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keep the board rollin'. i was wondering what had happened. i am nearly certain i will lease an s4 in a few weeks. what sort of deals are people getting now on 01s and 02s. thanks.
Only US versions do. Because of the mandatory daytime running lights on canadian cars, the canadian S4 comes with halogen lights. On Audiworld many a Canadian owner has switched them back...
Still haven't actuall gotten the car. but i will let whoever reads this know when i do. I have, on a 2001, $0 down (literally $0), 48 months, 12,000 miles for $575 a month. That is for a manual S4 with the premium package, winter package and the Bose.
After you get your car you will not be concerned with your financing arraingements. I just got back from the Nazareth Audi Challenge, and I appreciate my s4 avant significantly more now than I did before. Now I understand why some people are so bonkers for thier audi's.
I've only had my S4 for 2 weeks and I am enjoying it more than when I first took delivery. The handling is superb compared to my former FWD Japanese-make. It takes corners at speeds that I would had to brake in a FWD car. I'm being good during the break in period, but since I also appreciate decent gas mileage I don't forsee a dramatic change in my driving style post-break in.
One thing I have noticed in the past 2 weeks is that the gear box is "notchier" than my former car. Since I can't remember what that car was like new (15+ years ago), I don't have much comparision. I've since read some comments about the S4 manual transmission over on AudiWorld. In the first few days I had more problems shifting from 1st to 2nd gear especially. However, on a positive note, I believe that I can attribute it more to my shifting style and when I was shifting. The more I thought about it while shifting the worse it was. Now I try to shift slowly but deliberately and it has improved considerably. I'm hoping that it will be even better after a few thousand miles are on it.
However my question today regards shifting into reverse. When the engine is cold, I can hardly get it to go into Reverse. I have to try several times to finally push it into R. Today, after I got home from work, I backed the car into the garage (since the engine would be warmed up) and the shift to R was much better. Anyone else have this problem? Is it a combination of a cold engine/cold oil and the fact that R is the least used gear? Or am I just gear-challenged?
My s4 with 8k miles is balky when cold as well, I find that letting the clutch in and out helps ease it into reverse. My third gear is notchy as well. I'd like to try one of the available short shifters to see if they improve the shift action any. It does seem that slow shifts are notchy while quick shifting is unaffected. Jim W
So when you say you let the clutch in and out, is that before you try to engage Reverse or while you are engaging Reverse? I noticed a trace of notchiness with 3rd gear too at times. So I don't know if its just me or the car. Sometimes I think that I shift better with the armrest up while at other times it makes no difference. I'll try to speed up my shifts and see if that helps too. Thanks
My s4 with 8k miles is balky when cold as well, I find that letting the clutch in and out helps ease it into reverse. My third gear is notchy as well. I'd like to try one of the available short shifters to see if they improve the shift action any. It does seem that slow shifts are notchy while quick shifting is unaffected. Jim W
With the trans in neutral I push the clutch in a couple of times if it does not go into gear right away. I seem to forget about the arm rest because I keep it up, it seems to be in the way of shifting. Jim
Jim, Thanks for the tip. I tried it this morning and it seemed to go better. I will try it for the next few days and see if the improvement is real or just my imagination. I have also started keeping the transmission in R when the car is parked (emergency brake engaged as well).
Either I am getting used to the shifter or it is beginning to break in a bit, but it seems to be shifting smoother now than a week ago. I just topped 900 miles. The car had about 190mi when I picked it up so I have no clue if the transmission was abused in test drives. Since the salesman always goes along, I would hope that some discretion was used by the earlier test drivers.
Mine goes into 3rd Ok, but there is just the faintest resistance before it goes in. Like it is sliding up against something. Interesting it usually only occurs on the upshift and not the downshift.
I am appreciating my car more each day. Today a large BP gasoline tanker squeezed in front of me on a small 4 lane residential street. Since I did not want to stay behind him and wait for the rock chips to fly, I moved into the other lane , put my foot a little more on the accelerator and I was around him faster than you can say BP. I really appreciate the power and control that I have with this car.
Anyone have suggestions on winter tires? Should I get alloy or steel wheels? If I get alloy, should I get them from Audi or TireRack..... winter is coming and I want to be prepared.
