a4 -> s4, anyone dissatisfied?

[toaster]

is there anyone here who stepped up to an s4 from an a4 and was let down in any way?

[Applejacks]

Yeah. Having twice the cylinders, less production numbers, better body enhancements and seats were a major downer for me.

[RAudi Driver]

Yeah. Having twice the cylinders, less production numbers, better body enhancements and seats were a major downer for me.

Apple jacks, your such a shit but that was really funny.

[enigma1406]

Some people will complain about mpg. Personally I don't mind it.

[cops04s4]

I wouldnt exactly purchase an s4 if your worried about gas mileage.....

[2k1s]

i stepped into a nightmare.

but needless to say, i'd never roll a base model luxury car

[Sirfishalot]

is there anyone here who stepped up to an s4 from an a4 and was let down in any way?

Yeah, the gas mileage pretty much sucks. I think I'm going to trade my S4 back for an A4 Cabriolet because of it, .....
NOT!

JayT

[KokujinTensai]

This is an odd thread. Toaster, what information exactly are you looking for? Why would you think this would be of concern? Applejacks sarcasm was apt; your paying almost twice as much for almost twice as much car.

[bhvrdr]

I'll chime in. I've had a B5 A4, B6 A4, B7 A4, and B6 S4. When going from the B7 A4 with just a chip to the B6 S4 the main thing that impresses me about the S4 is the exhaust note. It is intoxicating. To be honest, otherwise there wasnt much gained. The S4 is heavier which is why the A4 with sport pachage gets by just as quickly if not quicker through the slalom in tests. The A4 with a chip is within .3 seconds in the 1/4 mile in speed and actually posts as good as 1/4 mile times as many modded S4 cars running 100 octane that used to be posted up in a database. The fuel mileage is about 50% better in the A4 in my driving experience. So, really it came down to the exhaust note as my main like of the S4. Some people talk about "exclusivity" but I dont consider that in my buying decisions.

cheers! Mike

[b6onboost]

^ 2nd.

I drove a B6 S4 and I wasn't blow away by anything. Seats were great, engine was more powerful , exhaust was sweet, but it handled worse and its weight was felt. Is the S4 a better car, yes, but to me it would not be worth the increased monthly payment and nearly double the insurance premium.

I'm never worried about 'exclusivity' because most people assume my car is an S4 anyway. I've raced one once on the hwy and he pulled a few lengths, hardly worth the extra $15k unless you are a die hard racer.

Toaster: From your sig it sounds like your car looks better than a stock S4 already. If you have tip and no engine mods...the S4 is going to be a huge power difference.

[Cargo8]

recaros are huge + though. and stock for stock the a4 can't even come close to the s4. obviously any turbo car will be easy make compete with others with chips etc.

[Applejacks]

^ 2nd.

I drove a B6 S4 and I wasn't blow away by anything. Seats were great, engine was more powerful , exhaust was sweet, but it handled worse and its weight was felt. Is the S4 a better car, yes, but to me it would not be worth the increased monthly payment and nearly double the insurance premium.

I'm never worried about 'exclusivity' because most people assume my car is an S4 anyway. I've raced one once on the hwy and he pulled a few lengths, hardly worth the extra $15k unless you are a die hard racer.

Toaster: From your sig it sounds like your car looks better than a stock S4 already. If you have tip and no engine mods...the S4 is going to be a huge power difference.

If money wasn't an issue, you would have gone S4. Fact. Don't bother responding otherwise.

[toaster]

heh,

let me clarify...

here is how i feel about my stock a4:

Power - Anemic, very slow, probably one of the slowest cars on the road from a standstill

Brakes - Terrible

Handling - Ok, since the rs4 sway upgrade, and after the h+r/bilstein install, i think it will be pretty nice.

Seats - Awful

Gas Mileage - I get between 200-250 per tank anyway, so S4 mileage should be around the same i think?

With the s4 i would hope i'd feel like this...

Power - Awesome (0-60 in 5 flat is enough)

Brakes - Great, good bite and no fading for dd

Handling - Definitely better than my a4 after the suspension upgrade, with no body roll, i hate body roll (probably need h-sport sway set for this)

Seats - Perfection

Gas mileage - pretty much the same as what i get now.

I spoke with my insurance company and they told me insurance would only be $20 more a month for the s4?

Is there anyone who feels about their S4, the way I feel about my A4 in any of the aforementioned categories?

[Eddie Man]

IMHO, going from a B6/A4/3.0 to an B7/S4, there are only similarities...
The B7/S4 is truly at a new level of power, comfort & niceties.
No disappointments whatsover.

Now on the contrary:
When I went from a A4/2.8 to a A6/2.7t, power & luxury was a huge bonus while the fun factor greatly diminished.
When I went from a A6/2.7t to a A4/3.0, while handling improved considerably, power was a major demerit.

