Thursday 4th April 2013

Chris Harris video: RS4 vs tuned S4

Chris pits his new acquisition, post-remap, against Audi's latest RS4

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Someone called custard on the suggestion that my newly-acquired B8 Audi S4 would respond rather well to a software change by Revo Technik. This video should answer some of the questions raised by that person.

S4's proving enjoyable - but can it match an RS?

Although it sadly doesn’t contain any of Birds’ finest because it was actually filmed before the query was raised.

I hadn’t driven an RS4 on UK roads, and this seemed like a good opportunity to do so, and to then give the S4 a tough target to match for straight-line performance.

A week in the RS4 didn’t alter my feelings towards the car: it is still too obviously flawed in certain areas and yet so desirable in others. Having a weakness for small, fast estate cars, I just couldn’t stop looking at it – those flared arches and vast alloy wheels are a masterpiece and probably reason enough for many people to buy the car. It sounds glorious and this 7,000 mile example was much, much more flexible than the launch cars we drove last year.

RS4's combination of talents does appeal

The car is riven with inconsistencies though. The dynamic steering is disconcerting and none of the three damping options suits UK roads – especially the dynamic mode which makes the bodyshell creak over the worst surfaces.

Even so, the appeal of a V8 that revs to over 8,000rpm, 4WD for our shocking winters and one of the best dual-clutch transmissions, all wedged into that broad-hipped, compact estate body is probably too much for many people to resist. I might even be one of them.

If you want to know how a ratty S4 performs next to it, click here.

Enjoy the vid.

 

[brogenville]

Most attractive... For a lady.

[elephantstone]

Were both the bonnets lifting??

[devnull]

Well that's my future purchase sorted.

[P4ROT]

Brilliant as usual- Keep up the good work!

[tosh.brice]

Given all the negative comments on the RS4 as a driving machine, it would be interesting to have a more thorough comparison of on-the-road characteristics, rather than just a drag race between the two.

[longbow]

Very impressive video and results. I can't help but feel sorry for anyone who owns an RS4 after watching that........ And as far as I understand it you can fit a smaller supercharger pulley and get even more power from the V6 engine.

[Amirhussain]

Shame the B8 RS4 doesn't come as a saloon.

[Chicane-UK]

Another good vid Chris.

Out of curiosity was the software price of £1,200 including the Revo switching box thingy? I know that costs extra and isn't mandatory if you're happy just leaving the car on maximum attack all the time...

[Remagel2507]

Brilliant video once again Chris and its easy to see why manufacturers are going towards forced induction, can't wait to see what the tuners get out of the new Porsche TT V6

[anonymous-user]

That does rather suggest that the std S4 ecu never actually fully shuts the supercharger bypass valve. One wonders why Audi did not take the fuel economy benifit from downspeeding the charger in that case?

[rossi1]

We all know a remapped forced induction motor is going to make fun of larger NA powered motors.
Mapping is nothing new.
Revo recently mapped a pals edition 30 to near 400bhp!revo are Definently the guys to do this job at the moment.
The rs4 is a gorgeous motor. Don't think he was knocking the rs4 atall, I'm just not sure what this vid was trying to show apart from the obvious. Nice bit of dragging though.

[y2blade]

Another great video Chris.
Sooo much love for the S4

[Some Gump]

Disclaimer, i've not driven the b8 cars, but...

The difference between a b7 rs4 and the same era s4 is not really about straight line speed - the 2 cars are loght years apart dynamically, and despite what one would assume, straight line speed alone is not what makes the rs4 so compelling.

Imo, the b7 s4 is just a normal a4 with a big engine. The rs4 is in another league altogether.

[Pig benis]

Brilliant video. I am astonished at the difference between before and after the remap, incredible.

[jeffw]

Cough
MRC S4 B8
0-60 3.38
1/4 mile 11.828

Video of it beating the Revo/Stasis car

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAYFcSPQnCc

Edited by jeffw on Wednesday 3rd April 22:17

[Pique]

Question regarding insurance - obviously you are supposed to notify your insurer if you have a remap. But in the event that they should inspect your car, how can they actually tell if you have had a remap?

[Mr Whippy]

Remap doesn't make an S4 an RS4. Nice try though hehe.

Bit sad that people tune up these turbo engines, get excited about the drag race potential, and forget all the glorious noises and all over torque benefits of a big NA motor!

Dave

[405dogvan]

Pique said:

Question regarding insurance - obviously you are supposed to notify your insurer if you have a remap. But in the event that they should inspect your car, how can they actually tell if you have had a remap?

They get a man with a laptop to plugin and have a peek at the settings - so if you crash, make sure you total the ECU, ok?

On another note - £1200 for a software dongle is beyond daylight robbery. I assume, at that price, that there's some warranty and backup in the event that every goes Pete Tong?

In pure digital terms (e.g. overclocking a PC) - asking for 20% more is usually a fasttrack to ruin without other changes so in a complex mechanical thing like an engine, you have to wonder how long it will tolerate the work being requested?

In the event something goes pop - I'd want some backup for my £1200 frankly. If, for no other reason, than I know a man who can see what that thing does and replicate it in other cars for about £250

Edited by 405dogvan on Wednesday 3rd April 21:05

[Shephda1]

Being a non-tuner and the most disappointed owner of a B7 RS4 Avant (over £30k of Audi's money has been spent on over 20 warranty claims), does this level of tuning bring reliability issues?

Having said that, has anyone tried a supercharger on the B7 RS4?!

And finally, in this day and age, what happens to the fuel economy?!

[schmalex]

Some Gump said:

Disclaimer, i've not driven the b8 cars,

Imo, the b7 s4 is just a normal a4 with a big engine. The rs4 is in another league altogether.

I couldn't agree more.

My B7 S4 cab is a pile of ste.

Slow for what it is, thirsty, stodgy to drive, stty manual gearbox. The only redeeming feature is the sound. A real shame, as the B6 S4 Avant we had a few years ago was lovely.

TBH, the cab has pretty much put me off small Audi's for life.