It doesn't seem to make much difference as everyone with winter tires seems to think what they have works pretty well. I have a friend that owns a tire store, he is at the SEMA show this week, and he will be looking out for something for my s4. I think I will end up with winter tires on my avus rims and new rims for my Pilot sports. You can also get alot of information at audiworld.com
How significant is a 17" wheel vs a 16" wheel related to winter tires? Anyone gotten 16" wheels for their S4? I am concerned about brake clearance with a 16" wheel. TireRack says that they have an 16" aftermarket wheel that will fit the S4 and clear the brakes. It doesn't look like Audi offers one (based on website).
Been a while since I've been on this board. Hope everyone is well. So far I've logged 3500 miles on my S4. Taking it in for it's first oil change tomorrow and then off for it's first road trip-South Florida to Alabama and back. Looking forward to some hills and twisty roads.
Hopefully I will get some problems remedied tomorrow - sliding drivers seat, blown subwoofer, creaking B-pillar, grinding brakes. Anybody experiencing similar ailments?
Thanks for the responses,
Bob in South Florida
p.s. Looking at an APR chip, anybody out there with one? your impressions?
I'm a 2001 Nogaro/Alcantara 6spd S4 owner, with about 8500 miles. I woke up early last Saturday (i.e., least amount of traffic) and decided it was time to take her out and seriously let 'er rip. I got on the expressway and gently warmed her up as I got past city and suburban traffic. Then I turned off the stereo and really started workin' her out. My love for this car has only deepened with the experience.
First, to cruise at 105mph in 5th gear (at only 4500 rpm!) with only the softly sweet, musical hum of that magnificent engine is remarkable. In fact, as I redlined from 1st gear on up after a toll booth, the engine and turbos simply purred--no screams, no protests, no hint that there were turbos at work...just delicious propulsive thrust. That thrust went right on up to 130mph, a speed I hit a few times before clumps of traffic appeared ahead and I had to slow down. Doggoneit--I wanted to test that electronically limited 143mph top speed!
At 130mph (and at every point getting there), there was no obvious aural indication that I was seriously flyin'. It was just that marvelous Teutonic hum that would make Beethoven proud. The car was rock solid stable, yet still clearly nimble. Some would argue that this car is too quiet, not manly-sounding enough. I say this is the result of world-class engineering in the service of a true GT (as opposed to a pure sports car).
A word about the suspension tuning is in order. I have argued with the (E36) M3 owners in the S4 vs. (old) M3 forum that the S4 is the superior all-around car mainly because of the awd and better balanced comfort+sport suspension tuning. At one point I was going around a long curve at 105mph, except that the road surface became really bumpy with various pockmarks, etc. My brain said I should become really concerned. My S4 said 'Don't worry, be happy!' as I took that bad boy at triple-digit speeds. Therein lay the S4 superiority to the old M3. The M3 can do everything the S4 does EXCEPT: 1) come out of the back end of curves as fast (thanks Quattro system); 2) stay as firmly planted in adverse road/weather conditions; or 3) be as comfortable doing all of the above.
I was having so much fun I drove all the up to Wisconsin, before too much traffic made me turn back. At that point, I just wanted to listen to my CDs and chill out in comfort. With the S4, that was no problem. In the course of my fast run, I smoked a Porsche Boxster, Saab turbo convertible, Mercedes E430 sedan, and a BMW Z3. In the course of my slow run back home, I was more comfortable in my car than all I came across save the E430 and a BMW 740iL--but mine cost one heck of a lot less and is more fun. All in all, I'd say I love my S4.
That said, here are some gripes Audi had better address--or the next car will be a BMW M3 or M5. First of all, the stick is just too balky. The 1-2 and 2-3 are problematic. I can't believe Audi didn't catch this obvious flaw. Come on Audi, Honda has the smoothest sticks I've experienced and BMW is better as well--please steal some of their people and fix this problem.
