330i ZHP versus audi S4

[MrElussive]

There is no torque steer in the S4 - none - Ok on the rarest occasion with some very rough/uneven road and very hard acceleration - but thats it - and even then its fun clawing foreward type of torque steer - nothing that detracts at all - beleive me. The S4 takes corners like a champ. I regularly pass various BMWs and most other cars in the twisties & corners (and I mean ones who are pushing it...)- be they long sweepers or very tight - single or S combinations or what have you. The combination of power, roadholding and AWD tenacity of the S4 is simply amazing. There I said it. I never get tired of driving this car - and still just take it out late night sometimes to mash twisties, straights and what have you...and in any weather...

The B5 S4 was easily my favorite car for its time. I had a friend who had one in stick shift and he let me drive it once or twice and I desparately wanted one. I love how it pushes you so hard into your seat when you floor it, the handling was AWESOME, and the brakes are ridiculously strong.

 

[Roadhawk]

The B5 S4 was easily my favorite car for its time. I had a friend who had one in stick shift and he let me drive it once or twice and I desparately wanted one. I love how it pushes you so hard into your seat when you floor it, the handling was AWESOME, and the brakes are ridiculously strong.

All true! I have great fun with this car...and in the winter...well I have never experienced anything even close. I take nothign away form the M3 - which is so awesome in its own right - (though I've never driven one...but I can see....)...or even the other 3 series cars or yours...or other fine autos such as the RX-8 etc - all great, fast and fun to drive cars...but I can't tell you how much of a joy my little blue wagon is...and I know I'm going to be equally thrilled with my ZHP (can't wait!)

 

[zrated786]

S4 definetely.

 

[karpman9]

I love my ZHP and would pass on the other two choices (as listed).

I'd buy a NEW M3, but not a used one. Actually, I'm hoping that if all goes as planned with my business, to get a new M5 (one sick mofo of a car!) in the next year or two.

 

[kjs862]

I just put an order for a 330ci ZHP and I too was considering s4. I went with the BMW because it looks more aggrsesive and I wanted a coupe. IMO the s4 is a nice car but a little too laid back looking for a sports car.

 

[Average Jae]

I just put an order for a 330ci ZHP and I too was considering s4. I went with the BMW because it looks more aggrsesive and I wanted a coupe. IMO the s4 is a nice car but a little too laid back looking for a sports car.

little laid back, but it'll still kick most "sports car's" ass to the curb, and run circles around it

how nice would it be to have an M5/M3 for a summer car, and RS6/S4 for a winter car? oh and a little cavet: before i hit my mid-life crisis

 

[kjs862]

EEEK I'm starting to get butteryfiys in my stomach. I just hope when the 05 330ci zhp comes in (about a week) I won't turn back and wish for a s4.

I know the s4 might be a little faster but what car has better handeling and is tighter on the road? Thats my major concern. Also those Recaro seats are so nice.

The 330ci zhp I opted for came to about 49k fully loaded so the s4 would prob come around the same price if not cheaper.

 

[HornyHornet]

EEEK I'm starting to get butteryfiys in my stomach. I just hope when the 05 330ci zhp comes in (about a week) I won't turn back and wish for a s4.

I know the s4 might be a little faster but what car has better handeling and is tighter on the road? Thats my major concern. Also those Recaro seats are so nice.

The 330ci zhp I opted for came to about 49k fully loaded so the s4 would prob come around the same price if not cheaper.

Couldn't you get a new M3 for $49K

 

[MrElussive]

All true! I have great fun with this car...and in the winter...well I have never experienced anything even close. I take nothign away form the M3 - which is so awesome in its own right - (though I've never driven one...but I can see....)...or even the other 3 series cars or yours...or other fine autos such as the RX-8 etc - all great, fast and fun to drive cars...but I can't tell you how much of a joy my little blue wagon is...and I know I'm going to be equally thrilled with my ZHP (can't wait!)

