S4 vs. RS4 : both have 4.2L V8 - which one
Discussion
I'm hankering after an Audi RS4 Avant or an S4 Avant - likely 2007 model. Proces for former seems to be 30kish and the latter 20kish on like for like. Both have the 4.2L V8 - in varying states of tune.
Treat me like an idiot - what are the funadamental differences - should I save 10k for petrol ?
Treat me like an idiot - what are the funadamental differences - should I save 10k for petrol ?
Chalk and cheese my friend....I have a RS4 havent had a S4....HOWEVER...i know what ive have!!
Dynamically the RS4, although the same B7 series..is an awesome bit of kit.
And they are quicker, high revving....and a future classic....once you spool it round to 8250rpm you,l know what i mean...and the kick at 5.5k makes it even more exciting.
They are totally different lumps...the displacement being the only thing the same.
The engine in the RS is one of the best V8,S ever...fact...
I assume the S4 runs out of puff soonerand is a bit more wallowy?
Fuel consumption wont be a lot of difference bewteen them..
RS4 ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No doubt someone will be a long soon to fill you i on the finer points?
Dynamically the RS4, although the same B7 series..is an awesome bit of kit.
And they are quicker, high revving....and a future classic....once you spool it round to 8250rpm you,l know what i mean...and the kick at 5.5k makes it even more exciting.
They are totally different lumps...the displacement being the only thing the same.
The engine in the RS is one of the best V8,S ever...fact...
I assume the S4 runs out of puff soonerand is a bit more wallowy?
Fuel consumption wont be a lot of difference bewteen them..
RS4 ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No doubt someone will be a long soon to fill you i on the finer points?
That's pretty much spot on!
The 2007 RS4 I had was sharper, agile, revvy-er, more full on driving experience. The bucket seats are pretty unforgiving.
The 2003 B6 S4 Avant I had at the same time was like getting into a luxury car by comparison! The suspension softer, the electric recaro sports seats like sinking to an armchair in comparison to the RS4.
To go on a European road trip to the ski resorts etc. The S4 would be my choice every time.
It's probably more indicative of my age the I would prefer to own the S4 still than the RS4 as a daily driver, not slow but just not as full on as the RS4.
The above comment that the RS4 will be more collectable etc. I think will be absolutely true, but don't dismiss the S4 if it's more your thing and your budget.
The 2007 RS4 I had was sharper, agile, revvy-er, more full on driving experience. The bucket seats are pretty unforgiving.
The 2003 B6 S4 Avant I had at the same time was like getting into a luxury car by comparison! The suspension softer, the electric recaro sports seats like sinking to an armchair in comparison to the RS4.
To go on a European road trip to the ski resorts etc. The S4 would be my choice every time.
It's probably more indicative of my age the I would prefer to own the S4 still than the RS4 as a daily driver, not slow but just not as full on as the RS4.
The above comment that the RS4 will be more collectable etc. I think will be absolutely true, but don't dismiss the S4 if it's more your thing and your budget.
No experience of the B7 S4, however I've driven an S5 - I believe it's the same or similar engine to the B7 S4 - don't forget the B6 S4 may also have a 4.2 V8 but it is a different engine altogether.
The S5 was a lovely car with a fantastic motor.
As has been well said by chrissyR32, the S4 is much softer - more of a cruiser than out and out sports saloon.
I went for the RS4 because, at the time, it was cheaper compared to the S5 and it was quicker, harder and it has THAT engine....oh the engine is simply wonderful. It loves to chase the red line.
I'm not sure if the figures are the same, however the S5 engine actually has 10 more lb/ft torque than the RS4's engine, but is obviously down on power but 40ish bhp (50-60bhp if you believe the bhp figures
)
If I were in your position, I'd consider what I need the car for, and drive both to see which suits you better. Personally, I'd choose the RS4.
Good luck with your search
Darren
The S5 was a lovely car with a fantastic motor.
As has been well said by chrissyR32, the S4 is much softer - more of a cruiser than out and out sports saloon.
I went for the RS4 because, at the time, it was cheaper compared to the S5 and it was quicker, harder and it has THAT engine....oh the engine is simply wonderful. It loves to chase the red line.
