Is the Audi S4 the biggest performance bargain?

[Leicesterdave]

I mean for a barge- compared to the RS4 they're dead cheap!! I'm likely to do very few miles in the near future and really fancy one of these!

[Leicesterdave]

I was looking at the V8 version- can't beat a good old 8 pot soundtrack!

[Leicesterdave]

MattsMINI said:

I'm gonna need some examples of cheap S4s...

Well a V8 "premium" branded relatively new (4-5 years old) with decent miles(40-60k miles) from £14k. Bargain. Pre facelift 03-04 ref with decent miles (less than 70k) from £11k.

[Leicesterdave]

Go for it Lawson- you can't get a much nicer estate for that price!

[Leicesterdave]

Roan said:

Why would you bother with B6 S4s when you can have an E39 M5 for the same money, or indeed less? I didn't. Relatively speaking then, not a performance bargain IMHO.

The E39 is quite a bit older though and not as discreet. This is what I like about the S4, bar a couple of badges you'd never know!

[Leicesterdave]

k-ink said:

VAG spend all their money on interiors and marketing, so skimp on the mechanics.

Absolute tosh.

[Leicesterdave]

It's not meant to be the sportiest thing out there- but it ticks many many boxes.
Well built, comfortable, reliable, perfect V8 sound, 4WD and in the avant model bags of space!

[Leicesterdave]

PetrolTed said:

We've had one for about 4 years now and love it. Beautifully torquey V8, a very good auto 'box (with paddles if you want more entertainment) and a pretty nice interior.

Handling wise it's typical of Audi of that period and not sharp, but it's in keeping with the character of the car and it's not 'bad'. I really enjoy driving it. 4WD too which helps in the snow.

Tax is only two hundred odd quid and MPG aside, it's been pretty reasonable to run.

MPG will be irrelevant as I'll be doing less than 7000 miles a year. Way I see it the less miles I do the better the car I can get! I imagine the MPG is in the high teens?

[Leicesterdave]

Hell27 said:

No it's not.

The Jaguar XJR is the biggest performance bargain.

4.0 supercharged V8, 370 BHP, a decent one can be had for 3K.

They're well over 10 years old- that's why. I'm talking relatively new car here.

[Leicesterdave]

Blown2CV said:

It's not THAT fast, or THAT cheap is it? I always heard (not experienced however) that the S4 was a bit lardy and not really the bargain version of the RS4 that you seem to be suggesting. Sleeper I will grant you, but bargain not so much.

The RS4 surely isn't £10-£20k better than an S4. They're not THAT different on paper at least- anyone driven both?

[Leicesterdave]

gizlaroc said:

Only someone who hasn't driven them both would ever say that.

The RS4 is one of the finest motor cars ever built, the S4 is.....well, at only twice the price the RS4 is a fukin' steal!

Could you elaborate? I really am interested in the differences! 0-60 and 0-100 times seem roughly the same (0.5 second in it?) top speed obv the same.
The RS has a fair more bhp and nicer bumpers. Is the drive much better?!

[Leicesterdave]

Matt UK said:

OP, drive one. I had one for a week. You will very quickly work out if this is the car for you.

I'd love an RS but budget just won't allow it.

[Leicesterdave]

Graham E said:

Oh, and that V8 sounds lovely, too.

It bloody does!

[Leicesterdave]

I'm after the B7 really.

[Leicesterdave]

It seems to me that the S4 does everything I'd want well. The RS4 would do it very well.