[malibuboats91]

Hi all, I'm a long time VW/Audi guy and I'm considering switching over to BMW. I currently have a 2016 Audi S3 with 40k on the clock that I bought new. It's tuned and has AWE exhaust. It's honestly the most fun car I've owned. Naturally I was holding out for the 2022 RS3 and have thought about the S4 a lot, even early on in my time owning my S3. Now that the RS3 redesign has happened, I can't get over the looks of it as it makes me think Honda Civic rather than sports sedan so I'm either going to keep my S3 or go with something else.

Anyways, today I was going through the car lots and fell in love with a 2022 M340i xDrive that must have just come in. I've been going back and forth on the RS3 looks, but with this it was immediately love at first sight. I like the looks of the S4 too though.

Only experience I have with BMW is my Mom had an e90 328i xDrive, which was amazing. I've loved BMWs for most of my life though, just always wanted an M2 or M3, but living in WI, I need the AWD since I travel a lot for work. Also back in 2017 when she got her A4 I drove a 335i/340i and it was pretty meh compared to the e90. I'm curious though, why M340i over S4? I live and breathe Audi so naturally the S4 would make sense, but there's always been something about BMWs that I love. Any help would be appreciated!

[Burrcold]

As I mentioned in the same question you posted before, the M340i bests the B9 generation of S4/S5 in almost every metric. The only areas I find the M340i to be lacking against an S4/S5 are styling (the S5 Sportback is really nice looking in my opinion but that's subjective and you asked about the S4 anyway), steering feel is better, and the stereo system is better. Also keep in mind that the B10 Audi A/S4 will be coming out sometime late next year or early 2023. It's supposed to be a hybrid of some sort much like the Merc C Class although there aren't many details available yet.

[gofast182]

The B58 is arguably a better engine, the chassis will be better balanced, iDrive is arguably better than Audi MMI, and I'd take BMW over Audi in terms of reliability.

[r3dbimmer89]

I really considered an S4 or S5 SB or even RS5 SB once I realized I was over trying to get a G80 allocation. I got to agree with Burrcold, The M340i handles better and the steering feel is better. The S4/S5 felt so nose heavy, which it is. The exhaust sounds about the same but the B58 Inline six in the M340i is much better than the 3.0 EA839 V6. The 2.9 version in the RS5 is a beast but that is competing more with the S58 in the M3. Another thing I disliked about the Audi is the tranny tuning (Though it is the same 8 speed ZF unit). They all start in second gear and there is always a delay when taking off in comfort. I also hate that they deleted the control knob and you can only use a touch screen. Though, the screen is bigger, I feel like it's placement was a last min. thought and it feels like you have to reach over to hit the screen (maybe it's just my driving position). Nonetheless, I love that BMW included a knob and the ability to touch the screen. Though, Audi's virtual cockpit blows BMW's Live Cockpit Pro out of the water.

Another deciding factor was that Audi is limiting allocations for S4/S5/RS5's in the US because of the chip shortage so there were no deals to be had anywhere on the west coast and there were no cars at all (Eff'ing stealerships are charging $25k over an RS5 when just a few months ago they were discounting them 10%. I'm all for paying MSRP but $25k is insane for bodystyle that's been out that long).

[TiMSport]

OP:

Longtime VAG owner here, just go with the M340i x-drive. It beats the S4 in every way, including aesthetics IMO. It's quicker, handles better with better balance and the ZF8 tranny is perfectly matched to this car. I even think the Live Cockpit Pro is decent, but iDrive is superior compared to Audi's aging MMI setup. BMW's version of all-wheel drive is more fun as it feels a bit RWD biased which is nice.

Not sure if the one you saw in the lot checks all the boxes, but if you can custom order either of these cars, the BMW just has a few more options I think. The optional HK audio system has pleasantly surprised me. I was fully expecting Audi's B&O to blow the HK system out of the water but it really doesn't. Oddly one very small option that I'm really glad I got and has absolutely nothing to do with what anyone would normally consider when cross shopping is the power tailgate. Lol. It has come in so handy and is a no-brainer for a couple hundred bucks (if you can actually get it still).