I'm not sure if the figures are the same, however the S5 engine actually has 10 more lb/ft torque than the RS4's engine, but is obviously down on power but 40ish bhp (50-60bhp if you believe the bhp figures
)If I were in your position, I'd consider what I need the car for, and drive both to see which suits you better. Personally, I'd choose the RS4.
Good luck with your search
Darren
Nice But Dim said:
Thanks for ther replies - much appreciated
Now comes the perennial question about running costs
I am aware that I'll be luck to see 20mpg with either RS4 or S4
How about running costs / servicing ?
I see around 26mpg on a motorway cruise, averaging around 22mpg overall. I think the RS4 is probably about the same. As far as running costs go I would imagine the S4 would be quite a bit cheaper and you won't have to worry about DRC or engine coking.Now comes the perennial question about running costs
I am aware that I'll be luck to see 20mpg with either RS4 or S4
How about running costs / servicing ?
drybeer said:
..
The above comment that the RS4 will be more collectable etc. I think will be absolutely true..
Apart from the Quattro has any Audi become a "collectible" .The above comment that the RS4 will be more collectable etc. I think will be absolutely true..
The average condition 16 year old RS2 is not worth more than 25% of the value when new.
The 10 year old B5 RS4 is probably at 30%.
The average 5 year B7 RS4 is circa 40 to 45% (in itself pretty good compared ot other similar cars)
And they made almost 10 times as many B7 RS4's as the RS4. 150 odd cars for sale right now on PH's.
I think the S4 is great value for money, but the RS4 is more of an event.
What could possibly go wrong.....
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_popup.js...
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_popup.js...
Edited by Nice But Dim on Thursday 7th April 20:54
I love the "phat" look of the RS4....awesome....as you have said budget is a big thing...buy what you can afford...i actually prefer th B6 S4 shape than the B7 S4 which i think looks like every other s line..
Push the boat out and get the RS....fuel costs are more or less the same....treat the car like i do...pushing on when i need to...and steady most of the time...with a good blast on a sunday and running costs arent that bad.
Get one with new disc and pads...tyres FASH...and you,l get thousands of miles of fun motoring...and the sound when you press the sport button..WOW...
Bucket seats look awesome but arent everyones cup of tea...them and flat bottomed wheel plus nav are must haves for resale.
There are a few recalls etc as well..
But as youve said the S4 is nice, again its how you like your cars to feel...i like a tight dynamic chassis and a hard ride (pardon the pun)...the RS4 likes to be driven hard and i mean hard..the engine cries out to be redlined...and seems to come to life when you do...it can feel quite normal as the power delivery is soooo linear..but look at the speedo and your soon in licence loosing figures!!! the kick it gives you at 5.5k is great....
Lifes full of decsions!!!!!!!!!!!
Push the boat out and get the RS....fuel costs are more or less the same....treat the car like i do...pushing on when i need to...and steady most of the time...with a good blast on a sunday and running costs arent that bad.
Get one with new disc and pads...tyres FASH...and you,l get thousands of miles of fun motoring...and the sound when you press the sport button..WOW...
Bucket seats look awesome but arent everyones cup of tea...them and flat bottomed wheel plus nav are must haves for resale.
There are a few recalls etc as well..
But as youve said the S4 is nice, again its how you like your cars to feel...i like a tight dynamic chassis and a hard ride (pardon the pun)...the RS4 likes to be driven hard and i mean hard..the engine cries out to be redlined...and seems to come to life when you do...it can feel quite normal as the power delivery is soooo linear..but look at the speedo and your soon in licence loosing figures!!! the kick it gives you at 5.5k is great....
Lifes full of decsions!!!!!!!!!!!
My mate used to own an S4 (04 reg, it was definately a V8) and he fitted LPG. He was working up north and lived in London and did the commute twice a week. He couldn't detect any loss in performance or noise and got the equivalent of over 30 mpg I think. Range on LPG was restricted though' less than 200 miles. Cost him £2500 but he admitted he paid top money as it was central London.
Complete aside - I desperately want to buy an RS4 Avant, but over here in France they are at the top of the "car-jacking with violence" list as the crims love them for high speed drug runs across Europe.
Don't they do the same thing in the UK, gentle bump at the lights, you get out, they pull a knife or hit you with a hammer and take the car?
Don't they do the same thing in the UK, gentle bump at the lights, you get out, they pull a knife or hit you with a hammer and take the car?
