RS4 vs. B8 S4 - The Smoking Tire Review

[kapikog]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkHnH2xs7wE

[mcimiluca]

Pretty cool review...

[Sharkfin]

I'm glad you posted this, but it's kinda weird they didn't pick one. I'm a B7 RS4 fan all the way. BTW Craig is actually a member on here and posts about his RS4 occasionally, so when I saw you posted "Smoking Tire" with Rs4 in the title, I knew he was going to be in it. He has done a ton of car stuff, and a ton of stuff with that particular car (on the internet).

[awdjunkies]

I actually enjoyed their review. Thanks for sharing.

[fatbrembos]

that was actually useful for once, nice!

[Akatsuki...]

their points didn't really seem to buy me for some reason.. "this is good... but also bad.."

That's my impression, but good video nonetheless. Some good insights on the B8 S4.

[bryzf1]

I'm glad you posted this, but it's kinda weird they didn't pick one. I'm a B7 RS4 fan all the way. BTW Craig is actually a member on here and posts about his RS4 occasionally, so when I saw you posted "Smoking Tire" with Rs4 in the title, I knew he was going to be in it. He has done a ton of car stuff, and a ton of stuff with that particular car (on the internet).

Just about exactly what I was gonna say... I'm obviously an RS fan all the way as well considering I own one, but I didn't even bother test driving the new S4 when I bought my RS4 last year. The looks just don't do it for me. If they offered it in wagon form I would have purchased it over the RS though.

[Sharkfin]

I agree, the looks just aren't there in comparison. It's tough to put into words but when they are side by side it's easy to see

[rktskicar]

I'm glad you posted this, but it's kinda weird they didn't pick one. I'm a B7 RS4 fan all the way. BTW Craig is actually a member on here and posts about his RS4 occasionally, so when I saw you posted "Smoking Tire" with Rs4 in the title, I knew he was going to be in it. He has done a ton of car stuff, and a ton of stuff with that particular car (on the internet).

I agree. They should have picked one, one way or the other.

Bruce

[kapikog]

Just about exactly what I was gonna say... I'm obviously an RS fan all the way as well considering I own one, but I didn't even bother test driving the new S4 when I bought my RS4 last year. The looks just don't do it for me. If they offered it in wagon form I would have purchased it over the RS though.

I drove an RS4 at the track once (Mosport DTC) and thought that it was great. I loved the sound, look and quality of the car, much better than the B8 S4.

I've also driven a 6MT with DS (on 19"s), as well as an S-Tronic w/o (on 18"s). I thought that DS felt very artificial and in dynamic mode, the tires seem to get really choppy over rough surfaces (too much wheel/weight maybe?). Either way, the S-Tronic S4 on a base suspension with 18"s, felt the best imo. That's what I ordered (but with QSD).

I also felt that this version of the B8 S4 felt even more 'sporting' than the RS4, with even more off-the-line pull and less understeer. However, contrary to many, I feel that the hallmark of audi for ~20 yrs. now is starting to slip. Namely, the interior tactile fit/finish is not anywhere near what it has been. What's with the p-window buttons? Hard shinny platic, and they make a loud 'click' every time they're activated?? Then there is the trunk detail - very Hyundai imo.

All that being said, my buddy paid well into six figures (CDN) for his RS4, whereas the B8 S4, with some options can be had OTD for almost half of that price now...

[bryzf1]

I drove an RS4 at the track once (Mosport DTC) and thought that it was great. I loved the sound, look and quality of the car, much better than the B8 S4.

I bought the RS4 more for the looks and sound... plus the widebody sold me. Plus i'm ok w/ the b8 being faster than my RS4 especially after an exhaust, intake and tune... that's what I have my 700bhp allroad for! :)

[JGreen76]

I would pay a dollar to see a video comparing the B7 RS4 to a B8 S4 flashed...

I am currently in the market for either a S4 or S5, but I know that V6T wins it for me.

[NWS4Guy]

I would pay a dollar to see a video comparing the B7 RS4 to a B8 S4 flashed...

I am currently in the market for either a S4 or S5, but I know that V6T wins it for me.

I'd love to see them stock against each others, so long as the RS4 had been scoped for carbon recently so that this couldn't be an arguement in case things went to the S4.

[riegeraudi]

I am sorry to say that was a horrible review of the two cars. Someone talking about trunk space, navigation system, exhaust sound blah blah blah. No performance comparison whatsoever. I would think a fellow enthusiast would atleast provide some sort of performance comparison. We all can hear and see the differences ourselves but we cannot do the performance comparison. It looked like the RS4 owner didn't want to do the performance comparison as he probably knows the outcome. Very hard to believe that they didn't run the cars against each other. If this member is on the zine post up the rest of the video!