Overall I think the M340i has a much more aggressive stance to it and looks like it means business, especially if you get a few of the port add-ons like the CF trim pieces or front splitter.

Make no mistake, both cars are great it's just I was ready for a change. Haven't looked back since.

[BIMthereRunFlat]

Yep, can't emphasize the 'nose heavy' mention above vis-a-vis the Audis enough. Had an A6 3.0 supercharged prior few years (admittedly bigger than S4/S5) but testing S4 found the exact same issue. They're very nice cars (v.good fit and finish) but just pop the hood and look at the engine position, hanging over the front axle and then look at the m340i, with the straight 6 noticeably more recessed in the engine bay and almost behind the front axle. No matter what tweaking the engineer geeks might do, those simple physics are always at play. I have some tight little roundabouts where I live and the nose dive and heft of the Audis in those roundabouts is/was unmistakable. The m340i just dances through, feeling much lighter even if it is actually up in the 3900lbs range in reality. Moreover, I really like the modern but sophisticated feel of the interior. Seems BMW really thought this one out and did an excellent job.

[Bowser100]

This convinced me;
M340i did a demolition job on the S4 and the C43

[tgrundke]

The S4 is a very good, sterile, car. I tried to convince myself into one. Just couldn't.

Drive the M340i back to back and there's no competition. The BMW made me giggle.

[malibuboats91]

Originally Posted by tgrundke

The S4 is a very good, sterile, car. I tried to convince myself into one. Just couldn't.

Drive the M340i back to back and there's no competition. The BMW made me giggle.

Yesterday I went to the BMW and Audi dealers locally. They don't have an S4s or S5s, but I drove the previous gen M340i and the 2022 M340i. Then at Audi drove the 2022 S3, plus I own an S3. The S3 and RS3 are crossed off my list for looks and overall feel like my current car so it would be stupid to go that route. The BMWs though felt like whole different animals. The G20 had heavy steering, was planted to the ground, the dash was great, etc. The other weird thing is my Mom's S4 seems big, whereas the M340i didn't give me that feeling at all.

Originally Posted by Bowser100

This convinced me;
M340i did a demolition job on the S4 and the C43

I watched this a few days ago and I agree. BMW is next level.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by Bowser100

This convinced me;
M340i did a demolition job on the S4 and the C43

Funny that in their review they actually chose the C43 as the overall best of the three.

[iceRN09]

Originally Posted by malibuboats91

Hi all, I'm a long time VW/Audi guy and I'm considering switching over to BMW. I currently have a 2016 Audi S3 with 40k on the clock that I bought new. It's tuned and has AWE exhaust. It's honestly the most fun car I've owned. Naturally I was holding out for the 2022 RS3 and have thought about the S4 a lot, even early on in my time owning my S3. Now that the RS3 redesign has happened, I can't get over the looks of it as it makes me think Honda Civic rather than sports sedan so I'm either going to keep my S3 or go with something else.

Anyways, today I was going through the car lots and fell in love with a 2022 M340i xDrive that must have just come in. I've been going back and forth on the RS3 looks, but with this it was immediately love at first sight. I like the looks of the S4 too though.

Only experience I have with BMW is my Mom had an e90 328i xDrive, which was amazing. I've loved BMWs for most of my life though, just always wanted an M2 or M3, but living in WI, I need the AWD since I travel a lot for work. Also back in 2017 when she got her A4 I drove a 335i/340i and it was pretty meh compared to the e90. I'm curious though, why M340i over S4? I live and breathe Audi so naturally the S4 would make sense, but there's always been something about BMWs that I love. Any help would be appreciated!

Driving the M340i. I can tell you. The powertrain is probably the best you will ever have below $80K. The car is well planted and it accelerates like nothing. The car feels light when accelerating which can get you in trouble because you can be at 80 mph and feel like you are driving at 40 mph. If there is something I can add on this car to make it perfect. That would be the DHP and a Manual transmission. That will be the perfect Sedan for me.

