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Audi S4 and S4 Cabriolet
I just read the Audi press release on the S4,
which is set to arrive next month here in the US.
I have to say, it's got some very impresive
numbers. The engine sounds amazing, 2.7L 30V
biturbo. According to Audi, it puts out 250hp and
258 lbs-ft torque. Audi quotes the 0-60 at 5.9
seconds for the manual, and 6.5 for the auto.
Nice! The interior looks good from the pictures
I've seen. The MSRP is under 40K, this seems like
a lot of car for that price. Could this be the car
to challenge BMW's M3? Granted, the S4 is an AWD
sedan and the M3 a RWD coupe or convertable, but
they seem like they could be very close in
performance.
Has anyone else seen or heard anything about this
car? This seems like a car worth saving up for.
which is set to arrive next month here in the US.
I have to say, it's got some very impresive
numbers. The engine sounds amazing, 2.7L 30V
biturbo. According to Audi, it puts out 250hp and
258 lbs-ft torque. Audi quotes the 0-60 at 5.9
seconds for the manual, and 6.5 for the auto.
Nice! The interior looks good from the pictures
I've seen. The MSRP is under 40K, this seems like
a lot of car for that price. Could this be the car
to challenge BMW's M3? Granted, the S4 is an AWD
sedan and the M3 a RWD coupe or convertable, but
they seem like they could be very close in
performance.
Has anyone else seen or heard anything about this
car? This seems like a car worth saving up for.
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Comments
you may not be able to get one close to $40,000 for a couple years due to expected demand.
in the sept'99 car & driver, S4 won comparison test of sports sedans, beating M3, C43, and 9-3 Viggen.
S4 barely edged out the M3 for the win, but the article noted this particular M3 was a little slower than other M3 models they've tested.
even though its a sedan, S4 is being discussed in topic 311 of the coupes and convertibles forum.
No mention of 6 speed manual
No mention of standard xenon headlights
Wheels are actually 17 X 7.5, not 17 X 7
Tires are not all season, they're also Z rated
Driver and passenger are 10 way powered, not 8
leather door trim, not cloth
first-aid kit in back armrest
I also like the fact that the S4 is not pretentious in appearance(interestingly the S4 looks like a lot like a Honda Civic and will likely go unnoticed), therefore it doesn't attract vandals nor cops. The only people that would really notice the car are car enthusiasts who know the S4 is awesome, while to the un-informed it's just another unpretentious/non-standoutish car (Audi's in general are not really "eye-catchers", which in my mind is a positive attribute) or just another A4 to the semi-informed. Don't get me wrong the S4 is definitely a sharp looking car, it just doesn't look like a fast nor an expensive car, it therefore can theoretically remain unnoticed to those you would prefer not notice the car anyway (such as vandals and police). The M3 would, on the other hand, attract vandals and cops, giving the owner a sense of insecurity (but some people love to attract all kinds of attention). However, if you do want the S4 to not be "stealthy", then simply get one in yellow, red, or blue colors and with the dichromatic seats (which I admit are very athletic looking). I prefer the "stealthy" silver S4 (for avoiding cops and vandals) with the single color seats (for vandal avoidance). It really just depends on your feelings of risk (i.e., getting speeding tickets and getting your car keyed/vandalized) versus benefit (i.e., getting a good feeling from noticing people salivate while they look at your S4).
I definitely have my heart set on purchasing the S4 but am going to wait a year or so in hopes that by then my bargaining efforts won't prove fruitless. I have also decided that if my bargaining is fruitless I'll still buy the car. I must have it, even if I have to pay MSRP! It is a lot of car even at the MSRP.
ps. Payed above msrp. (not by much, but still..) Oh well.
A short shift kit would make this car almost perfect. I would hold off buying one for at least 6-12 mos. Would never pay MSRP for one. In time they will be selling for 5% over invoice, esp when the new M3 with 320 hp comes out next year.
A Laser red S4 just came in 2 days ago, and its the same price. It wasn't pre-sold, either.
Check out my S4 site at http://www.s4.anyspeed.com.
I tried negotiating the price but I got a flat out "no" by the dealer. It was pay or thank-you-very-much you can leave now. The claim made by the dealer? Prices on the S4 are not going down--they are limited on production, so what else can you expect, I suppose.
Anyway, I love the car. Just to think that the 250 HP 2-turbo engine could beat a 240 HP M3 makes me grin while I am behind the stearing wheel. Then again, never driven an M3 (I owned a BMW before the S4) so I can't really speculate all that much. It would be fun to confront one, though.
If anybody out there is skeptical about getting an S4 my recommendation is simple: snap out of it, head towards the dealership and get one! Do not delay.
If there is one thing that I don't like too much is the gas consumption (17/24). Hey, with such an engine I wouldn't expect any more than that so I guess I'll have to live with it.
To sum all this up: get the S4, is it one HELL of a car.
Draw backs. Short 1st gear, long notchy 2-3 upshifts. The 5spd in my A4 feels more connected. I believe that after 6-12mos S4 prices will be more reasonable ie 5% above invoice.Another reason to wait is that the new M3 will be out and should also make S4 prices more reasonable.
As for dealers saying this is a limited edition car, I remain skeptical. I mean to bring over and federalize a new motor just to put in a few cars is not cost effective.
Mark my words in 1yr S4 proces will come down and there will be plenty of em out there.
Curious if anyone had an opinion the Audi premium Bose stereo vs the BMW's Harmon Kardon. I have the Harmon Kardon and am not that impressed with it. Are both systems pretty mediocre and aftermarket the only solution?
