Audi S4 B5 or BMW M3 E36?

1997–2001 vs 1992–1999 · Sedan/Wagon vs Coupe/Sedan/Convertible

In short

Length: S4 B5 4,486 mm, M3 E36 4,433 mm — a 5 cm difference.
Boot: S4 B5 455 l, M3 E36 435 l.
Lowest consumption: S4 B5 11.7 l/100 km, M3 E36 9.1 l/100 km.
Power: S4 B5 195 kW, M3 E36 179–236 kW.
Standard equipment: S4 B5 31 items (Basis), M3 E36 19 items (Standard).
Neither is listed on Autodrom right now.

Audi S4 B51997–2001 · 4 engines · Basis, Leder Recaro, Nogaro Selection, ExclusiveSpecifications →Listings →

BMW M3 E361992–1999 · 9 engines · Standard, Individual, GT, EvolutionSpecifications →Listings →

Only differences

better value

	Audi S4 B51997–2001no listings	BMW M3 E361992–1999no listings
Dimensions
Length	Length4,479 mm–4,486 mm	Length4,433 mm
Width	Width1,733 mm	Width1,710 mm
Height	Height1,396 mm–1,430 mm	Height1,335 mm–1,366 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase2,606 mm–2,617 mm	Wheelbase2,700 mm
Ground clearance	Ground clearance110 mm	Ground clearance115 mm–120 mm
Trunk volume	Trunk volume390 l–455 l	Trunk volume300 l–435 l
Curb weight	Curb weight1,510 kg–1,735 kg	Curb weight1,460 kg–1,635 kg
Fuel tank	Fuel tank62 l	Fuel tank62 l–65 l
Engines
Production years	Production years1997–2001	Production years1992–1999
Body type	Body typeSedan, Wagon	Body typeCoupe, Sedan, Convertible
Number of engines	Number of engines4	Number of engines9
Power	Power195 kW (265 hp)	Power179–236 kW (243–321 hp)
Displacement (l)	Displacement (l)2.7	Displacement (l)3.0–3.2
Fuel	FuelPetrol	FuelPetrol
Gearbox	GearboxManual, Automatic	GearboxManual, Automatic
Drivetrain	DrivetrainAll-wheel (4x4)	DrivetrainRear-wheel
Lowest consumption	Lowest consumption11.7 l/100 km · 2.7 Biturbo	Lowest consumption9.1 l/100 km · 3.0 GT
Best 0–100 km/h	Best 0–100 km/h5.6 s · 2.7 Biturbo	Best 0–100 km/h5.5 s · 3.2
Top speed	Top speed250 km/h	Top speed250 km/h
Trim levelsBasis · Standard
Items in the base trim	Items in the base trim31 · Basis	Items in the base trim19 · Standard
Items in the top trim	Items in the top trim34 · Leder Recaro	Items in the top trim26 · Individual
Equipment · Comfort6 · 5
Air Conditioning	Air Conditioning—	Air Conditioning✓
Climate Control, 1-zone	Climate Control, 1-zone✓	Climate Control, 1-zone—
Front Power Windows	Front Power Windows✓	Front Power Windows✓
Rear Power Windows	Rear Power Windows✓	Rear Power Windows—
Power Steering	Power Steering✓	Power Steering✓
Power-adjustable mirrors	Power-adjustable mirrors✓	Power-adjustable mirrors✓
Sport suspension	Sport suspension✓	Sport suspension✓
Equipment · Interior7 · 4
Fabric	Fabric✓	Fabric✓
Sport Seats	Sport Seats✓	Sport Seats✓
Leather Steering Wheel	Leather Steering Wheel✓	Leather Steering Wheel✓
Leather Gear Knob	Leather Gear Knob✓	Leather Gear Knob—
Rear Armrest	Rear Armrest✓	Rear Armrest—
Folding Rear Seat	Folding Rear Seat✓	Folding Rear Seat—
Front centre armrest	Front centre armrest✓	Front centre armrest✓
Equipment · Multimedia2 · 0
Audio System	Audio System✓	Audio System—
12V Socket	12V Socket✓	12V Socket—
Equipment · Visibility & lights4 · 1
Xenon/Bi-xenon Headlights	Xenon/Bi-xenon Headlights✓	Xenon/Bi-xenon Headlights—
Heated Side Mirrors	Heated Side Mirrors✓	Heated Side Mirrors—
Fog Lights	Fog Lights✓	Fog Lights✓
Headlight Washers	Headlight Washers✓	Headlight Washers—
Equipment · Safety6 · 3
Driver's Airbag	Driver's Airbag✓	Driver's Airbag✓
Front Passenger Airbag	Front Passenger Airbag✓	Front Passenger Airbag✓
Front Side Airbags	Front Side Airbags✓	Front Side Airbags—
Traction Control	Traction Control✓	Traction Control—
ABS	ABS✓	ABS✓
Electronic Stability Control (ESP)	Electronic Stability Control (ESP)✓	Electronic Stability Control (ESP)—
Equipment · Anti-theft3 · 2
Alarm	Alarm✓	Alarm—
Central Locking	Central Locking✓	Central Locking✓
Immobilizer	Immobilizer✓	Immobilizer✓
Equipment · Exterior3 · 4
Alloy Wheels	Alloy Wheels✓	Alloy Wheels✓
R17 Wheels	R17 Wheels✓	R17 Wheels✓
Metallic Paint	Metallic Paint—	Metallic Paint✓
Full-size spare wheel	Full-size spare wheel✓	Full-size spare wheel—
Compact spare wheel	Compact spare wheel—	Compact spare wheel✓
On Autodrom now
Listings	Listings0	Listings0

Frequently asked questions

Which is bigger — Audi S4 B5 or BMW M3 E36?

Length: Audi S4 B5 4,486 mm, BMW M3 E36 4,433 mm (a 53 mm difference). Wheelbase: 2,617 vs 2,700 mm. Boot: 455 vs 435 l.

Which uses less fuel — Audi S4 B5 or BMW M3 E36?

The most frugal Audi S4 B5 uses 11.7 l/100 km (2.7 Biturbo); the most frugal BMW M3 E36 9.1 l/100 km (3.0 GT).

Which is more powerful — Audi S4 B5 or BMW M3 E36?

The strongest Audi S4 B5 makes 195 kW (265 hp) (2.7 Biturbo); the strongest BMW M3 E36 236 kW (321 hp) (3.2).

Other comparisons

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