2010 Audi S4 vs. 2009 BMW 335i Comparison Test Video

By Edmunds Video Productions | Published October 16, 2009

3:34 min

S4 vs 335i Is the BMW 335i Series still the sport sedan of record? Some would say it�s arguable, but when the 2010 Audi S4 arrived recently we couldn�t think of a better matchup. Both sedans have forced induction 3.0-liter engines, six-speed manual transmissions and the kind of suspension setups that make them feel more like sportscars than sedans. With that in mind, we headed to the track to get some numbers. The BMW sprinted from 0-to-60 in just 5.3-seconds while the Audi was even faster with a 4.9 second run. It was close through the quarter mile too, with the Audi again edging out the BMW by three tenths of second. It stayed close during the braking and skid pad tests as well. Both cars registered .92gs on the skidpad while the Audi stopped two feet shorter from 60mph at 109 feet. Through the slalom, the Audi edged out the BMW again with a fastest run of 68.8 mph compared to the BMW�s 68.4 mph. So once all the number crunching was out of the way, we hit the streets to see how these sedans handle the real world. Despite their impressive performance numbers, both sedans remain comfortable during everyday driving. Light steering and a slick shifter characterize the Audi, while the BMW has slightly more road feel and a more direct shifter. The BMW�s 300-horsepower straight six is nearly perfect, and the Audi is one notch better. It�s supercharged V6 has instantaneous throttle response and a flat torque curve. The S4�s standard all-wheel drive makes putting the power down that much easier. It inspires confidence that the rear-wheel drive BMW just can�t match, but both cars can carve up canyon roads with minimal body and more traction than you�ll ever need. With options packages galore, both of these sedans were loaded with gadgets and features. The BMW still had a traditional look of German austerity while the Audi looked slightly more modern. Both were well constructed and used quality materials throughout. If back seat room is a priority, the Audi wins hands down. Once all the numbers were crunched, there was a clear winner. Despite it�s sky high sticker that nearly hit $60,000, the S4 came out ahead by virtue of its flawless drivetrain, predicable handling and nicely detailed interior. The BMW wasn�t far behind. It�s still a sport sedan that any enthusiast would enjoy, but for now the S4 has pulled ahead. Not by much, but enough to make it the new sport sedan of record.

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pchang7 says:

12:59 PM, 02/09/2011

Well, considering the E92 M3 is faster than the S4, I think a better comparison would be the M1 coming out matched up against this.

Report ItReport It

12:55 PM, 02/09/2011

Audi/VW reliability is just scary. Audi's are beautiful, exterior and interior...but a car I would much rather admire than own.

itsmpt says:

03:05 PM, 01/20/2011

This photo reminds me of an old great car magazine called "Sport Compact Car"
Oh how I miss reading that magazine...

bimfan says:

09:25 AM, 08/29/2010

let's not forget about that the audi is heavier, more expensive, and about 2 years newer (09 vs 07). With that in mind, I have no problem with S4 edging the 335i in a few categories.

Audi, you should enjoy running your ads trashing bimmers for the moment. Dont forget the new 2011 3-series is just around the corner, and it might not be a bad idea to think about how to play catch up again.

zct808 says:

10:49 AM, 07/18/2010

Doesn't seem like a fair test. If the S4 in the video is approaching $60K, as tested, you could get an M3 for that price. That would be a more interesting test.

dammitammit says:

10:31 AM, 06/01/2010

this isnt really a fair comparison since the audi has quattro and they just tested a regular 335i. they should have used a 335i xdrive, then it would be on the same level and the prices of the cars would be that much more comparable.

hans007 says:

03:45 AM, 03/04/2010

except that the S4 is basically the 335i competitor.

similarly equiped it is actually comparable in price to a335i.   if you haven't noticed the 335i has been rising in price since its launch and bmw has been removing features from it from the start (it used to come with logic 7 standard, and twin turbos, they got rid of the logic7 standard in 2009 models, and 2011 models have a single turbo).

the S4 base, has xenons, leather seats, and the entire premium plus package (with mmi, and bluetooth , heated leather seats etc) that a normal A4 has optional and are not stanard features on a 335i (you would basically have to add premium package and sport pack to a 335i to make an equivalent to a base S4, plus a few other things like a split folding rear seat and heated seats, sirius radio, etc).  If you add all that stuff to a 335i you are looking at $45-46k easily.  Granted you might not want all that stuff, but comparably equipped a 335i is not some bargain which people seem to think it is.

Basically its audi a4 = 328i  , s4 = 335i.   The a4 is actually cheaper than a 328i comparably equipped.  plus if you had to have AWD well the audis come with that, and its even more money on a bimmer.  Like i said not everyone wants all that stuff, but don't compare a base s4 to a completely stripped bmw (bmw allows you to really strip their cars down)

434at3m3 says:

12:01 PM, 11/17/2009

captkirk-

Hate to burst your bubble but car magazine editors in the US are finally realizing what the rest of the world already know...Audi > BMW.

S4 > 335i...period. The fact of the matter is BMW hung their hat on catering to the subprime crowd (which does not exist anymore) and that is why the Audi's cost more because it has more technology and is a better vehicle hands down. Get over it, sell your BMW, buy an Audi, and be happy!

The RS5 will smoke the M3 yet again and I will laugh at the BMW fan boy apologists.

Cheers!

captkirk46 says:

03:52 PM, 11/06/2009

This is a somewhat weird/unfair comparison isn't it? the S4, although not the RS4 is still a car made to be sportier than the Standard A4s... and it is the A4s that line up more or less with the 3 series cars. You can tell by the price difference between the S4 and the 335i that they are kind of made at different levels to appeal to slightly different people ... eventhough there would be some overlap in those groups... Looking at prices I think the S4 is more in the M3 territory than it is in the 335i territory...