330i ZHP versus audi S4

[bmwbozo]

Alrighty, I was checking out the audi S4...looks like a very nice car. Turns out that it has 340 HP but only gets to 60 in 5.6 seconds, whereas the 235 HP 330i ZHP does it in 5.9 seconds.

Obviously i need some education in terms of what the torque and performance curves actually mean. Anybody care to explain the the performance difference between these two vehicles?

In addition: Whcih one should I get?

 

[bmwbozo]

...for instance...what does a flat torque curve imply?

 

[Sexualwasabi]

BMW!

 

[codex57]

Flat curve means there's no sudden ramp up or drop off in performance. Smoother power delivery. Generally it's considered a good thing.

If you can get an S4 for that price, I'd go for it.

 

[Tom]

What year M3? And what is the Luxury package on the S4? Are you referring to the Premium Package? If you don't want a moonroof or memory seating then that package is not a big issue.

Best thing you should do is test drive all three cars. I assume if there is a used M3 on the lot, they would let your test drive it without a problem.

 

[flashinthepan]

Sorry Too hard to vote on this one

Good luck in your choice.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I'd take the 330i performance package..... I dont seem to like audi over it and I would stay away from a used Bmw performance car....

 

[Average Jae]

0-60 times isn't the best indicator for every day driving.. even a second difference isn't the biggest, esp if you are relatively "normal" driver. they get those figures beating the crap out of the car, with high rev launches etc.

s4 despite the hp advantage is relatively "slow" to 60 because of the weight, having the quatro and all. but if you look at the top gear m3 v s4, during a track run, it was actually wee bit faster than the m3.. so go figure.

if you are all about high perf cars and don't mind the harsh ride associated with it, i wouldn't consider the zhp, but if you want somewhat of a daily driver with a perf edge the zhp should be pretty good.

i was looking into a s4, but 43 seems pretty much bottom of the barrel. you dont' want a expensive car w/ no options do you? when i was optioning it out, it went up closer to 48, 50, so i gave up on the car..

in the end, test drive, get what you like!!

 

[MrElussive]

Depends. If price is not an issue, then that's an easy answer: Audi S4. 330i ZHP, second. And then used M3, third. Probably the most economical thing to do is to try to find a really clean E36 M3.

 

[wileycoyote]

Alrighty, I was checking out the audi S4...looks like a very nice car. Turns out that it has 340 HP but only gets to 60 in 5.6 seconds, whereas the 235 HP 330i ZHP does it in 5.9 seconds.

Obviously i need some education in terms of what the torque and performance curves actually mean. Anybody care to explain the the performance difference between these two vehicles?

In addition: Whcih one should I get?

In basic terms torque is the engines ability to turn the tires. High torque at low RPM = fast start. HP is the maximum amount of total energy an engine can produce. Since both HP and torque (foot pound per second) are units of measure, if you know one, you can calculate the other.

1 HP = 550 foot pounds per second
1 RPM = .10472 Radians per second
550 / .10472 = 5252
HP = (Torque x RPM) / 5252

The “Power Curve” of an engine is a curve that displays the torque and /or HP of an engine relative to RPM. Since during an acceleration test, engine RPM is never constant (except for Honda’s CVT), numbers like maximum HP and torque can be misleading. If an engine produces 200 foot pounds of torque at 4000 RPM, 400 foot pounds at 5000 RPM, and drops back down to 200 foot pounds at 6000 RPM it will accelerate the same vehicle slower than an engine that produces 250, 300, and 250 foot pounds accordingly (assuming a parabolic rate of change, the math for calculating the average HP for curves is a little complicated).

Using only the three referenced RPM, the first engine produces 400 foot pounds of torque and 380 HP, while the second produces only 300 foot pounds of torque and 285 HP. However, the second engine averages a few more HP through 4000 to 6000 RPM range.

Such is the case with Audi and the BMW.

 

[AWD330XI]

If you are used to rear wheel drive, you will be disappointed with the torque steer of the AWD Audi.

 

[flashinthepan]

You dont mention the year of the M3, but assuming you have 2 years full factory warranty....M3.

 

[slato1]

If you are just looking for comfort go with the A4 if you want performance go with the M3. The 330i is the middle ground between the two.

 

[tool fan]

I am not a power to torque genius like the other techies in here....all I know is that when I was trying to decide which one I wanted between the A4 3.0 and the 330iZHP there was bit (not super signifigant) more leg room in the BMW in the back seat. My 8 year old said he was more comfortable in the Bimmer. Maybe kids and leg room are not an issue for you. They were for me that is why I went 5 series instead.
Performance is not the end all...look for reliability. Doesn't matter that your car can theoretically do 0-60 in 5+ seconds if is in the shop on "raceday". I agree with
BMW 325i 7803...stay away from the "used" Bmw performance car.
Just my one and half sense.
Good Luck with your decision

 

[frolf]

there is a lot of truth to the previous post. no matter what you do, buying one of these cars you will probably wish you purchased the other, just go with your gut, because all three of them are very nice cars.

 

[Sexualwasabi]

If the M3 is an e46, I say get the M3, then the 330... the S4 looks boring

 

[Akakubi]

Have you driven these cars yet? I know why I will never buy an Audi (or MB) for performance, no matter what model. [thumbd] It can have 1000hp, like the new Benzes, but still drive like crap.

S4 is an overweight luxury muscle car, no more. Lots of power, yes, but handling sucks. Try the ZHP or the M3 after it and you'll see what I mean.

If you need 4-doors get the ZHP. You will love the handling and it has more than enough power for most occasions. In daily driving, it is more relaxed and comfortable than the M3 (power band is above 4K RPM). I actually prefer a regular 3-series for that.

If you ever get on the track, the M3 will be faster. But you will have to pay more attention to the unputs, especially in the rain, or it will punish you. M3's are notoriously tail-happy with power-oversteer. ZHP practically has no such issues.

Again, drive them all extensively. Take each one out for 1 hour or so to see the cars in town, highway, etc and then decide.

BTW, ZHP kills them all on gas mileage.

 

[TheBry]

Wow. Tough choice, man. There's one intangible that could push you toward the BMW though -- the Audi is a sweet car, but let's face it -- it's an upscale tricked-out Volkswagen ;-) BMW is BMW. I used to drive a VW Passat (traded it for my BMW) and hated the experience of taking it to the dealer for service. They sell soooo many more cars than BMW, getting an appointment was next to impossible. Imagine how frustrated the Audi guys were (it was a VW / AUDI dealership) that their A6's and A8's had to wait in line behind Beetles, Golfs, Jettas, etc. for service. Where's the prestige in that? They even shared a waiting area (read - no frills). Sounds shallow, but I like the fact that BMW does their own thing. There's a certain cachet.

Of course this says nothing of the driving experience -- I'll leave that feedback to the other guys on this thread that have the performance package.

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

i want the BMW!

 

[MrElussive]

I voted for the S4. I will never do used and I feel like the S4 is like half a step up from the 330i ZHP. If you wanna get a new S4, you might as well look at a new M3. [driving2]