Secondly, Audi's marketing people need to wake up. Am I the only one who thinks it rather silly to make your 'statement' performance automobiles...station wagons!? Let's see. BMW has the M3 and M5 (and soon the return of the marvelous 6 series--perhaps an M6?). Mercedes has the AMG series (sedans, GT coupes, sports coupes, convertibles). Audi? The S4--a sedan only--which has been leapfrogged by the new M3. The S8--nice, but we're talking full-size luxo/autobahn cruisers here. Their serious, maximum-performance vehicle is...the RS4 station wagon (not even available in the US) and soon the S6 station wagon. Audi, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! How exciting, high-peroformance station wagons! Audi, please note your competition. Give us an aggressive looking S4 COUPE (like that one in the German spy photo) and a M5-worthy, ultra-performance S6 super-SEDAN! I read a quote from an Audi marketing person who said it was not worthwhile to build an S6 sedan because it would be too much like the current 4.2 A6. Well, duh! How about pulling out the stops and making a super S6 sedan?
Audi, you seem to be suffering from an inferiority complex. You can clearly build world-beating cars, but you persist in pulling your punches because you think people won't buy your super-tuned product or that it won't help overall sales. BMW and Mercedes build their super cars so that the brand cachet can bring more buyers for 330i's, 320s, 5281's., etc. You are not doing the sales of A4's and A6's a favor by not building the supercar versions of those platforms. For heaven's sake build 'em. You will get buyers for the supercars if you stop holding back! Once you start getting that supercar auto-lust from people like me, then those who can't afford the supercars will buy more A4's and A6's. There are legions of people like me who salivate over the M3's and M5's of the world, but who will spend their limited dollars on the tamer versions of those objects of lust. Audi, wake up. NO ONE SALIVATES OVER AUDI SUPERCARS...cuz you don't have any! References to your racing accolades don't mean a heck of a lot if you don't bring more of that expertise to your real cars.
That said I love my S4...but as I salivate over what I can do to top it, my mind is firmly on BMW. Now if you came out with that 340hp S4 super-COUPE, with a sport/comfort suspension switch, 18" rubber, a SMOOTH 6spd (or USEFUL paddle-based tiptronic), more aggressive styling, and every luxury amenity (including steering wheel-based controls and a real navigation system), my lust would revert back to Audi. Similarly, if you came out with a serious M5-beating S6 SEDAN, then I would revert back to Audi when I contemplate a married-man or older-man car. Audi, please wake up! End of diatribe....
Sounds like you've discovered the best attributes of your car.
Regarding the diatribe, I'm not up on all that Audi's doing, but I assumed that the reason that Audi doesn't offer such a complete line as BMW (coupes, M5), is that Audi is a much smaller manufacturer, with only a fraction of the sales of BMW. BMW is continuing to expand, introducing a 1-series and reviving the 6er coupes.
Also I assumed Audi's penchant for wagons/avant/touring is related to their AWD/cargo slant; like Volvo and Subaru.
OTOH, I heard that Audi is considering bringing the new coupe to the US this time round. They've already announced the new cabriolet (convertible).
Audi is owned by Volkswagen, which is one of the largest car makers on earth! In fact, BMW was briefly seen as a takeover target by Volkswagen (and all of the other major manufacturers). In fact, BMW is the ONLY major niche car makers left, and is controlled by the Quandt family. [Porsche, Ferrari, etc. are not major manufacturers in terms of size.] And no, the stick didn't get appreciably smoother over time.
Yes I know that VW owns Audi, and that BMW is itself relatively small. And your point is well taken; I paused while writing my note thinking, well, VW should invest more in Audi! But, for whatever reason, I haven't seen that happening. I mean I haven't see VW treating Audi like a luxury division.
Instead, VW is putting lipstick on the Passat, and making the D1 and the W12 supercar. VW (again for some reason that is a mystery to me) is polishing the VW brand, instead of investing in the Audi brand. If you meant that VW ought to help Audi make coupes and S6 sedans, then I think we're on the same page. But Audi proper I see bound by whatever investment they get from VW, plus the profits they make themselves. I hope this clarifies things; I'm with you man!
I am getting winter tires and would like to mount them on 16" wheels. I called TireRack and they said they had 16" wheels that would fit the S4. I asked if the wheels were large enough to clear the brakes and the person at TireRack said yes. The cost of the TireRack wheel is $125/ea. I also called the Audi dealership and the parts manager found 16" Audi Wheels he said would clear the brakes. These were $328/ea. OUCH! The Tire rack wheel is 16X7 and the Audi is 16X6. Do you think that it is better to go with the Audi wheel or take a chance on TireRack? Anyone have a 16" TireRack wheel? How did it fit? Handling??? Since a bad snow in my area is about 6" and the roads are mercifully free of major potholes, is it even worth getting 16" wheels. Should I have winter tires mounted on my 17" stock wheels and maybe get some fancier 17" next summer? Thanks in advance.
