S4 vs A3

[stugolf]

Hi guys, I currently have a Audi A3 3.2 Q DSG and I'm considering an S4 V8, in "real world" performance does anyone know how the S4's 344bhp compares with the 250bhp of the 3.2 V6?

Thanks, I've attached some pics as well

[evad]

Had a MkV R32 previously and I find the the S4 Avant I have now to be appreciably faster, especially on overtaking.
Lovely A3 by the way.

[P_G]

Not quite the same, I had and S3 225 and then an S4 and the linear peower delivery of the S4 is in a different league. The torque output alone makes the S4 deceptively quick and it has a wide banding too. I think you would find an appreciable difference and the aural soundtrack is far improved.

[Merlot]

There is a big difference between the two cars you mention if they have a manual gearbox (13s v 16s to 100 mph) but relatively speaking your DSG will not feel that much slower than a tip S4.

[p1tse]

how about m3?

[stugolf]

I like the M3 very much and respect it but its far to common and the one's I've been to view have been abused, thats whyI'm still looking at a C32 AMG, as there rare and quicker than the S4.

[Pete.S]

I'd seriously advise against the C32 if you're used to your A3. I drove one a while back, floored it out of a roundabout & was still wheel spinning and going sideways in 3rd gear, no joke. And that was in the dry. Real world in a more-often-than-not wet UK - S4 will smash it unless you're doing stop-start drags on a motorway! You are right though that they're very rare, can't remember the last one I saw.

Also had a play with a guy in your car a couple of years back - series of tight roundabouts and long straights - roundabouts nothing much in it (as you'd expect with your short wheel base) but pulled quite a margin on him on the straights.

[stugolf]

Thanks Pete sounds like food for thought, is your S4 standard? I would want a Milltek and a remap to improve the S4's performance to try to match M3 pace

[Pete.S]

Yes completely standard (I do s**tloads of miles and didn't want the drone - now on 170k!)

[HoppyUK]

My wife has a TT 3.2 DSG (05 reg, same chassis as your A3?), I tested an E46 M3 SMG, then bought an S4 Tip. I also tried a 2000 reg 911 C4, but it wasn't the buzz it should have been, and risky at that age/miles.

M3 was a disappointment. Gutless mid-range for a car with such a reputation, and SMG semi-auto was crude and clunky. I would have your A3 over that, the wonderful DSG being the clincher. I love driving my wife's TT, but not to the hairdresser's

Then I saw a repeat of Top Gear on Dave, with the famous M3 vs S4 test. I was frankly shocked by the S4's speed - only a couple of lengths behind the M3 in the drag, but thrashed it around the track. So I had a test drive, was instantly smitten by the V8 with it's mid-range torque, super-smoothness, and wonderful sound. And the Tiptronic was damn good for a slush-box, so I bought it a few weeks ago.

Very happy indeed. Can't stop driving the thing. Only drawback is fuel consumption (22mpg of super average over last 1,500 miles). It's a peerless mile muncher, just awesome, and when you use a few revs it truly flies. It feels fast for sure, but I always get a shock looking at the speedo - I know it's a cliche, but I'm always going 20mph faster than I thought. It's a step up from your A3 in every dimension (except the DSG) but not by a huge amount. If you just want to go faster, get VAG-Tech www.vagtech.co.uk to stick a turbo on your A3. Not cheap, but 400bhp Or bolt on some NOS.

Now is a very good time to buy an S4. There's one on the Audi UK website now (in Halesowen) that was advertised at £20k around Xmas. That car was offered to me in early Jan for £18,500, and is now advertised for £17k (and has four new Goodyear F1 Assyms which is nice). That's a 40-plus grand car, under three years old, that would have sold last year for £25-£28k. Bit of a bargain, with full Audi warranty, too.

The problem of course, is selling your A3. Sorry to say it, but big engined petrol cars are not popular right now. No sir. Audi has even discontinued both the A3 3.2, and the S4 4.2. Expect to be offered peanuts in PX - you can't have it both ways.

[ShaneyB]

I owned a 225bhp S3, remapped 326bhp B5 S4 Avant and now a B6 S4 saloon Tip. Love the car in general but really starting to hate the gearbox which is why I'm looking at a gearbox remap. To be honest I miss the turbo's something stupid and still think my B5 would p*ss all over my B6. Having said that I think the gearbox lulls me into thinking I'm going slower than I actually am, hence a speeding ticket on my way home from a driver awareness course.

[Pete.S]

Oh mate! Sorry but that's a classic!

I agree with you - the B5 is far more fun to drive most of the time, especially not at full pelt, but get the B6 onto roads where you can explore the full rev range and it really comes into it's own

[HYFR]

Yes completely standard (I do s**tloads of miles and didn't want the drone - now on 170k!)

wow, good mileage there! hows the old girl going ?

[ShaneyB]

Pete,
I still think that in a drag race at 120mph in top gear my B5 would leave my B6 for dust, particulary as it has no rev limiter and flies past the 160mph barrier without much effort. To be honest I think the gearbox is what's freaking me out as it appears to have a mind of it's own on occasions.

[Pete.S]

Yes completely standard (I do s**tloads of miles and didn't want the drone - now on 170k!)

wow, good mileage there! hows the old girl going ?

Apart from the odd niggly issue (eg a coil pack failing last w/end), still as good as new cheers David. I've had a couple of recent run-ins with other cars and it's performed as the book suggests so performance hasn't deteriorated at all. Considering the mileage and the fact it's a sports saloon afterall, she's done me proud!