I am looking for a change from the diesel pickups I travel in. I drive a 7 hour round trip at least once a week in a 4 season climate, so would prefer AWD. Total annual mileage is around 40-45k. Can anybody speak of the differences between the S4 and the current BMW awd series (I can't keep up with their nomenclature anymore). I considered an STI, but think its too small and would be uncomfortable after a long drive. E series awd is boring and I don't need the big Benz star stigma.

I am leaning toward S4, but when performing review searches hear more bad comments than I would like. Don't care about fuel economy so much as comfort and performance. Any thoughts? (also thinking C4S, but thats probably a bad comparison)

 

S4 is a great car. I had one for a year and loved it. The only draw back is gas milage, but probably not that different from the truck.

 

If you are traveling that far once a week in inclement weather, awd would be very nice. I personally would go with the S4, I love Audi's and I think it would not be a choice you regret.

 

I've never liked BMW's AWD... just doesn't feel right to me. I think, if you must have AWD, Audi is the way to go.

The 335i is a great car and if we were comparing the RWD version to the S4, it would certainly be much tougher for me.

lol even the BMW guy is saying S4

 

AWD = audi is the way to go...
i would choose S4 over 335 in your case.

 

i personally would go for a 335xi...s4 to me felt terrible in every way

 

S4 is not impressive... at all. Quite disappointing actually. I'd go with a 335xi.

 

For a long distance commuter I would go with the 335xi just because of gas milage. The s4 has horrible gas milage. My close friend was getting 12-15mpg when he had his. I've heard people getting 20-24mpg with the 335i.

 

Yep... have 2k miles on my 335 now... so with break-in (notoriously bad gas mileage interim) and me driving (), I'm getting 20.2 mph right now. That is 70% REAL back roads and 30% highway cruising. Strictly highway would easily be >25 mph. It's practically a Prius!

 

In term of performance. I Agree with you on B6 or B7 S4 but not B5 S4.

 

335i, it fast as the S4 for a better price and the S4 comes yet the new B8!

 

Since when were we talking about anything but a B7? The topic I think we all can assume is 335 v. B7 S4...

But when I comes to B5's, I'll stick with my E36 M3's.

 

Do the BMWs really get 20+ mpg? Thats pretty impressive if true.....

 

Mine does... and it's going up.

 

even in my highly moddede46 m3 i get about 25+ on the highway and about 20+ city and 23+ with city/highway mix. if i didnt have 4.10s it would be even higher mpg.