they are both great cars with very different handling my mate who has got the rs4 said the audi is planted on the road but its not as much fun to drive as the M3 because its more twitchy on the road so feels better to drive
Audi S3 8P versus BMW E46 M3?
- Thread starter Joolz
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Trouble is a BMW is always a BMW.
Not my cuppa... Audi everytime. VDT rather than naff...
oh i agree mate ive been bitten by the audi bug well and truely i wouldnt buy any other car make now only vag group cars , but its just what he has been showing me i would have the rs4 over the m3 anyday tho
The VAG group cars caught me in 1979! ... I have of course looked at BM's Mercs and even owned a few hot Volvos and Saabs (T5 Aero etc) but as an overall package Audi offers Quality, reliability is generally not over 'Blingy'... In my opinion whilst BMW do try to push on performance and economy the overall proposition is pretty sterile + Quality and imagewise not for a SOG like me... (although I am told that I look younger than Paddy!!)
Err...sorry, I am really not bitten by any kind of bug. But my remapped car (which btw is 1600kg with half a tank of fuel, so not the lightest of them all...) is not slower than any m3 E46 I found in my path. Cabs are slower, coupe is just as good, CSL is faster. BTW, all the cars mentioned can eat the S3 alive after 120-130mph. Just my 2 pence...
My previous car was a stock E46 M3 SMG coupe 53reg that I owned for about 18months. My wifes current car is a stock S3 sportback (that I drive regularly).
M3 was definitely a faster car! On the straights, in the twistys... in the dry! but in the wet, S3 is more manageable and most probably quicker!
Interior of E46 M3 felt more luxurious and has that wrap around feel to it. Sat nav was crap, stereo was ok. S3 interior has much better tech (but my wifes S3 is 7 years newer!!). The seats in my M3 were more comfortable and more adjustable that the S3... in fact I'd go as far as saying that the standard S3 seats are pretty crap!
M3 looks far more agressive. Flared arches, bonnet bulge, quad exhausts, mean front end. Also sounds more agressive when booting it.
I reckon that if you put the same capable driver in each car, the M3 would out gun the S3.
As an overall car, it really depends on what you are looking for. It's not often that an M3 is compared to S3. Large difference in price (at new) for a start, NA vs turbo'd, coupe vs hatch, etc...
M3 maintenance can be steep! And especially an E46 (due to the age) because things are most likely going to start going wrong.
Overall, out of the E46 M3 and the current S3, think the S3 is the better car, but the E46 M3 is more special.
M3 was definitely a faster car! On the straights, in the twistys... in the dry! but in the wet, S3 is more manageable and most probably quicker!
Interior of E46 M3 felt more luxurious and has that wrap around feel to it. Sat nav was crap, stereo was ok. S3 interior has much better tech (but my wifes S3 is 7 years newer!!). The seats in my M3 were more comfortable and more adjustable that the S3... in fact I'd go as far as saying that the standard S3 seats are pretty crap!
M3 looks far more agressive. Flared arches, bonnet bulge, quad exhausts, mean front end. Also sounds more agressive when booting it.
I reckon that if you put the same capable driver in each car, the M3 would out gun the S3.
As an overall car, it really depends on what you are looking for. It's not often that an M3 is compared to S3. Large difference in price (at new) for a start, NA vs turbo'd, coupe vs hatch, etc...
M3 maintenance can be steep! And especially an E46 (due to the age) because things are most likely going to start going wrong.
Overall, out of the E46 M3 and the current S3, think the S3 is the better car, but the E46 M3 is more special.
the jammy one
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but stil m3 cant be compared to an s3 its a total difrent kind of car m3 is compareabe rs4 so bmw ranters go suck eggs and battle out that its better than rs4 rather than the s3 which is compareable to a one series come on where is the brains in all this
akash_sky1
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The VAG group cars caught me in 1979! ... I have of course looked at BM's Mercs and even owned a few hot Volvos and Saabs (T5 Aero etc) but as an overall package Audi offers Quality, reliability is generally not over 'Blingy'... In my opinion whilst BMW do try to push on performance and economy the overall proposition is pretty sterile + Quality and imagewise not for a SOG like me... (although I am told that I look younger than Paddy!!)
Audi's nowadays are very nice and desirable cars but many people who have driven/reviewed models such as the RS6, new RS5 and even TT-RS comment that they lack a sense of involvement and sharpness, which can be found more easily in many of BMW's models, so I think the sterile comment is a bit off, but then its all subjective. I love Audis but having driven several and owning one I would say a weak point is driver involvement.