[toaster]

i am planning on picking up a b6 s4 as my next car, i don't think there's anything different about the b7 other than a less appealing interior/exterior to me, but i do not want to get into that.

hearing someone's opinion who's gone from a b6 or b7 a4 to a b6 or b7 s4 is of interest to me.

[b6onboost]

^ you seem to be getting horrible mileage on that 1.8T?

an A4 with full aftermarket suspension and RS4 sway will outhandle a stock S4 assuming tires are equal.

from what you're coming from you wont be disappointed with an S4.

[toaster]

there's a thread over in the a4 forums, and there are a bunch of people getting similar mileage.

most of my driving is city though...i have had over 400 per tank straight highway (back and forth to college) i am guessing that is something that the s4 could never do.

really though, the mileage doesn't matter to me much.

i just think a4 is horridly slow, has terrible seats, and poor brakes. (i still love it though.)

the usp looks way better than the s4 kit (i always wondered why audi didn't give the s4 the usp kit) but the s4 still looks alright...definitely better than a stock a4.

you're telling me to expect worse handling in the s4 over my a4 with rs4 sway and h+r/bilstein setup?

that is quite upsetting.

[b6onboost]

The way his question was aimed was to ask if an upgrade to an S4 would be enitrely worth it and what he expects it to be.

Put a B7 A4 Sline and a B7 S4 side by side. Inside...seat are different. Outside...nearly identical. Performance...with a reflash the 2.0T is not much slower in the 1/4 mile. Handling...identical for the street. MPG...A4. Price difference of $15k...absurd.

So if someone said..free car...pick, I'd go S4. but there's nothing wrong with me presenting the facts about what you are paying for in the end. information never hurts, and its all accurate so thanks for being a dick for no reason.

If money wasn't an issue, you would have gone S4. Fact. Don't bother responding otherwise.

[b6onboost]

Your car with H&R springs and properly matched shocks, with the addition of a larger sway bar (22mm vs the S4s 20mm) will outhandle a stock S4 assuming the tires are identical.

The A4 weighs less and is more tossable, with the upgraded suspension and sway it will outhandle the stock S4.

Don't be discuraged. The S4 will be better in almost every dimension than your car. Just add a sway and maybe coilovers and it'll handle incredibly well.

there's a thread over in the a4 forums, and there are a bunch of people getting similar mileage.

most of my driving is city though...i have had over 400 per tank straight highway (back and forth to college) i am guessing that is something that the s4 could never do.

really though, the mileage doesn't matter to me much.

i just think a4 is horridly slow, has terrible seats, and poor brakes. (i still love it though.)

the usp looks way better than the s4 kit (i always wondered why audi didn't give the s4 the usp kit) but the s4 still looks alright...definitely better than a stock a4.

you're telling me to expect worse handling in the s4 over my a4 with rs4 sway and h+r/bilstein setup?

that is quite upsetting.

[toaster]

don't worry about what others are saying, i don't want any fightin' going on here!

your responses HAVE been helpful to me, i don't care if they're helpful to anyone else...apple is pissed at audi, he's had too many problems with them and he has already made it clear he's going to be giving his money to another brand.

i am surprised the s4 handling isn't that great. i know it's heavier but i would have expected audi to have done a little better on the performance of the stock s4.

i already planned to upgrade the suspension, but i really just want to be able to buy the s and not have to mod it much, i just want to be able to enjoy my damn car already without worrying about what i need to fix because audi didn't do it right.

btw - i have always refused to test drive, or even ride in, an s4 for fear i would be unable to step foot into my lowly a4 again (even if it looks better) but i am getting really curious to see just how good/bad the s4 really feels since i am seriously considering picking one up soon.

[b6onboost]

^ for a heavy sedan I would say the S4 has great handling, but you can not compare it to a lighter weight car with an upgraded aftermarket suspension. The S will not handle 'bad' and for all street purposes you won't notice a ton of difference.

You should just test drive one.

[toaster]

heh, i will soon.

[Applejacks]

If you're buying new, be prepared for hilarious amounts of depreciation.

If used, no worries. Enjoy.

[toaster]

lol...new.

anyway, i said i am getting a b6 s4, how could i buy new?

[Applejacks]

Didn't really read your post. Ok, then just score a good deal on a car with CPO. I am sure you will love it.

[toaster]

heh

[speedydragon]

the whp of a v8 s4 on a mustang dyno is quite comical.

[bhvrdr]

Have you considered chipping or doing a $1500 k04 turbo in your A4? It will be like getting a new car all over again for minimal money.

You will definitely get better mileage with the A4 if that matters. When I would track the A4 I would get as little as 12mpg. When I track the S4 I have gotton as little as 6mpg. For freeway I get around 17mpg. It routinely see less than 200 miles per tank on my S4 in city driving. I routinely saw 300miles per tank on the A4 (that assumes terrible mileage for both of those cars from hammering the crap out of them everywhere).

