How does your RS4 compare to your previous car?

[Pie]

My last car was a '93, Stage 3 tuned, big turbo Escort Cosworth which I had owned for 7 years.

The Cossie - for a 17 year old Ford - was an absolute hoot to drive and upset quite a few of the current breeds of Evo's, Scoobs and even non-turbo'd variants of 911's.

Main downside was the big turbo came with huge amounts of lag, although when the needle hit 3300rpm, in came huge amounts of boost!
It was a really brutal torque curve and to get the most enjoyment out if it, you really had to "know" the car and intuitively know where on the boost gauge the needle was pointing. It was quite a tiring car to drive as you were constantly thinking ahead and going up / down the cogs just to stay on boost.

The power delivery of the RS4 is so much smoother and linear in comparison. It can be a really lazy drive when you're just pottering around the city centre yet out on the open roads, the rate at which it can so effortlessly chew up and spit out the miles is absolutely phenomenal.

I must admit though, I've been driving forced induction cars since the late 90's so the shift back to N/A was a big enough change, nevermind throwing in a big capacity, factory tuned V8!

Build quality and handling is fantastic but it's not really fair to compare it with a Ford that was designed and produced in the early 90s.

Styling wise, at first glance the RS4 is subtle (with the exception of the pumped arches) and would appear - to your mum or granny - to be nothing more than a nice looking A4.
The Cossie was just ostentatiously in your face and very boy-racer-ish - visually it turned heads everywhere I went.
The RS4 turns heads using its audible presence!

Consumption - RS4 is slightly better than the Escort.

Rarity value - both much the same. I used to go for months without seeing another Cossie on the road, similarly I don't see many RS4's up this way.

I'm happy to report though that the camaraderie of owning such a rare and exclusive badge still exists with the RS4 as it did with the Cossie i.e. the flash of headlight / little wave / appreciative nod and smile to acknowledge a fellow owner coming the other way.

It was a hard decision selling the Escort but it was starting to show its age (big MOT and servicing bills) and the lack of spares was a constant headache.
I knew my next car had to have similar low depreciation and rarity value as well as 4WD; the RS4 fitted that spec perfectly (plus I had wanted one ever since seeing it on Top Gear racing the two climbers up that mountain)

For me, absolutely no regrets in buying one.

[adsgreen]

Well it's a lot slower (60 in 4.6 compared to 3.5) and handles worse but I can actually drive it without getting cold and wet

[RS4SRS]

Drcarrera- I am glad you posted that! I was torn between a 997 C2S and the RS4 for ages. Looks like I made the right choice setting aside the high fuel consumption!

Im afraid I dont agree, I miss my 997 C2S every day and wish I didnt have kids and bikes and trips to the dump etc etc etc

The RS4 is a great car, but its not in the same league as the C2S, hell its not even the same sport!!

Other previous cars that it does compare well against however are....
911 (996) C4S - RS4 better in most aspects....
M3 - RS4 better and less "in your face"....
numerous Scoobies - no contest
R32 - no contest

[Terry1948]

RS4RS never let your kids read your post. I am sure you do not mean it, I have always wanted a 911 turbo but I would rather have my RS4 & my children who have cost me as much as a Bugatti Veyron!!!. The reason a RS4 is such a good car is that it is so versatile it may not be as focused as a sports car but it does its job as a saloon/Avant very very well.

[klauster]

I came from an Audi S3, and before that a Golf R32. The RS4 is simply the best car I have ever owned on many many levels. Its a joy to drive, its fun, fast when you want it to be, but can be an extremely useful, practical car when you need it. I still look at cars daily looking for the next purchase, but I still can't find anything.... I usually swap cars every 1 to 2 years, but not the RS4... funny that

[RS4SRS]

RS4RS never let your kids read your post. I am sure you do not mean it, I have always wanted a 911 turbo but I would rather have my RS4 & my children who have cost me as much as a Bugatti Veyron!!!. The reason a RS4 is such a good car is that it is so versatile it may not be as focused as a sports car but it does its job as a saloon/Avant very very well.

