Anyone else think the engine is a little flat?

[Joedesi]

Hi all

Wifey and I are looking at family cars to replace our 2011 B8 S4.

On the list to try out was the new RS4; we like the looks and quattro security (especially given the snowy weather today!)

I went for a shortish test drive. Overall the car was impressive - a particular highlight was the DRC suspension which was more compliant than I was expecting (F80 M3 is too harsh in this respect)

Obviously the car is rapid but the engine didnt make me tingle. It is fast but sounded quite bland and generally was not memorable.

We have a BMW M140 as the family "runabout" and honestly the RS4 didnt feel all that different in terms of driving expereince - obviously its faster and more stable but not more exciting at normal speeds

I think we will have to try our the C63 estate - but that doesnt have the AWD security I wanted

Anyone feel the same way? We also tried the RR Velar - again the showroom appeal is strong but engines are quite dull (tried D300 and P380)

What else is there (finances dont stretch to E63 unfortunately...)

BW

J

[Joedesi]

Just to add the car did have the sports exhaust

[nastro azzurro]

Don’t understand about your lack of excitement at normal speeds. At normal speeds it’s a nice comfortable drive. No drama and does the job as an all rounder extremely well. The perfect family wagon (that’s what you want it for isn’t it?). Now when you want to open the taps and have a play......well that’s something exciting! Granted it doesn’t sound as good as the V8 but when pressing on the noise is quite addictive. I like it.
Might you be missing the point of this car?

[Joedesi]

I may be missing the point of this car and I do need to raise my hands up and say it was only a 20 minute test drive on A and B roads ( I suspect a car like this grows on you during your ownership)

Overall I think this car is fantastic...I love the looks both exterior and interior - it felt agile for its size

but at this price point I think I want to get out of the car and say "wow" - its the engine that left me wanting more...its quick but clinical in its execution

I guess I was wondering if Im the only one that feels this way and what others think?

[nastro azzurro]

Don’t quite understand what you do want from an engine......
If you’re popping to the shops, whatever car you’re driving, I doubt you’ll be saying wow...
However a Sunday morning blast on some fast technical roads and I would think you’d be saying wow.
For me there is nothing else that quite ticks all the boxes.

[535dboy]

You could consider an E43 like I’ve got

Might not tick the box you are after but a different proposition

[S4WON]

You have a 2011 B8 S4...
How many boxes does that tick? Because if it was enough to keep you box ticked for the last X months or years, the RS will supply you with another amazon warehouse amount of boxes to tick.

Disclaimer, I have had a B7 rs, B8 s4 and B8 rs as my family wagon and weekend fun wagon but have not driven the B9 rs, yet...

[Surrey Sam]

I think the B9 RS4 is going to be like the Porsche 718.

Great car but...

[Graeme4130]

I was the same when I first started driving it, but it's a grower
I'm hoping that, like the B8 sport exhaust, it gets louder over time the wadding starts to bed in a bit, as it wasn't as loud as I'd have liked, and I'm not a loud exhaust type of guy (if that makes sense)

[535dboy]

I think the B9 RS4 is going to be like the Porsche 718.

Great car but...

Indeed

That is good quicker car but lost character

[Markp]

I am lucky enough to have another car to provide character. A 2CV. Plus it makes the B9 engine seem a monster.
Seriously though I currently have a C7 RS6 which has a wonderful engine, but I actually like the noise and delivery of the V6 in the RS4. But then I don't like shouty exhausts.

[gilford]

I was the same when I first started driving it, but it's a grower
I'm hoping that, like the B8 sport exhaust, it gets louder over time the wadding starts to bed in a bit, as it wasn't as loud as I'd have liked, and I'm not a loud exhaust type of guy (if that makes sense)

It does get louder, I’m on 4K miles in the RS5 now and it’s much better, deeper louder tone and it pops and farts like I do after a curry!

[DeanoC]

Does it need to be an estate? What about the new M5? That is sort of minimum spec RS4 money.

I hear what you're saying. I found the engine a let down on the noise and delivery front. It has noticeable lag and then when it gets going runs out of revs too soon. The ZF is a downgrade too.

Saying all that lots of people buy the RS4 as a capable daily to do the 2.4 children, dog, bike, boring commute, pop to the shops thing with the occasional Sunday morning blast. It has got better at all of the mon-sat stuff and much worse on a Sunday.

The money is the final thing. It needs to.come down 10%. It's not worth 20k+ over an S4! It has less improvements over the S4 than ever in its history. You could buy a BiTdi A6 mon-sat car and a decent used Cayman or something like that for sunday for the same money.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[Covkiller]

Seriously though I currently have a C7 RS6 which has a wonderful engine, but I actually like the noise and delivery of the V6 in the RS4. But then I don't like shouty exhausts.

Why would you want to change from your C7 RS6, what an amazing car. The only thing I would worry about, if I had one, was if it fit in my garage, and if not of course I would extend it.

[Markp]

Seriously though I currently have a C7 RS6 which has a wonderful engine, but I actually like the noise and delivery of the V6 in the RS4. But then I don't like shouty exhausts.

Why would you want to change from your C7 RS6, what an amazing car. The only thing I would worry about, if I had one, was if it fit in my garage, and if not of course I would extend it.
[/quote

The RS6 is big, but the best car I have ever owned. RS4 more practical as a daily for me - less in your face and smaller. I wanted a B8 when I bough the 6 but despite the comment above I found it lacking in all areas, the B9 is a much better car - even on Sundays - for me anyway. So went 6 last time but 3 years on time for a change and no new 6 available.

I was never enamoured with previous versions of the RS6, none of which drove anywhere near as well as the current version.
For me B7 and B9 best RS4s
C7 best RS6.
But each to their own.