nismo skyline
05-23-2006, 01:03 AM
Yesterday I was bored and decided to visit the local Audi dealership and check out the S4. I've never been an Audi fan, never sat in one or driven one for that matter. The day before I was at the SoCal euro meet and saw a beautiful new silver audi slammed and on 19" DPEs. I realized they had a lot of potential afterall.
I decided since the M3 and S4 are kind of in the same catagory, I would compare the two to each other.
The salesman looked young and new to the sales thing, and didnt pressure me too much.
We go up and down the huge parking garage looking for a manual tranny S4 at last we find one. Its a nice looking blue with black/light grey interior.
A couple of things about the exterior, between the A4 and S4 they look pretty much identical only way i could tell was the badge on the back and the wheels. I didnt like that too much, reminds me of the E36 non-M and M series. Not enough to distinguish the two. The mirrors are painted silver and do not flow with the car at all, but that can be painted i guess.
I like the quad exit exhaust it looks like it means business, reminds me alot of the e55 amg.
The interior i hate light colored interiors which this car had. Looks dirty even though its a brand new car. That could easily be solved by choosing black leather instead. The powered Recaro seats were nice and provided good support. The instrumatation was a little cluttered and confusing as the buttons seemed too close to each other and there were too many of them. I guess it can easy to use once you have the car for awhile. Carbon fiber trim was very nice and plentiful in the cockpit, a big plus for me.
I find the keys laying in the center console and i do not hesitate to fire up the big V8. The exhaust note sounded very nice for a stock car nice and deep with a low rumble to it. very impressive. I let the car warm up a bit and go outside to check it out from all angles. I dont think the salesman knew how to drive stick so i drove it from the very top of the parking garage all the way out.
I can usually tell if i'm gonna like a car, just by moving it a few feet. As i got out of the parking space it looked liked i was in for a lot of fun.
The clutch wasnt heavy or light it was right in the middle which makes for easy driving. I liked the feel of it alot. As we drive down the garage you can feel the torque just waiting to be unleashed we a quick blip of the throttle. The exhaust note sounded real nice burbling along, echoing off the garage walls.
Finally I pull it out on to the street and give it a little juice. First thing I notice is the huge torque difference between the S4 and M3. Salesman tells me the take it on the freeway and I happily oblidge.
I get on the freeway cruising along in 5th. The car is definately quick, but you can feel the weight of it. I put it in 6th at about 65 mph and mash the throttle and let the torque take over. Revs rise quickly and were nearing triple digits real quick. Definately a great engine.
Changing gears is nice and precise, no BMW notchiness. Very nice and smooth
Were coming up on a two lane onramp to another freeway. With a recommended speed of 30 mph, I cut over to the empty right lane and take it at about 60. I guess that quattro is working. No fuss very easy to control. handles almost as good as my old E36 M3. Very impressive for stock. Lane changing is effortless and visibility is good.
Brakes are very good and provide lots of feel, not overly sensitive like the E46 M3. Much more like the E36 M3, which I liked alot.
Car is equipped with Michelin PS2 tires very low road noise and excellent grip.
I exit the freeway and make a uturn to go back on the freeway. Car is much more nimble than I thought with a little sideways action up the onramp. I thought it would have major understeer being a awd car, but didnt to my surprise.
Overall I was quite impressed and it is no doubt an excellent car, but not enough to make me want to buy one.
It lacked that M feel and charactor. I'm eagerly waiting on the next M3 i'm sure it will be an amazing car.
I decided since the M3 and S4 are kind of in the same catagory, I would compare the two to each other.
The salesman looked young and new to the sales thing, and didnt pressure me too much.
We go up and down the huge parking garage looking for a manual tranny S4 at last we find one. Its a nice looking blue with black/light grey interior.
A couple of things about the exterior, between the A4 and S4 they look pretty much identical only way i could tell was the badge on the back and the wheels. I didnt like that too much, reminds me of the E36 non-M and M series. Not enough to distinguish the two. The mirrors are painted silver and do not flow with the car at all, but that can be painted i guess.
I like the quad exit exhaust it looks like it means business, reminds me alot of the e55 amg.
The interior i hate light colored interiors which this car had. Looks dirty even though its a brand new car. That could easily be solved by choosing black leather instead. The powered Recaro seats were nice and provided good support. The instrumatation was a little cluttered and confusing as the buttons seemed too close to each other and there were too many of them. I guess it can easy to use once you have the car for awhile. Carbon fiber trim was very nice and plentiful in the cockpit, a big plus for me.
I find the keys laying in the center console and i do not hesitate to fire up the big V8. The exhaust note sounded very nice for a stock car nice and deep with a low rumble to it. very impressive. I let the car warm up a bit and go outside to check it out from all angles. I dont think the salesman knew how to drive stick so i drove it from the very top of the parking garage all the way out.
I can usually tell if i'm gonna like a car, just by moving it a few feet. As i got out of the parking space it looked liked i was in for a lot of fun.
The clutch wasnt heavy or light it was right in the middle which makes for easy driving. I liked the feel of it alot. As we drive down the garage you can feel the torque just waiting to be unleashed we a quick blip of the throttle. The exhaust note sounded real nice burbling along, echoing off the garage walls.
Finally I pull it out on to the street and give it a little juice. First thing I notice is the huge torque difference between the S4 and M3. Salesman tells me the take it on the freeway and I happily oblidge.
I get on the freeway cruising along in 5th. The car is definately quick, but you can feel the weight of it. I put it in 6th at about 65 mph and mash the throttle and let the torque take over. Revs rise quickly and were nearing triple digits real quick. Definately a great engine.
Changing gears is nice and precise, no BMW notchiness. Very nice and smooth
Were coming up on a two lane onramp to another freeway. With a recommended speed of 30 mph, I cut over to the empty right lane and take it at about 60. I guess that quattro is working. No fuss very easy to control. handles almost as good as my old E36 M3. Very impressive for stock. Lane changing is effortless and visibility is good.
Brakes are very good and provide lots of feel, not overly sensitive like the E46 M3. Much more like the E36 M3, which I liked alot.
Car is equipped with Michelin PS2 tires very low road noise and excellent grip.
I exit the freeway and make a uturn to go back on the freeway. Car is much more nimble than I thought with a little sideways action up the onramp. I thought it would have major understeer being a awd car, but didnt to my surprise.
Overall I was quite impressed and it is no doubt an excellent car, but not enough to make me want to buy one.
It lacked that M feel and charactor. I'm eagerly waiting on the next M3 i'm sure it will be an amazing car.