max95se

Hi. I'm trying to decide which car
to get. I'd like to find out if you were
given a choice which would you get.

1. 95-99 BMW M3 5sp
2. Audi S4 6sp
3. 2002 Maxima 6sp


I know the prices vary but as far as performance
which one would be it? thanks.

Asian_N02

get the M3...

thebigsadler

iTrader: (4)

they are all different.. M3 is probably the fastest of the 3.. S4 is the most luxurious.. and the 2k2 max isnt bad..

i would choose the S4.. twin turbo V6 with a chip that adds 100 HPs..

Bags

iTrader: (3)

M3 all the way

DA-MAX

iTrader: (10)

s4 all the way....250hp and 258tq hitting at 1800rpm, plus with most of those turbo Audis, you add a chip and you're crazy times at the track!!! the interior(dash setup) is kinda boring to me, but seems like a nice ride! next would be the M3 and lastly the 2k2 Max.

Weasel

iTrader: (2)

If you can afford the upkeep on the M3, definitely get that. It's going to be a lot more expensive to keep than the others though.

LucentAUTO

i would say the s4 since it has luxury, speed everyone all in one for around mid to high 3's preowned.

last gen m3 is kinda boxy looking but great engine, great interior.
2k2 max, in the end u are still driving a japanese nissan maxima.

Raf2kMax

iTrader: (2)

as much as i love maximas
id get the m3

for sHo

If M3 is on the list then you shouldn't even think twice about the others. Unless ofcourse you're a family man who needs a roomy sedan like the maxima and doesn't mind the extra power that it has to offer.

Aaron92SE

iTrader: (128)

A new S4 is really expensive. Have you looked into a new 4 cylinder A4 Turbo? Audi makes a chip that will soup up the Turbo and it will give it another 40 HP. That will make it outrun an S4 easy. I drag raced a brand new S4 and it ran a 14.90. With the chip, the A4 4 Cylinder A4 can run mid/high 14's. And it only costs low 30,000's. Look into it. It's really nice. The V6 A4's are pretty expensive and are faster "stock for stock" but the A4 4 cyl Turbo will be faster with the Audi chip ($400?). Look into it....you'll like it.

emax02

iTrader: (1)

I just had a simalar descission to make. The S4 was a few more grand then I wanted to spend and the M3 was to old. The new 6spd max is just about everything I wanted in a car so I bought one.

Mr. Nismo

iTrader: (36)

WOW!! So much for owning a Maxima. 2002 6 speed Maxima is the way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!! Performance wise the M3 and S4 are better but I'll take my chances with the 02 6 speed ANY day.

DA-MAX

iTrader: (10)

yeah, but just looking at some good alternatives, personally my 3rd gen is the last Max I'll own, the 4th and 5th gens(2k2 included) just don't spark enough interest in me(especially the looks dept.) when there are many equally quick and better looking cars out for the same or slightly higher price!

Mr. Nismo

iTrader: (36)

You have a good point DA-MAX! But Nissan is making a comeback like never before. LINE UP: Sentra SE-R, 6 speed Maxima, Altima with a 3.5 liter, SuperCharged Xterra and Frontier, G35 for Infiniti. Just wait until the new Z is realeazed!!! Performance and handling like the Porsche BoxsterS for about $15k less. Ah, and NISMO will be here next year!!

black019

s4. no ifs ands or buts about it.

teejnut

iTrader: (8)

s4 or m3 over max any day

Confused

iTrader: (4)

02 Max and with the money you save you can mod it to pound those overpriced status symbols into the ground...

RICOiz704

Man if you can honestly afford the maintanence of a M3 or A s4 I would go with a S4 personally...maxes are cool but sometimes u just have to grow

I like m3's too..but im all over a platinum S4

1MAX2NV

iTrader: (5)

2002 Maxima will be the my second choice.
M3 will be the last.

Str8ridin

M3 all the way baby....
but note that the 97-99 has more power (.2 more liters) and faster than the 95 & 96.

