B7 S4 with AMD Stage 3 versus B7 RS4

[stevez]

Drove the B7 RS4 yesterday and absolutely loved it, but it got me thinking is it worth the extra £10k over a S4 with AMD stage 3 done. As i've not driven a S4 with the AMD done has anyone driven both and got any thoughts.

[Nige_RS4]

Drove the B7 RS4 yesterday and absolutely loved it, but it got me thinking is it worth the extra £10k over a S4 with AMD stage 3 done. As i've not driven a S4 with the AMD done has anyone driven both and got any thoughts.

I can only assume you mean the B5 RS4, as the B7 is about £40k more than an S4!

It's horses for courses - the S4 won't be worth any more after the £5k upgrade so you need to find a car with the mods already done. The RS4 will no doubt hold it's value slightly better in the long run. The RS4 will be slightly younger than the S4, so this might have an effect on valuations too. It's not as clear cut as you might think!

Also, if you are considering the AMD stage 3, make sure they include fuelling upgrades.

[SimonS4MTM]

Nige, i think he means B6/7 S4 and B7 RS4.

Steve, sorry cant help, though there are people here with modded B6/7's, that may help.

[stevez]

Nige, i think he means B6/7 S4 and B7 RS4.

Steve, sorry cant help, though there are people here with modded B6/7's, that may help.

To clarify new B7S4 £37k plus £5k AMD upgrade versus new B7 RS4 @ £52k

[Nige_RS4]

Yeah, my bad!

But I still think that the margin between the two cars is more than £10k and you won't get the same chassis, brakes and rear bias (or even bhp) that the new RS4 has.

Same deal with the Boxster S - £7k more for an extra 30bhp or so, but there's more to it than just a more powerful engine.

[Pete.S]

Interesting question.

BUT, when you consider a similarly spec-d up B7 S4 (to the same spec as a B7 RS4 in other words) will be nigh on 40k, plus AMD stage 3 conversion at, what, 7k, you're getting close to the 50k mark anyway, and as mentioned, the RS4 offers superior suspension, brakes etc etc.

Would make for a very interesting shoot-out tho....Scotty, will you oblige please?

[Pete.S]

Actually just checked, AMD stage 3 = £3231.25 inc VAT, Stage 4 = £6168.75 inc VAT, RS4 Vs Stage 4 S4 comparison would be more appropriate...

[don]

what about picking up a 'cheap' low miles B6 S4 and going stage 5 ala supercharger

[stevez]

Actually just checked, AMD stage 3 = £3231.25 inc VAT, Stage 4 = £6168.75 inc VAT, RS4 Vs Stage 4 S4 comparison would be more appropriate...

I didn't realise there was a stage 4. What extra does stage 4 give you over stage 3.

[Pete.S]

Actually just checked, AMD stage 3 = £3231.25 inc VAT, Stage 4 = £6168.75 inc VAT, RS4 Vs Stage 4 S4 comparison would be more appropriate...

I didn't realise there was a stage 4. What extra does stage 4 give you over stage 3.

http://www.amdtechnik.com/product.detai ... nceID=1917

[Dippy]

Ahh - the benfits of NA engine tuning. Remap & free-flow exhaust give you +40bhp/30lbft for just over 3 grand. Or you could spend another 3 grand for the cams and add an extra +10bhp/10lbft.

Whereas the crappy old B5 S4 gets you +40bhp/50lbft for less than a grand. Or another +35bhp/30lbft for free-flow exhaust costing another two grand or so.

[Mike_K]

I think Don's got the idea !

http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... ic&t=52065

q-factor and (maybe) a lot less nickable than an RS4........

[Scotty]

BUT, when you consider a similarly spec-d up B7 S4 (to the same spec as a B7 RS4 in other words) will be nigh on 40k, plus AMD stage 3 conversion at, what, 7k, you're getting close to the 50k mark anyway, and as mentioned, the RS4 offers superior suspension, brakes etc etc.

Would make for a very interesting shoot-out tho....Scotty, will you oblige please?

No point. The RS4 is lighter, has more power, better suspension, better brakes. etc.

At the same time my car's probably worth around £25k. The question for me is whether a new RS4 would be worth £30k extra. Not in my book. I'd rather spend £30k on a proper performance car like an Exige S.

[Pete.S]

But that is my point. For those of us hesitant to spend £30k-ish to get the power/chassis improvements etc the RS4 offers, it would be interesting to see the difference between it & a stage 3/4 S4. The B6 still looks pretty fresh, the B7 almost identical to the RS4, and interior-wise there's little difference (indeed from the posts on the RS4 section it seems the S4 may be more comfortable Vs buckets, particularly for long distance). Plus, of course, you've got the added worry of the RS4 being more "obvious" for thieves/jackers etc. I watched last week's Car Wars and was completely put off any thoughts of RS4 purchase, especially as I'm often in Manchester late at night!