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Safety

The M3 offers optional BMW Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it's stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The S4 doesn't offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies.

 

Both the M3 and the S4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

 

Warranty

 

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M3 for 3 years and 45000 miles longer than Audi pays for maintenance for the S4 (4/50,000 vs. 1/5000).

 

There are over 33 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier to get service under the M3's warranty.

 

Reliability

 

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the M3 has a standard 180-amp alternator. The S4's 140-amp alternator isn't as powerful.

 

Engine

 

The M3's 4.0 DOHC V8 produces 81 more horsepower (414 vs. 333) than the S4's 3.0 supercharged V6.

 

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW M3 is faster than the Audi S4 (manual transmissions tested):

	M3	S4
Zero to 60 MPH	3.9 sec	4.9 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	9.4 sec	12 sec
Quarter Mile	12.4 sec	13.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	114 MPH	106 MPH
Top Speed	178 MPH	155 MPH

 

In a Car and Driver race course test, the BMW M3 Coupe was clocked 5.4 seconds faster than the Audi S4 (185.4 sec. vs. 190.8 sec.) at an average lap speed 2.2 MPH faster (79.6 MPH vs. 77.4 MPH).

 

Brakes and Stopping

 

For better stopping power the M3's brake rotors are larger than those on the S4:

	M3	S4
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	13.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13 inches

 

The M3's brakes have 12% more swept area (the area covered by the brake pads) than the S4 (694 vs. 618 square inches), so the M3 has more braking power available.

 

The M3's standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the S4 are solid, not vented.

 

The M3 stops much shorter than the S4:

	M3	S4
80 to 0 MPH	195 feet	206 feet	Road & Track
70 to 0 MPH	153 feet	167 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	103 feet	114 feet	AutoWeek

 

Tires and Wheels

 

For better traction and acceleration, the M3 has larger standard rear tires than the S4 (265/35R19 vs. 245/40R18). The M3's rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the S4 (265/40R18 vs. 255/35R19).

 

Suspension and Handling

 

The M3's front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.2% to 48.8%) than the S4's (55% to 45%). This gives the M3 more stable handling and braking.

 

The M3 Sedan handles at .95 G's, while the S4 pulls only .93 G's of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

 

The M3 Sedan goes through Road & Track's slalom 4.4 MPH faster than the S4 (72.9 vs. 68.5 MPH).

 

Chassis

 

The M3 Sedan is 4.8 inches shorter than the S4, making the M3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

 

The M3's standard power retractable hardtop allows a seamless transition from an open car, to a completely sealed coupe. The S4 doesn't offer a retractable hardtop.

 

As tested by Road & Track while cruising at 50 MPH, the interior of the M3 Sedan is quieter than the S4 (67 vs. 71 dB).

 

Passenger Space

 

The M3 Sedan has .2 inches more front legroom, 2 inches more front shoulder room and 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the S4.

 

Ergonomics

 

The M3's standard easy entry system glides the driver's seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S4 doesn't offer an easy entry system.

 

If the windows are left down on the M3 the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder; on a hot day the driver can lower the windows. The driver of the S4 can't use the remote to operate the windows.

 

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The M3 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The S4 doesn't offer headlight washers.

 

While driving with high-beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the M3 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low-beams. The S4 doesn't offer automatic dimming high-beams.

 

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the M3 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The S4 doesn't offer cornering lights. The M3 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

 

When the M3 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The S4's mirror doesn't automatically adjust for backing.

 

Model Availability

 

The BMW M3 comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Audi S4 isn't available as a coupe or convertible.