You should get something faster than the ZHP. The 330 ZHP is gonna be slow compared to your S4 and IMO, a car has to have really good acceleration for it to have a really entertaining drive.

 

[epj3]

You should get something faster than the ZHP. The 330 ZHP is gonna be slow compared to your S4 and IMO, a car has to have really good acceleration for it to have a really entertaining drive.

I know big daddy and the other members who own "fast cars" too will argue in my favor:

You have never driven an E30.

 

[bahnstormer]

how the $%^& does a 25,000 mile m3 cost that much?!?!?

 

[///M SPEED]

how the $%^& does a 25,000 mile m3 cost that much?!?!?

Believe it or not if it is a CPO M3 with that many miles they can and will go anywhere from 41K up to (believe it or not) 47K. You still looking at saving 15 to 20 grand on a new one. They hold thier resale value really well....

I have done a lot of shopping and that price with that many miles is not uncommon. Some have even higher miles....

 

[MrElussive]

I know big daddy and the other members who own "fast cars" too will argue in my favor:

You have never driven an E30.

LOL, WTF R U TALKING ABOUT????

 

[Roadhawk]

You should get something faster than the ZHP. The 330 ZHP is gonna be slow compared to your S4 and IMO, a car has to have really good acceleration for it to have a really entertaining drive.

MrE - I have to both agree and disagree with you here. Sure the 330ZHP is not nearly as quick or out and out as powerful as my S4 - but it is by no means slow - not at all. And it is plenty quick to be highly entertaining.

After having the ZHP for over a month now and putting on an additional 1500+ miles I'm finding it quite a joy to drive. It drives quite a bit differently from the S4 - but is as much fun in nearly every way and possibly more fun in other ways. Of course the S4 gives one a real kick in the pants on acceleration and its pretty much easily faster then nealy everything else on the road - and thats quite a kick riding in a wagon! Its handling is also first rate. But the ZHP is nearly as quick and handles comperably as well - with perhaps bit more fun for its tossability...

OK - sometimes it does seem somewhat slow right off the line where the S4 just leaps out - but it revs well and gets up to speed surprisingly quickly (and cruises effortlessly at high speeds - even better - in terms of stability and that non- sense of speed - then teh S4). In some ways the ZHP is more fun - as you have to really rev it and work it to go fast..and it rewards you. (and frankly if I push the S4 that hard - which I often do - it gets extra legal real quick - and I constantly find myself having to reign it in...) The ZHP is also a bit nimbler then the S4 (feels lightter and more tossable) and the RWD dynamics are fun and different (having gotten used to the AWD - which is great too - but different). Sure - its not automatic with the ZHP that I'm just going to blow by people - but if I am determined to go faster I pretty much will do so. And thats really not what its all about (though fun to be able to just blow the doors off of folks on demand! lol), What is great about the ZHP is that it is quick and it is just a balanced package - quickness, agility, excellent braking....and I love the sound of that straight six just working away (OK not as sweet as the G35 granted [or the B6 S4!!! what a sound that V8 makes!]...but its close...I also love that vacum sucking sound and the rumble of the b5S4 Twin turbos...a thing a beauty to be sure...). So I dispute that the ZHP hasn't got what it takes to be a joyful drive. I'd say yes - the S4 can be more thrilling (balls to the wall turbos screaming! etc) - but each gives plenty of driving pleasure...the ZHP is a great car - and in many ways is the best all around auto I have ever owned...and I am a "joy of driving is where its at" kind of guy! And yeah - I get worked up over my cars...I love 'em all - what can I say...and both the S4 and the ZHP are very special and fun cars IMO - I have a blast with them!

 

[NZL]

I'm always impressed with the pricing you guys in the USA can get... in New Zealand the pricing is something like this (all converted at $NZ1 = $US0.65).

BMW M3 Coupe Manual $US 93,535
Audi S4 Sedan Manual $US 90,935
BMW 330ci sport $US 67,925

You guys pay friggin half price compared to us suckers in the rest of the world. Small concession that our M3's are the slightly higher spec euro engines, 340+ bhp.