[NWS4Guy]

I found it rather odd at the gushing of interior space in the RS4 on a B7 platform, when the B8 has that and more - seems odd to say the least that a "like of one car" was a lesser offering than the other had.

I do agree with most of the S4 dislikes, the lack of exhaust sound and soul mainly. I think there could have been a happy medium from Audi, but it is what it is.

[riegeraudi]

I think the lack of Soul was intentional. In my opinion Audi has done this to go after customers who think the bimmers are too sporty and the MB's too conservative. Hence the S4. Sporty numbers but conservative in it's character. It can run with the 335i, M3 to a degree yet provide the refinement in ride/interior of a MB and then some. Audi went to great lengths to qiuet the whine and the exhaust for some reason and I think it was because they thought that there is a market in between MB and BMW. Audi has always gone this route and rarely have ever tried to go head to head. IMO Audi is trying to not only compete with the 3er but also the 5er. It provides almost as much room as the 5er and can outperform the A6. The A6 will be for the people who want more luxury and if they want the luxury with performance than the A6 4.2 and S6 will provide that but not at this price. The basic A6 will just provide the luxury. The S4 will provide performance for individuals who want a little luxury with more performance and this will provide a alternative for BMW 5series customers who wants a larger car than the 3. Who also wants some performance but can't afford the 550i nor the M5. These same customers may not want a loud exhaust just sporty performance with more room than a 3er and more refinement.

[kwikwi]

What's with the p-window buttons? Hard shinny platic, and they make a loud 'click' every time they're activated??

I'm sorry to say this but my S4B5 window buttons had a click. It's not design the same way as BMW or MB where there is no click. I thing Audi cars always clicked!, that's the way they have engineered it so that you may be aware that you have engage the button. Tell me if I'm wrong.

[mcimiluca]

im very curious to why he said the s4 was burning oil... i have not really heard much of these engines burning that much or if any. I know mine hasnt yet

[Zed 2.0]

I am sorry to say that was a horrible review of the two cars. Someone talking about trunk space, navigation system, exhaust sound blah blah blah. No performance comparison whatsoever. I would think a fellow enthusiast would atleast provide some sort of performance comparison. We all can hear and see the differences ourselves but we cannot do the performance comparison. It looked like the RS4 owner didn't want to do the performance comparison as he probably knows the outcome. Very hard to believe that they didn't run the cars against each other. If this member is on the zine post up the rest of the video!

It looks to me like they didn't do a performance comparison because the RS4 was modified (at least suspension). Wouldn't be a valid comparison.

[s-4man]

the rs4 is slow for 420hp.... the s4 traps just as high on the 1/4mile.

[riegeraudi]

im very curious to why he said the s4 was burning oil... i have not really heard much of these engines burning that much or if any. I know mine hasnt yet

I haven't heard of any S4's burning oil either.

[bl0wn3ur0]

the rs4 is slow for 420hp.... the s4 traps just as high on the 1/4mile.

I don't know why people insist on using 1/4mile times to compare these cars. Audi didn't design the car for that, put the cars on a road course and the RS4 will show why it got that RS badge and not an S badge. I'm not talking down about the S4(it might be my next car), simply making a point.

[NWS4Guy]

im very curious to why he said the s4 was burning oil... i have not really heard much of these engines burning that much or if any. I know mine hasnt yet

It's the press car, so it has been ragged out a lot, I'm thinking.

[Zed 2.0]

I don't know why people insist on using 1/4mile times to compare these cars. Audi didn't design the car for that, put the cars on a road course and the RS4 will show why it got that RS badge and not an S badge. I'm not talking down about the S4(it might be my next car), simply making a point.

Like these road courses?

http://www.fastestlaps.com/compariso...udi_S4_B8.html

S4 is quicker on 1 of 3 tracks, and the difference on each track is less than a second.

[joung300]

the rs4 is slow for 420hp.... the s4 traps just as high on the 1/4mile.

careful, there are many a rs4 driver on here

[riegeraudi]

Don't really care. The RS4 IMO for that much money should not be even in the same sentence as the S4. In canada the RS4 is $30-40k more than the S4. If it is mentioned in the same sentence than for me Audi didn't do enough with the RS4 or gave the S4 too much performance. The AMG C63 is not compared to the C350 nor the CTS to the CTSV. BMW M3 is compared to the 335i only on the street while the M3 demolishes the RS4 and 335i on the track. So if the S4 even comes close to the RS4 than something is wrong. I don't care how good it looks it has to compete better with the competitor cars on the track and off handling and performance wise end of story. Notice when the subject of RS4 Vs S4 pops up it usually comes back to the RS4 is so much more good looking with the flares and soul etc. Well the word performance is usually lacking in the same conversation. I love the RS4 just wished Audi did more with the handling/perfomance aspect of the car.

