Video: E92 M3 vs. RS4

Nice?

— dlin (View Profile)

Posted on 12/7/2007 10:57:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Great link -thanks for posting it .
In my opinion the M3 is the BMW to own for those who want daily driving coupe with some passenger space and track ability .
The RS4 certainly deserves regognition as well.

— yrralis1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/7/2007 11:00:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

"Even in the text overlaying the video, they say that the M3's tires were spinning, probably due to them being cold. Under such circumstances, i.e., when traction is compromised for any reason, AWD will be an advantage, but to attribute the difference to AWD vs. rear-wheel drive, is to imply, erroneously, that the RS4 would have had that advantage even if the M3's tires were not cold."

I disagree. RWD vehicles spin under just about any circumstances when accompanied by a lead foot. AWD vehicles will always or usually have an advantage from a dead start.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/8/2007 12:35:07 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

I smell BS... on the rolling start, that RS4 engine is barely audible and you can't hear the rev limiter....that is all propanganda, I am sure the M3 is a great straight line performer, that being said I have driven the RS4 many times, and beleive me when you push the car really hard you get to that 8250 rpm really fast. That guy was not pushing that car at all.
Like I said I can smell the BS...

And all of you BMW fanbois go ahead deboost me out of your anger, that does not change facts.

And RS4 built on a 6 years old platform is still a better overall, better finish, better built, safer car than a brand new BMW M3. That does not make the M3 a bad car by any mean, it is just not as good.

— 1evlaudi (View Profile)

Posted on 12/8/2007 12:25:33 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

I want both.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/8/2007 12:35:37 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

great point

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/8/2007 3:09:54 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

RS4= FAST VW JETTA
BMW M3= LEGEND,

— Larry (View Profile)

Posted on 12/8/2007 12:59:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -11   

Wow I'm surprised the M3 pulled so far away from the RS4, like the owner of the Audi said, "I was thinking it was going to be a lot more even."

As far as the traction thing goes, S4's right, you will spin out in any condition with a RWD car. I can spin the wheels in 3rd gear with my car, & it has 50-60 less hp than the M3, though it does have a hell of a lot more torque.

Though I do have to say the conditions in the video look a little wet & cold, which would definitely put the M3 at a disadvantage while barely fazing the RS4.

— MunichRob (View Profile)

Posted on 12/8/2007 5:11:03 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

both cars are amazing. I would love to have either of these cars. It doesn't matter which is faster off the straight line or what not, because the odds of using that straight-line acceleration against someone in a similar car is probably not too great.

— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/8/2007 9:18:29 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Both cars are superb and while I have not seen any "comprehensive" independent tests, my best guess is that the BMW will win a drag race, and that should not really surprise anyone. Its has almost the same HP (down very slightly) as the RS4, but its estimated to be 300lbs lighter.. That said, this was clearly a BMW event not an independent test. The video itself is titled BMW M3 and note that the cars on the track were BMWs. Use 1/2 throttle shift way below the redline..etc. etc.. I'd like to see the BMW M3 win a race at an RS4 event. Ha ha.. We know how these things tend to shake out. Ha ha. Seriously though it shouldn't surprise anyone if the M3 won a straight drag race as the "largest" differenciating factor in drag races tends to be power/weight ratio. I would love to see an independent and "real" handling test including lap times on a track. It always great to see the many factors that affect overall performance in play.. If you recall, the old S4 (not RS4) beat the old M3 on the track even though the lighter M3 was a car length ahead in a drag race.. See below..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzGBSvyuUwg

Also, remember the M5 (500hp) vs S6 (no new RS6 yet)..M5 was faster in a straight line, but the S6's better handling and braking killed the M5 in corners leading to a faster lap time on a shorter track. As expected, the M5 was half a car length ahead on a longer track... Interestingly the most powerful car ..(Benz C63AMG 517hp) came last on both tracks..
The animation for the longer track is very revealing..
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/virtual/112_0702_luxury_sports_sedan_comparison_vrt/

I love the rawness and tail happiness of the M3, but at the same love the clean looks, refinement and year round all weather handling package in the RS4.. Anyone who gets either car can't loose..