Depends really on whether you want 2 doors or 4. I think I'd go for the M3... but there's something about pulling up to the lights in a STATIONWAGON knowing you can kick some serious butt.

 

[Roadhawk]

Depends really on whether you want 2 doors or 4. I think I'd go for the M3... but there's something about pulling up to the lights in a STATIONWAGON knowing you can kick some serious butt.

Yeah I love it what can I say...and its a mix whether or not others on the road realize that I'm driving anything special - there are those that know - S4 - thats hot! etc - and there are those who see my big wheels and exhaust and such and figure it out (I'm speculating here but I've gotten questions/comments concerning stuff out on the road) and then there are those who see - a wagon - and think nothing...like the many SUVs/Minivans/Camrys/Accords and what have you who think they can power past me etc....and I love the lok on these guys in their 350Zs, G35s, Acura TLs, Mustang GTs, WRXs etc ...and yes BMW 3 series! etc - when I just toy with them in the S4....let them get a length or two and then just mash it down and fly by them like they are standing still...can't help myself really - its just too fun!

And sorry mate about those prices...I feel for ya....and I find it hard to imagine how anyone can afford a nice car down there...I mean jeesh!

 

[///M SPEED]

I have always wanted a S4. I love the look and feel. I almost bought one, but when it came down to it my feelings for the M3 were stronger. There are many cars I would love to own in the sport sedan category, but the S4 and M3 are by far tops on my list. You are a very lucky man (I am sure luck really doesn't have anything to do with it - i.e. hard work) to be able to own both. If my wife had her way I probably wouldn't even have the M. Happy driving! We all know it all about the grin our cars put on our faces and that's all that really matters...

P.S. Roadhawk, that 64 1/2 half mustang must be beautiful. Try and post some picks of all the cars you have. One can never get enough looking at fine automobiles....

 

[Roadhawk]

M Speed - I feel similarly about the M3 - particualrly since the new e46 which brought up the power - but I used to be a big fan of the e30 M3s as well (and always dremed of oneday owning one). But yeah - as soon as the S4 came on the market I felt as if it would be my car - don't know why (but the easy power mods were certainly a draw) - but I started monitoring some of the forums that sprang up and just followed the car. When my wife suggested that we should get a wagon and also expressed a preference for a German car as a change of pace....weeellllll...I had just the car in mind ...and couldn't be happier with it really. But I'm grooving on our ZHP as well (not an M3 BTW - shame that...but wife already complains about the harsh ride in the S4 - etc etc - and I'm very happy with the ZHP). And in fact just a few minutes ago I ran pretty good with a very suprised speedbike going down an onramp and onto the highway - with 2 of my workmates in the car with me (witnesses...I asked them if they would have believed it possible if I would have claimed such without them in the car - lol - when I commented that the speedbike was going rather slow [and that I literally would have pulled around him in my S4] they both responded that they had never merged into traffic so fast before and couldn't believe that I thought the bike was going slow!!! [I did get a nice jump on him BTW - well he let me - and I made him pay! - well he did get past me...eventually...)...anyway - so yeah - great fun too. And I can just imagine what a screamer an M3 would be....(well I sort of know cus my S4 runs with them pretty good!)..and I know your loving it - I agree - both the S4, M3 - and IMO the 3 series in general are awesome cars out on the road. They all reward spirited driving (I hate to see when these are driven by normal plonk along types...). I hear ya!

And yeah my Stang is a beaut! I don't have any real good pics loaded up on the comp - but its somethign I've been planning to do - so when I take a few (soon I hope) I'll try to post. Its more of a cruiser of course...but with the low miles its almost like the engine is just broken in - so it does launch pretty good - still can chirp the wheels even in 2nd (and its an autotranny...!). Its been garage kept and babied since it was new and no one believes its all orginal (even orginal convertable top!)...so yeah - I'll try to get some pics up...

