Showdown... RS4 versus new S4

[TimJMS]

Audi S4 V8... Standard car / tyres. Continental Sport Contact 2.

Audi RS4... Standard car EXCEPT Quattro upgraded suspension, RS6 19's, Yokohama AVS Sport 265 / 30 R19

[TimJMS]

another

[Riz_RS4]

So how does it compare or havent you done it yet?
Dave put some strong words in his post saying that its amazing compared to the RS4 / RS6 etc.... or words to that effect! [img]images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

[TimJMS]

another.

[TimJMS]

Bloomin heck Riz...

I am postin me little piccies... next comes my bigoted, twisted, biased opinion!!!! Another pic...

[TimJMS]

two left...

[TimJMS]

I have a few more. Wish I could make them appear automatically. Please click attachment!

[Riz_RS4]

Wish I could make them appear automatically.

Its easy todo mate, just open the attachments in a new window copy the url address then re-edit your post and insert it in! [img]images/graemlins/tung2.gif[/img]

[TimJMS]

A few of us have already driven the new S4. And rightly too. A proper test drive, I think we would all agree, really is the only way to go. So these are MY views, formulated after having been allowed only 4.5 hours with the new S4.

The demo car it needs to be said was pretty fresh out of the box, and had only 50 miles on the clock. So new tyres (too new really) and a fresh engine (far too fresh really)

First impressions were just how well screwed together the car was. Excellent quality seats, really comfortable. Better than the RS. The car is extremely understated to the point that the exterior is bland. Very little distinguishes this car to passing eyes from any other new A4.

Thats both a good and bad point. It has stealth, but I would prefer stealth with a twist after having parted with my £40 large.

The engine sounds gorgeous. Unmistakably a V8, but Audi have tuned the exhaust to produce a beautiful resonance with this one... perhaps the lack of turbos here helps.

Anyway I threw myself straight at this car. All the controls were so familiar. The action of the switchgear all felt just that bit better quality than I was used to from the RS. The gearshift was MUCH better. Throughout the test and many, many full bore acceleration charges deep into three figure territory I never fluffed a change! (Something I still cannot say I can achieve in the RS under hard acceleration) The throw is long. Not as much so as the RS, but it "snicks" home with greater precision.

I enjoyed the run home to join up with the RS immensely. I dont know what Audi have done to the suspension set up, but goodness this car can handle. Plenty of grip. Huge grip. Turn in is as good as the standard RS, but there is none of that floaty wallowyness. It is beautifully damped. Firm not harsh. Better for press - on driving than the standard RS, I think, but not quite on a par after those all important changes have been made!

On a hard run with the two vehicles together slicing through single carriageway traffic, real impressions were beginning to form. The S4 was never far behind. We were fortunate to find some good stretches of uncluttered dual carriageway to do some side by side rolling acceleration test comparisons between the two. Quite simply the turbocharged car won EVERY time, pulling as much as 20 car lengths on a charge up to 150mph on a deserted private runway that we managed to find. ...(Coughs slightly at the unwillingness to incriminate self)... Actually from behind the wheel of the S, I could VERY easily tell when the RS driver was having trouble when changing up, but for all that, the RS pulled inexorably away.

But at all times it was a closer run thing than I would have believed possible. Guys, we need to get these two together on a trackday soon! [img]images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Its worth mentioning that throughout the 2 hours, and 45 minutes of mixed driving recorded by the vehicle, when I handed it back, she had averaged only 13.6mpg, the RS had achieved a shade over 16mpg with similar driving.

Its a good car y'know [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Joshie]

Great comparison Tim, thanks. [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img]

So the S4 is very good - not up to the standard RS4 in performance terms and not quite as economical either BUT as good in many of the other departments and better in some.

I could feel my wallet twitching until you mentioned the 20 car lengths bit. I need to test one to see if I could live with the performance after being used to my S4. Think I'll call Audi though tomorrow to arrange a "proper" test drive [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[JohnW]

Nice write-up Tim.

From a non-RS opwners point of view I'd agree about the comfort of the seats, and also the more refined ride.
Couldn't comment on the gearshift though as I only had about 45 minutes in each car.

It was a tough choice for me but I'm still opting for the RS as I think it will hold it money better than the S, and as you say doesn't look quite so understated.
Oh, and then there is the turbo kick [img]images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Cheers,
John.

[kcsun]

Well done Tim

But I bet the JD would outpace both of them on a cross country run [img]images/graemlins/jump.gif[/img]

kc [img]images/graemlins/s4anogaro.gif[/img]

[JJRS4]

I know which one I would choose....... Turbo V6 wins hands down every time.

RS4's handle too you know - very well indeed even on standard suspension. Track days to prove it.

[Nige_RS4]

Excellent write up Tim - I'm suprised that the RS opened up a 20 car gap - thought that it would be much closer than that, given the lack of lag on the new S4.

[DarthAndy]

the rs4 looks much cooler!