Having owned and currently own-
E36 M3 - E46 M3 b5 S4 - B7 a4 sline and B7rs4

I would say that the audi is better package all the way around then the bmw -
It may not be a better track car out of the box- but if you need a car to live with everyday and not see yourself coming and going than the s4 is the way to go,

We do extensive modifications to the s4's and you can have a reliable every day driven s4 that makes 410+ hp all day long.

It all depends on how and where you want to go with it.

Fit and finish is better on the audi and is the list of standard equipment versus the bmw.

We do both GIAC and APR and are the only shop in the country to do so.

base s4 250 hp
software- dv valves - airbox and cat back 315-325hp
Add downpipes +20

Stage 3 ko4 kit 410-420hp


check out our website for more info and you can look through some of the project cars .

 

I had a E36 (1997 M3) for years, I loved everything about it, except the fact that in any winter conditions it was useless. I bought a S4 (I needed the all-wheel drive) and did a few mods to get it to the handling and performance
I was used to in the M3. I did the suspension and put bigger and wider rims and tires on it, I also did some mods with the intake and exhaust. It's a great handling car in all-weather and the twin-turbos give me plenty of power. The M3 is a great car, but like my S4.

 

if you don't pick that up, let me know who's selling and I will. Seriously.

 

Fabryce hit the nail on the head - you will not get 300whp from a chip and exhaust (except maybe the GIAC XR 100 octane program, and a good true-dual catback).

I had a Stage 3+ S4 for a while, and despite having full CPP links, Stasis tracksports, and 275's on all 4 corners, the M3 is a better handling car. The B5 S4 chassis is way too loose, and the thing is a pig. It's a great car for upgrading though, and a great sleeper for the most part. No one believed how much power my car had.

To address the problems you felt, the steering should feel tight - it's possible the car you drove had a blown CV joint or loose control arm. The driveline is sloppy but an APR snub mount + drivetrain stabilizer will tighten it up slightly. The RS4 motor mounts help a bit as well. The stock suspension is also crap, so anything from Stasis will be a big improvement. If you can, go on Audiworld and see if anyone in your area with a modified S4 would be willing to give you a test drive.

 

No kidding. NOBODY believes how much power I have in my car and at the dream cruise party this year this kid almost wanted to fight over it. "There's no way you can beat a Camaro SS or a Vette - they're V8's!" I ended with the last laugh after my friend's backed everything up. Silly rabbit.....

 

where is this car located? if it's in CT (where your myspace says your from) and your not buying it, I would like the contact info.

 

Hey, I asked first! ;-)

 

Ha, yes, a lot american car fans guys don't understand the concept of forced induction . My car was putting out around 500hp, I used to surprise a lot of cars. The nice thing about the S4 is most people don't know what it is (which can also be a con), so most people assume it's just a 190hp A4...

 

That's exacty right.