Albertt

nm

max7

I vote for the S4 I test drove that car, it is sweet and fast. Great handling and if you buy the chip you will have 330 hp. They are also working on a stage three for the S4 which might be close to 500hp, you can't produce that kind of power on the max. BMW maybe, but it's harder to do on an N/A engine. Get the turbo S4!

Lordrandall

iTrader: (4)

I'd grab a M3 4-door or S4 first.

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

what are you guys.. retarded you never ever ever ever ever.. ever ever.. ever ever.. pick an NA car over a Turbo car.. can you imagine..

the mods per hp is phenominal.. you change the y pipe on a maxima you probably see 10 hp.. you change the y pipe on a turbo car.. my god.. you are looking at 20 - 30 hp.. and the list goes on..

S4 all the way baby.. don't look back..

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

A4 is way too expensive for the performance it gives in stock form..

SuDZ

How much does a chip for the audi go for anyhow? I vote the Audi though I mean you chip it and do some exhaust work and your in. I mean like it was said they are working there way up to 500HP. I would love that, go for it.

How do you install a chip anyhow? Is it ECU Based? Why is it that the Maxima cannot get performance chips like this and other cars?

SuDZ

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

the chip is a little 1"x.5" rom update that is placed on the stock ECU.. the stock ECU is located on the driver side in the engine bay towards the firewall.. the chip can be programed via laptop for different stages which increases the boost on the turbo allowing different performance numbers..

the chip due to your stock ECU being tampered with will void your warranty from the dealership.. some dealerships seal the ecu case so they will be aware of tampering.. while others don't and if thats the case then its by luck of the draw if you want to chip or not...

the reason a performance chip on a maxima will not be as great on an S4 is because the chip on the S4 and A4's .. Passats.. Golf's... jetta's whatever.. actually increases the boost .. so the turbo is running at higher boost.. its just like supra guys buy boost controllers so they can turn up the boost.. Maxima is an NA engine so you can't see that improvement like a turbo car

2ndMAX

As soon as I saw the thread starters post I thought Audi S4 all the way. Are you guys nuts or something??? Think about it, for the money you get a stock car that performs within fractions of the M3's performance and its newer. Not to mention that AWD is AWD. Sprint touched on a really good point. The S4 comes stock with turbo plumbing and accessories. Its very easy to coax extra horsepower from this motor than any other in this comparison. And when its all said and done I'd really like to see the Maxima or BMW match the S4's 60' time. Could you imagine?!?! AWD!

Hey plus I'm sure Audi's 6 speed manual will be more fun to drive than Nissan's. I'd say jet black S4 or if you have a little flash in you go with the silver.

Cutler

iTrader: (3)

BUY THE S4, Drove one and loved it, AWD rules!!!

(Crowd chanting) Buy the S4!!!



Good luck!

max7

I would personaly go with the blue s4 and than get the chip. The chip is anywhere from 300-500 bucks. Hey buy the s4 it's the last year for the tt. The 2003 will be a NA V8.

Maxima-Ness

M3

got rice?

iTrader: (2)

I prefer a good handling vehicle, so my choice would be the M3 since it owns the S4 and Maxima in that category

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

i wouldn't take advice from a miata owner

S4

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

you know, doug has an S4.......you two sure have similar tastes.

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

you know jambo has an S4 and a 97 Maxima.. doug owned an 97 Maxima and now owns an S4... those two have even more simular tastes

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

eerie, isn't it?

straight six

.......sorry that was OT, get the S4.

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

very..

VeeQueue

iTrader: (1)

i'd take the e36 m3. it has it all: great handling. steering. oversized brakes. perfectly balanced motor. and though its older than the other models the body structure is stiffer (subjective, but its pretty obvious). plus, most importantly, the cachet of the "M".

GTRBlkMax97

iTrader: (1)

I would get the S4 because it's AWD, and not just AWD but Audi AWD, you could burn the M3 in the rain not matter if you have a chip or not, plus you get two turbos, which with a little work could have A$$loads of HP