Quote:
Originally Posted by TiMSport
As an owner of different Audi S models over the years, I can say that they are not comparable to BMW M-sport variants. S cars are not simply body kits and badges, they have larger, more powerful engines compared to their base series siblings. The difference between an A4 and S4 is quite a bit. In that respect the comparison would in fact be similar to a G20 330i and an M340i. As such, an RS model would in fact be comparable to a true M model generally speaking.
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Yep you're 100% correct.
A4 = 320i/330i (or other various engines)
S4 = M340i
RS4 = M3
The Audi S-Line and BMW MSport trims to the smaller engined cars are just an appearance package.
I think the issue for BMW was that a few generations ago the 335i sounded like it was in the line with the 320i, 328i and didn't compete against the S4 as it didn't have a different naming scheme. Hence putting the M in front of the M340i, M550i, etc. But as we've all discussed in the last 6 or so posts the fact that M340i and M3 are quite close in name confuses people whereas RS, S, A don't confuse people as much.
Maybe 340iS would have been a good name as there was both E30 iS and E90 320Si and probably a few other models