[jalx]

Hi Guys, first time posting and would love some advice.

I have had an B7 A4 for 8+ years, and it is time to upgrade. I plan to keep my next car for long time as well, 7+ years.
After a lot of test driving I’m between a 2016 B8.5 S4 with sport diff or a 2016 F30 340i x-Drive with M Performance Pkg. Both pretty much fully loaded, slightly used, and about the same price.

The S4 B9 is out of the equation because I will have to wait 2 years before they are at price range I can afford. Also, drove the Golf R, fast, but didn’t like it.

I love the V6 supercharged and sport diff combination. But the 340i i6 pull to the red line effortless. Also the 340i is way better equipped, not to mention a completely newer generation (that’s something to consider when you plan to keep the car for long).

I know this forum is biased, but I would love to hear what you think.

Thank you

J

[2blu]

F30 is also cheaper on aftermarket parts from what I've seen when I was cross shopping both vehicles if that's something you're into.

I ended up with the F30 335 a few years ago because they gave me a far better deal than they did on the S4, both cars had different pros and cons.

It's really a toss up between both, what type of deal you can get on either one. I've been very pleased with my N55 335 and now the B58 340 is actually the perfect car that checks every need/want that I have. (the 340 has adaptive suspension, nav and HK, which my 335 lacked)

[Mr D]

New s4 next year, so wouldn't get this s4 unless you're looking for a deal

[Jaghave]

I would avoid any VW and audi cars for the foreseeable future because of the cluster bleep that is diesel gate. I've also read VW aggressive prosuit in becoming the number one auto manufacture in the world has resulted in a degregression in quality control.

[eluded]

F30 has a stick, audi doesn't. easy choice.

[insanecoder]

Audi supposedly is achieving better quality control than BMW these days
but I dont believe it

[goj]

Originally Posted by eluded

F30 has a stick, audi doesn't. easy choice.

The b8.5 has a stick too

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by goj

The b8.5 has a stick too

Are you sure, which model ?
I don't see it on Canadian or US site for 2017.

[goj]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

Are you sure, which model ?
I don't see it on Canadian or US site for 2017.

Yes, the 2016 S4 is the B8.5 which still has a stick - the model the OP was considering.

The B9 for MY 2017 is auto only

[SDH]

Originally Posted by insanecoder

Audi supposedly is achieving better quality control than BMW these days
but I dont believe it

I do

[spuntyb]

Could do worse than either one. Pro for the F30 is that it's an LCI with a new engine. Pro for the B8.5 would be (I'm guessing) that you could get a sweet deal since the B9 is right around the corner. I guess it just depends what matters more.

Both great cars, and personally I might go with the S4 with diff, but tough call since the B58 is a peach.

[chicagoshark]

Off-topic, but I think the B9 is going to hurt the 340 market. I know if it was out already, I might've gone with that over the 340. Never really got to compare apples for apples so I don't know. But it would've been definitely in the conversation

[RoundelM3]

I've driven a couple of S5's with the supercharged V6 (friends' cars), and I was unimpressed. Guess I'm spoiled by the superior characteristics of the BMW inline-6, especially the turbocharged variety. I've also had very bad luck dealing with VW-Audi in the past and would never consider one of their cars.

Aside from engine power, the Audis seemed sluggish and heavy compared with my BMWs - although none of mine are AWD, which adds a lot of unsprung weight and has a negative effect on handling. I don't live in an area where the extra traction is necessary, though. After 15 years of driving BMWs, I will likely not buy anything else.

[BEM-S4]

By the time you're looking to sell the fact that the 340 is newer (more recent body style) won't really matter. 7 years the B9 will be on its last legs, but the one your looking at will still be the old one. Not the really old one. Same for BMW.

Both are very nice cars. $-wise the S4 is probably the better buy, and the interior is top notch. The 340 is a newer engine (which may lose problems who knows) but a bit more of a drivers car. XDrive is more rear biased which is nice, at least if I'm remember which Quattro system is in the S4 correctly. 340 has a better maintenance and warranty, and you could extend both out 7 years 100k if you want literally no surprises.

