedan) and it handles better and more responsive than the 335is (coupe).

Your mention re: throttle response interests me. Had the same prob until I found if my foot's placed fully flat on the accel pedal, no lag at all. W/JB4 that's a heady feeling; 1st gear almost needs a taller ratio....guessing accel pedal sticks a tiny bit if attacked at an angle.

To wit: Once I thought my turbo lagged, but now wild accel is found. Lag? Don' got no stinkin' lag....a joy to drive and very very responsive.

__________________________


OP - You'll feel the diff, 335is vs M3, in a huge, never goin' t'ride like a M3 kind o'way. Rear subframe bushings, no LSD, control arms, sways....all add up to 328i suspension. Might have stiffer motor mounts. Your thoughts?

The good news is, all can be fixed.

But....why not keep the M3? Strange. It comes fixed, as it were.



.

Originally Posted by beden1

Even though it is much more money, I would personally buy the new Audi RS5 over any BMW (we also own an M3 sedan).

DUDE! Yer readin' my mind....then again, most Audi's still very schnoz-heavy, requiring LSD to compensate. Crude manners in a velvet glove? I hesitate.

Sure looks seductive though....looks and specs....

What about resale value for 2012 335is and S4? I will move to another country in a year.
New generation for 3 series is released now. Don't you think it might have negative influence on the resale value of 335is?

Originally Posted by beden1

I would say the exact opposite, and we own both the S4 and the 335is. The engine on the S4 is much smoother at every RPM range as compared to the 335is. The turbo charged 335is has hesitations when accelerating from a stop, whereas the S4 does not with their supercharged induction system. Our S4 is loaded and includes the handling package and differential package. Put the S4 DCT in Dynamic Mode (sedan) and it handles better and more responsive than the 335is (coupe).

My 335is is a convertible which the Audi would now be compared with the S5 coupe convertible (they did not offer the same engine in the coupe/convertible when we bought the sedan S4). For highway trips, the S4 beats the 335is hands down. The S4 is also more comfortable on long trips, and with the selectable suspension, the S4 beats the 335is around town as well.

Even though it is much more money, I would personally buy the new Audi RS5 over any BMW (we also own an M3 sedan).

OK. I can't comment on those things. My reference is to the design of the motor. The inline six motor design is an inherently balanced design. The V6 design is not. It requires extra design measures to balance it and even then it cannot be made to equal the balance inherent in the inline six design.

Originally Posted by yhj16467

What about resale value for 2012 335is and S4? I will move to another country in a year.
New generation for 3 series is released now. Don't you think it might have negative influence on the resale value of 335is?

If you're going to sell in one year it doesn't really matter about resale. You're going to lose A TON of money. Buying any new car with the plan to sell it in one year is not a good financial choice.

Originally Posted by yhj16467

What about resale value for 2012 335is and S4? I will move to another country in a year.
New generation for 3 series is released now. Don't you think it might have negative influence on the resale value of 335is?

Consider a lease.

Originally Posted by beden1

I would say the exact opposite, and we own both the S4 and the 335is. The engine on the S4 is much smoother at every RPM range as compared to the 335is. The turbo charged 335is has hesitations when accelerating from a stop, whereas the S4 does not with their supercharged induction system. Our S4 is loaded and includes the handling package and differential package. Put the S4 DCT in Dynamic Mode (sedan) and it handles better and more responsive than the 335is (coupe).

My 335is is a convertible which the Audi would now be compared with the S5 coupe convertible (they did not offer the same engine in the coupe/convertible when we bought the sedan S4). For highway trips, the S4 beats the 335is hands down. The S4 is also more comfortable on long trips, and with the selectable suspension, the S4 beats the 335is around town as well.

Even though it is much more money, I would personally buy the new Audi RS5 over any BMW (we also own an M3 sedan).

De gustibus... When I purchased my 335is I also test drove the Audi S4 Sedan and the Audi S5 Coupe. All three offered comparable performance at a comparable price; I simply liked the Bimmer better.

Automotively, I think that the S4 out performs the S5 which, to me, is more of a boulevardier or GT car. I'm tall so I like the longer seats of coupes - so it became an easy decision.

Originally Posted by GVFlyer

De gustibus... When I purchased my 335is I also test drove the Audi S4 Sedan and the Audi S5 Coupe. All three offered comparable performance at a comparable price; I simply liked the Bimmer better.

Automotively, I think that the S4 out performs the S5 which, to me, is more of a boulevardier or GT car. I'm tall so I like the longer seats of coupes - so it became an easy decision.

The S4 came out with it's current 6 cylinder super charged engine before the S5, which had an NA 8 cylinder and a 6 cylinder turbo at the time when we bought our 2011 S4. I think the S4 seemed more efficient than the S5 8 cylinder and has more guts than the 6 cylinder turbo had.

The S4 is comparable in price to the 335is and more than the 335i.

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

Your mention re: throttle response interests me. Had the same prob until I found if my foot's placed fully flat on the accel pedal, no lag at all. W/JB4 that's a heady feeling; 1st gear almost needs a taller ratio....

To wit: Once I thought my turbo lagged, but now wild accel is found. Lag? Don' got no stinkin' lag....[/COLOR]

Hey something we can agree on. I even dialed back the default Lagfix setting because it was hitting too hard for throttle feathering off the line. Also found a difference in throttle control by having my foot flat on the pedal like in my old old slingshot.

As for the "what should I buy" question, if someone needs to ask other people maybe its time to do nothing until you are really excited about a specific car regardless of what other people think.

Originally Posted by tturedraider

OK. I can't comment on those things. My reference is to the design of the motor. The inline six motor design is an inherently balanced design. The V6 design is not. It requires extra design measures to balance it and even then it cannot be made to equal the balance inherent in the inline six design.



If you're going to sell in one year it doesn't really matter about resale. You're going to lose A TON of money. Buying any new car with the plan to sell it in one year is not a good financial choice.

I'm not sure of the reason for your previous comment when it appears you have not even driven either car?

Originally Posted by beden1

I'm not sure of the reason for your previous comment when it appears you have not even driven either car?

I posted facts regarding the physics of the engine design. Not too hard to understand.