test driven s4

[JAMES]

i had a v8 s4 convert out at the weekend,really to get a feel for what is to come.i found the 4.2 a fantastic engine with 100% improved gearchange.the v8 pulls from very low revs and is smooth with a constant gradual acceleration and no turbo waiting or lag,tuned to 420 or 500 bhp it should be awesome and hopefully not all topend.the gearchange was tight and went into 1st while still moving which my rs4 has trouble with.suspention was more forgiving and smooth but still felt solid,the traction didn't come in so quickly and you could get a bit of rear spin off the line before it came in.either that or it comes in much smoother although i didnt see the light unless i pushed it.(the car not the button)
all round i was very impressed until it came to interior,although there were no ratles and amazingly no giveaway you were driving a convertable the dash finish and layout looked much cheaper than the rs4.not sure about the new display although it will probably grow on me,but worst the door panels looked naf,and where has the paded arm rest gone from the door.if anything audi needed to put a little more pading there for long motorway drives not make it a hard piece of plastic.it seems the rs6 is the same.the rear ash tray piano black to match dash inlay which just looked tacky.no full window closure from remote.glove box has shelves which is better.
im just sure the rs has a better quality feel to it and hope the b7 or new rs is a big improvement.
i hope you dont mind this in the new rs section i just wanted some veiws from people who have tried the s4 or are awaiting the next beast.

[Nordschleife]

expect Audi interiors to continue getting cheaper. Unfortunately, the new RS4 is destined for the US, presently the dollar is tanking and there is a limit as to how much the American market will pay for the RS4, so the only way Audi can make money is by taking value out of the car.
I would not be surprised if Audi delayed introduction of the RS4 in the US until th exchange rate improves.
If anybody mutters anything about 'currency hedging', they obviously are not working in the City! Remember, its like any contract, there have to be two willing parties.

[JAMES]

it a shame as the rs wins in all other departements,the porsche cayene interior whipes the floor with s4 leather dash ect for 50,000.and the new a6 is also very nice IMO

[DaveP]

Yeah, I saw the new A6 dash the other week when I was in Preston Audi....I really liked it too...great layout.