[6oclockshadow]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Funny that in their review they actually chose the C43 as the overall best of the three.

I think they also said they'd pick the 330i over all those three, because there wasn't enough to differentiate the M340i from the 330i...

[TiMSport]

They all liked the engine note of the C43 better than the other cars. It's almost obnoxiously loud in comparison.

[madpistol]

Originally Posted by Bowser100

This convinced me;
M340i did a demolition job on the S4 and the C43

I remember watching this and wanting to give my M340i a big hug. It's just kind of awesome how big the ass-whoopin is.

[JITH]

Originally Posted by Bowser100

This convinced me;
M340i did a demolition job on the S4 and the C43

Though I opted for the M440i, this video helped me pretty much, too. The difference about performance is huge here. Though I was thinking about a S5 or C43, this settle me for BMW.

Do they end preferring the C43? Can't tell any reason why, according to the results of they own test.

[Bimmerg621]

Originally Posted by JITH

Though I opted for the M440i, this video helped me pretty much, too. The difference about performance is huge here. Though I was thinking about a S5 or C43, this settle me for BMW.

Do they end preferring the C43? Can't tell any reason why, according to the results of they own test.

The reason wasn't mentioned in this video specifically but in another video they said the C43 aggressive exhaust and better steering feel made more engaging to drive and deemed it a winner. Despite the M340i being better in almost every metric.

Edit: mentioned here

[TiMSport]

^^^ And this is why I don't always agree with video reviewers.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

^^^ And this is why I don't always agree with video reviewers.

And also why opinions vary in the real world. What some may find important, other may not. The power of choice.

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

And also why opinions vary in the real world. What some may find important, other may not. The power of choice.

Indeed.

[6oclockshadow]

Originally Posted by Bimmerg621

The reason wasn't mentioned in this video specifically but in another video they said the C43 aggressive exhaust and better steering feel made more engaging to drive and deemed it a winner. Despite the M340i being better in almost every metric.

Edit: mentioned here

This is also the vid where at the end they say they would take a 330i over the M340i.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

OP:

Longtime VAG owner here, just go with the M340i x-drive. It beats the S4 in every way, including aesthetics IMO. It's quicker, handles better with better balance and the ZF8 tranny is perfectly matched to this car. I even think the Live Cockpit Pro is decent, but iDrive is superior compared to Audi's aging MMI setup. BMW's version of all-wheel drive is more fun as it feels a bit RWD biased which is nice.

Not sure if the one you saw in the lot checks all the boxes, but if you can custom order either of these cars, the BMW just has a few more options I think. The optional HK audio system has pleasantly surprised me. I was fully expecting Audi's B&O to blow the HK system out of the water but it really doesn't. Oddly one very small option that I'm really glad I got and has absolutely nothing to do with what anyone would normally consider when cross shopping is the power tailgate. Lol. It has come in so handy and is a no-brainer for a couple hundred bucks (if you can actually get it still).

Overall I think the M340i has a much more aggressive stance to it and looks like it means business, especially if you get a few of the port add-ons like the CF trim pieces or front splitter.

Make no mistake, both cars are great it's just I was ready for a change. Haven't looked back since.

I haven't test driven 2021 A4 since the next gen will be out in 2023, but my recollection of driving this gen (and previous ones too) of A4 is that Audi's corner handling from its front heavy setup(engine over front axle) does not match BMW's(engine behind front axle).

This type of 55/45 vs 50/50-ish appears to be DNAs that define these brands, so customers need to decide which DNA to buy into.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

I haven't test driven 2021 A4 since the next gen will be out in 2023, but my recollection of driving this gen (and previous ones too) of A4 is that Audi's corner handling from its front heavy setup(engine over front axle) does not match BMW's(engine behind front axle).

This type of 55/45 vs 50/50-ish appears to be DNAs that define these brands, so customers need to decide which DNA to buy into.

Unfortunately it won't matter much going forward once everything is electric. It's going to come down to who can make the best design and coolest interior. The future sucks.