Audi A4 vs BMW M3
What's the difference?

Audi A4

$28,850 - $47,950

2021 price

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BMW M3

$124,800 - $179,990

2023 price

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Maserati Quattroporte

Mazda 6

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A35

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C43

Mercedes-Benz C63

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E53

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Summary

2021 Audi A4

2023 BMW M3

By Marcus Craft

By Andrew Chesterton

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Diesel Turbo, 2.0L

Turbo 6, 3.0L

Fuel Type

Diesel

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

5.2L/100km (combined)

10.4L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Nice to drive
Looks good
Impressive interior

Brutal acceleration
Surprisingly compliant in the city
Boot space for days

Dislikes

Space-saver tyre
Short warranty
Paying extra for driver-assist tech

Carbon pack a little (a lot) silly
Thirsty as all get out
Design a little polarising (though I like it)

2021 Audi A4 Summary

The Audi A4 allroad is the off-roader of the A4 line-up. I’m using the term ‘off-roader’ loosely here because this wagon is obviously best suited to daily duties in a city and suburbs, with perhaps an occasional foray into very light off-roading, i.e. driving on a well-maintained gravel or dirt road with few, if any, corrugations, and in dry weather only.

But that’s not a negative factor because the great thing about adventures is that they can be scaled to suit you, your lifestyle and your vehicle of choice.

However, is this allroad your best option for a comfortable, nice-driving all-rounder? Read on.

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2023 BMW M3 Summary

There’s no point waxing too lyrical here, because the facts surrounding the M3 Touring are more than exciting enough.

It’s a (kind of) family friendly wagon with oodles of space and practicality. It’s also an unhinged performance weapon with a thumping 3.0-litre twin-turbo-petrol inline six-cylinder engine.

And it has been years — decades, even — in the making. So, has it been worth the wait? Let’s strap in and find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Audi A4 2023 BMW M3

Verdict

The Audi A4 allroad 40 TDI quattro S Tronic is a nice-looking wagon that’s fun to drive.

It’s packed with tech, adequately functional for daily life and it’s also capable enough off-road as long as the driving surface is nothing more challenging than well-maintained gravel or dirt tracks in dry weather, and you’re not planning a rough-and-tumble expedition into remote bushland.

As I mentioned earlier, the great thing about adventures is that you can scale them to suit you and your vehicle and the allroad offers a nice stepping-stone for people who’d like to experience the outdoorsy lifestyle, before perhaps diving deeper into it.

Verdict

Long live the mighty wagon. The BMW M3 Touring is treat to look at, and an even bigger treat to drive.

If you want one, act fast. We waited a long time for a wagon-shaped M3, and with electrification increasing in the automotive industry, this will likely be your last chance.

Audi A4 vs BMW M3 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi A4 vs BMW M3
What's the difference?