Comparison of RS4 and New S4 Avant
Discussion
Hi everybody, this is my first post on this forum.
I have what may seem a daft question, but will ask it anyway ....
How would you compare a 2-3 year old RS4 with a new S4?
I am asking because, after a couple of years without a fun car, I am seriously considering getting something that would be both practical, for everyday use (including dog in the back, hence an Avant) and good for occasional nice drives. And it strikes me that the price of a reasonable RS4 of this age is not a million miles from the cost (with some discount) of a new S4. I do appreciate that the engines are not exactly the same, of course (!!).
Two things I'm particularly interested to get opinions on are how the suspension compares (when I test drove an RS4 three years ago, I thought the suspension was great, far better than other Audis I've been in) and whether there are any significant safety improvements in the new A4/S4 (given that I would sometimes be travelling with my family).
Many thanks in advance for any thoughts ....
I have what may seem a daft question, but will ask it anyway ....
How would you compare a 2-3 year old RS4 with a new S4?
I am asking because, after a couple of years without a fun car, I am seriously considering getting something that would be both practical, for everyday use (including dog in the back, hence an Avant) and good for occasional nice drives. And it strikes me that the price of a reasonable RS4 of this age is not a million miles from the cost (with some discount) of a new S4. I do appreciate that the engines are not exactly the same, of course (!!).
Two things I'm particularly interested to get opinions on are how the suspension compares (when I test drove an RS4 three years ago, I thought the suspension was great, far better than other Audis I've been in) and whether there are any significant safety improvements in the new A4/S4 (given that I would sometimes be travelling with my family).
Many thanks in advance for any thoughts ....
Chalk and cheese.
New S4 is V6 supercharge, very liner torque curve (makes it feel a lot less fast than it actually) nothing like the RS4 at all in anyway.
Pretty good car as it is, but nothing like the performance/driving experience of the RS4. S4 Suspension is completely different to RS4's, S4's very similar to normal A4. The one I drove had adaptive damping (might be standard not sure) to make it a bit firmer when you press the relevant button.
Also mine had 7 speed DSG gearbox, so many gears, all to high, numbed the engines performance even more. Compared with to usual A4 S lines, very nice car indeed, But going up against an RS4 just a bit disappointing and nothing like as exiting in any way.
Sorry if thats a downer, but its true.
RS4 acceleration http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbgPl0RbgX8&fea...
New S4 acceleration http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyZZIYQRLb0&fea...
New S4 is V6 supercharge, very liner torque curve (makes it feel a lot less fast than it actually) nothing like the RS4 at all in anyway.
Pretty good car as it is, but nothing like the performance/driving experience of the RS4. S4 Suspension is completely different to RS4's, S4's very similar to normal A4. The one I drove had adaptive damping (might be standard not sure) to make it a bit firmer when you press the relevant button.
Also mine had 7 speed DSG gearbox, so many gears, all to high, numbed the engines performance even more. Compared with to usual A4 S lines, very nice car indeed, But going up against an RS4 just a bit disappointing and nothing like as exiting in any way.
Sorry if thats a downer, but its true.
RS4 acceleration http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbgPl0RbgX8&fea...
New S4 acceleration http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyZZIYQRLb0&fea...
Try and think of the S4 as a very fast A4 - fundamentally designed to be a saloon car.
RS4 is an entirely different and altogether more focused piece of kit that conveniently enough is as practical as an A4.
If you're considering an RS4 forget the S4 altogether; buy one and you'll always be thinking 'what if'.
RS4 is an entirely different and altogether more focused piece of kit that conveniently enough is as practical as an A4.
If you're considering an RS4 forget the S4 altogether; buy one and you'll always be thinking 'what if'.
Vereina said:
Hi everybody, this is my first post on this forum.
I have what may seem a daft question, but will ask it anyway ....
How would you compare a 2-3 year old RS4 with a new S4?
I am asking because, after a couple of years without a fun car, I am seriously considering getting something that would be both practical, for everyday use (including dog in the back, hence an Avant) and good for occasional nice drives. And it strikes me that the price of a reasonable RS4 of this age is not a million miles from the cost (with some discount) of a new S4. I do appreciate that the engines are not exactly the same, of course (!!).
Two things I'm particularly interested to get opinions on are how the suspension compares (when I test drove an RS4 three years ago, I thought the suspension was great, far better than other Audis I've been in) and whether there are any significant safety improvements in the new A4/S4 (given that I would sometimes be travelling with my family).
Many thanks in advance for any thoughts ....
Hi.I have what may seem a daft question, but will ask it anyway ....
How would you compare a 2-3 year old RS4 with a new S4?
I am asking because, after a couple of years without a fun car, I am seriously considering getting something that would be both practical, for everyday use (including dog in the back, hence an Avant) and good for occasional nice drives. And it strikes me that the price of a reasonable RS4 of this age is not a million miles from the cost (with some discount) of a new S4. I do appreciate that the engines are not exactly the same, of course (!!).
Two things I'm particularly interested to get opinions on are how the suspension compares (when I test drove an RS4 three years ago, I thought the suspension was great, far better than other Audis I've been in) and whether there are any significant safety improvements in the new A4/S4 (given that I would sometimes be travelling with my family).
Many thanks in advance for any thoughts ....
I had 16 shock absorbers replaced under warranty in 3 months of ownership. My RS4 returned 29-31mpg so that goes some way to show how I treated it. The diesel like smoke from the exhaust of my 11k miler was embarrassing.
For an easy life I'd choose the S4.
I reckon the new S4 is one of the best modern cars Audi has built, I would seriously consider it over an RS4, but they are very different.
Once gets you from A-B with no dramas, all very quick but in comfort and without any fuss, the other turns you into a bit of a hooligan, it urges you to press that little bit harder.
You also have the 335i Sport Touring, sort of somwhere in between, a little more edgy because its RWD, and a little bit quicker because it feels slightly better balanced, but the S4 feels more planted, so really depends what you are looking for.
If you are buying a manual I would look at the RS4, personally with it being an Audi I would go with a DSG S4, you expect it to be a comfy motorway mile muncher and that is what it is, you get what you're expecting.
Once gets you from A-B with no dramas, all very quick but in comfort and without any fuss, the other turns you into a bit of a hooligan, it urges you to press that little bit harder.
You also have the 335i Sport Touring, sort of somwhere in between, a little more edgy because its RWD, and a little bit quicker because it feels slightly better balanced, but the S4 feels more planted, so really depends what you are looking for.
If you are buying a manual I would look at the RS4, personally with it being an Audi I would go with a DSG S4, you expect it to be a comfy motorway mile muncher and that is what it is, you get what you're expecting.
Many thank for all of the replies; much appreciated.
And this has really helped. I was already considering an RS4, but am now increasingly convinced that - for what I want - it would be the better choice.
I've got a few (RS4-specific) questions, but will start another thread for that ....
Thanks again!
And this has really helped. I was already considering an RS4, but am now increasingly convinced that - for what I want - it would be the better choice.
I've got a few (RS4-specific) questions, but will start another thread for that ....
Thanks again!
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