Compare the2023 BMW 4 Series Gran CoupeVS 2023 Audi S3

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the S3’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 4 Series Gran Coupe has standard Cross Traffic Warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Audi charges extra for rear cross-path warning on the S3.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The S3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 4 Series Gran Coupe and the S3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4 Series Gran Coupe for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the S3.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4 Series Gran Coupe third among compact premium cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The S3 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 74 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 6th.

The M440i Gran Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 76 more horsepower (382 vs. 306) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (368 vs. 295) than the S3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the 4 Series Gran Coupe gets better mileage than the S3:

Regenerative brakes improve the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The S3 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the S3 (15.6 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the S3.

For better stopping power the 440i Gran Coupe xDrive’s brake rotors are larger than those on the S3:

For better traction, the 4 Series Gran Coupe has larger standard tires than the S3 (245/45R18 vs. 225/40R18). The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S3 (F:245/40R19 & R:255/40R19 vs. 235/35R19).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s wheelbase is 8.8 inches longer than on the S3 (112.4 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 4 Series Gran Coupe is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 3.7 inches wider in the rear than on the S3.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 4 Series Gran Coupe a Compact car, while the S3 is rated a Subcompact.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has 5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S3 (91 vs. 86).

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has 1.8 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the S3.

The engine in the 4 Series Gran Coupe is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the S3. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 1% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

Laser headlights, optional on the 4 Series Gran Coupe, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the S3’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

The S3’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the 4 Series Gran Coupe keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The S3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The S3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe M440i’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The S3’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The BMW 4 Series comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Audi S3 isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the 4 Series Gran Coupe owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 4 Series Gran Coupe will cost $830 less than the S3 over a five-year period.

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by almost four to one during 2022.