Sorry probably not much help - both have pluses and minuses. Which one did you enjoy driving more? Which one would you be more excited to see in the garage every morning?

[BEM-S4]

For what it's worth in my experience at least you'll get pretty unbiased info on this forum regardless of brand. None of what any of us look at are "bad cars" and most folks understand that tiny differences make one thing or another better for each person.

[Poon Stick]

I think BEM-S4 hit the nail on the head.

We can all agree both are great cars and each have their pluses and minuses.

It'll come down to your gut feeling - which felt better to drive? Which would have you looking back over your shoulder as you walk away?

[mwh2009]

I agree with most of the personal sentiment comments above. Similar quality, performance, price, etc.

The two biggest differences I found were the interior in the Audi is flashier and has more bells and whistles. And the rear seats in the 340 were more comfortable/spacious for adults, IMHO.

In the end these were my top two, but the rear seat room, and the fact that the local Audi dealer was 45 min away vs 15 for BMW, and finally I just see myself as bmw more than Audi.

[anotheran]

Just don't do B8.5. The B9 is better in almost all ways.

[Big Nodge]

Originally Posted by anotheran

Just don't do B8.5. The B9 is better in almost all ways.

Except lack of the 6MT on the B9.

I drove Audis for 15 years (mostly modified A4s) before getting into my 340xi. I haven't had the bimmer long enough to compare reliability, but I'm highly skeptical that there is any substantial difference between the two. Both are German cars that can have some quirks, but I didn't have any major issues in all those years owning Audis that would turn me off the brand. Well the TDI scandal did sour me actually as our Q7 TDI took a resale value hit. But I freaking love that car.

I also highly disagree that a 340xi (which is what the OP is considering) is more of a drivers car than a B8.5 S4. Actually I'd say the opposite. Audi makes a proper AWD sport suspension and with the sport-rear diff the handling is impressive, certainly much better than a 340xi even with adaptive (which I drive now). The stock xDrive suspension is the opposite of a driver's car IMO, it's clearly focused on utility, not performance. So prepare for some suspension mods to get it to handle properly.

[440xiGCMsport]

Originally Posted by Big Nodge

Except lack of the 6MT on the B9.

I drove Audis for 15 years (mostly modified A4s) before getting into my 340xi. I haven't had the bimmer long enough to compare reliability, but I'm highly skeptical that there is any substantial difference between the two. Both are German cars that can have some quirks, but I didn't have any major issues in all those years owning Audis that would turn me off the brand. Well the TDI scandal did sour me actually as our Q7 TDI took a resale value hit. But I freaking love that car.

I also highly disagree that a 340xi (which is what the OP is considering) is more of a drivers car than a B8.5 S4. Actually I'd say the opposite. Audi makes a proper AWD sport suspension and with the sport-rear diff the handling is impressive, certainly much better than a 340xi even with adaptive (which I drive now). The stock xDrive suspension is the opposite of a driver's car IMO, it's clearly focused on utility, not performance. So prepare for some suspension mods to get it to handle properly.

totally agree from a former s4 owner. The only thing would be that the DSG could possibly be area of weakness in terms of reliability which can lead to a big repair bill.
The torque vectoring rear differential was amazing .
mwh is also correct that the rear seats in the bmw are more comfortable since my son always complained about the S4 rear seats on any trips longer than an hour.

[goj]

Audis are great cars. Styling is subjective but the A/S4 simply looks tooooo similar to the B8. It's a tired exterior design in My opinion.

But the fact is, it is half a decade newer than the F30, Which shows in the interior. Still think idrive is better than MMI though.

I am sure the next 3 will wow people the same way the F30 was a lot nicer than the C and A4 when it came out

[Zangetsu]

The 340ix will be cheaper to maintain...
The S4 styling is dated.

The drive comes down to preference. Personally I went with a RWD 340 for the better dynamics and weight savings.