Are the winter wheels at Tire Rack alloys or steel? If alloys they are very attractively priced - which brand and model is it? To be certain I would ask Eddie over at the Wheel and Tire forum at AudiWorld.com - he's the Audi specialist and would know for sure.
My plan is to put snows on my avus rims and get new rims for my Michelins. I'm near Detroit, and the streets are clear most of the time, It's the black ice and occasional snow storms that are the problems here. Last year I was fine with my rwd Lincoln LS and all seasons.
The TireRack wheels are alloy. $125 each. The Audi wheels are $328 each. I received a fax copy of the catalog and the "model" on the paper is A4Q. This disturbs me since it does not say S4 or S4Q. I know that the 16" wheels for the A4 will not fit on an S4. So I'm wondering if the parts dept either sent me the incorrect document or has info I don't.
At this point, I wonder if I should go with 17" winter tires and get some other rims for my summer tires next spring.
"At this point, I wonder if I should go with 17" winter tires and get some other rims for my summer tires next spring."
That's what I did with my allroad - 17's in a 225/55 size (stock). I'll keep those mounted on the stock wheels and then plan to buy some 18's mounted with summer wheels in the spring.
Have you had the 17" wheels w/ snow tires for a winter? How did it handle ? From TireRack website, the claim is 16" are better since there is less plowing and less chance for slip. Also the risk of damaging the wheel from potholes in greater witha 17" since there is less sidewall to protect the wheel.
I bought the car at the end of last winter, and drove it through a couple of heavy snowstorms with the stock 225/55/17 inch "allroad" (all season) tires. They were "OK" but certainly not as sure-footed as the Blizzaks (in a 195/65/15 size) on our A4. The taller, narrower tread does help if snow/ice traction is more important than dry road handling/good looks. This year, with the dedicated winter tires in the 17 inch size on the heavier allroad, I think I'll be in good shape and will be able to handle anything that our Minnesota winters throws at us this year. My wife will be just as safe (but slower) with her A4 and "skinny Blizzaks." Either way, quattro + snow tires = better traction than what 99% of the other drivers out there have.
Thanks for your input. I decided to buy 17" MZ01 Blizzaks and mount them on the stock rims. TireRack said that they were all sold out of 16" wheels that fit the S4 and would not receive a new shipment until mid December or even Christmas week. That's getting a little late for my comfort. I usually like to mount the tires the 2nd week of December and not knowing if and when the wheels would show make me a bit nervous. Of course we may end up with a late winter and it wouldn't matter much anyway, but why risk it. If these work fine for me, then I may end up just leaving the winter tires on the stock rims and getting a new set for the summer tires.... I welcome the chance to save up some for that.
I did almost the same thing, as of today I have Dunlop Winter Sports mounted on my stock rims. I'm looking at some OZ Chronos Evolutions for my Michelin Pilots. They have them at Tirerack, what do you think?
I like the clean look of the spokes although personally I'm not a big fan of the extra holes. But this is a purely subjective consideration and to each his own.
Getting my winter tires mounted on both the A4 and allroad this week - good timing as the temperatures are supposed to drop into the teens with a good chance of snow later in the week.
My friend's 2001 S4 Avant has had the front brake rotors and pads replaced twice (3 sets of rotors and pads from purchase). Has anyone else had this problem with theirs? He also replaced his Pirelli's P-6000's with Michelin Pilot Sports. Guess what? All new S4's now come with Michelin Pilot Sports! Also at 8000 miles, the air conditioner compressor bracket broke, the factory misaligned the mounting bolts and the technician snapped it off while replacing it. His car is silver in color, but he's thinking of painting it lemon yellow.
I've got a little over 10k miles and my car has been flawless. My car did come with pilot sports, but for the next few months has dunlop winter sports. Jim
I've got just about 6,000 miles on my 2001 Silver/Silver 6-speed, and so far, all is well. I LOVE IT! In fact, I'm already thinking that when the new S4 comes out, I'll wait a couple years for the furor to die down (and prices, too) and that'll probably be my next car! Another cool thing - I've gotten many, many waves and thumbs up from other S4 drivers - like a family, same as with my Miata. Be safe.......
