Auto Bild test: Audi RS4 vs. BMW M3

[AndyBG]

It's in german, but take a look anyway...

http://www.autobild.de/test/neuwagen...rtikel_id=8950

...maybe some german member can translate some ''key points'' of this test?



:

[snark]

I gave it to Babel Fish to decode. The summation paragraph is pretty funny, even if I don't understand it:

Result of AUTOMOBILE test editor Ralf Kund whether grollender V8 or roar-roaring that six cylinder is matter of taste. Fascinating driving machines are both, approximately 10,000 euro difference in prices however not from pasteboard. For the RS4 its goose skin engine and the problem-free handling speak. Into the barriers point can it the M3 however only with the road performances.

Basically I think the article is saying "they're both great."

[eazy]

This was one of the first test of the RS4.

The conclusion:
If an glowering V8 or an roaring R6, its a matter of taste. Both are fascinating machines, but 10.000 Euro difference is quite much. The advantage of the RS4 is his goose-skin-engine (hope that's right ) and his trouble-free handling.
But the RS4 can the M3 only really beat with his driving-performance.

[gazzab]

I think the "goose skin", refers to the RS4 giving you goose bumps, the appearance of skin in the cold, in other words it is like spine tingling or an experience that awakes your senses.

Gazzab

[gazzab]

Here is page 1:

AUDI RS4 against BMW M3

Bass makes fun

AUDI goes new ways: With high speed principle and tail reading tiger kraftverteilung wants to offer the RS4 to the BMW M3 Paroli. A comparison.




New concept for the RS4
M3 with Competition package: merciless rapidly
The AUDI goes to sovereign through the curves
Result and technical data




Sometimes is not sufficient more achievement evenly. With that the Swabian Quattro GmbH places 344 HP strong S4 in Neckarsulm nominal a performance-related minimum superior M3-Gegner on the wheels. On the racing course and with the handling the tail-driven resident of Munich has however so far the nose in front. Principal reason: The heavy V8 and the frontlastig laid out all-wheel drive of the S4 provide for pronounced Untersteuern. Surely, but of ambitionierten drivers rather little estimated.

With the RS4 AUDI takes a new direction into two different regard: On the one hand, by publicising so far from the BMW daughter m-GmbH high speed principle adapts and with a FSI engineto the employment brings for the first time. On the other hand a modification of the gate differential ,which steers the allocation of force between front and rear axle, is to permit a agileres handling.


Kraftverteilung 40:60 is called here the magic formula: With optimal Grip fall now only 40 per cent of bulligen 420 HP over the front wheels ago, which become rear tire by 60 per cent traktiert. So much to the theory. But how the new RS4 really strikes itself against the BMW M3?

[gazzab]

Page 2:

If 343 Bavarian horse power meets on 420 swabia HP, first times one is guaranteed: each quantity fun. Because although the M3 must get along with 77 HP less, its row six cylinder hoarse crying in the upper speed range is again and again a benefit. Above all, if one "focuses" the characteristic of the accelerotor pedal by means of sport button, which the M3 with a short Ruckeln acknowledges; It converts accelerotor pedal instructions then merciless rapidly. Or if one orders equal the Competition package for 5300 euro, which beside brakes and steering element from the CSL and a sportier chassis tuning offer among other things also a Alcantara steering wheel, which is equipped with the m-TRACK-MODE-KEY. This switch shifts the DSC into a kind dawning condition and permits easy tail movements. It is however not deactivated.

Also the RS4 offers a such fun button at the steering wheel, which changes likewise not only the accelerotor pedal characteristic now toward "times in Ernst", but at the same time also still seat-back lumbar region and seat face sides with air fills, until one is really perfectly laterally supported. Nearly as with full bowl seats.

Started over the activate button right beside the hand brake handle, the RS4 throws itself acoustically already with idling speed impressively into the chest: With dull/musty Fauchen the gasoline direct A splash awakes and wakes desire on more. Also it hangs unbelievably directly on the gas, winds up evenly and with impressively dull/musty V8-Sound up to the maximum number of revolutions of 8250 revolutions per minute.

[gazzab]

Page 3:

With the road performances the contractors lie together more near, than one would assume it: In 4.8 seconds the RS4 reaches the 100-km/h-Marke, the M3 takes itself four tenths longer time. With 250 km/h both are in-braked electronically. If one refrains from the fact that the M3 does not crack the five-second mark magic for sedans, offers both road performances at the border to the rage and an impressive noise window blind.

If one moves in the frontier on the racing course, the differences of two philosophies become clear. By the 40:60-Kraftverteilung the RS4 with smaller Untersteuern than for instance a S4 into the curve and reacts with load change with the easy pivoting of the tail can being thrown. To violent overriding one does not bring the AUDI however. As soon as again a gas impact follows the provoked load change, the cart-load pulls itself again straight and develops even on wet roadway strongly Grip.


The M3 wants to be handled somewhat more sensitive against it. It is immune to load changes with to early and to vigorous gas employment, but particularly in the biting sport mode it overrides violently and permits each desired driftwinkel. That looks spectacular, brings however not really better round times. And reminds off locked round courses to well-conceived handling the accelerotor pedal.

[gazzab]

Final page:

As posted by easy

Gazzab

[snark]

So you guys used a language translation tool, too, right? javascript:smilie('')

[AndyBG]

Great job guys, you ''de-coded'' it to all of us!