GTR

[craiginsight]

Has any B8 RS4 owners driven a GTR and have any feedback on the differences? I had a little fun with one on some nice country roads and there wasn't anything in it on the corners or the straight - wondering if he was just a slow driver or if the real world differences (excluding track capability) of these cars is minimal?

[doodlebug]

Slow driver. There's no competition in outright performance.

[craiginsight]

Slow driver. There's no competition in outright performance.

That's what I thought, he seemed to be going for it though which is what made me think it may be the suspension setup on bumpy roads. There's a thread on the <2008 GTR versions being twitchy under braking and not handling bumpy roads well. The GTR had private plates so not sure what year it was.

[Acprc]

In my experience, not everyone knows they are racing and or tries that hard. Numerous cars have "had a go" with my RS4 and sometimes I just get bored, can't be bothered or the driving they are doing to keep up/get away is unsafe so i stop.

As said above on pure specs alone the GTR is much quicker 0-60, 0-100 and top speed. As always depends on the drivers but most people who would own a GTR probably get used to driving it quick.

[craiginsight]

In my experience, not everyone knows they are racing and or tries that hard. Numerous cars have "had a go" with my RS4 and sometimes I just get bored, can't be bothered or the driving they are doing to keep up/get away is unsafe so i stop.

As said above on pure specs alone the GTR is much quicker 0-60, 0-100 and top speed. As always depends on the drivers but most people who would own a GTR probably get used to driving it quick.

Fair points

[geoffdunk]

My friend has one and its in a different league to my RS4, in the corners, on a straight, 0-60, every where. I am not a fan of the harshness and poor build quality compared to my B8.5 however the GTR is mental and when driven well its stunning. I couldn't live with one at all but I can appreciate them.

[craiginsight]

My friend has one and its in a different league to my RS4, in the corners, on a straight, 0-60, every where. I am not a fan of the harshness and poor build quality compared to my B8.5 however the GTR is mental and when driven well its stunning. I couldn't live with one at all but I can appreciate them.

Thanks for the feedback mate. This guy must have been a slow driver, he was definitely trying though as he took some questionable overtakes too close to bends!

I fancy a spin in a GTR now

[geoffdunk]

Might not have been his car or not had it long. On a hard cross county thrash with my mate I can only just keep up, the GTR chassis is stunning compared to the mediocre B8.5 RS4.

[craiginsight]

Might not have been his car or not had it long. On a hard cross county thrash with my mate I can only just keep up, the GTR chassis is stunning compared to the mediocre B8.5 RS4.

Sounds like an epic car - you driven your mates?

Not sure the B8 chassis can be called mediocre though - it's a great car IMO

[geoffdunk]

Sorry, lived with my B8.5 for 2 years now and been through them all (B7, C63, E92, E46 etc.), sadly it can only be classed as mediocre, maybe a little above mediocre. Don't get me wrong, I love the car, great quality etc. and the perfect all rounder I think for the money, and I'm looking forward to replacing it with the B9. B7 was a better chassis, and the E92 was even better.

I use my cars daily and put anywhere between 400 to 600 miles a week on it, last week almost 1000.

The GTR chassis feels alive, you feel everything through the seat, pedals and steering wheel, I had a new R8 for a weekend last year and hat was great, the GTR chassis feels just as good but different of course.

I used to work for Lotus cars a while ago and have driven plenty of Elises/Exiges/340R's etc and they are also great chassis'. Its a long story but used to get asked to put miles on a test car over a weekend, go asked to 700 miles on a car one weekend.

[bam_bam]

Of course it's medicore, it's just an A4. Have you ever read a review for a cooking A4 and stumbled across the words "great chassis"?

[geoffdunk]

Of course it's mediocre, it's just an A4. Have you ever read a review for a cooking A4 and stumbled across the words "great chassis"?

The RS4 does have a number of differences, its been modified to be stiffer with the work is done at the Neckarsulm factory rather than the main Audi factory in Ingolstadt. Also extensive use of aluminium suspension parts and "wavey" disks reducing unsprung wait make for more improvement.

I may have called it mediocre but they greatly improved it over a standard A4 and even the S4. At this point in time its doesn't match an M3 or M4 chassis of the current gen or previous gen either, and certainly not a GTR, the B7 chassis was also better. I am looking forward to the B9 RS4 as there are further weight savings including a smaller electrically assisted turbocharger forced induction 3.0 ltr V6 running circa 480ps.

[535dboy]

I have had 3 or 4 friends with GTRs - all got rid as they got bored quick.

None was std either ranging from 700bhp to 1400bhp

Drove them all

[Surrey Sam]

B7 was a better chassis

Interesting. I'm of a differing opinion and feel my B8 handles better than the B7's I've had. Far sharper on turn in and adjustable on the apex which the B7 never was, it's also a lot more comfortable to do big mileage in. Steering feel on the other hand, well yes...there is none. B7 certainly has the B8 beaten there, because Audi's electric steering in the RS product range is woeful. You just get used to it.

Can't comment on Mercs as they’ve never appealed but I'd put E46 above E92, E36 and E30 from my BMW days.

The RS4 does have a number of differences, its been modified to be stiffer with the work is done at the Neckarsulm factory rather than the main Audi factory in Ingolstadt.

I read somewhere that the B8 RS4 was the first RS product not to be made at the Neckarsulm facility. I'm trying to remember the source, as it surprised me at first.

[geoffdunk]

B8 def more comfortable, eats up the miles and has better equipment, I do 400 - 600 miles a week in mine, 1000 last week. Steering as you say you get used to, they are meant to be a bit better without the dynamic steering, removing improves the feels and saves weight, I spec'd it because it made little difference and I like the increased load at high speed.

B8.5 was definitely built at Neckarsulm factory as I worked on both B7 and B8 projects, both were designed there too as this is were RS GmbH is housed. I have yet to take my B8.5 "home" but will do eventually lol. B9 is currently being designed there also.

I'd go with the E46 as being better than the E92, i never owned an E36 or 30.