After spending almost 6 months test driving cars my decision came down to the e46 M3 and the Audi S4. Having owned the previous two generations of M3 and being quite pleased with them I was more than ready to get my third. From the beginning, the S4 made an impression and the only things that really edged the S4 over the M3 for me were the 4 doors and the quattro system. With occasional trips to the snow and passengers becoming more commonplace the Audi became the better choice. The Pros of the S4 Unbelievable fit and finish - This is a well built car and the quality is obvious. Great performance - The M3 will win in a straight away but not by much. quattro System - All wheel drive system definitely a plus. TechnoMania - This car has more technology and creature comforts than you can shake stick at. This is the first time I've ever had to read and re-read an owner's manual for a car. It seems Audi has thought of everything. The Cons of the S4 This may be the only Achilles Heal of this car (and to some degree, the M3)... The V8 motor in the Audi is so thirsty for gas that in our current gas price climate it may be cost prohibitive for many. I have been carefully recording mpg performance and in comparison to other cars it could be labeled "dismal". I have gone from filling up every other week with my previous M3 to every week with the Audi. While this is something that I can deal with financially and am willing to do for the trade-offs, it's still an issue for the average consumer. MPG ratings for my S4 currently sit at 17 mpg for city driving and 21 mpg for highway trips. Overall I wish I would have looked at Audis before because from this example they seem to be great cars. I would highly recommend this car and even more so the RS4 - that is too much fun. Though they're expensive at first, the used car market makes Audis and BMWs worth a second look.
The B5 (2000 - 2002) Audi S4 is a really fun vehicle. Unfortunately, maintenance is prohibatively expensive. Expect to pay thousands to have work done that costs hundreds on other vehicles. The performance is really good, although if you're used to the instant throttle response of a high-torque vehicle, the slight turbo lag of the V6 may turn you off.
The S4 has beautiful understated styling with only small hints at what lies beneath the hood. The powerful supercharged engine and dual clutch transmission work together with the AWD system to create a luxurious high performance sedan. The optional sport differential literally pushes the car around corners making even trips to the grocery very fun.
This price does not include tax, title, and tags. Additional fees may also apply depending on the state of purchase.