the jammy one
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both manufacturers are great in different ways at what they have done in recent cars people will allways prefare one or the other that is life and taste i love the 7 series but in the same respect love my a4 both different but have there own thing but again m3 compares with rs4 nt s3 which is 1 series get it in ya heads stop bullyin the little man or the big bad rs4 can come p**s aall over your 1 series bomfire to take revenge then stamp over the m3 possy aswell ;p
Whoops didnt think my thread would get so serious!! I was only asking cos im wondering about my new car. I know an m3 compares to an rs4 but im never goin to have one of them. I just wanted to know if an s3 can put a smile on ur face like an m3 does with the sport button on
DaveS3Turbo
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the jammy one
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na dont worry its all cool not serious just couldnt help but have a good ol rant on this subject and fight the corner for the audi guys youl love both cars bt as mentioned s3 is a more practical luxery with better tuning options that wil still put a smile on your face but you can still improve on matey now where was i on this m3 s3 rant hmm lol
the jammy one
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I cant wait to get my s3. Its arriving tue or wed. Got a cherished transfer to go on though which means having to go to glasgow so it could be thur or even fri before i get it on the road! Have taken fri off my work to fit alloys and mudflaps and give it a good clean. Hopefully be out cruisin' fri nite!
i'm sure as an Audi owner and enthusiast, any of you would love to beat an M3 which is considered a step above....thats why this comparison is relevant - some are missing the point i fear
The original post asked about standard (assumed) cars for which i think we know the answer - simples
As always the thread has moved on yet people still refer back to the original post wrapping themselves in ribbons to make a point that's already been made!!
The original post asked about standard (assumed) cars for which i think we know the answer - simples
As always the thread has moved on yet people still refer back to the original post wrapping themselves in ribbons to make a point that's already been made!!
first time i've ever seen 'mudflaps' and 'cruisin' in the same paragraph
don't you go losing your elbow by a passing juggernaut.... init
beanoir
Large Member
Did anyone mention Porsche Cayman S
I did a thread search for "Cayman vs. S3" and another for "RNS-e" Results....
"RNS-e" - 439 threads
"Cayman vs. S3" - 7,647,956,234,345 threads
S3RYE
Interior Next!!
Naughty naughty Ry
... course you can because im sure it was either on a track, private road or on the autobhan
me too, several times, several different rollinf speeds & im only stage 1 + evoms
thats against a Manual & a SMG, not to mention i was 3-up agaisnt the manual one and he only had one passenger..
stock S3 may be different.. but i say this from genuine experience soooo ner
Classic
Paul will be along soon im guessing
me too, several times, several different rollinf speeds & im only stage 1 + evoms
thats against a Manual & a SMG, not to mention i was 3-up agaisnt the manual one and he only had one passenger..
stock S3 may be different.. but i say this from genuine experience soooo ner
beanoir
Large Member
I just had to reply to this one!
I have had both cars, a 2004 E46 M3 SMG II coupe (remapped) and a 2007 S3, even if the s3 was heavily modded (mine had just a remap) it wouldnt go against the e46 no way, 90,100+ mph the e46 is an all out monster once it can lay its power down and if you mention about major tuned s3's you have to play fair and put them up against the same tuned m3's (anyone mention hpf m3?) lol dont get me wrong a big difference in price aswell, either way the m3 is the faster car but the audi's are alot more classier especailly inside but look at the age difference. you are comparing a 2001 engine vs a 2007. The s3 is alot safer and very quick at low speeds from standstill ovo due to quattro, the m3's have a bad habit of stepping out at the back with very little effort - some say cool - some say freaking dangerous.....
btw i now have a mapped e92 (coupe) alpine white m3 m-dct absoultly amazing car just not very good on mpg lol! but the feel and sound of the car is like heaven!
I have had both cars, a 2004 E46 M3 SMG II coupe (remapped) and a 2007 S3, even if the s3 was heavily modded (mine had just a remap) it wouldnt go against the e46 no way, 90,100+ mph the e46 is an all out monster once it can lay its power down and if you mention about major tuned s3's you have to play fair and put them up against the same tuned m3's (anyone mention hpf m3?) lol dont get me wrong a big difference in price aswell, either way the m3 is the faster car but the audi's are alot more classier especailly inside but look at the age difference. you are comparing a 2001 engine vs a 2007. The s3 is alot safer and very quick at low speeds from standstill ovo due to quattro, the m3's have a bad habit of stepping out at the back with very little effort - some say cool - some say freaking dangerous.....
btw i now have a mapped e92 (coupe) alpine white m3 m-dct absoultly amazing car just not very good on mpg lol! but the feel and sound of the car is like heaven!
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YouTube - M3-Vs-S3-Vs-RS4
This should do fine against a 500hp m3 as well
I generally agree on your comments though, except for the heavily tuned part A heavily tuned S3 is not one with peripherals. A heavily tuned s3 is one with changed tubocharger etc. M3 with exhaust remap and intake would have the same fate with the normal ones. Where the M3 shines is the track, not the straight. On the other hand, I find the s3 poo in the track, especially when compared to this kind of cars. High displacement RWD sport cars. IMO.
This should do fine against a 500hp m3 as well
I generally agree on your comments though, except for the heavily tuned part
A heavily tuned S3 is not one with peripherals. A heavily tuned s3 is one with changed tubocharger etc. M3 with exhaust remap and intake would have the same fate with the normal ones. Where the M3 shines is the track, not the straight. On the other hand, I find the s3 poo in the track, especially when compared to this kind of cars. High displacement RWD sport cars. IMO.
