Ford to invest $5 billion in Lincoln

[SJ_GTI]

Hmm. My first thought is he should mod it. A $500 reflash will put his S4 in RS4 speed territory. New suspension and brakes will work too.

On the other hand... S3? M3?

S3 would be a downgrade, M3 is significantly more money. Comparable money would mean 335(x)i. Main downside IMHO is that he would be giving up a DSG for a more conventional automatic, and the engine isn't much more powerful (on paper it is less powerful, but I think in reality the two are very close).

[FoMoJo]

You know, my brother is having a hard time thinking of what to replace his S4 with now, because it feels like the market players haven't really moved forward. 

[12,000 RPM]

S3 would be a downgrade, M3 is significantly more money. Comparable money would mean 335(x)i. Main downside IMHO is that he would be giving up a DSG for a more conventional automatic, and the engine isn't much more powerful (on paper it is less powerful, but I think in reality the two are very close).

The ZF 8AT is pretty good though. Would it really be that much of a downgrade? I'm pretty sure the S4 and 335i are neck and neck performance wise. Keep in mind the 335i is as fast as an E39 M5 with the 8AT.

[SJ_GTI]

The ZF 8AT is pretty good though. Would it really be that much of a downgrade? I'm pretty sure the S4 and 335i are neck and neck performance wise. Keep in mind the 335i is as fast as an E39 M5 with the 8AT.

No, but not an upgrade IMHO. Taking a wild guess, if he preferred his S4 to the 335xi at the time he bought his car, he would still probably prefer his S4 to the current 335xi. JMHO of course, I haven't actually driven a 3 series in 4-5 years.

[12,000 RPM]

I mean u cant upgrade ad infinitum.... S4/335xi are great cars