01/6spd, 9mo, 12k, flawless. Actually love it even more now after driving my wife's new BMW which has more problems in its first 3 weeks (off to the dealer this week). Also, as I compare controls and ergonomics between the cars, I keep asking my self "what was BMW thinking?" Be proud, the S4 is one swwweeettt car.
I too have the Dunlop Winter Sports and can't wait for it snow to go driving...er....skiing!
Let me know how you like the Dunlop Wintersports. I'm getting my set put on the stock rims of my WRX wagon on Sat. I, too, can't wait for it to snow. I may just have to take a short jaunt to the Cascades to find some. :-)
A Cosworth 4.2 V8 with 340 hp? wow! What about price? ...do you think it will break over the 50K mark? Any rumors about when it will be available here in the U.S.? I know we won't get the RS4 here in the U.S. but that's okay, the 4.2 will be good enough for most! ;-)
scirocco22...can't comment on the validity of the article but it is an interesting read. I remember all the V8 rumors about the new M3 prior to it's release, spy pictures of test mules with the V8, etc....and it ended up with the inline 6. So I believe that no one really knows at this point what's in store for the new S4. This subject has been beat to death in the S4 forum at audiworld. The only thing I would bet on is that the new S4, whenever it comes (late 2003?) will be a lot stronger than the present offering.
Hey! I'm from Ingolstadt/Germany so I think I can tell you some interesting facts. The new S4 will come out defintely with a V8 with around 340hp! Later there will also be a "4-door"-coupé of the present A4 which will be also available with that engine. Any further questions?
BTW: Heard of RS6? Will come out in spring '02 over here but not in the states I think - like the RS4. This "rocket" will have a biturbo v-8 engine which puts out around 450 hp and will be available as sedan and station-wagon. 0-100 in less than 5 sec. I cannot wait for the comparison with the M5!
What are the demographics of Germany / Western Europe that would enable BMW / Mercedes / Audi to develop and market some of their best gems only over there? Are there so many affluent buyers over there that the US market just isn't needed or the cost of exporting not warranted?
Also, are the cars you mentioned anticipated to be sold in volumes at a profit or are they more or less "exhibition" projects like Acura's NSX or even Honda's S2000.
I would really appreciate your thoughts and comments on this. Thanks.
steher-- You're right there in Ingolstadt, eh? wow! ...so for sure the new S4 will have the Cosworth V8? --that's great news! Since your are so definite, I'll pass it around. Yeah, that article that I posted earlier seemed to be pretty legitimate.
Yeah, I know for sure we won't get the RS6 here in the U.S. ...we never get the good stuff! :-(
Thanks so much for the info. I may have further questions later if you don't mind. :P
IF it comes with the V8, I expect the price to be up there in M3, C32 AMG range..i.e low to mid 50K, reasonably equipped or roughly 8-10K more than current S4. That would be a pretty big jump.
From what I know, BMW and MB offer almost all powerful versions of their cars in the USA which are also offered over here. Don't they? You have those AMG and M-cars of every single car line, haven't you? I think Audi is the only one of these 3 brands which does not offer all their 'top-of-the-line-cars" over there. And now why? Well, I think the biggest problem is, that Audi is STILL returning on the US-market after a really hard time. They are returning step by step. Remember: First there was the A4, which became a huge succes for Audi in America and helped them to extend their lines in the states. Audi raised attention with that model. Then the A6 became more and more succesful - only one ot two engines were offered at first I think, now there are 4 available (included the S6). Audi wants to polish up their image and then I think they will offer those high-powered-models. If noone knows Audi and it's advantages, noone buys an Audi for around 50K. And thats another problem of Audi in The USA. They still don't have the image of BMW and MB in oppostion to Western Europe. For many of you over there Audi is still an more expensice VW. Here, MB/BMW AND Audi are the THREE premium marques. In America there are only MB, BMW and Lexus (which plays no role on the German market).But in my opinion Audi will close up to them (and they made big steps the last 5 years) like they did in Europe the last 20 years, but in America they were knocked down by those accidents and that enormous slowed down there development. habitat, "U.S. market isn't needed..." In my opinion no carmaker can say "We don't need the US market" It's the biggest in the world and everyone wants to have success there and those top-of-the-line-models polish up image. But for those s-models it seems that the European market is big enough at the moment. Audi produces not very much of them but I think the situation in America will become better and better. And come on, you have the S4, S6, S8. We don't have many more: The S3 and the RS4 (production ended a few weeks ago). And another point is, that the demand is really very high on those performance cars. The S8 for example makes out around 40% of the whole A8-production and S4s and S3s and of course RS4s are very popular! And to your last question. Yes, they are definitive exhibition models which show, what a carmaker is able to build but they make their profit with those models for sure! But I don't know if they would be so accepted in the USA, what would you all think? I'm very interested in Audis success in America.
