Drove new S4 yesterday

[Dave]

Drove the new (4.2 v8) S4 yeaterday and was completley gob smaked..

It is an absolutly fabulous car. The way the V8 breaths and put on the revs is unbeliveable. It would destroy an M3 on the road.. I've driven both and there is no comparison.

The steering, as Clarkson says, is sublime.. the weighting is perfect.

I would go as far to say that this is the new benchmark and is better than RS4 and RS6..

You guys must go and have a drive..I went not expecting much and had to do all I could not to put a deposit down...

Stunning [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img]

[pds]

Hurray !

lets just hope they can start the production line again as I want mine now! [img]images/graemlins/1syellow1.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/1syellow1.gif[/img]

[Gareth]

Dave

I'm taking one out this weekend and am looking forward to it.

However I'd be very surprised if it is as good, or better than the M3 as a pure drivers car. The thing about the M3 is that you have to drive it a decent amount of time and on all road surfaces to have a really good idea of what it's capable of. Obviously I don't know how much time you spent in a M3 to make your views so I'd be interested to know of course [img]images/graemlins/033102talk_1_prv.gif[/img]

For me the M3 has the best engine and the best diff/traction control system of ANY car I've owned or driven bar none [img]images/graemlins/bowdown.gif[/img]

...which is not to say that I won't enjoy the S4 of course, I'm really looking forward to it [img]images/graemlins/sleeping_2.gif[/img]

Interesting to note however that the car mags have complained about the steering though... [img]images/graemlins/ban.gif[/img]

[Chins]

Gareth

You make some valid points, BUT someone convinced you the S was a good car [img]images/graemlins/3flypigs.gif[/img] I would vote for the RS4 engine over the M3 engine though. M3 sounded great, but needed a bigger kick up the backside to get going than most premiership footballers (Bolton players excepted)

Looking forward to the UK's Head of New Car QA to report back

Jonathan

[Dave]

However I'd be very surprised if it is as good, or better than the M3 as a pure drivers car. The thing about the M3 is that you have to drive it a decent amount of time and on all road surfaces to have a really good idea of what it's capable of. Obviously I don't know how much time you spent in a M3 to make your views so I'd be interested to know of course [img]images/graemlins/033102talk_1_prv.gif[/img]

The M3 is a great car, make no mistake, but unless you are giving it beans all the time I never really felt comfortable in it. Rev that sublime six and you would be grinning from ear to ear but I was always wary of the rear end stepping out.

The S4 is just amazing.. I don't know if I went with low expectations but I came away stunned. The way that V8 breaths and puts on the revs is just the same as the M3. And the weight of the V8 (or I should put the lack of it)it remarkable. The car isn't nose heavy at all and it is certainly no heavier than the V6 Bi-T it replaces.

I don't know if the S4 is quikcer in the quarter mile, but get onto a twisty road and I reckon the S4 would pull away. It's a traction and grip thing.

The major improvements are in the ride and grip. The suspension settings are absolutly first class and the amount of grip just stunning. Better than standard Rs4 and RS6. I love the gear change.. Ok might be a 'little' long compared to M3 but it slots home perfectly.

But what really gets you is the way the V8 revs.. sorry to come back to it, but it has no lethergy, it just revs from 1000rpm to 7000rpm with absolute ease.

There is a valve in the exhaust to increase noise levels which is just music. Not 100 miles from the M3.

Oh and the interior is a vast improvement over previous A/S/Rs4.

I was very, very impressed. The next RS4 is going to have to be one hell of a car to surpass this.

[Nige_RS4]

Gareth,

For me the M3 has the best engine and the best diff/traction control system of ANY car I've owned or driven bar none

Re: the best engine - get yourslef in a 911 and listen to the 'wail' a Porsche flat-six makes.
Re: the best diff/traction - it's awful! I also run a 3 series Beemer with a paltry 143bhp and it steps out all the time - my S4 hasn't so much as twitched with double the BHP! IHMO, the best traction system is Porsches PSM - it allows you to go 10/10ths and will hold it there for you, not kill the power. Most test drivers switch the traction systems off on the track - they leave the Porsche system on ! [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

[zero_to60]

If you want to sample a fine engine try the engine in the Honda S2000 coupled with an HKS twin exhaust. It's awesome