— TheGenius (View Profile)

Posted on 12/8/2007 10:21:26 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Theses races are legit, Iv been following GT board and M5board for a couple years now. I even own a couple of the DVDs. When the M5 and M6 came out that had the same airfield drag races, and half the time the M5 lost to cars like 911 turbos's, F430s, z06, and othrer cars, but the M5 beat the gallardo and various mercs. Anyway these vidoes are not biased in anyway, these videos are for people who want to see how there favorite cars measure up to eachother. There would be absolutlly no point in false outcomes. The M3 was the faster car in the stringht line, accept it.

— carE10 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/8/2007 11:54:27 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I think both cars are awesome. I think the M3 sedan should race the RS4 and the M3 coupe should race the S5. That would be a nice camparo.

— 2ndbimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 12/8/2007 12:03:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Because of the AWD having a slight edge on take offs, I am getting a 335xi and chipping it. Then I can make my own bodykit up, from various vendors, and still save some money. I will end up spending around $55,000.
on a side note, when BMW comes out with their new DSG, it will shift faster than a manual and then the car will pull ahead faster, probably lowering the 0-60 by .2 seconds

— 2ndbimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 12/8/2007 12:06:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Nice!!! Would be interesting to race the E90 M3 with the RS4... It will be extremely close!

— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 12/8/2007 12:42:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Larry = a person who can't accept the fact that Audi is leapfrogging BMW constantly.

Look at the RS4 and how it gave the BMW M3 such a battle.

Look at the Audi R8 how it is smashing Porsche's iconic 911 with its killer looks, performance and easy driveability.

For those of you who think the M3 coupe will compete with the upcoming Audi RS5.... think again.

The RS5 is going to have at least 50 more horsepower than the BMW, not to mention it will be much lighter than the RS4 and it will also have the 40/60 rear biased Quattro split.

The BMW M3 is not going to stand a chance to the RS5.

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 12/8/2007 3:03:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Yeah I thought he was talking about the RS4, I went back through it & realized he was talking the RS5.

— MunichRob (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2007 12:25:11 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

To those that said this is staged, this event is completely legit, they have high performance makes of all types of cars, last year, a yellow Z06 won ~80% of the races, I won't even mention what it did to every BMW that day, yeah, they are really biased. Back on topic, that was a real spanking, while helpful for a powerful launch, the weight of AWD becomes a liability as speed increases, then HP and gearing are all that matter.


Stone

— stone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/8/2007 5:32:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

MunichRob, why don't you think the B8 RS4 is going to be a significant improvement over the current B7 RS4.

Yes, the curent RS4 is a very good car that is capable of doing things previous RS Audis couldnt't do.

You must not be reading the new 2009 B8 A4 reviews MunichRob, because if you were you would realize the new B8 A4 is a huge improvement in every area over the current A4. The car is bigger both inside and out. The legroom is now more than adequate, the interior is a virtual copy of the A6 and most importantly the handling and dynamics of the car are so improved that every single review of the new car has lauded the huge improvement in handling. AUdi's Drive Select System is doing wonders for the A4.

If Audi can take a more nose heavy, smaller, not as well balanced, no 40-60 rear Quattro split regular B7 Audi A4 and turn it into the monster RS4....do you really think Audi will not be capable of taking a larger, less nose heavy, better balanced and nimbler feeling B8 A4 and turn into another brilliant RS4.


MunichRob, the B8 Audi RS4 will be a mssive improvement over the current model It will be so good that it will dethrone the M3 in Car and Driver's comparison.

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 12/8/2007 8:51:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

GermanNut, I have seen good reviews on the new A4 I'm not disputing that. I'm just saying there's only so far technology can take the car, & not to mention that yes, the next RS4 will be bigger & heavier than the current RS4, physics do take their toll.