 

[MrElussive]

MrE - I have to both agree and disagree with you here. Sure the 330ZHP is not nearly as quick or out and out as powerful as my S4 - but it is by no means slow - not at all. And it is plenty quick to be highly entertaining.

After having the ZHP for over a month now and putting on an additional 1500+ miles I'm finding it quite a joy to drive. It drives quite a bit differently from the S4 - but is as much fun in nearly every way and possibly more fun in other ways. Of course the S4 gives one a real kick in the pants on acceleration and its pretty much easily faster then nealy everything else on the road - and thats quite a kick riding in a wagon! Its handling is also first rate. But the ZHP is nearly as quick and handles comperably as well - with perhaps bit more fun for its tossability...

OK - sometimes it does seem somewhat slow right off the line where the S4 just leaps out - but it revs well and gets up to speed surprisingly quickly (and cruises effortlessly at high speeds - even better - in terms of stability and that non- sense of speed - then teh S4). In some ways the ZHP is more fun - as you have to really rev it and work it to go fast..and it rewards you. (and frankly if I push the S4 that hard - which I often do - it gets extra legal real quick - and I constantly find myself having to reign it in...) The ZHP is also a bit nimbler then the S4 (feels lightter and more tossable) and the RWD dynamics are fun and different (having gotten used to the AWD - which is great too - but different). Sure - its not automatic with the ZHP that I'm just going to blow by people - but if I am determined to go faster I pretty much will do so. And thats really not what its all about (though fun to be able to just blow the doors off of folks on demand! lol), What is great about the ZHP is that it is quick and it is just a balanced package - quickness, agility, excellent braking....and I love the sound of that straight six just working away (OK not as sweet as the G35 granted [or the B6 S4!!! what a sound that V8 makes!]...but its close...I also love that vacum sucking sound and the rumble of the b5S4 Twin turbos...a thing a beauty to be sure...). So I dispute that the ZHP hasn't got what it takes to be a joyful drive. I'd say yes - the S4 can be more thrilling (balls to the wall turbos screaming! etc) - but each gives plenty of driving pleasure...the ZHP is a great car - and in many ways is the best all around auto I have ever owned...and I am a "joy of driving is where its at" kind of guy! And yeah - I get worked up over my cars...I love 'em all - what can I say...and both the S4 and the ZHP are very special and fun cars IMO - I have a blast with them!

I never meant to say that the 330i ZHP is slow - it definitely is NOT! Also, I didn't even realize that you had the car already, lol! But I just thought that being used to your modded S4 (I know how easy it is to highly tune the B5 S4), you might have been disappointed with the power of the 330i ZHP. The handling and breaking that the ZHP offers is nothing you have to convince me on, otherwise I wouldn't be here. 3-Series handling is pretty much legendary and the ZHP's suspension setup is even better than the other 3-series vehicles.
You stated how you love the sound of the I6 working but then you stated "OK not as sweet as the G35..." Have you driven the G35 Coupe (particularly the 6-speed)? The engine sounds pretty good, but I think the noise from the BMW 3.0 liter I6 is easily better....the sound of the I6 is simply amazing and one of the nicer-sounding engines on the market. I would say that although I really enjoy listening to my engine rev, the sound (at higher rpm's) is more of a truck-like drone of raw power than anything else, whereas the 3.0 I6 has such a "sweet" sound to it. Honestly, had there been a 330Ci ZHP at the time of my lease/purchase (only 330i ZHP was out at the time and I really wanted a pimp daddy Coupe), I probably would have gone in that direction.
It's really great to hear that you are really enjoying that 330i ZHP!

 

[NZL]

And sorry mate about those prices...I feel for ya....and I find it hard to imagine how anyone can afford a nice car down there...I mean jeesh!

Yeah our average incomes here are about half those of you guys in the good 'ol US of A too. That means relative to income we're paying 4 TIMES the cost for a new bimmer. No wonder they have the stigma of being a rich mans car here.