Audi S1 vs BMW 4 Series
What's the difference?

Audi S1

—

2015 price

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BMW 4 Series

$39,888 - $89,990

2022 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2015 Audi S1

2022 BMW 4 Series

By Peter Anderson

By James Cleary

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Turbo 6, 3.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

7.1L/100km (combined)

7.8L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Sensational engine
Quattro drivetrain
Great chassis

Dynamic performance
Value
Quality

Dislikes

Price
The interior is a bit dull
Stiff ride

Slender door handles
Low roof for ingress/egress
Overly keen 'Lane Departure Warning'

2015 Audi S1 Summary

Spoilt. That's what we are. If you're in the market for a hot hatch, you can have your pick of German-built and French ones from as little as $27,000. There isn't a dud among them now that the VW Polo GTI has had a bit of an update and you can pick and choose your style. Audi's S1 is aiming to be king of the kids with its stiffly-priced S1.

Set the finances aside and consider for a moment what's on offer. As it turns out, a lot.

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2022 BMW 4 Series Summary

Without a whole lot of fanfare BMW has slipped yet another model into its Australian line-up.

Sitting alongside existing coupe and convertible variants, the new 4 Series Gran Coupe follows the template established by the previous gen version.

A sports luxury four-door with a sleek, fastback twist, it provides a more adventurous alternative to its close 3 Series cousin.

Offered in three grades, this is the M440i xDrive, the 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, all-wheel drive 4 Series Gran Coupe flagship.

It competes with premium all-wheel drive four-doors like Audi’s S5 Sportback, the Jaguar XF P300 R-Dynamic HSE, and the Mercedes-AMG C 43.

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Deep dive comparison

2015 Audi S1 2022 BMW 4 Series

Verdict

Cars this small shouldn't be this fast and useable at the same time, but the Audi S1 is. It isn't without its problems - the ride is harder even than the Fiesta ST which might weary some prospective buyers.

It's also a bit difficult to justify the price - in its basic form it's missing a few creature comforts that you'd expect in a $50,000 car - reversing camera, high-res screen, that sort of thing.

However, in the hot hatch world, those things don't matter. It has the bragging rights, the tech and the outright blinding speed to take on the bonkers Focus ST and equally zany Megane RS. And even the Audi S3.

Verdict

The BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe manages to combine sleek design with a fun-to-drive personality and surprising practicality. It’s a rapid premium, four-door, five-seater offering extra flair, and in this part of the market, good value. But more than anything else it’s got a cracking in-line six under the bonnet.

Audi S1 vs BMW 4 Series What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi S1 vs BMW 4 Series
What's the difference?