slagging of new S4 in this weeks Autocar test

[DuncS3]

Placed against MErc C32 AMG Estate & Alpina B3 Touring - S4 gets good marks for looks/interior and engine noise, but generally slagged as "oh no please, not another fast Audi which is flawed"

It came last in the test

Dunc [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]

[Brooner]

Just the normal audi bashing from the auto press but amazingly top gear would choose it rather than the new M3 which beats the S4 ond a stright line race but the S4 was over a second quicker around a dry track shock horror [img]images/graemlins/bowdown.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/s4anogaro.gif[/img]

[wazza]

Was this another Sutcliffe [img]images/graemlins/033102ass_1_prv.gif[/img] test? [img]images/graemlins/knob.gif[/img]

[DuncS3]

no not Sutcliffe (the man who would rather take the train than drive an RS4)

maybe they are right - I wouldnt say the S3 had loads of steering feedback if compared to my old BMW 328 Sport

Dunc [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]

[Dippy]

Well yet again another review which does not compare like with like. The AMG and Alpina are tuned versions of production cars from Mercedes and BMW respectively, whereas the S4 is an untuned production car from Audi.

I have a simple solution to stupid reviews like that...

...I don't read them.

[kiwi_mtm]

immmmm.

the S4 would be close enough to an AMG. But certainly the Alpina is another story..

[s4dreamer]

the S4 would be close enough to an AMG. But certainly the Alpina is another story..

I think the point here is that the S4 is a "standard" production model from Audi, whilst the BMW and Merc come from a tuner's stable, like the RS4/6.

They weren't comparing apples with apples, but then again it doesn't matter - the comparison was between 3 good cars, of which the S4 is the cheapest by far.

[s4dreamer]

I see the S4 just got trashed again by Sutcliffe in a head-to-head against the M3 on a "twisty test track" in the wet and dry.

I wasn't surprised by the outcome given an ex-racing driver at the wheel who probably drives an M3 regularly, but has driven the S4 maybe 2 or 3 times. What a [img]images/graemlins/knob.gif[/img]

[Gareth]

You won't find me often defending Autocar ( [img]images/graemlins/rocketwhore.gif[/img]) but I feel they called it right on this one.

Have you driven a M3 just out of interest?

[DuncS3]

Gareth has a point, i assume that the new S4 is good, but doesnt mean it is better than a M3. I had a BMW previously (328 Sport) and I can testify that it had tons more steering feel than my S3 has (not as fast though [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img])

Dunc [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]

[Gareth]

The S4 is a very good car, especially as an all rounder. But it's not a real sports car/saloon by a long way...

Just IMO, but based on driving/owning several M3's and 2 of the new S4's over 450 miles so far.. [img]images/graemlins/033102talk_1_prv.gif[/img]

[Dippy]

I've never driven an M3, but I can imagine what it's like.

IMO Audi are not trying to compete with the M3 in EXACTLY the same market. The S4 is indeed not a sports car but a performance saloon/estate. let's face it, BMW do not produce a performance saloon/estate!

If Audi produce an S4 cabriolet, then maybe you could compare it to the M3. Having said that you still can't necessarily suggest that they are going for the same market.

I am quite happy that Audi are different. I like my performance car to have 4 doors, and preferably be an estate. So BMW do not cater for me at all.

[Gareth]

You're obviously right about the fact that BMW don't provide an estate to compete with the RS4/S4 avant.

However I think there are a few other things that you say which don't ring true.

1. You say that the S4 is not an M3 competitor. I find that hard to believe and I'm sure that Audi would also disagree. Ok it's a 4 door saloon v 2 door coupe but the accomodation is not too different and they are aimed at the same buyer.

2. You said that BMW do not produce a performance saloon/estate- Esate granted, but what about the M5 saloon?

3. When the S4 cab comes out it seems pretty obvious to me that these two will compete with each other in the marketplace. Can't think why you wouldn't think that, to be honest..

As for you being able to imagine what the M3 is like I can't comment. Perhaps it would best for you try one and then you wouldn't have to imagine how good/bad it is? [img]images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Just an idea M8 [img]images/graemlins/sloppy.gif[/img]

[Nige_RS4]

Gareth, your preaching to the Audi enthusiasts here? No-one cares about the M3. Dave is right, they might be roughly the same price, but they are for different buyers. The M3 is not a family car, the S4 is ! Anyway, getting a baby seat in/out of a 2-door coupe gets rather tiring after a short while.
Anyway, let's find out what most people think - £40k to spend ....
<FORM METHOD=POST ACTION="http://forums.rs246.com/forums/dopoll.php"><INPUT TYPE=HIDDEN NAME="pollname" VALUE="1057766058Nige_S4">
<p>You decide ....
<input type="radio" name="option" value="1" />M3
<input type="radio" name="option" value="2" />RS4
<INPUT TYPE=Submit NAME=Submit VALUE="Submit vote" class="buttons"></form>

[Gareth]

Well I was hoping that we were all open minded car enthusiasts and not just blindly following a particular brand. Perhaps I was wrong... [img]images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Ho hum... [img]images/graemlins/033102bad_1_prv.gif[/img]



[quote]Gareth, your preaching to the Audi enthusiasts here?