my car is too slow!

[ammwhite]

Only had my car for a few weeks, but I'm now becoming worried that it's not performing as it should. Last Friday I tried a few 50-70 times:

50-70 in 6th: 7.5s
50-70 in 5th: 5.8s

These seem to be higher than others have quoted, especially in 6th.

I've also noticed that my car is struggling to see off 'lesser' cars on the road. The clincher was last night when I struggled to keep up with a Clio Sport [img]images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] I was behing him coming off a roundabout and floored it in 2nd and then 3rd, going from about 15mph up to >70 [img]images/graemlins/sekret.gif[/img] and he was gradually pulling away [img]images/graemlins/033102bad_1_prv.gif[/img]

Anyway, what should I do? Take it back to the dealer and get them to check it out? Can they just plug it into the computer to diagnose the problem?

[Dippy]

Andy,

Yes they 'might' be able to find any problem if the engine has produced any DTCs.

These engines are prone to air leaks (and DV failures) and these can affect performance. Have a look at the air intake pipes yourself, including those coming from the intercoolers (you'll need a torch for those).

However I wouldn't judge your performance based on other cars. Those Clios are damn quick, and the standard S4 is not actually that quick at lower speeds - it's the acceleration at higher speeds that it's good at.

[toasty]

Or come to a meet, most of us are old hands now at inspecting the Biturbo engine. I'm sure someone would be happy to have a look for you and also come for a ride in your car and give you their prognosis.

[img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[ammwhite]

A meet sounds good - who is up for a meet in Glasgow [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

I know the Clio 172's are nippy little cars, but surely it shouldn't be able to outrun an S4 from 20-70! From EVO's knowledge:

Model Bhp/rpm Lbft/rpm Bhp/ton 0-60 Max mph
Clio172 170/6250 147/5400 167 7.1 138
Audi S4 265/5800 295/3600 178 5.5 153

Anyone in the Glasgow area got VAG-COM?

Also, if I'm looking for leaks or tears in hoses/pipes, where should I look? I'm a bit of a mechanical novice [img]images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[Nige_RS4]

Andy, you need to read this thread and also here for info on the most troublesome of hoses on the S4.

Nige.

[Dippy]

Andy, how old is your car?

The TBB is the most likely cause, but it's difficult to detect a tear without removing it.

[DJG]

How far are Star Performance from you? They are in Glenrothes. Maybe it would be worth thinking about going to them for a check-up.

As I've just proved it is possible to go to a specialist, confirm that the power is what it should be and still come away with slightly worse performamce... [img]images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Think that is just me though...

Meeting Dippy later ( [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img] Dave) so may know more soon.

David

[DavidR]

A meet sounds good - who is up for a meet in Glasgow [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

I don't have VAG.com but I do have an S4 in Perth if you want to compare...

[Hinesy]

I stay in Stirling so if you two want to meet in the middle and have a look at mine too I'm up for that. i have an S reg S4 Avant and is getting some work on it just now.

[ammwhite]

My car is a Jan. 2000 'V' with just over 30k on the clock.

I'm about 60-70 miles from Glenrothes (I think?), but since my car is under warranty, I'd rather get it checked out by an Audi dealer - just need to confirm if there really is a problem.

I did some more 50-70 timings this morning, with the following results:
50-70 in 4/5/6 - 4.75s/5.6s/6.9s
so maybe it's not as bad as I thought [img]images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

Also, I had initially been filling up with regular unleaded, and last time switched to super. I going to make a bit more effort to use Optimax for the next couple of fill-ups, and see if that gives me a bit of a boost.

David_R, thanks for the offer. Maybe we could get a few others and arrange a Scottish meet? Is your car standard? I'd quite like to see the difference between a standard and chipped S4 - although maybe not until I can afford to get mine chipped [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Hinesy]

mine's an unmodded S4 Andy so I'll time it when it gets back and let you know the times.
Where do you stay ??

[DavidT]

Andy,

You want to get some millers Octane booster in there with the Optimax mate [img]images/graemlins/biggrin3.gif[/img]

My car is standard and I noticed the move from unleaded to Optimax and again (but smaller) when I started adding millers to it.

Can someone who knows about these things post the technical backup to the performance increase please ?


David

[ammwhite]

Hinesy, I stay in Greenock and work in Glasgow. Where are you? Don't see too many S4's about here.

[S4_SAT]

u think ur car is slow? try driving a 1.5 turbo diesel with a whopping 65BHP!!!!!!! [img]images/graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img]

[Hinesy]

I stay in Stirling and work in Glasgow - its a silver S4 Avant... I'll keep a look out for you !