I think it goes without saying that the comment about my kids was made in jest......

[mark758]

My RS4 is a bit faster....

I suppose it's all relative but your current car hits 120mph over 10 seconds quicker than an MPS 6

[mark758]

Well it's a lot slower (60 in 4.6 compared to 3.5) and handles worse but I can actually drive it without getting cold and wet

Only 0.8 slower 0-60: 4.3 seconds. 1/4 Mile: 12.8 @ 109.7 (Road and Track)

[ArthurPE]

actually straightline performance is comparable as are Ring times...

I'd say it's rather an embarressment to Porsche that a dedicated sports car that costs a good bit more is not really faster...than a 4 door grocery getter with awd utility

Drcarrera- I am glad you posted that! I was torn between a 997 C2S and the RS4 for ages. Looks like I made the right choice setting aside the high fuel consumption!

Im afraid I dont agree, I miss my 997 C2S every day and wish I didnt have kids and bikes and trips to the dump etc etc etc

The RS4 is a great car, but its not in the same league as the C2S, hell its not even the same sport!!

Other previous cars that it does compare well against however are....
911 (996) C4S - RS4 better in most aspects....
M3 - RS4 better and less "in your face"....
numerous Scoobies - no contest
R32 - no contest

[Steve_C]

My RS4 is a bit faster....

I suppose it's all relative but your current car hits 120mph over 10 seconds quicker than an MPS 6

In real world driving the Mazda has about 80% of the performance of the RS4. Have you ever driven one?

[P_G]

I can't comment on the 6MPS but a 3MPS is a very rapid car sub 70mph, not to be sniffed at.

[Steve_C]

The 6 is a bit heavier than the 3 (same engines/power) but puts its power down better as its 4wd rather than front. The actual performance figures are alot better than those quoted in the brochures (I timed a 5.6 sec 0-60).

[adsgreen]

Well it's a lot slower (60 in 4.6 compared to 3.5) and handles worse but I can actually drive it without getting cold and wet

Only 0.8 slower 0-60: 4.3 seconds. 1/4 Mile: 12.8 @ 109.7 (Road and Track)

Excellent! I love gaining extra oomph esp. when it's free

Real world though the RS4 is faster as my other car was setup perfectly for circuit work so very unforgiving on the avaerage UK road.
And you don't have to wear a crash helmet and look a tit

[mark758]

In real world driving the Mazda has about 80% of the performance of the RS4. Have you ever driven one?

Indeed, it used to be the company pool car. Reasonable grunt being a turbo but always felt like a FWD to me and very uninvolving when braking, cornering or steering - sorry.
Even if you disregard straight line speed difference compare the Top Gear handling circuit times. The Mazda bests a crop of hot hatches; our car beat this lot

1:25.7 - Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder
1:26.0 - Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black series
1:26.0 - BMW Z4 M roadster (E85)
1:26.0 - Noble M400 (Shown on Top Gear Revved Up DVD)
1:26.0 - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR FQ320
1:26.2 - BMW M5 (E60)
1:26.2 - Porsche 911 Carrera S (997) (damp)
1:26.4 - Lotus Exige (mildly moist)
1:26.7 - Porsche Cayman S[4]
1:26.8 - Ferrari 575M Maranello GTC
1:26.9 - Lexus IS-F
1:26.9 - Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG
1:27:0 - BMW M5 E39
1:27.1 - Aston Martin Vanquish S

[Steve_C]

Thanks for the research which confirms what I said originally - the mazda is not the equal of the audi but it is a very good, under-rated car. Unless I'm buying a race/track car I don't attach much weight to track times as they are usually done on a smooth, dry surface which is very different to UK roads!

Agree that the braking and steering are not great compared to the audi but have to disagree with your cornering point; my cornering speed in the mazda was probably 90% of the audi's.

BTW unless you're pressing on, the mazda will feel like a FWD as it will be putting most of its power (80% IIRC) down throught the front; power is only transferred to the rear depending on your driving style.