MRC stage 1 S4 to RS4

[Kiteral]

Have been mulling over a change to a V8, has anyone else gone from a tuned S4 B8 to a boggo RS4 ?

I'm sort of feeling the need for a V8 at least once in my life

I'm averaging about 260-280 miles between fill ups, is it going to be much more painful with the V8 ?

Quite like the sleeper look of this one http://usedcars.m.audi.co.uk/vehicle.as ... c=se_nm_re_

But it hasn't got B & O or full leather, are these essential or not ?

[PSB1]

Not a great spec, but Prism is *the* colour.

[Kiteral]

Apart from no full leather and no B & O, what other essential spec is missing ?

TBH it's going to be bought on finance and prob px'ed back into the network so does the spec really matter ?

[Snotsicle]

A rear number plate that has been screwed on straight is an essential option IMHO

Prism is a great colour, though.

[Vodkaking77]

B & O is a must. Plus i think leather in a car like a RS4 is something everyone wants. I got the advanced key as well which was a must for me.

Certain options help sell the car later. Love the colour though

[Kiteral]

Pointless now as sold over a week ago

Still interested to hear s4/rs4 comparisons though.

[copperband]

As much as I thought I'd never say this...the Matte styling pack looks great if you opt for the Sepang, it really sets the colour contrast off nicely in the same way the black works well on colours like the red.

The sportpack is an option you could debate all day. Personally having driven the car for 2 weeks now I like the sports exhaust sound but wonder if it's really that much different to std? I love the aesthetics of the 20" wheels (I have rota's which i actually now prefer on my car to the v spokes). The dynamic steering I hate, it feels like the car has been taken over by another being and I am only partly involved.The Dynamic suspension is a little too harsh and I haven't really found it makes that much of an improvement to the handling with or without.

hth

[carsarecool]

As much as I thought I'd never say this...the Matte styling pack looks great if you opt for the Sepang, it really sets the colour contrast off nicely in the same way the black works well on colours like the red.

The sportpack is an option you could debate all day. Personally having driven the car for 2 weeks now I like the sports exhaust sound but wonder if it's really that much different to std? I love the aesthetics of the 20" wheels (I have rota's which i actually now prefer on my car to the v spokes). The dynamic steering I hate, it feels like the car has been taken over by another being and I am only partly involved.The Dynamic suspension is a little too harsh and I haven't really found it makes that much of an improvement to the handling with or without.

hth

I agree with all of that.....I am happy with my spec but the Sports Pack is a widely debated option. I find Dynamic to be awful somedays and then others I get used to it and quite like it. Went for a blat today and I drove the same long, straight, bumpy and derestricted stretch of road in Dynamic and Auto back to back and they were worlds apart. I lifted off in Dynamic as I felt a bit out of control at one stage, the car was moving all over the place with the compression and decompression over the bumps - it harked back to Chris Harris' first drive where he said it was trying to throw him off the road. I did it again, same acceleration and speed, in Auto and it was worlds apart. It seemed way more planted and I never felt out of control. (I have 19s and winters on at the mo too)

I think it's nice to have the option which is what future buyers will probably think too.

OP - DO IT! It may not be faster than your S4 but the experience makes up for that. I found the V6 to be very bland in my S4....hence it went after 6 months....a tune may have changed that but....

[RS4will]

Hi Kiteral,
We've jawed before.

Yeah I made the leap last summer. Sold the B8 S4 MRC stage 2 (470ps) for a new B8 RS4 - both 7-speed S-tronic. A drop in power and torque but a leap in fun and enjoyment and it's just a sheer joy to drive. As you say, you've got to try a V8 once.

Had both on track - both are awesome, but the RS4 is the real deal, particularly if you spec the bucket seats. This latter comment is one example of the difference in interior quality between an S4 and an RS4. Back on the track/road, I found the S4 more capable in the straight line than the stock RS4, but I feel that the RS4 is better on the bends and overall handling. The V8 growl on the sports exhaust is unbeatable IMHO. (You may remember my attempts in the past to get a decent sound from the S4).

Daily running costs are much the same. I tend to get 25mpg from both cars over the course of a tank. Later costs will, of course, be little more painful. But that's the nature of the beast and you go into it with your eyes open.

At the weekend we've had some bad snow up here in Central Scotland. The RS4 with its stock near-slick Potenzas was a liability. After one or two brown trouser moments, I adjusted my driving style to be several degrees more cautious than grannies in their Micras. Winter tyres now ordered[GRINNING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]

Don't think about it too much - we're only young (ahem) once

[RIV]

Good write up, nice to hear your in favour of the Rs

[marc1]

Does your S4 have full ADS and Sports diff? If not, as they are standard on the RS4, they will make a huge difference to the handling. Add that to a wider track and DRC and the RS4 will seem a lot more planted.

[Foxy]

Just adding my twopence as I took delivery of my car at New Year. Mine is prism with rotors, black mirrors, optics, privacy and I love the look, very pleased. If I could rewind I would probably drop the sport pack; as others have stated, finding the perfect set up is not possible, I've actually left suspension in comfort, diff in dynamic and steering dynamic, it's ok but I reckon the standard set up would be better. If I had my time again I'd put the money into a Milltek and some aftermarket wheels, saving the 19's for winter tyres (mine's on Bridgestones and they're not great in snow/ice). All of that said, I am really happy with the car, engine is just run in and is epic, I actually like the lack of low down grunt because it gives the car a Jekyll and Hyde nature and I like the quality, finish and image. The tech is getting a bit long in the tooth, but I can forgive it, with the right spec (I like the roof and tech pack) it's a very good car and offers something Merc and BMW cannot.