Comments
phill
One thing I have noticed in the past 2 weeks is that the gear box is "notchier" than my former car. Since I can't remember what that car was like new (15+ years ago), I don't have much comparision. I've since read some comments about the S4 manual transmission over on AudiWorld. In the first few days I had more problems shifting from 1st to 2nd gear especially. However, on a positive note, I believe that I can attribute it more to my shifting style and when I was shifting. The more I thought about it while shifting the worse it was. Now I try to shift slowly but deliberately and it has improved considerably. I'm hoping that it will be even better after a few thousand miles are on it.
However my question today regards shifting into reverse. When the engine is cold, I can hardly get it to go into Reverse. I have to try several times to finally push it into R. Today, after I got home from work, I backed the car into the garage (since the engine would be warmed up) and the shift to R was much better. Anyone else have this problem? Is it a combination of a cold engine/cold oil and the fact that R is the least used gear? Or am I just gear-challenged?
Responses are much appreciated.
Jim W
Thanks
Jim W
Jim
Thanks for the tip. I tried it this morning and it seemed to go better. I will try it for the next few days and see if the improvement is real or just my imagination. I have also started keeping the transmission in R when the car is parked (emergency brake engaged as well).
Either I am getting used to the shifter or it is beginning to break in a bit, but it seems to be shifting smoother now than a week ago. I just topped 900 miles. The car had about 190mi when I picked it up so I have no clue if the transmission was abused in test drives. Since the salesman always goes along, I would hope that some discretion was used by the earlier test drivers.
Mine goes into 3rd Ok, but there is just the faintest resistance before it goes in. Like it is sliding up against something. Interesting it usually only occurs on the upshift and not the downshift.
I am appreciating my car more each day. Today a large BP gasoline tanker squeezed in front of me on a small 4 lane residential street. Since I did not want to stay behind him and wait for the rock chips to fly, I moved into the other lane , put my foot a little more on the accelerator and I was around him faster than you can say BP. I really appreciate the power and control that I have with this car.
Anyone have suggestions on winter tires? Should I get alloy or steel wheels? If I get alloy, should I get them from Audi or TireRack..... winter is coming and I want to be prepared.
2001 S4 Brilliant Black/Onyx
It doesn't seem to make much difference as everyone with winter tires seems to think what they have works pretty well. I have a friend that owns a tire store, he is at the SEMA show this week, and he will be looking out for something for my s4. I think I will end up with winter tires on my avus rims and new rims for my Pilot sports. You can also get alot of information at audiworld.com
Hopefully I will get some problems remedied tomorrow - sliding drivers seat, blown subwoofer, creaking B-pillar, grinding brakes. Anybody experiencing similar ailments?
Thanks for the responses,
Bob in South Florida
p.s. Looking at an APR chip, anybody out there with one? your impressions?
First, to cruise at 105mph in 5th gear (at only 4500 rpm!) with only the softly sweet, musical hum of that magnificent engine is remarkable. In fact, as I redlined from 1st gear on up after a toll booth, the engine and turbos simply purred--no screams, no protests, no hint that there were turbos at work...just delicious propulsive thrust. That thrust went right on up to 130mph, a speed I hit a few times before clumps of traffic appeared ahead and I had to slow down. Doggoneit--I wanted to test that electronically limited 143mph top speed!
At 130mph (and at every point getting there), there was no obvious aural indication that I was seriously flyin'. It was just that marvelous Teutonic hum that would make Beethoven proud. The car was rock solid stable, yet still clearly nimble. Some would argue that this car is too quiet, not manly-sounding enough. I say this is the result of world-class engineering in the service of a true GT (as opposed to a pure sports car).
