Thoughts after test drive.....

[carsarecool]

Right,

I had 2 hours in an RS4 this afternoon. In the metal I thought the 19s looked OK but am sure I will regret it if i dont put 20s on it.

A summary:

In Dynamic mode the road was harsh unless moving at pace. Comfort best for average, non-hooning driving.
Steering was a bit weird, I found I had to dial in a bit more lock at slow and mid-speed. Ok when moving fast.
The engine needs to be worked but after a while you get used to what it needs - I am in a TTRS where power is instant anywhere above 1500rpm so thats just a familiarity thing. B7 to B8 you probably wouldn't notice.
On the motorway it picks up speed very quickly indeed - treble figures too easily
I felt it had the taught "coiled spring" feel of the B7 - waiting to be exploited
The std Sports seats were comfy and supportive
The sound is lovely a la B7. Hopefully sports exhaust will amplify that.
Tram-lined heavily like my B7 on the same bits of road requiring correction when braking....I actually like it as you are working even when braking in a straight line.


Liked it and will probably order one in January.

[RIV]

That picture looks shocking, it looks so crap with those wheels

[RSphantom]

That looks exactly the same as the one I took out for a test drive, just alot cleaner.

Those wheels do not work with the car at all in my opinion you need some 20's on it.

I've got an RS3 at the moment and I know what you mean about lower down the rev range, however I did find it picked up in the mid range a lot better when you kicked down in standard D on the stronic box and the four wheel drive system is better at moving the power around to stop the front squirming off roundabouts etc.

[carsarecool]

That looks exactly the same as the one I took out for a test drive, just alot cleaner.

Those wheels do not work with the car at all in my opinion you need some 20's on it.

I've got an RS3 at the moment and I know what you mean about lower down the rev range, however I did find it picked up in the mid range a lot better when you kicked down in standard D on the stronic box and the four wheel drive system is better at moving the power around to stop the front squirming off roundabouts etc.

If you're in West London area it probably was......re: power, further into the drive I was more in tune with where the power came in.....very B7-seque/naturally aspirated. It's easy to forget how different turbo and non-turbo high revving engines are when it comes to power delivery.

A couple of years ago, I had some minor work done on my B7 at a local garage. The guy was into BMWs. When he dropped my car back he said (with glee) he couldn't believe how slow it was at low revs.....which it is but once you've tuned in.....as I explained to him whilst I took for a drive....

[blueaudi]

I haven't driven one yet, but I get the feeling that most who have would opt for a standard set up, with no dynamic steering or DRC but opt for sports exhaust and 20's. Is that the general concensus (amongst those who've driven the car over a reasonable distance)?

[carsarecool]

I am waiting for the dealer to confirm that the car I drove didn't have DrC. If it didn't I didn't miss it. I only drove 100 odd miles mind.