I'll probably be talking with a dealer to see what can be done about an S4 order in the next two weeks. Of the dealers in my area, one said they would sell S4's for MSRP and another, that I won't be visiting!, had the gall to ask over MSRP.
matthk, in my opinion both the HK and Bose systems are adequate at best. They are better than say your average GM Delco crap (and in fairness GM's radio systems are much improved but still to boomy sounding) but they aren't stellar. You can do better in the aftermarket for a moderate price. There are some great high-end stock systems out there (Lexus and Volvo in particular) but none of them have Bose or HK components in them and in most cases you can do better in the aftermarket arena.
-rdo
russell.ollie@ibm.net
I was suprised to see 0-60 times of 5.5 seconds and a 14.1 quarter-mile. Those numbers are identical to a Mustang Cobra. That's pretty amazing for a fairly heavy AWD car.
As far as the new M3, I would bet with options it will be 50 grand or more. An S4 comes standard with just about everything you could want. Even with options it's about 40 grand. Sure, the M3 will be fast, but overpriced like all BMWs.
I'm also following BMW developments and am a current 3 series owner and test drove the current M3. I was not that impressed with it...maybe it's too "raw" for me and not all that fast. However, rumors as you know are for a high output(321 hp?) version next year..in 3 series coupe form.
Therefore, it depends on your preference, a 2-door M3 or a 4-door S4.
Also, where I live, a turbo has a high "burn out" rate due to the heat in Florida. Any comments on that?
Also, for me, the problem is finding a dealer close by. Where I live, there is a BMW dealer close by, but the Audi dealer is over 50 miles away, a bummer when covered repairs come up.
here in Denver and I'm scared to buy one. I was
on Highway 6 going through Golden (straight and
relatively flat) and drove up severe switchbacks
on Lookout Mountain. This is all at 5,000+ feet where you need inches or a turbo. I jumped up over 100 mph on the highway without even thinking
about it. The switchbacks were great especially
with awd (roads were dry) although the bicyclists
on the road looked nervous (yuk yuk).
My point is that I would get way too many speeding
tickets in this thing. Plus I'd be driving up
people's backs and flashing headlights like in
"Ronin". I'm going to get an A4 1.8T with an
upgrade chip; I think that's fast enough and saves
a lot of money. Love the car; best sounding
engine I ever heard and if you can restrain yourself in traffic then go for it. Maybe I'm
too old and wimpy. Of course, with the money I
save I'm going to get an A4 wagon for my wife and kiddo and chip that too...
What is real impressive is the 258 lbs-ft of torque at 1850 rpms.
And, I think it was a S8 they used in Ronin. Which is an awesome movie, BTW.
he wants a $1000 deposit, but he's only ordering them loaded (everything but navigation and phone)
for $41,700 + tax.
www.carpoint.com indicates MSRP should be $41,400 so he's at least in the ballpark.
www.carsdirect.com price is $2000 above MSRP!?!
they must be out of their minds.
my insurance agent tells me the S4 is cheaper to insure than M3; just a little more than A4 2.8Q.
it would be nice to find an S4 for MSRP (or less) without Bose and CD changer.
S4 vs. IS300
CAUTION: based on sketchy data and assumptions
Lexus is saying IS300 will run about $30 - $35 k. IS300 MIGHT get a manual and it MIGHT have 225 hp (same motor as GS300); rumor says maybe even 245.
i'd only consider a manual with at least 225 bhp.
my guess is that a loaded IS300 would be closer to $35k than $30k. another $5k buys you an S4.
IS300 will be rear drive and have 17" wheels but i'm not thrilled with the idea of driving around in the snow, even with snow tires.
i'm assuming that the S4 with snow tires would be an excellent winter car even though it has a very low ground clearance. is that true?
i'll probably still wait to see what happens with the Lexus IS300 next July, but it's looking like the S4 might well be worth the extra money.
wishful thinking?
is the body style for A4 was going to be changing a lot for 2001? if so, that MIGHT bring down the prices for the 2000 S4 next summer.
Has anyone purchased an S4 below invoice? If so, can you share your strategy with us?
(might have been in D.C. area, but I'm not sure.)
That message board has a lot of recent posts and there may be other price info / advice there.
Happy hunting.
HBL, and Tischer offered 1k under.
week 40 black/onyx-silver. Comfort, convenience, bose (ugh, didnt want it but..) and nav. Should have a vin on saturday, mid-late november delivery.
$1000 under invoice would be a deal, like $35k
out the door.
$1000 under invoice would be a deal, like $35k
out the door.
Anyone heard better in this area?
He even gave me a list of mods that went from 193HP for $575 (installed) to 265HP. 215HP is about $1500 and includes a muffler (but no exhaust system change). This is advancedmotorsport.com here in SoCal. They haven't yet posted the available options for 2.7T mods.
There are a number of places on the web where I've found many performance upgrade options from hundreds to thousands of dollars that promise increases of 70HP or more from a chip upgrade alone (tap1.com). There are a few other companies I've found on the web that currently promise 50HP on the 1.8T chip, but don't have any data on the 2.7T option yet.
I'm only hoping that the upgrades will eliminate the small turbo-lag in mid-RPM off-throttle response... 'course a zippier car wouldn't hurt either!
gregoryx@exo.com
of questions about the S4. Also, 0-60 mph is
closer to 5.6 seconds.
I went back to the dealer the day after my disappointing test drive. As I stood there looking at the car, I suddenly realized that the tires were shining black. Indeed, the RE-040's had been "cleaned-up" with Armor-All; right to the outer tread blocks, and right before my test drive. Anyone who has driven a vehicle so treated knows that when you turn the front wheels the lubricant will slip under the tread, and reduce traction to near zero. Hence, the car will follow its own momentum regardless of AWD or anything else.
So, no-thanks to my dealer for ruining my first test drive. I tried again, and found the vehicle handling to be just fine. The fore/aft weight balance is actually supposed to be 1% better on an S4 than on an A4 1.8T.