SCANS AutoBild Sportscars - Audi S4 vs. BMW 335i, Mercedes C350 & Volkswagen CC 3.6

^ In defence the BMW has a brilliant automatic with an extra ratio over the Audi and it's the Sports version with a stiffened up chassis over the vanilla 335i. But I agree the BMW has shown itself to be exceedingly good and I'm sure the M/Sport will be the best of the bunch though it's hard to see how it's chassis tweaks will find the time difference to better the S4.

Actually DSG and AWD is the ideal recipe for efficiency and is probably one of the reasons why the S4 has done so well against the most update BMW on the market.

Dont you guys know how to read

From the firstpage - "With the most powerful engine and the quickest gearbox it is the fastest on the straightline and at the track, too."

^Power to weight is less than the 335i.

Till now the S4 has always been on top (below the M3). That is why BMW needs a M335i.

I like to know how much power does the S4 put at the wheels.

There has been reports of the S4 matching its official output at the wheels but I think I recall the E9? 335i match this figure at the wheels. I just wished we could see at one of GTBoard's events a pairing of these two (in stock form of course) to see how non press cars perform.

The N54 335i probably but the Twinscroll Turbo N55 doubtfully. 333hp at the wheels with AWD put about 400 at crank.

In theory yes but I've also seen writeups which suggest 360hp at the crank, still more than official but I'm sure similar to an N55. For me the beauty of Audi's engine is its smooth delivery right till the limiter kicks in.

You can see dynos of the N55 and it puts about 275/280hp at the wheels. Consistent with factory rating. Very far from the 333hp at the wheels of the S4 you mentioned.

S4 is quicker thanks to engine power, torque, DSG and traction. You guys make it sound like S4 is quicker thanks to only the engine. There is a reason why M3/M5 comes with DCT and not a traditional automatic gearbox and other extra goodies you dont find in a normal BMW. One word: Efficiency

I think I recall a few N55 posting 295hp at the wheels which was in line with a few S4s posting similar results, I only recall one time someone claiming an S4 capable of 330hp at the wheel but if you know of others then please share. Regardless you seem to be forgetting that on average the S4 weighs a whopping 150-180kg more and has an AWD system which can't possibly be as efficient.

I can't only guess other factors are at play here, possibly a better power or torque curve that's broader too, maybe the auto in the 335i slurs the gears to remain silky smooth that briefly slows it's acceleration which isn't present with DSG. One thing is clear that the switch from E90 to F30 hasn't change the gap that much at 200km/h between them and the S4.

The S4 is currently the best thing this side of an RS5 or M3.

I just did a quick search of N55 dyno and that's what came up, the average is 280whp. I don't know any more S4 posting 333whp, I was trusting your info. If the S4 has a 40/50hp advantage and better gear ratio with DSG, it outpaces the 335i.

We have to wait so that BMW puts a more powerful 6 cylinder. And Mercedes too.

I would like to know who voted for the Benz, and tell us why they picked it over the S4 and 335.

I mean, its a beautiful car, but the engine is a disapointment.

It is an open poll, click on the vote numbers to see who voted.

I voted for the Benz..cuz IMO with the AMG pack it looks best in segment.

How did you arrive at 400 at the crank?

20% parisitic loss