OT: the search for a new Daily Driver Options

[TROJANMAN]

they are fairly close in price. The S4 is only slightly higher, but i can also get a newer model year (2000).

no, i don't want a subaru.

thank you for voting. input is welcomed (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif)

[TINCAN914]

There's an awesome 74 Pacer for sale down the street from the office. Should I get the number for ya? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif)

[TROJANMAN]

QUOTE (bmunday @ Feb 23 2006, 12:12 PM)

There's an awesome 74 Pacer for sale down the street from the office. Should I get the number for ya? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif)

let's save that for the UCLA grads. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/finger.gif)

[BMartin914]

Go M3 Greg. To me...it's a no-brainer.

Or an M5 (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/bravo.gif)

[ninefourteener]

Yes.. you do want a Subaru...... Trust me on that one (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif))

But.. given the choices, I had to go with the S4... I hate Beemers.

Plus.. the AWD puts it on top in my book anyway.

[johnmhudson111]

Go for the S4, around here there are very few Audis but everyone and their brother have BMWs.

[brant]

I tried to vote in the poll but something not working right.......

can we get an admin to fix this for me?

brant

[fiid]

Beamers have electrical problems - the turn signals never work. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

I'd still get the M3 though. Everyone just loves the M3- always have... there's got to be a reason for that.

I'd also think about a 2005+ Subaru Legacy GT. They're pretty damned fast. We have the wagon and it's faster then my coworker's BMW 330Ci and cost a ton less, plus you can haul 8'x4' sheets of plywood with it. I think they offer satnav and stuff with the 2006 model. The Acuras and stuff are also nice spacious well performing cars with tons of features and for not much money.

I suppose the Audi would also get you AWD - I forget what part of the country you're in....(5280?) so don't know if that would be helpful for you.

In the end - the only advice (as opposed to opinion) that I have - is test drive a bunch of cars (and a bunch of examples of your shortlist) and get a really solid view of their market value and what you like and don't like - and only make a decision after that - then you can be well-informed and you'll know when you're getting a deal.

[brant]

is the poll feature working for everyone else?



cause I can't fine a place to vote for my favorite=

[TROJANMAN]

i don't doubt that's your favorite, brant.
you still have a dial up connection, and a $50 computer (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif)

[brant]

good one..

but at least I have a sway bar!

(call dave at GPR yet?)

brant

[3liter914-6]

This is really a tough question, as the B5 S4 really tugs at the heart strings of a VW-Audi enthusiast, and the E36 M3 is really a honey of a car. Stock for stock they're very closely matched in acceleration, the M3 feels better and is a bit better balanced from a handlind standpoint. Both cars have lots of room for modding, and that's where the S4 really shines imho.

I had a 2.7T car (A6 not S4 though), and eventually sold it because it scared the crap out of me. Not in performance, but in the bill that I knew was one day coming. The turbos are pretty much a ticking time bomb, and require completely tearing the front end of the car apart. You're looking at about $4K to get the job done. Those cars that have had the stock turbos upgraded to K04s see to be pretty bulletproof though, so if you decide on an S4 I'd hold out for one of those.

The BMW S52s are pretty reliable. I think the plastic impeller waterpump was sorted out before the era you're looking at, which was the big problem with the M5x engines. There are a few other things, like a weak tranny mount that some people blame for missing shifts leading to mechanical overrev. M3s also seem to have some lifter noise when being run hard, but it seems like mostly an annoyance rather than a major problem.

If it were my money I'd go M3, unless I had a K04'd S4 in Nogaro blue with Alcantara and a known provenance staring me in the face.

[Ferg]

Bimmer....

i'll keep my eyes peeled for one while i'm in florida...

Ferg

[TROJANMAN]

QUOTE (Ferg @ Feb 23 2006, 01:27 PM)

Bimmer.... i'll keep my eyes peeled for one while i'm in florida... Ferg

great, you could drive it home for me (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

[Ferg]

QUOTE (TROJANMAN @ Feb 23 2006, 02:43 PM)

QUOTE (Ferg @ Feb 23 2006, 01:27 PM) Bimmer.... i'll keep my eyes peeled for one while i'm in florida... Ferg great, you could drive it home for me (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

you sure you wanna put me behind the wheel of a M3 (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/cool_shades.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/burnout.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/happy11.gif)

Ferg

[dlo914]

since we're on this topic Top Gear has a video that actually compares the M3 (e46) w/ the Audi S4, hope this makes your decision easier. GL Greg!

[TROJANMAN]

pretty cool video, thanks.
that's a newer M3 than what i'm looking at , and has about 100 more horses.
i am limited to an E36 b/c of the sedan model i want.

[nomore9one4]

M3 (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smilie_pokal.gif)

[horizontally-opposed]

Well, M3 is definitely the better drive: better brakes, a lusty straight six, superb steering and handling....

But they tend to nickel and dime ($500 here, $1000 there) you to death on the little things. Of course, I suppose there is always someone out there waiting to refute that...and the E36 M3s are SO good the way they came stock!

The older S4s are pretty nice cars, but need a little help in the driving pleasure department. 18s, a bit more boost, and suspension mods would probably go a long way toward this. Can't speak to their ultimate reliability -- but they are not simple cars. Turbos (2) and AWD, etc.

It's a toss-up for me. A very tough call but two interesting/cool picks. Go in with an open wallet and I bet you'll have fun with either. That said, I guess I'd go with the Audi. Newer, nicer, better ride quality (in stock form) and (perhaps!) a bit less maintenance hassle...

And they made the S4 as a good-looking wagon!

pete