S4 to rs4 is the extra money worth it ???

[mpgrant5]

Hi

I have a march 06 s4 saloon.I am thinking of px the s4 for a nearly new rs4.What do you guys on the forum think is the extra money worth it and what do you think it will cost to change ????
P.S I have the v8 bug

[Andyuk911]

I would be mixed about this as it will be like driving the same car having paid out a lot of money.

You should not be buying just because it is the next model up ...

I think the only way you can tell is to test drive a RS4 and see for yourself

[binder]

I loved my 2003 S4 but have to say that my RS4 is in a different league. The S4 engine is a wonderful engine but the RS4 is a great engine. The RS4 ride is much better and the more muscular looks make the RS4 more than just a step up. I have no regrets and get a real buzz every time I fire the RS4 up.

[binder]

I would add that the difference is not as great as the difference in base price if you take into account the added spec included as standard on the RRS4.

[PetrolDave]

I loved my 2003 S4 but have to say that my RS4 is in a different league. The S4 engine is a wonderful engine but the RS4 is a great engine. The RS4 ride is much better and the more muscular looks make the RS4 more than just a step up. I have no regrets and get a real buzz every time I fire the RS4 up.

100% agree.

I've had a 2003 S4 and a 2004 S4, and now have a 2006 RS4. Despite it costing me £28,000 to make the change I don't regret it for a single moment. The S4 is a good car, the RS4 is a great car. And the RS4 engine is to die for - the more revs you give it the harder it accelerates, all the way to the redline. And the sound of a V8 doing 8250 rpm is just amazing.

Totally agree on the ride too - if you know the A31 Alton bypass you'll understand when I say the S4 knocks your fillings out on that stretch of road but the RS4 just rides the lateral rides with disdain.

Atter over 4 months and over 6000 miles of owning my RS4 I still get out grinning like a Cheshire Cat after every drive.

[Merlot]

I would add that the difference is not as great as the difference in base price if you take into account the added spec included as standard on the RRS4.

Yeh, but you can get £4-5k off an S4 and zip off an RS4.

[fredfunk1975]

I had an S4 and now own a RS4 and i think the difference is well worth the extra few quid!!! Do not hesitate go and get one you will instantly realise that the RS is a different beast with better brakes , handling, ride, looks and that engine!!!!!!! oooh that engine! as other people say when you press the start button it puts a smile on your face!

[Merlot]

If I recall my sums correctly then the gap at transaction prices for a well specced S4 vs RS4 is about £15k. If I was buying new today or wanted rid of my S4 then I'd probably go for an RS4 (I actually wouldn't because of the lack of folding mirrors or memory seats but that is not being asked here) but for me spending that much £ to upgrade a < three year old car for something not appreciably different for most drives is not worth it.

PS I know that most people on here have RS4s so will recommend the switch and I know how good the RS4 is but sometimes people forget how good a well run in S4 is too.

[MarkB]

I'll be interested to see how things pan out over the next couple of years. I'll be looking at B7's by then and have been thinking how much more an RS will cost over an S.

The RS you don't get the option of Tiptronic do you which in a couple of years time I might be old enough to fancy? Is the S engine more torquey?

I think it is safe to say if I bought an S I would want to change bits when the RS would probably do me in standard trim.

[the911sc]

I've just done it also.. S4 to rs4. Cost about the same as petrol dave in difference but not regretting it (yet!)

[a17dywRS4]

had 2004 s4 good car good options rs4 completely superior beast in every way (better on fuel as well) .

[tartan_rob]

I think it is fair to say the RS4 is more sorted in much the same way the B5 versions of the same were. having driven the B7 RS4 when I had my B5 S4 (tuned) I was dissapointed, but in fairness the car had just over 2k miles and had to be revved so required a different driving style. Now that I am used to the B6 S4, I'd like to have another go in a B7 RS4. as a better comparison. Of course a re-map take you upto approx 450bhp, which is plenty power and perhaps that extra power from the remap finishes the car off nicely.

In effect it is the same as the B7 S4, certainly from the inside, but it goes quicker, sounds a little better (if that is possible), brakes better, looks more aggressive and handles better. But costs more.

My opinion (for what its worth) is to go for one, but wait until the facelifted RS4 comes out in a few months, when it does the current version will drop in price and once it gets to <£40k, it'll be a cheap exciting car...

[PetrolDave]

but wait until the facelifted RS4 comes out in a few months,

If you're expecting a B8 RS4 to appear in a few months then you're going to be disappointed. The RS version of any model is only released well into the model life, not long before the model is replaced.

That means the B8 RS4 won't be appearing for several years, and maybe never (there wasn't a B6 RS4).

Unless you have information otherwise ...

[Pete.S]

I think what Rob is getting at is if Audi decide to facelift the RS4 before the end of the B7 cycle, much as the B7 is a "facelift" of the B6, rather than a completely new body shape. But considering there are already spy shots of the completely new B8 bodyshape, set for launch next year apparently, I would have thought this very unlikely.

What would be an interesting discussion is whether to wait, what, 2 years for the B8 S4, or even S5, or go for an RS4 now. I'd be surprised if Audi don't introduce some nice little extras, like the new S6's driving lights, on the B8 S4/5, making the decision even tougher..

[Merlot]

Well said. The next generation S4 always closes the gap materially on the old generation RS4.

I'm interested to see whether then 350PS FSI V8 A5 is badged as an S5 or whether there is a faster S5 coming?