A word about the suspension tuning is in order. I have argued with the (E36) M3 owners in the S4 vs. (old) M3 forum that the S4 is the superior all-around car mainly because of the awd and better balanced comfort+sport suspension tuning. At one point I was going around a long curve at 105mph, except that the road surface became really bumpy with various pockmarks, etc. My brain said I should become really concerned. My S4 said 'Don't worry, be happy!' as I took that bad boy at triple-digit speeds. Therein lay the S4 superiority to the old M3. The M3 can do everything the S4 does EXCEPT: 1) come out of the back end of curves as fast (thanks Quattro system); 2) stay as firmly planted in adverse road/weather conditions; or 3) be as comfortable doing all of the above.
I was having so much fun I drove all the up to Wisconsin, before too much traffic made me turn back. At that point, I just wanted to listen to my CDs and chill out in comfort. With the S4, that was no problem. In the course of my fast run, I smoked a Porsche Boxster, Saab turbo convertible, Mercedes E430 sedan, and a BMW Z3. In the course of my slow run back home, I was more comfortable in my car than all I came across save the E430 and a BMW 740iL--but mine cost one heck of a lot less and is more fun. All in all, I'd say I love my S4.
That said, here are some gripes Audi had better address--or the next car will be a BMW M3 or M5. First of all, the stick is just too balky. The 1-2 and 2-3 are problematic. I can't believe Audi didn't catch this obvious flaw. Come on Audi, Honda has the smoothest sticks I've experienced and BMW is better as well--please steal some of their people and fix this problem.
Secondly, Audi's marketing people need to wake up. Am I the only one who thinks it rather silly to make your 'statement' performance automobiles...station wagons!? Let's see. BMW has the M3 and M5 (and soon the return of the marvelous 6 series--perhaps an M6?). Mercedes has the AMG series (sedans, GT coupes, sports coupes, convertibles). Audi? The S4--a sedan only--which has been leapfrogged by the new M3. The S8--nice, but we're talking full-size luxo/autobahn cruisers here. Their serious, maximum-performance vehicle is...the RS4 station wagon (not even available in the US) and soon the S6 station wagon. Audi, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! How exciting, high-peroformance station wagons! Audi, please note your competition. Give us an aggressive looking S4 COUPE (like that one in the German spy photo) and a M5-worthy, ultra-performance S6 super-SEDAN! I read a quote from an Audi marketing person who said it was not worthwhile to build an S6 sedan because it would be too much like the current 4.2 A6. Well, duh! How about pulling out the stops and making a super S6 sedan?
Audi, you seem to be suffering from an inferiority complex. You can clearly build world-beating cars, but you persist in pulling your punches because you think people won't buy your super-tuned product or that it won't help overall sales. BMW and Mercedes build their super cars so that the brand cachet can bring more buyers for 330i's, 320s, 5281's., etc. You are not doing the sales of A4's and A6's a favor by not building the supercar versions of those platforms. For heaven's sake build 'em. You will get buyers for the supercars if you stop holding back! Once you start getting that supercar auto-lust from people like me, then those who can't afford the supercars will buy more A4's and A6's. There are legions of people like me who salivate over the M3's and M5's of the world, but who will spend their limited dollars on the tamer versions of those objects of lust. Audi, wake up. NO ONE SALIVATES OVER AUDI SUPERCARS...cuz you don't have any! References to your racing accolades don't mean a heck of a lot if you don't bring more of that expertise to your real cars.
That said I love my S4...but as I salivate over what I can do to top it, my mind is firmly on BMW. Now if you came out with that 340hp S4 super-COUPE, with a sport/comfort suspension switch, 18" rubber, a SMOOTH 6spd (or USEFUL paddle-based tiptronic), more aggressive styling, and every luxury amenity (including steering wheel-based controls and a real navigation system), my lust would revert back to Audi. Similarly, if you came out with a serious M5-beating S6 SEDAN, then I would revert back to Audi when I contemplate a married-man or older-man car. Audi, please wake up! End of diatribe....
Regarding the diatribe, I'm not up on all that Audi's doing, but I assumed that the reason that Audi doesn't offer such a complete line as BMW (coupes, M5), is that Audi is a much smaller manufacturer, with only a fraction of the sales of BMW. BMW is continuing to expand, introducing a 1-series and reviving the 6er coupes.
