New RS4 - is it 414BHP or not!

[SR71]

I have to say when I first started my investigations into replacing my Audi S2, I drove a 996TT and RS4 Avant back to back on a particular day.

(The Audi and Porsche marques were the only ones I was going to consider.)

I was thoroughly unimpressed by either at the time because neither felt particularly fast. There didn't appear to be much between the cars but the RS4 felt fractionally slower than the 996TT, presumably because of the way the torque is delivered. The RS4 livened up beyond 5500rpm.

Either car was a Skoda compared to my tweaked 12R which did 0-150+ sub 10 sec.

I drove a number of 996TT's subsequently and eventually realised the car was completely impractical for what I wanted to use it for - lobbing a snowboard in the back and blasting down to the Alps, shoving two sets of scuba gear in the boot or a bunch of kite-surf gear and a tent - so the RS4 got the nod.

It so happens that, whilst I've always been a fan of the four rings, I believe I've probably got one of the best cars money can buy at the moment, almost by default.

However, as other owners have noticed, the car doesn't give the impression or sensation of being particularly rapid.

Its spiritual predecessor, the RS2, feels faster.

Which only goes to show how unreliable the butt dyno is and why owners claiming remaps (for example) feel quicker doesn't cut the mustard for me....

However, whilst it doesn't feel particularly fast, it obviously is fairly rapid judging by its relative performance against other cars at both the track and off the traffic lights...

That said, artificially restricting the car to 8250rpm (or is it 8150?) because they couldn't be bothered to sort out the heat dispersal issues at rpms beyond this is a shame, as is fitting such a car with a speed limiter.

I'm sure the car would feel even faster if it were allowed to rev towards 9000rpm as in testing.

I'm sure one of the other explanations as to why the car feels slow is that unless you've come from a Civic Type R or GT3/RS where you're familiar with keeping the revs between 6-8+K, you won't extract the best of the performance from the vehicle.

FWIW.

[rs4v8]

I can appreciate pretty much everything you (and scoobysnack) have said.

There may not be a sudden urge brought on by a turbo to give the car a kick when higher up in the revs. However this is its appeal in my eyes, no turbo, no lag, more difficult to be in the wrong gear etc etc. There really is no substitute for cubic capacity. IMHO anyone who does not feel they are going fast in an RS4 when pushing only needs to look down at the speedo. It can be very deceiving.

Both the civic and the gt3 whilst both excellent cars, have less cylinders, so technically, (correct me if i'm wrong) it's easier to make them rev to their rpm limits. Bear in mind the f355 was the highest revving production v8 in the world when it came out at 8k rpm (the F360 is only 8500rpm) and both have smaller bore and stroke (so less to throw around inside). I do agree, the engine does seem capable of revving higher and mine frequently hits its limiter!! However, extracting a great deal more rpm would almost definately result in mechanical failures and definately would not allow 18k service intervals.

[RussianM3_dude]

Thanks Kurgen,

Hey everybody. Just got my first Audi about a month ago. It's Daytona Grey, 19s, Recaros, sunroof, Nav, TV, Btooth etc.

Will probably try to swap it for the new M3 though when it comes out.

When are you getting the M3 thenRussianM3_Dude?? at you!

I am going for the M3 presentation and 1 hour test drive on Thursday. I don't really trust magazines anymore and will instead test drive the poop out of it.

[rAudiguy]

Could you not get a demo sooner? just thinking the quicker you buy one the quicker you would be out of your RS4 and happy, which in turn would make most of us on here happy

[pomy]

If russianm3 dude was talking about a 530d with a possible remap, it might not of been dissapearing as fast in the rear view mirrors of his b7 RS4 as you all might think!
Either that, or the BM was a standard petrol motor and Russianm3dude is just a <beep> driver!
My friend owns a B7 RS4 and a remapped 535d, surprisingly the big BM does a pretty covincing job of keeping up for a bit on a straight road, however the BM does get left behind as you approach 3 figure speeds.
The new RS4 is an awesome machine, but there's also a lot to be said for forced induction.
You only need to look at the B5 RS4 as an example. The motor with standard turbos is good for around 500bhp with torque to match, and once you start upgrading turbos, intercoolers, custom exhausts and what not, you're right into hypercar performance territory!

[audijohn]

Thanks Kurgen,

Hey everybody. Just got my first Audi about a month ago. It's Daytona Grey, 19s, Recaros, sunroof, Nav, TV, Btooth etc.

Will probably try to swap it for the new M3 though when it comes out.

When are you getting the M3 thenRussianM3_Dude?? at you!

I am going for the M3 presentation and 1 hour test drive on Thursday. I don't really trust magazines anymore and will instead test drive the poop out of it.

It does not beat my RS4, if you test it and find it eats your, then your has fault.

[rAudiguy]

John, I agree, I drove e92 M3 and although very similar I found the RS4 to be sharper and more rewarding to drive hence I bought one! still have a slot on the M3 should tell them I'm not buying it really!!!

[audijohn]

John, I agree, I drove e92 M3 and although very similar I found the RS4 to be sharper and more rewarding to drive hence I bought one! still have a slot on the M3 should tell them I'm not buying it really!!!

rAudiguy. I thought it like the RS needed "Paddle Shift", that would improve both cars IMO, shame the M3 looks 335i and not special.
I drove the S5 friday, softer version of the RS with less power, BUT a great place to spend time in, for the money it really is finished to the highest standards, It goes well when hammered, and is so quiet at any speed, sat-nav 3D sceeen is a much improved version over the A8, so clear.
If it had that extra power.......................................... ................................... Remap anyone.

[RussianM3_dude]

Thanks Kurgen,

When are you getting the M3 thenRussianM3_Dude?? at you!

I am going for the M3 presentation and 1 hour test drive on Thursday. I don't really trust magazines anymore and will instead test drive the poop out of it.

It does not beat my RS4, if you test it and find it eats your, then your has fault.

Clear English must you speak, if understand I can.

[rs4v8]

ha ha, the audacity of the man!!

[audijohn]

I am going for the M3 presentation and 1 hour test drive on Thursday. I don't really trust magazines anymore and will instead test drive the poop out of it.

It does not beat my RS4, if you test it and find it eats your, then your has fault.

Clear English must you speak, if understand I can.

[rs4v8]

Correct!!

[rAudiguy]

Hi John,

I agree infact it was very nearly the only reason I didn't buy an RS4 having had the SMG M3 and tiptronic RS6 I haven't had a manual for a few years and I guess you get lazy and especially as a do a fair bit of driving in London (that's in England RussianM3_Dude!!) I did really want some soft of flappy paddle gearbox. However I love the car to much on the ouside, inside and to drive to let it put me off.

S5 is a gorgeous car John, I test drove one before going for the RS, it's such a nice cabin and as you say the finish is porsche quality! I just found it much more of a cruiser and lact the thrill factor of an M3 or RS but if we didn't need to haul the kids about in the X3 would def have one as a 2nd car. I noticed a few guys on here already do

[RussianM3_dude]

Why do you have to point out where London is??? I lived in England for two years, I know.

[rAudiguy]

Clear English must you speak, if understand I can.

It just seems that alot of things confuse you like what car to buy etc. so thought I would help you out mate