Next generation M3 won’t arrive until September 2007

That means another full year of the RS4 trouncing the M3. How are you guys gonna live up to it?

Day to day of course ;)

Strange that we have so much talk about the RS4 vs. M3...it took Audi 3 itinerations of its "S" and "RS" versions of the A4: 00'S4/04'S4/06'S4-RS4 to "arguably" give the current M3 (model year 01-06) a challenge. Hopefully it doesn't take Audi 3 new versions to catch up to the next generation M3. In essense, you are comparing an 06 RS4 with an M3 model that came out the end in 2000-2001.

Actually who is at fault? Audi for creating a contender, or BMW for resting on the laurels a bit too long?

BMW has had ample time to refresh the M3 since the inception, the RS4 was no secret. It actually appears they underestimated the threat and are scrambling.

Good things come to those who wait. And there's always the 335 if people get impatient.

I wonder if BMW wants to see what Lexus has up its sleeve with the IS500 before it commits to the final specs on the M3.

Patience is a virtue...Audi fans should know that: They've been trying to best the M3 for years....

M3 will beat the RS4...again....

Just slap on some M badges to your current 3 series and drive around like a jack-ass. Most people won't even know the difference.

most people already rebadged the 3 series as a M5 ;).

It also can't hurt the sales of the Z4M coupe, to have to wait longer for the M3.

RS5 will eatup the new M3 like a piece of cake
honestly just by the looks, the new 3series coupe looks better than the photo showing here

Wow that M3 looks hottt.

i posted that pic like a month ago remember? i said it looked close to the new M3 but not exactly.

plus, technically the s4 is the direct competitor of the m3. the m3 csl would probably be a better competitor for the rs4. on the tracks, the csl eats rs4 for breakfast.

actually, through tests, the RS4 has already betten the M3 CSL many times, including top gear. O well.

Strange that we have so much talk about the RS4 vs. M3...it took Audi 3 itinerations of its "S" and "RS" versions of the A4: 00'S4/04'S4/06'S4-RS4 to "arguably" give the current M3 (model year 01-06) a challenge. Hopefully it doesn't take Audi 3 new versions to catch up to the next generation M3. In essense, you are comparing an 06 RS4 with an M3 model that came out the end in 2000-2001.

There is no denying that Audi has come a long, long way the last 5-6 years. The RS4 is a proud vehicle.

And because af magasine say car is better than car b, we should believe it?
NO WAY, i got my own opinion, i can go take the car for a test drive and make my own decision on it. I dont have to let at magasine make my decisions like a lot of you in here.

I think all M3`s past present and future will still be on the roads and running even better than the day they arrived long after all your RS4`s, S4`s etc are in the scrapyards. You cant beat the build quality of a BMW, they leed and the rest just follow.

SpikeM5,
Enlighten yourself a bit. The m3 is no doubt a great car, but a lot of companies are stepping their game up, to the point where m3's are being challenged. M3's have been at the top of their class for a long while, and everyone is gunning for that top spot. Who knows, maybeone company will finally outdo the M3 soon enough. 2008 c63 amg anyone?

MDalle-

"I refuse to believe that the performance numbers for the new M3 will be lower than those of the RS4/5... I would still prefer the 'M3 over the RS4 even though it might not boast as much power... But if anyone knows their marketing it's BMW and believe me, they know that the general public will buy the car that has the best performance numbers! I've heard some different numbers... But i'm tired of this "THIS IS THE REAL SHIT PERFORMANCE NUMBERS" crap...

But this would be the first time that a new M-car would not out do the Audi competitor! And it will... Be sure of that"

1. The RS5 isn't even going to be out for another two to three years, so how can you say you'd choose the M3 over it? Because it's an M3? Exactly.

BMW fans are too centered on BMW, BMW, BMW. If the RS4 drives as well and/or better than the M3, admit it, for god's sake! Audi deserves the recognition! The RS4 has said to bring the spirit of the legendary Quattro Coupe Sport into the 21st century.

Of course the new M3 will be better than the RS4! That's how competition works! But then, within three years, BMW will have to worry about the (in chronological order) IS500, C63 AMG and next-gen RS4 (and ESPECIALLY the RS5 coupe). I am sure one of those cars will eat it alive. And then the next M3 will come out and beat them. And so it goes.

I cant wait that long. I might have to try to the M5's V10 and try to stuff it in my current M3

Hartge have dropped the M5 V10 into the 3 series. saloon so I'm pretty sure they'll be putting it in the coupe as well

That's okay with me. Just make sure the M3 lives up to the high standards set by the M division. If the rumors are true and the M3 will sprint from 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds, it will be worth the wait.

Something I do not understand about these AUDI freaks is how they can compare their V8 engine with the current 3.2l straight6 in the m3. Thats stupid at least wait for the BMW 4.0l V8, then you can make noise! its like comparing apples with oranges.

There is no logic inn comparing the current M3 to the RS4.The RS4 Is obviously faster because its got a bigger engine. DUH!!!!! PLANOA4 !

They are waiting for for the Lexus IS500 like Will said,Lexus will show off the Lexus IS500 and convertable hard top at a car show in jan.2007..

AWD cars aren't as fun to drive as balanced RWD cars are. Porsche does both very well and the RWD cars are always the enthusiasts choice. Nobody does both camps (AWD/RWD) as well as Porsche, but BMW's are focused on RWD, Audi's are all Quattro.

My best friend drives an S3 and I drive an M3. Audio makes great cars these days, but now with both Audi and BMW making high quality cars it's going to be "fun to drive" factor in combination with good 0-60 numbers that count the most. You aren't going to be as fun to drive with AWD, ever. There may be a day when there just isn't enough tire meat to lay down the horsepower, but were a long ways away from that.

The other thing about BMW v. Audio is AWD will ALWAYS be heavier than a RWD equivalent, even if the balance issue can be solved. This will keep Quattro behind the BMW curve for quite a while.

The M cars are a BLAST to drive, more fun than Audis. The RS4 is the only car that even gets on the "blast to drive" radar. BMW has a fleet of them and has for decades. (M3,M6,M5,MCpe,Z8 and several generations of them to boot).

What makes Audi fans so sure that this will change now that Audi FINALLY has a fun to drive car? The RS6 is a balsy car, but it's no M5 in the fun department, not even the last generation M5.

Last what about price? Audi doesn't give you bang/$. This RS6 is based at 69k and will be damned near 80k when it's equipped. The M3 won't cost anywhere near that much.

I think it's great, though, that Audi is raising the bar for BMW. This just means we'll see better BMWs.