Make sure if you get an S4 you get it under CPO warranty. Due to the tight packaging of the engine, little things like replacing the starter can cost $800, replacing the tensioners on the serpentine belt can cost $800, etc, etc. You could blow the whole motor on the 1.8t and get it on ebay for $800 :)

Stock for stock you will love the S4 for it's better power. The exhaust note alone will fool you into thinking it handles better too. If you get a K04 on your A4 I think the only primary difference will be the seats and the exhaust note, though.

cheers! Mike

[toaster]

all the mods i have ever done to the a4 have been mainly to convert the base stock 02 into full usp.

the only performance mods i have done have been the suspension.

i don't really feel like messing with the engine, as it will hurt the value of my car when i try to sell and i just don't feel like dealing with the hassle of the process and what comes with it.

i would not dream of owning this car or any german car without a warranty...i routinely refer to this as suicide.

safe to say you enjoy your s4?

[bhvrdr]

all the mods i have ever done to the a4 have been mainly to convert the base stock 02 into full usp.

the only performance mods i have done have been the suspension.

i don't really feel like messing with the engine, as it will hurt the value of my car when i try to sell and i just don't feel like dealing with the hassle of the process and what comes with it.

i would not dream of owning this car or any german car without a warranty...i routinely refer to this as suicide.

safe to say you enjoy your s4?

I like it. I like the exhaust note (have i mentioned that :) )

I dont like how it is a heavy piggie. I dont care for the absolutely terrible fuel economy as I routinely get only about 10mpg in the city which is about 190 miles per tank. I'd feel better if the car was putting out 450hp or so.

The acceleration is ok. Much better than the A4 but not a crapload better than my chippped 2.0T FSI car. It's pretty good for a stock car though that you can get for 20 grand used. Cant beat that if you look at it that way. If you have no intention on chipping your A4 (which is as simple as a flash on the OBD port) then I can see you will like the S4 as long as you keep it under warranty always and dont mind the fuel costs. I figure you should be able to get a nice 2004 CPO S4 for 25 grand and you would be able to find a 2004 A4 that was CPO for probably what? 15 to 17 grand? Are the Recaro seats, the exhaust note, and the added second to 60 worth 10 grand? They may very well be.

cheers! Mike

[toaster]

i was expecting to pay around 30k, where can i get one for 25?

acceleration is just ok in the s4?

[Alipor]

i was expecting to pay around 30k, where can i get one for 25?

acceleration is just ok in the s4?

It depends on where you are coming from, a totally stock A4 the acceleration of the S4 beats it hands down there is little to compare, coming from a chipped 2.0T it will be just ok.

[toaster]

does the s4 press you back against the seat at all when you floor it?

i need to test drive one of these things already...

[UltraS4John]

I went from an '04 UltraSport A4 1.8T (chipped, exhaust, intake)

to

'05 Audi S4 (exhaust, intake)

I was frustrated w/ the A4...sometimes frustrated w/ the S4 as well but overall, I love it :)

[toaster]

frustrated because of the weight gain?

[UltraS4John]

no...just the gas but thats what I paid for :)

[UltraS4John]

You need some rims toaster: Here is a pic of my '04 A4 Ultra

[toaster]

need some rims?

i'll leave the wheels alone.

[Tiesto]

there's a thread over in the a4 forums, and there are a bunch of people getting similar mileage.

most of my driving is city though...i have had over 400 per tank straight highway (back and forth to college) i am guessing that is something that the s4 could never do.

really though, the mileage doesn't matter to me much.

i just think a4 is horridly slow, has terrible seats, and poor brakes. (i still love it though.)

the usp looks way better than the s4 kit (i always wondered why audi didn't give the s4 the usp kit) but the s4 still looks alright...definitely better than a stock a4.

you're telling me to expect worse handling in the s4 over my a4 with rs4 sway and h+r/bilstein setup?

that is quite upsetting.

Or you could just say "I'm a spoiled brat whose never even ridden in something like a Camry."

I understand some of your complaints but you're just starting to sound like you want a $55,000 car wrapped up nice in a $25,000 deal. I don't mean to offend you but IMO Audi gives us a fantastic car for the money. If you wanted more performance for your buck you should have went
3-Series/350z/etc. Audi more than makes up for what those other vehicles lack in terms of design and functionality which are much more important to me than reaching 60 mph .5 seconds faster.

[toaster]

whoa, completely didn't expect that to evolve from this thread.

i am 23 and paid for my a4.

i absolutely LOVE my a4, i am speaking in exaggerations of course. i thought everyone would be familiar with the issues i was referring to and realize what i was getting at.

pshh, you want to see spoiled check this out...

http://www.audiforums.com/m_626789/tm.htm

"Now come on guys, just cause I am lucky enough to have wealthy parents don't make me bad for choosing a cool car, and don't say its not because you all have them. Now, a little off topic, but is it possible to replace the wood trim in my S4 with aluminum? thanks"