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S3RYE
Interior Next!!
tku
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I'm afraid I'm gonna have to disagree there Ritchie. My mate has got a White m5 500bhp one and trust me that drinks juice and is an absolute monster. But also..you guys need to hitch a ride in the new rs6 570bhp twin turbo...omg.....
S3RYE
Interior Next!!
where did M5 and RS6 come from, this is defo gonna be another classical thread, tuned S3 vs mapped M3 vs stock M5 vs RS6 VS CAYMAN
beanoir
Large Member
haha what's happend to this thread and why do they always start getting comical - someone always turns up and throws something else in the mix that is completely irrelevant!!
We know a standard S3 wont beat an M3...
think we can agree on that.....
pretty sure a stage one wont be far off...
stage 2 S3 i cant see being that far off the M3 at all, think the M3 thrashing it is ****** TBH - whats the 1/4's on an M3 and stage 2 S3 these days? - owing to the fact that this is anAudi forum the question is going to be 'how can i beat a car i shouldn't be beating' which is why we mod
*off the soap box* sorry for stating the blinking obvious chaps but some people really are like bulls in china shops
We know a standard S3 wont beat an M3...
think we can agree on that.....
pretty sure a stage one wont be far off...
stage 2 S3 i cant see being that far off the M3 at all, think the M3 thrashing it is ****** TBH - whats the 1/4's on an M3 and stage 2 S3 these days? - owing to the fact that this is anAudi forum the question is going to be 'how can i beat a car i shouldn't be beating' which is why we mod
*off the soap box* sorry for stating the blinking obvious chaps but some people really are like bulls in china shops
frankie boyle? lol
(sorry going off topic in advance) Yes I have never tried or even been in an RS6 I would definitely want to try one, that thing lays more power down than the r8 v10 right? 525bhp...
Anyway back to this thread yes, I love both cars to be honest, to answer the original question I think the s3 is a fun practical car but just cannot compare to the e46 m3 for power end off, even a stage 2 S3 you think this will keep up with the e46 around a track?? Even straight line speeds the m3 hits just under 185 area flat out and handling is another subject completely, not talking handling as in safety with the 4wd Im talking track handling. But all depends on what you want in a car, there both awesome
And tku yeh I know what you mean Ive driven the M5 and M6 V10 does sound nice, but the v8 e92 has just such a unique growl and as soon as I tried the auto box it had equipped (DCT) I was very hooked, I never knew anything could be so smooth and calm going through the gears but still have that crazy power kick it gives you when you put it in sport!!
Guys please see a pic of mine! Sorry if i done it wrong first time posting pic
not disputing any of the track stuff matey....the thread veared towards straight line speed only, nobody said a standard S3 could out do an M3 on the bends or be as much fun that said on the straight your M3 will outdo at top end speeds i suspect, large displacement is the factor which guarantees that, low down though and upto 100mph, i think a Stage 2+ S3 would give it some trouble..... 0-60 as standard are only 0.6-0.7 apart, stage 2 adds another 100-120bhp? ....
that said on the straight your M3 will outdo at top end speeds i suspect, large displacement is the factor which guarantees that, low down though and upto 100mph, i think a Stage 2+ S3 would give it some trouble..... 0-60 as standard are only 0.6-0.7 apart, stage 2 adds another 100-120bhp? ....
S3RYE
Interior Next!!
beanoir
Large Member
I think speed comparison between 2 cars is not the only factor when comparing what you're happy driving to be honest. We all bang on about what's faster, what handles better, how much we can get from with a re-map etc etc. But (and i'm not claiming to be the most experienced by any stretch) i've had a few different cars in my time now and I've got to learn one thing, the most fun i've had in a car and the most enjoyable cars are not always the fastest.
I reckon the S3 (stage 1) is faster than my Porsche was up to 100mph, but which would I rather have again, easily the Porsche as it puts the smile on the face, the way it sounds, the way it handles and feels (it's corny but true)
The MX5 was a far more fun car to drive and live with than my 200SX was and that was a huge specced up machine and would easily out-drag a little MX5.
Lets face it, do numbers on paper really matter all that...? It's what you're happy with day to day, and there will always be somebody faster than you no matter what you drive.
I reckon the S3 (stage 1) is faster than my Porsche was up to 100mph, but which would I rather have again, easily the Porsche as it puts the smile on the face, the way it sounds, the way it handles and feels (it's corny but true)
The MX5 was a far more fun car to drive and live with than my 200SX was and that was a huge specced up machine and would easily out-drag a little MX5.
Lets face it, do numbers on paper really matter all that...? It's what you're happy with day to day, and there will always be somebody faster than you no matter what you drive.
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PaulAr
S3 (8P)
classAnd how many of them were littered with pretentious EVO`esq ******** like
"trimming the line with sublime mid corner adjustability..."
and
" overpriced/posh Golf/numb steering/boring...blah "
Not so many Grumps on here these days.
We still have Paddy though:thumbsup:
Cheers
Paul