As for driver aids....there are none apart from a clever limited slip diff....you Audi S drivers are pampered

I've got an A2 as well which I am tempted to p/x for an S4 2.7....friend of mine manages Epsom Audi so a call may be in the offing soon

[Gareth]

Gareth,

For me the M3 has the best engine and the best diff/traction control system of ANY car I've owned or driven bar none

Re: the best engine - get yourslef in a 911 and listen to the 'wail' a Porsche flat-six makes.
Re: the best diff/traction - it's awful! I also run a 3 series Beemer with a paltry 143bhp and it steps out all the time - my S4 hasn't so much as twitched with double the BHP! IHMO, the best traction system is Porsches PSM - it allows you to go 10/10ths and will hold it there for you, not kill the power. Most test drivers switch the traction systems off on the track - they leave the Porsche system on ! [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

Nige

Firstly I have driven a few 911's (and owned a 964/911) over the years but have to say that for me the sound doesn't do it. A 993 at full chat does sound good but at low revs I hate the "fully tuned washing machine" sound [img]images/graemlins/033102bad_1_prv.gif[/img] I've always found the PSM (a crazily priced option as well [img]images/graemlins/062802beat_prv.gif[/img]) to be adequate up to a point and then it gets too intrusive for me. Let's put it down to personal preference/driving style?

As for the comment about your BMW traction control system I'm afraid you're not comparing 'apples with apples'. If your 3 series has 143 bhp it is probably a 318i or a 320D (you don't say but I'm guessing here) and it has a TOTALLY DIFFERENT system to the M3. Your car has probably got 'ASR' which is the most basic traction control system they do. The M3 has a very advanced system called 'DSC' (dynamic stability control) allied to the 'M' differential which makes the grip and handling charateristics different to ANY other BMW.

And I actually like a car that moves around a bit, otherwise things are a little dull [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img] I never had a scare and always loved the handling, wet and dry. In the dry I always switched off the DSC as well and it was even more of a hoot.

Cheers,
Gareth.

[zero_to60]

I'm gonna put my flame suit on now.......

The S4 will take you from point A to point B quickly with little drama and butt clenching moments....not sure how much fun this would be...probably not much but since I've never driven one I'll have to reserve judgement on that

I personally like my S2000 because you need to really 'drive the car' it won't do it for you.

I am considering an S4 for when I am out with the family and still want to go quickly but have the margin of safety that isn't there with my S2000

The fact that you chip it and stick two fingers up to the Imprezza boys has an appeal [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Gareth]

Gareth

You make some valid points, BUT someone convinced you the S was a good car [img]images/graemlins/3flypigs.gif[/img] I would vote for the RS4 engine over the M3 engine though. M3 sounded great, but needed a bigger kick up the backside to get going than most premiership footballers (Bolton players excepted)

Looking forward to the UK's Head of New Car QA to report back

Jonathan

When you refer to "the S" I presume you mean the Cooper 'S'? [img]images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] If so no one convinced me it was a good car, just a good 'filler' car that I also made a premium on when I sold it [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img]

Intriguied by your assessment of the RS4 engine v the M3 though. Guess I need to try a fully modded RS4 as the std one was no comparison IMO....

I expect the S4 Q and A test to pass with flying colours [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Gareth]

Dave

Thanks for your additional comments. I'll let you know what I think after the weekend loan of the S4 [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img]

You've built my expectations sky high now... [img]images/graemlins/gotmesome.gif[/img]

[Chins]

When you refer to "the S" I presume you mean the Cooper 'S'? If so no one convinced me it was a good car, just a good 'filler' car that I also made a premium on when I sold it

Gareth my good chap. I was refering to the Jag S Type you bought. Did you leave the logo'd slippers and pipe in the car when you sold it [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] ??????

Jonathan

[Gareth]

When you refer to "the S" I presume you mean the Cooper 'S'? If so no one convinced me it was a good car, just a good 'filler' car that I also made a premium on when I sold it

Gareth my good chap. I was refering to the Jag S Type you bought. Did you leave the logo'd slippers and pipe in the car when you sold it [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] ??????

Jonathan

Ah...right...ok..I'll get my smoking jacket..ahem.. [img]images/graemlins/033102bigblink_1_prv.gif[/img]