Also I assumed Audi's penchant for wagons/avant/touring is related to their AWD/cargo slant; like Volvo and Subaru.
OTOH, I heard that Audi is considering bringing the new coupe to the US this time round. They've already announced the new cabriolet (convertible).
Instead, VW is putting lipstick on the Passat, and making the D1 and the W12 supercar. VW (again for some reason that is a mystery to me) is polishing the VW brand, instead of investing in the Audi brand. If you meant that VW ought to help Audi make coupes and S6 sedans, then I think we're on the same page. But Audi proper I see bound by whatever investment they get from VW, plus the profits they make themselves. I hope this clarifies things; I'm with you man!
Since a bad snow in my area is about 6" and the roads are mercifully free of major potholes, is it even worth getting 16" wheels. Should I have winter tires mounted on my 17" stock wheels and maybe get some fancier 17" next summer?
Thanks in advance.
At this point, I wonder if I should go with 17" winter tires and get some other rims for my summer tires next spring.
That's what I did with my allroad - 17's in a 225/55 size (stock). I'll keep those mounted on the stock wheels and then plan to buy some 18's mounted with summer wheels in the spring.
Getting my winter tires mounted on both the A4 and allroad this week - good timing as the temperatures are supposed to drop into the teens with a good chance of snow later in the week.
Jim
I too have the Dunlop Winter Sports and can't wait for it snow to go driving...er....skiing!
Stephen
A Cosworth 4.2 V8 with 340 hp? wow! What about price? ...do you think it will break over the 50K mark? Any rumors about when it will be available here in the U.S.? I know we won't get the RS4 here in the U.S. but that's okay, the 4.2 will be good enough for most! ;-)
TIA for any input or references.
--'rocco
Any further questions?
BTW: Heard of RS6? Will come out in spring '02 over here but not in the states I think - like the RS4. This "rocket" will have a biturbo v-8 engine which puts out around 450 hp and will be available as sedan and station-wagon. 0-100 in less than 5 sec. I cannot wait for the comparison with the M5!
Also, are the cars you mentioned anticipated to be sold in volumes at a profit or are they more or less "exhibition" projects like Acura's NSX or even Honda's S2000.
I would really appreciate your thoughts and comments on this. Thanks.
Yeah, I know for sure we won't get the RS6 here in the U.S. ...we never get the good stuff! :-(
Thanks so much for the info. I may have further questions later if you don't mind. :P
Charles and Jeff-- Thanx for your input too.
--'rocco
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
I think Audi is the only one of these 3 brands which does not offer all their 'top-of-the-line-cars" over there. And now why?
Well, I think the biggest problem is, that Audi is STILL returning on the US-market after a really hard time. They are returning step by step.
Remember: First there was the A4, which became a huge succes for Audi in America and helped them to extend their lines in the states. Audi raised attention with that model. Then the A6 became more and more succesful - only one ot two engines were offered at first I think, now there are 4 available (included the S6). Audi wants to polish up their image and then I think they will offer those high-powered-models. If noone knows Audi and it's advantages, noone buys an Audi for around 50K.
And thats another problem of Audi in The USA. They still don't have the image of BMW and MB in oppostion to Western Europe. For many of you over there Audi is still an more expensice VW. Here, MB/BMW AND Audi are the THREE premium marques. In America there are only MB, BMW and Lexus (which plays no role on the German market).But in my opinion Audi will close up to them (and they made big steps the last 5 years) like they did in Europe the last 20 years, but in America they were knocked down by those accidents and that enormous slowed down there development.
habitat, "U.S. market isn't needed..."
In my opinion no carmaker can say "We don't need the US market" It's the biggest in the world and everyone wants to have success there and those top-of-the-line-models polish up image. But for those s-models it seems that the European market is big enough at the moment. Audi produces not very much of them but I think the situation in America will become better and better. And come on, you have the S4, S6, S8. We don't have many more: The S3 and the RS4 (production ended a few weeks ago). And another point is, that the demand is really very high on those performance cars. The S8 for example makes out around 40% of the whole A8-production and S4s and S3s and of course RS4s are very popular!
And to your last question. Yes, they are definitive exhibition models which show, what a carmaker is able to build but they make their profit with those models for sure!
But I don't know if they would be so accepted in the USA, what would you all think?
I'm very interested in Audis success in America.
Thanks