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Had my RS4 for just over a week now so I thought I would post my observations and comparison to my previous S4.


I have done about 800 miles mainly motorway though and returned about 24.1 MPG overall, not sure how that compares to the rest of you but it is worse than the S4 where using the same driving types I could get to about 28MPG, although I think that is to be expected.

Handling, much better than the S4, Tighter, ride no worse, a lot more positive and less understeer.

Steering, not so good here, the RS4 likes to "track" over everything, I am sure if you were to draw a chalk line on the road it would even follow that , Could be something particular to my car, although it is running Michelin Pilots on new (hard) wheels, might need to get 4 wheel alignment checked.

Engine, Here is where the big difference is, my S4 although tuned by AMD delivers a very different power curve, no real boost point, but tons of lovely fat torque was everywhere in the rev range, although it did run out of puff above about 6000.

The RS4 has a definite power band with not a lot below 3000, then it all comes in a rush and keeps building to the red line, it means that you have to keep it spinning when pushing on a bit otherwise it behaves a lot like a big turbo'd EVO.

It means that at about 80 on the motorway I thiink my S4 would leave it for dead until it got on boost, although I have to say my S4 is particularly strong in this area, probably say the same for A/B roads where the huge torque right across the rev range just made tons of overtaking opportunities open up, most not needing a down change, the RS4 needs to be worked at a little more thats all.

I thought my "Bum dyno" would be able to feel the 60hp difference between my S4 and the RS a lot more than it does, I guess it is the way that the RS makes it's power.

Anyway thinking about Mods now, suspension maybe H&R, and would like to get the engine to 450 - 460 with a fatter flatter torque curve, and RS6 Brakes should just about do it, but overall I am over the moon with it, especially the looks that you get from those in the know, and the way that it fires itself out of roundabouts in 2/3rd gear with no drama just a wail from the exhaust and space shuttle like acceleration

Steering, not so good here, the RS4 likes to "track" over everything,

Don't worry mine does this too especially over the 'wagon ruts' on the motorway. Bit fat wide tyres!!! Mine has got worse the more they have worn so looking forward to a new set next month. Alignment etc. is spot on.

It means that at about 80 on the motorway I thiink my S4 would leave it for dead until it got on boost,

A simple re-map will cure this one

Seems like you have close twins to my babies. I drove my S4 over the weekend and I couldn't agree more with what you've pointed out. I got the MTM remap on the RS4 which made a true beast out of the car.

Well ive got to agree with all the above comments made,mine is starting to tramline a little more than usual ive put it down to the front tyres getting worn,i know alls as it should be as it was laser tracked 3 weeks ago.tuned s4s are good but wait till you have tuned your rs4 they feel soooh much better they really do come alive theres no need to rev it to make fast progress but when you do oh my god,and then theres the look from the people in the "know" priceless

Oddly enough I don't think my RS4 tramlines as badly as my previous S4. However, the older the tyres the worse the problem (on both cars). Mind you, neither is as bad as a Saab I once had - that was chronic regardless of tyre age/choice.

Anyway - glad you seem to be enjoying your new beastie.

I know exactly what you mean about the differences between a chipped S4 and RS4. I had the same as you.

One of the major advantages of the stock RS4 over a chipped S4 is you can stay in the same gear for longer using more of the rev range when shooting about tight twisty roads. With the chipped S4 you had to short shift due to the limited rev range, with my AMD chip it wasn't worth reving past 5000. The RS will pull strong all the way to the limiter so much so I often hit the limiter! I miss the 380ftlbs of the chipped S4. I tried REVO's trial software. What an animal that turned the RS into. In fact that trial, removed the speed limiter and has given me 363ftlbs of torque over the stock 325ftlbs. Sometime after I had my concerns about REVO's trial software as it does not return to the old stock map but a new 'Stock' map. When I had some probs with my car running near 90bhp down and seriously missfiring I and others thought it was possibly down to a software issue. It was nothing to do with REVO. The exhaust temp probes were at fault. The car was rolling road tested a couple of weeks back and recorded 403bhp and 363ftlbs. The higher bhp is not unusual but the higher torque is and such a nice curve was Jim's comment from Star perfromance. I did think the car pulled more stronger after the trial period. I guess I've gained 38ftlbs!

Certain tyres are worse than others, Particularly as they wear. The F1s are by far the best from my limited choice of 3 different tyres thus far. I'm running the new Toyo Proxy Somethings. I'm not that impressed with these over the F1s. The old Pirelli's were dangerous for tramlining once they became part worn!

The old Pirelli's were dangerous for tramlining once they became part worn!

That's what I have and you're absolutely right!!!!

me too, fairly worn rosso's on mine and you have to hold on pretty tight on these awfully surfaced roads round here. Have to be careful changing from Radio 3 to Radio 4 sometimes.

Lots of deja vu here - made very similar comments when I first had mine; was absolutely gutted on my first Welsh mountain drive in it However a change of boots to F1's sorted it and are still sorting it 1 yr later FABULOUS tyres - and there were some concerns here initially about their durability.

Dont think anything has been raised recently, there was an issue or two when they first came out, IIRC, JR had an issue with one coming apart but not heard of anything since 2002

The Pirellis do seem to be quite hard wearing but the quality of grip (especially in the wet) and road noise generated is nowhere near as good as the Goodyear F1's I had on my S3. Hardly matters now anyway cos after 3 sessions at Donnington on Sunday they are now illegal anyway

Thankfully Gordon arrived just in time with my new wheels and Dunlop track tyres (Unbelievably different round the track- 5 seconds a lap faster on my next session ) Before the MOT next month my original wheels will be reshod with Michelin PS2's

You will like the PS'2's......... have them on my 18" wheels and they are top notch Was interesting to try the 19" conti's on the track.......... still squeel like a stuck pig but was pleasantly surprised at the grip and the fact that in all the photos, they dont seem to be rolling on the rims

in all the photos, they dont seem to be rolling on the rims

Looked pretty much like that in real life....!!!