Got my new C&D today. S4 beats the BMW 335i in a comparo.
Audi trumps it in real world handling, acceleration, grip. They said the BMW is "aging and ready for a reboot".
Oh noez BMW! They
never lose C&D tests. Hell, just six months ago, C&D declared a steel-wheeled, automatic-transmissioned 323i a winner in a comparison test with Thor's lightning-catapulting schlong. What happened?!
In all seriousness, it seems that C&D's test wasn't a total anomaly.
Inside Line: S4 beats 335iTheir main criticism of the S4 was a higher as-tested price (US$59,000 versus US$49,000). However, the tested models weren't equally equipped (the tested Bimmer needed the following to be similarly equipped to the tested Audi: a $2,000 AWD system, a $2,100 nav system, and a $875 premium audio system), so the actual price gap for similarly-equipped cars is $5,000, not $10,000.
On the other hand, they liked the Audi's engine better, found the Audi more confidence-inspiring in spirited driving on the street, thought that the Audi's suspension was better than the Bimmer's (there's a first), and found the Audi's back seat much more accommodating.
Nice showing Audi!