C55 AMG v Audi S4

[gina2201]

My partner currently has a modified Mk4 Golf R32 which he has modified himself and lovingly owned for the last three years.

He is now considering trading it in for either a w203 C55 AMG or an Audi S4 B6/B7.

He would like to know what to look out for, common faults etc on the Merc, and your opinions on each, what would you choose? (bearing in mind it is a Mercedes forum he thinks he already knows the answer!) The reason he likes the Audi is that it is a 4WD like the golf. He is a dab hand at mechanics so isn't scared of getting his hands dirty!

Thanks!

 

[LTD]

He should also consider the BMW M5

It's a truly spectacular vehicle.

 

[BlackC55]

The 203 C55 is a brillaint car and much better that the BM and the Audi. It has reasonable running costs compared to the other two. It Is more comfortable, more unique etc etc etc. The BM has a stigma attached to it. Bit of a ****ers car.

I do have a soft spot for them though.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Not really a fair comparison, in my opinion. The S4 is nowhere near the C55, probably fairer to compare the RS4...
How much is he looking to spend?

 

[Oli]

I would have thought the RS4 would have been a better comparison too.
Also he must be a good mechanic if he has to look after the P38 Range Rover in your sig, thier forever going wrong.

 

[st4]

He should also consider the BMW M5

It's a truly spectacular vehicle.

The 203 C55 is a brillaint car and much better that the BM and the Audi. It has reasonable running costs compared to the other two. It Is more comfortable, more unique etc etc etc. The BM has a stigma attached to it. Bit of a ****ers car.

I do have a soft spot for them though.

I think LTD means the V10 M5.

Horrific, and I mean horrific fuel consumption. But thats not why you buy it.

Technologically very advanced.

Both the S4s and C55s are reliable and more fuel wise, managable.

My pic of those two, hard one actually. The merc might just swing it for the RWD factor and the S4 in the press has always been regarded as a bit dull. The good one is the RS4.

 

[Blackman]

Quite strange comparison...

First of all, if he's interested in the C55, then he should put the RS4 next to it, or the M3 (not M5 as LTD said, as it's in a different league).

BMs and Mercs are rear wheel drive, and while you can get an M3 in manual, all C55s are automatic, so that's a personal preference, although I'm sure a guy driving a R32 would want a proper manual gearbox...

RS4 is 4WD, but the B5 has got a 2.7 V6 biturbo, and I don't think it will feel "much" faster, than the R32, so not sure about it. I would say the new B7 will be the perfect choice, which has got a 4.2 V8, but I believe it will be out of budget for him.

Btw, there's no B5 RS4 (only S4, which is crap...), so that's why I don't mention it.

Overall, I believe E46 M3 with manual gearbox (either convertible or coupe) would be the ideal car for him.

Also it costs roughly the same as R32's, so it will be a nice swap.

 

[gunning]

C55 all day long... tune it though

 

[LTD]

What's the budget ??????

 

[timk]

The C55 is an outstanding machine. I've owned a few performance cars, but the combination of sheer all round brilliance and useability combined with a very large dose of exclusivity (just try finding one!) is unbeatable.

It's a subtle sledgehammer of a car. The M3 is a great drive but hampered by ubiquity and a dodgy image. The S4, is well, typical Audi - fast but stodgy. Get a C55, you won't regret it. I certainly regretted selling mine, but sadly circumstances dictated it had to go.

 

[gIzzE]

The Audi S4 is the worst car I have ever had the mispleasure to own, it really did fail in every single area, oh, the interior was quite nice and......no, that was the only positive.

C55 all day long.

Also consider an RS4, now that is a good car and I would say the best Audi have ever built.


M3 pisses on them all, but such a shame about the image.

 

[gIzzE]

RS4 is 4WD, but the B5 has got a 2.7 V6 biturbo, and I don't think it will feel "much" faster, than the R32, so not sure about it. I would say the new B7 will be the perfect choice, which has got a 4.2 V8, but I believe it will be out of budget for him.

Btw, there's no B5 RS4 (only S4, which is crap...), so that's why I don't mention it.

B5 RS4 uses the 2.7 bi-turbo.

B7 RS4 uses the 4.2fsi V8.

No B6 RS4.

 

[Dand]

Its a tough one. IMO both cars are great. The Audi is very well put together and is more in your face in the styling department and would be a natural progression up the VAG food chain. On the other side if your fancying a change the C55 seems more subtle sleeper.

Personally i kinda prefer the idea of the S4 but in the cold light of day id opt for the C55. From mine, my families, and friends experiences with Audi's servicing and sales aftercare.

 

[BenzedUP]

One Word for me;​

 

[gIzzE]

Personally i kinda prefer the idea of the S4 but in the cold light of day id opt for the C55. From mine, my families, and friends experiences with Audi's servicing and sales aftercare.

Dealing with Audi is the least of your worries as an S4 owner.
The fact it drives like a complete bag of nuts is the thing that will really make you cry!

 

[Deleted member 37751]

M3 pisses on them all, image.

.....if you are after a track day car....
Between the C55 and M3, it depends on what you are going to do with the car day to day.

 

[Charles Morgan]

The Audi, like most Audis, rides as though the shock absorbers are filled with hardening cement.

Go C55, I had the C32 AMG which was fun, but that V8 is just very special.

 

[Blackman]

B5 RS4 uses the 2.7 bi-turbo.

B7 RS4 uses the 4.2fsi V8.

No B6 RS4.

Well, that's exactly what I said, except that I made a dumb mistake of misspelling that there's no B5 RS4 I meant B6, LOL

 

[gIzzE]

.....if you are after a track day car....
Between the C55 and M3, it depends on what you are going to do with the car day to day.

The M3 is one of the most compliant and comfortable road cars you can buy, the suspension set up handles the poorer UK road surfaces with aplomb, you can easily sit and do 10000 miles in one sitting in it, which I am sure you can do in the C32 or C55 as well, however, that is not something that can be said of the S4.
I went from an M3 to the 335i M-Sport and then back to an M3 again, and found the M3 more comfy than the M-Sport.
All this talk about the M3 being a track car is nonsense, it is an extremely fast, comfortable and planted sports car, and it does deserve to wear the 'sports' badge more than most, and on top of that it just happens to be able to handle a track as well, which is hats off to the chassis and its perfect balance of understeer vs oversteer, it is a very communicative design that really does let you know what is going on.

I would imagine 5% of M3s have seen a track, and it is always people who have never owned them that bring the track thing up as if it is a nagative, the fact a manufacturer has managed to make a car that is comfy for 40k road miles a year and can take on Porsches etc. on a track should really only be praised.

I spent the day with the heads of Mercedes back in 2002 I think it was, and we got talking about cars, it was amazing how many of them owned M cars, in Germany there is not the rivalry between brands like there is here, there seems to be a respect and appreciation for other marques when there is justification for it. They seem to be car fans, not brand fanboys like we tend to get over here.

 

[mer190]

RS4 is 4WD, but the B5 has got a 2.7 V6 biturbo, and I don't think it will feel "much" faster, than the R32, so not sure about it. I would say the new B7 will be the perfect choice, which has got a 4.2 V8, but I believe it will be out of budget for him.

you'll be surprised how fast a B5 RS4 is mine has a remap, milltek catback and gutted precats - and i've got 450BHP and 510NM.

even in standard form the B5 RS4 is not slow!