Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Audi S4 and S4 Cabriolet
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Thanks in advance.
Right now the S4 doesn't have any competition until the new 2001 M3 arrives. Even then I've already heard that the S4 with a chip and exhaust beats it, and still $8K less.
'What5' made a good comment about what Americans are (unfortunately) interested in (cupholders?!?!). As a European living in the US, I am so frustrated trying to find cool exciting sports cars (and sedans) with stickshifts here, and I suspect that there simply isn't a market for them... (Auto in an AMG, ...please!)
Regarding the S4: when I lived in Norway, it was clear what the S4 was capable off. You have to see that car in action on snow, ice, and what not. It simply makes all other muscle cars look like handicaped shoeboxes. I have seen several times an s4 speed away from much more powerful car (yes, even an M5) simply because it was a little wet and slippery on the street. I can tell you the look on the guy's face in the M5 was saying: 'damn, next time, I'll get one of those...'.
Don't get me wrong, I really love BMWs. But the S4 looks great, handles great, and is a blast to drive. So again, stop thinking 'novelty', cupholders, and what not...
The S4, like any other car will still require that the most significant piece of software be your brain. Honestly, as an M3 owner or prospective buyer of an S4, your questions don't ring 'true' to me. You sound like you want security and comfort, not 'fun' and 'performance'. And I disagree with your comments about the M3. First, if it's the US version with 240 bhp, it's not really 'overpowered' (a mere 50 bhp more than the 328). That car is perfectly balanced and IS A BLAST to drive on wet sufaces. You may want to get some winter tires instead of summer slicks though, but 'fun' is exactly THAT: driving such a car at the limit.
What does anyone think of the navigation (toy)?
Lastly, who recommends the Valentine radar detector over the K40 and why? Are they really worth $700 over the portable models?
npro, I've seen the navigation system for the U.S. and it is sub-standard to say the least. Don't buy into the crap about it being safer because it has no screen. In Europe Audi's system has a screen so I have no idea how they decided people here wouldn't want one or couldn't drive with one.
Regarding the Valentine One, it is the premiere detector on the market and has been for years. It is ungodly ugly and is the most accurate thing out there as far as I know (I haven't examined new entrants in the past 6 months or so). Regarding the price differential, I don't know where you live but here in Massachusetts a single low-speed ticket will cost you over $1,000 so I think it is well worth it (in addition to the fine you loose at least two points and each one will cost you something like $170/year for 3 years as I recall.)
I have no useful information on the S4 model year switchover date.
-rdo
rdollie@mediaone.net
Beautiful and powerful. 0-60 in 5.9 and 143 mph.
thats fast. not the fastest but probably the best in its class. I would kill for this car.
Thanks in advance!
Anton.
it would even have kicked s4's butt but unfortunately it's not available here.
i'm considering s4 and have read a lot of good things about it. any cons on this car?
thanks,
True, European spec BMW M3's and Subaru Impreza Turbo are much more performing than their US versions. Both very exciting cars for the enthusiast, I must say.
But the European spec M3 is a 321bhp sports machine which is not really accepting of driver errors, and tends to be too 'jerky' for city driving.
The Subaru Turbo is a close cousin to its racing brother, with fantastic performance - also 4 wheel drive. But it does not have the S4's civil behavior. Also, it has scoops and spoilers and you-name-it 'visual pornography'... I personally like the car, but not for its appearance!
If I fly out of state to purchase my S4 (or any other car for that matter) do I have to pay for registration in the state I purchase in and then again when I enter my home state?
Not that this would stop me from buying this incredible car.
Thanks,
JB
RE: #285 price...good job. Dealers don't seem to be budging off sticker here in So Cal. In fact they love to do the after-market adds and beef up the MSRP without making you feel squeezed. For example I have seen many hot cars such as clk430 and s4 with chrome wheels, lojack and paint protection etc. This is just a way for the dealers to justify going above the sticker. They make a ton on the "retail" price for these options and don't look like bad guys.
epmeehan, did you get the nav system with your car?
Much as the M3 took a year off when the new 3-series came out, the S4 is disappearing worldwide when the new A4 comes out in Europe, which is 2002. This is what Audi says, at least.
I'm sure the S4 will return later, but no one knows exactly when.
I'm concered that when using a tip the
0-60 time will be at least a second slower.
PS: I didn't have much luck negotiating price on a 2001 S4, the best I got was $1k under MSRP.
Only had to put $1k deposit down.
On the A6 2.7T, it is 0-60 in 6 secs with stick, 6.6 with TIP.
I bought a TIP A6 2.7T anyway, as I didn't feel like shifting for myself in the near future.
What is up with the majority of used models on the market being 2000? Is there something wrong with that model year? Does anyone recommend a particular model year for least amount of bugs?
Any advice on S4s in general?
Thanks!
So, if you go to buy a used S4, 2000 is about all you can expect to find. Note that the S4 is a limited edition car, so the used prices will be a little higher than you might think.
I've read through this entire board and have a couple of more questions:
1 - is the 3 yr warranty transferrable to include the 'free' maintenance?
2 - I live 3 hrs away from the nearest Audi dealer. If I were to have a major problem with a car under warranty (ref the guy with the bad tranny www.audizone.com/info/s4logmain.html) would they be obliged to send me a flatbed truck to take care of it, and give me a loaner during repairs?
3 - Is there a particular lot of cars that are at a higher risk for the transmission problem? Was there a recall?
Thanks
I presume Audi has to flatbed your car, yes. If they don't, AAA will. AAA doesn't cost too much per year.
So unless you are planning on getting parts at a junkyard, it probably won't effect you.
Test drive a Mercedes and then an Audi, and the Audi will feel like a barcalounger. Mercedes makes pew-like seats. I guess the Germans have a similar mentality when it comes to their seats, but it does get better over time. Why don't you go to www.audiworld.com to the S4 forum, and see what they think?
Good luck!
Where did u find those?
Previous AWD BMW was 325ix, not 325xi. Also, it used a totally different AWD system. That one wasn't terribly good. This new one is a shrunken version of the X5 AWD, and seems to be good.
As to the HP & weights, the numbers in the S4 (and A6) lead you to disbelieve the performance. But don't be fooled. A 3800lb A6 2.7T can do 0-60 in 6.0 secs, much less than a 530i.
Also, BMW's newfound 225HP is a pretty weak 225HP, where as the 250HP in the S4/A6 is a very strong 250HP. BMW's new engine has 225HP (30 more than before), but only 214 ft-lbs torque, which is a whopping 8 more than before. Where as Audi says the S4/A6 2.7T has 258 ft-lbs, and actually has over 270 ft-lbs.
I'll recheck numbers tomorrow. Stay tuned.
BMW's listed weight is 3450-3500lbs for the 330xi, presumably the stick comes in at the low end of the range. Still a porker.
presumably the stick comes in at the low end of
the range. Still a porker."
I find it ironic as the S4 weighs in at over 3700lbs! I guess that's a jumbo if the bimmer's a porker.