I have a B6 S4 which I bought new in 2004. I've considered a swap many times to an RS4, but glad I never did after reading about all the problems on RS246. Problems with the FSi, and DRC and most of them not making anywere near the 414BHP they are supposed to.
The B7 RS4 is only 2 seconds a mile quicker that a B6S4 around the ring, so yes there quicker, but not that much that they can be considered "on a different planet" you've only got to be a slightly quicker driver in the S4, and the RS4 is going nowhere.
The B7 RS4 is only 2 seconds a mile quicker that a B6S4 around the ring, so yes there quicker, but not that much that they can be considered "on a different planet" you've only got to be a slightly quicker driver in the S4, and the RS4 is going nowhere.
(for me) 
Froggy porker said:
Complete aside - I desperately want to buy an RS4 Avant, but over here in France they are at the top of the "car-jacking with violence" list as the crims love them for high speed drug runs across Europe.
Don't they do the same thing in the UK, gentle bump at the lights, you get out, they pull a knife or hit you with a hammer and take the car?
Thankfully not!Don't they do the same thing in the UK, gentle bump at the lights, you get out, they pull a knife or hit you with a hammer and take the car?
Fort Jefferson said:
I have a B6 S4 which I bought new in 2004. I've considered a swap many times to an RS4, but glad I never did after reading about all the problems on RS246. Problems with the FSi, and DRC and most of them not making anywere near the 414BHP they are supposed to.
The B7 RS4 is only 2 seconds a mile quicker that a B6S4 around the ring, so yes there quicker, but not that much that they can be considered "on a different planet" you've only got to be a slightly quicker driver in the S4, and the RS4 is going nowhere.
Audis figures prove its faster in all ways....its certainly worth it IMO just for the looks that 8520 red line...and the way the engine behaves..again if you havent driven a RS4 for a decent time you will not appriciate just how good the engine is..the brakes are superb..and the chassis is better and more dynamic then the S4.The B7 RS4 is only 2 seconds a mile quicker that a B6S4 around the ring, so yes there quicker, but not that much that they can be considered "on a different planet" you've only got to be a slightly quicker driver in the S4, and the RS4 is going nowhere.
Although as you have said a lot down to driver etc..
Dont believe all the doom and gloom....not all cars give problems...i and many people have had no DRC issues....and as for the carbon and bhp thing...well its been done to death.
No one seems to agree on rolling road figures...whether carbon causes problems etc etc.
Running on 99ron and Driving it properly seems to keep carbon at bay!!!!
All i know is my car is as quick now as the day i got it a few months old...it is now nearly 5.
It hits AUDIS accelaration figures and feels quicker the more miles you put on it.
Like i have said it is a rawer car to drive day to day than a S4...plus most S4,S hava a slush box...RS4 is manual only the best choice imo...
chrissyr32 said:
..the brakes are superb..
agree with your other comments but unless you have the Ceramics the brakes are mediocre - discs often need replacing at 10k miles and the car gets super busy under braking because of the heavy front.chrissyr32 said:
Dont believe all the doom and gloom....not all cars give problems...i and many people have had no DRC issues....and as for the carbon and bhp thing...well its been done to death.
No one seems to agree on rolling road figures...whether carbon causes problems etc etc.
Running on 99ron and Driving it properly seems to keep carbon at bay!!!!
I agree not all cars give problems, but a large percentage have had DRC issues (there is an Audi warranty till 75k miles)No one seems to agree on rolling road figures...whether carbon causes problems etc etc.
Running on 99ron and Driving it properly seems to keep carbon at bay!!!!
Carbon - it's been done to death, I agree and it seems cars are that are driven with a heavy right foot, oil warmed up properly & with 99ron don't seem to have issues. I read on PH's that Porsche with DFI engines are suffering the same fate. All cars have issues.
Audi Driver magazine had a feature in the last issue about all the issues with the RS4. I have been reading about this recently for I am actually thinking of buying a low mileage RS4 or an E92 M3.
chrissyr32 said:
Running on 99ron and Driving it properly seems to keep carbon at bay!!!!
I don't disagree with the rest of your post, but this bit is rubbish.The fuel you use makes no difference to the carbon on the back of the inlet valve, because the fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber on an FSi, unlike the 40 valve non FSi in the B6, so it can't wash the valve clean.
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