Replacing F80 with S4?

[boglehead]

So I am possibly looking to jump down to something like an S4 for AWD as I am in the New England region. I am looking at a 2016 to avoid the peak depreciation cliff. I have included a link to one I am looking at below.

I looked at A4's, but from what I read they are Haldex based. Versus S4 is true AWD.

Thoughts on the S4 and what I am trying to accomplish by ridding the M3?

Cheers.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Yikes quite the downgrade IMO.

[Sedoy]

F80 + good snow tires will do the trick. RWD + show tires > AWD w/ all reason tires.

[MJBO]

Current S4 maybe, but a previous gen? Hard pass.

F80 still the better car though.

[P1]

Nothing against Audi, but don't think I'd go from a 2017 M3 to a 2016 S4...

[boglehead]

LOL glad I didn't let you guys know my other prospect was a new GTI.

[boglehead]

How am I suppose to subject such beauty to snow and salt?

[ByeFelicia]

Get a low budget daily.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by boglehead

How am I suppose to subject such beauty to snow and salt?

I'm getting one of these, at least it's my next car goal after my 335is and I plan to drive in winter to.

I weekly rinse my car at a coinwash at least in the winter. I also put a paint sealant, a ceramic coating would be good to, before winter to help as well. And metal technology is pretty good, it's like galvanized steel so it can't really rust under normal conditions plus I believe there is 12 year rust warranty by BMW, at least on my 335is there is.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by boglehead

LOL glad I didn't let you guys know my other prospect was a new GTI.

Well that's the obvious answer. Love mine as a daily.

Both the A4 and S4 have the same Torsen awd setup that's 40/60 front/rear. The S4 can be optioned with a rear LSD. The A3/S3/RS3 (and Golf R) are the Haldex ones. 90/10 split.

The GTI is still the better choice though.

[Humdizzle]

Yeah just get a cheap daily or GTI if you wanna be a little fancy and put blizzaks on it.

Any nice car you drive will get destroyed by the salt. Not the metal, but your front bumper will be sand blasted after a few seasons. I even had a clear bra on my 335 and it had tears/holes after just 1 year / 20k miles.

[CachacoF80]

Try the RS3...

[icegrill]

Yes get a Subaru Outback

[ZCD1]

Originally Posted by boglehead

So I am possibly looking to jump down to something like an S4 for AWD as I am in the New England region. I am looking at a 2016 to avoid the peak depreciation cliff. I have included a link to one I am looking at below.

I looked at A4's, but from what I read they are Haldex based. Versus S4 is true AWD.

Thoughts on the S4 and what I am trying to accomplish by ridding the M3?

Cheers...

The S4 is a fantastic car overall and is unstoppable and very confidence-inspiring in winter conditions with appropriate tires.

Find out if that particular car includes the optional "Sports Rear Differential", which makes a big difference in cornering behavior by overdriving the outside rear wheel when turning, improving both turn-in and cornering balance.

Having previously owned one, I wouldn't buy one that didn't include that feature.

[ntg44]

Originally Posted by ZCD1

The S4 is a fantastic car overall and is unstoppable and very confidence-inspiring in winter conditions with appropriate tires.

Find out if that particular car includes the optional "Sports Rear Differential", which makes a big difference in cornering behavior by overdriving the outside rear wheel when turning, improving both turn-in and cornering balance.

Having previously owned one, I wouldn't buy one that didn't include that feature.

I agree completely. Torque vectoring LSD is a must. The car has this rotation/rear wheel steering feel and hooks like mad with it. With Blizzaks my '14 S4 was a tank. Really miss that car sometimes.

M3 is way more fun when it's dry. S4 was not as fun when dry, but in the wet and snow, which I encounter far more in Chicago (last few weeks doesn't count), is so much more fun than the M3. Probably would have gone with APR pulley and tune if I still had it.

[BS_CS]

I had a B8 S4 not too long ago. The interior isn't a bad place to be, but I never liked their infotainment center, specifically the difficulties about connecting an iphone for music, nor did I like the worry of having that particular transmission without a warranty on it. The performance was nice, but not nearly what we're used to with the F80's. Not a bad looking car either, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Yeah this is a downgrade in my book. It's not a bad car of course, but it's not what the F80 is. Honestly my 2017 Golf R was a better car than the B8 S4 I had, may consider looking at those if the price is right.

[ZCD1]

Originally Posted by ntgarage44

I agree completely. Torque vectoring LSD is a must. The car has this rotation/rear wheel steering feel and hooks like mad with it..

Mine had a mild tune, lowering springs, a bigger rear anti-roll bar and upgraded brake pads and stainless steel brake lines.

It was REALLY fun to drive and I do miss it sometimes even though my current DD easily outperforms it.

[unfoundnemo]

Originally Posted by boglehead

How am I suppose to subject such beauty to snow and salt?

Like this:

[Tall Tom Cruise]

Originally Posted by ZCD1

Mine had a mild tune, lowering springs, a bigger rear anti-roll bar and upgraded brake pads and stainless steel brake lines.

It was REALLY fun to drive and I do miss it sometimes even though my current DD easily outperforms it.

I had a B8.5 S4 before I took delivery of my current M4. It was stage 2 (pulley), had coils, sway bars, all bushings/mounts/end links upgraded, and an AWE track exhaust. It was a awesome daily and it is certainly more comfortable than the M4. They did a great job on that interior, too.

That said, after I took deliver of my M there was a 2 week period where I had both cars. I drove the S4 after being in the M for a few days and it legitimately felt like a golf cart.

My $.02 is drive the F80 in the snow.

[ZCD1]

Originally Posted by Tall Tom Cruise

I had a B8.5 S4 before I took delivery of my current M4. It was stage 2 (pulley), had coils, sway bars, all bushings/mounts/end links upgraded, and an AWE track exhaust. It was a awesome daily and it is certainly more comfortable than the M4. They did a great job on that interior, too.

That said, after I took deliver of my M there was a 2 week period where I had both cars. I drove the S4 after being in the M for a few days and it legitimately felt like a golf cart.

My $.02 is drive the F80 in the snow.

Horses for courses, is really what it is. Both great cars, with very different strengths and weaknesses.

[allinon72]

Originally Posted by boglehead

How am I suppose to subject such beauty to snow and salt?

OK, so your solution is to get rid of it so someone else can drive it in the winter? And then you're stuck with an appliance that happens to turn all 4 wheels? Reconsider!

P.S. what was your original plan on purchasing the car, knowing you live in the northeast and all.

[Fuller]

Originally Posted by unfoundnemo

Like this:

That looks like a snowy day in New England.....in April.