Again I never said the RS4 wouldn't be better than the M3 or anything, but I'll believe it when I see it, especially after the M3 didn't live up to it's own hype.

— MunichRob (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2007 12:41:43 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Like I said, the M3 has the better engine.

— SevorbeupstryIsBack (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2007 1:51:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

You know I also believe the current M3 will be the "apple" of everyone’s eye once again, but let's face it, the new M3 didn't surpass it's competitors like it's done in the past.

BTW I realize the B8 platform is lighter, but Audi's is likely to include more updated technology in the newer model, & gadgets add weight. I'm just assuming that is we don't yet know the actual weight of the new A4.

— MunichRob (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2007 8:17:04 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I think that the M3's biggest competition comes from within the family. A 335xi with an aftermarket ECU upgrade gives you AWD with copious low end grunt. It's not as track-worthy as the M3 or RS4, but for civilian streets, the power is more usable.

— 06STI (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2007 11:47:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Not trying to start a fight, and I am a "BMW guy", but is this not basically what happened? RS4 WINS where it counts most, yes, even in Germany, and the M3 barely wins where it counts the least, especially in U.S.? No? THen what?

— jailer (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2007 5:38:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Here fastone, I'll just quote you to answer your question. Not being sarcastic, I just think you already answered it.

"Gearing and less weight, probably had a lot to do with the M3's top end advantage.

Both cars are just awesome and to think the RS4 has been out for years."

That last sentence is ever so important as well.

— jailer (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2007 7:07:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I know you were'nt fast one. I was just trying to clarify myself as not coming off that way, because I was'nt.

— jailer (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2007 7:48:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Am I the only one who noticed that we were comparing a coupe to a sedan, HP to weight ratio might come into play here, just a little. I'll wait to pass judgment on who's the best when I can compare these car's on a level playing field. Sedan vs Sedan, or convertible vs convertible, and what a glorious day that will be.

— KillBot (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2007 8:30:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

BTW, the M3 broke the 8 minute barrier on the Nurburgring clocking 7:58, that's about 30 seconds faster the E46 M3 & not mention, official supercar numbers people.

— MunichRob (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2007 10:20:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The Audi RS4 has also broken the 8 minute barrier.

The RS4 has also clocked an identical 7:58 time around the ring.

Two amazing cars.

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2007 11:26:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Best time I've seen for the RS4 is 8:14.

— MunichRob (View Profile)

Posted on 12/11/2007 2:34:52 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Alright after searching around for a bit the best time I found was 8:09 for the RS4. I got 8:14 from Wikipedia & 8:09 from an article posted on autospies a year ago.

— MunichRob (View Profile)

Posted on 12/11/2007 2:41:58 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Very strange that the RS4 posted a better time @ 7:58 than the R8 @ 8:04.

— MunichRob (View Profile)

Posted on 12/11/2007 8:32:27 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The M3 is an amazing car, and its weight difference almost makes up for the RS4's off the line performance. The fact is with equal gearing the RS4 has a little bit more hp. But it has a better powerband than the M3.

— germeezy2 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/11/2007 1:04:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

That being said, I am going to enjoy blowing the new M3 completely off the road, as well as the GTR and the RS4. It still is amazing how fast cars are getting!

— germeezy2 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/11/2007 1:05:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

who me?

— germeezy2 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/12/2007 4:25:27 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I have a Corvette

— germeezy2 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/14/2007 8:39:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

it cracks me up to see you guys put down one or the other of these awesome cars. MOst of you have never driven one or the other. The new RS5 will have the completely new drive train with the engine mounted further behind the front axle ala the a5 s5 and being a coupe with lighter body even with the same TDI power plant in the rs4 should be a better handling, faster beast. It looks better too. as for the rs4 beating the r8 around the ring...................not if you put the same good driver in each car...........not possible.

— 4x4rules (View Profile)

Posted on 12/20/2007 11:09:19 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1