Having read up pretty extensively on the RS4 and the newer B8 S4 I'm going the S4 Avant route with stage 1 tuning and possibly even a pulley change... Shark will be looking at the tuning of this engine soon btw. The one thing the RS4 does have is that wonderful V8 engine though. The S4 just seems to be a less compromised everyday family wagon and still fully able to keep up with the RS4 on track (running stage 1 software apparently). Much better fuel economy on a run also which is important to me as it will see foreign soil under its tyres occasionally. :-)

This is why I'm thinking S4. Plus being newer SHOULD have less problems over the year or two I will keep it. This DRC issue on the RS4 scares me a little. Read a lot on RS246 that guys have had their RS4's in the garage more than on the road. It is the minority but still a worry.

Ewww RS4 and S4 are sooooo chavvy.

The Merc is the best but will also be the most expensive to maintain.

For thrills the M3 will win every single time, every single day of every week in every year of ownership.

The RS4 is all show and no thrills compared to the Merc and M3.

Drive the M3 and the RS4 back to back and all will become clear

Ok thanks for that. Have you driven RS4 and M3? What makes the M3 better?

Plus I thought M3's were more chav than RS4. Guess that's opinion though.

What about a VXR8?

Was next to one at some traffic lights yesterday. Admittedly it had an obviously non-standard exhaust, but my god, i got instant wood when that thing took off full bore.

With that noise, i'd drive everywhere at 8k RPM.

These are cheap as well, may test one when it comes to purchase time and get on a VXR8 forum as well for issues.

How about going a bit left field and get a Lotus Carlton?

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C267944

Or a Porsche Estate?

http://www.german-marques.co.uk/detail.asp?id=1

Edited 11 January, 201214 yr by My_Yeti

335d remapped to over 350bhp and 500+ ft lb of torque possibly faster than an M3 or RS4 and whole lot cheaper to run.I would imagine a few M3 911 owners etc being pretty annoyed and embarrassed being left eating dust by a oil burner

Edited 14 January, 201214 yr by seagull

Good shout! Il definitely look into that. Nice one

For those of you that had input and to let you know that I have out my order in for a black edition S4 and should have it by July. Thanks for the advice but the pricing and package seemed to be the best for me.