[Sharkfin]

You say Audi purposely takes some harshness off the s4, yet bash them for doing it with the rs4? It's the same situation here, all around capabilities and drivability with 420HP

[bl0wn3ur0]

Like these road courses?

http://www.fastestlaps.com/compariso...udi_S4_B8.html

S4 is quicker on 1 of 3 tracks, and the difference on each track is less than a second.

That's fine, I never said the S wasn't a great car performance why. All I'm saying is that the RS4 is a great car and does a great job at what it was designed to do. As far the S4 being "too close" performance wise, the car is newer and that's what happens with new cars. The E90 335 is pretty close to the a E46 M3, but its a newer car so that's expected. Too be fair the S/RS cars haven't been the same since the B5 platform(in my opinion). The 1.8T has been the only tunable motor(the 2.0 will get there when they solve the fueling issues and the 4.2 is too heavy and is only now starting to make power) and audi is only now catching up to BMW in terms of handling. They were so stuck on "quattro" that they stopped engineering the cars.....the B8 S4 seems to be the car that's been missing for years.

[kwikwi]

Don't really care. The RS4 IMO for that much money should not be even in the same sentence as the S4. In canada the RS4 is $30-40k more than the S4. If it is mentioned in the same sentence than for me Audi didn't do enough with the RS4 or gave the S4 too much performance. The AMG C63 is not compared to the C350 nor the CTS to the CTSV. BMW M3 is compared to the 335i only on the street while the M3 demolishes the RS4 and 335i on the track. So if the S4 even comes close to the RS4 than something is wrong. I don't care how good it looks it has to compete better with the competitor cars on the track and off handling and performance wise end of story. Notice when the subject of RS4 Vs S4 pops up it usually comes back to the RS4 is so much more good looking with the flares and soul etc. Well the word performance is usually lacking in the same conversation. I love the RS4 just wished Audi did more with the handling/perfomance aspect of the car.

Well said. That's what came to my mind when I ordered an RS4 in 2006. I thought about it and for $94k CND Audi was steeling me, so I cancelled. But when I see an RS4 my heart whispere. Great car but not price wise.

[L0U]

B8 S4s don't burn oil as a rule. If you somehow have an oil burner, it is due to either a bad build or a bad breakin period. Now the 2.0T that is an oil burner.

I went 5000 miles without dropping even one click on the mmi readout. It was 100% full from start to first oil change.....unheard of I thought, but seems to be the norm.

[bl0wn3ur0]

B8 S4s don't burn oil as a rule. If you somehow have an oil burner, it is due to either a bad build or a bad breakin period. Now the 2.0T that is an oil burner.

I went 5000 miles without dropping even one click on the mmi readout. It was 100% full from start to first oil change.....unheard of I thought, but seems to be the norm.

My 2.0T(07 gti) didn't burn a lot of oil, I did baby that car during the break in period though. I think I might be down a quart when I went to change my oil.....My 1.8T doesn't burn any oil and that's why I love it.

[phantomblack]

I checked my oil reading last night, I found that I was down about 25%, I have 2.2k miles on the car....any need for concern?

[NWS4Guy]

I checked my oil reading last night, I found that I was down about 25%, I have 2.2k miles on the car....any need for concern?

Nah at that level it won't even burn a quart by 5K it's still within what is generally considered "normal" use.

[sworksone]

B8 S4s don't burn oil as a rule. If you somehow have an oil burner, it is due to either a bad build or a bad breakin period. Now the 2.0T that is an oil burner.

I went 5000 miles without dropping even one click on the mmi readout. It was 100% full from start to first oil change.....unheard of I thought, but seems to be the norm.

I agree with your statement on the S4 not burning oil - I'm still showing 100% after 4 months - but I never once had to add a drop of oil into my 2.0T A4. I always baby my babies until 1500km, and they're always nice to me in return.

[copia22]

Matt Farah is a douche.
Craig on the other hand was a good host.

[bcampbell]

Okay I went from a B7 2.0 TFSI to a B8 S4. I could have gone to a second user B7 RS4 MTM Avant that the local dealer had and saved myself £4k. The reasons why I didn't were because of the following;

1) B8 was the new model and a new car with the benefits of full year road tax, full undisputed knowledge of the car's history
2) B8 had a more modern interior than the RS4
3) B8 doesn’t have the stupid clash between the handbrake and the arm rest
4) B8 is more economical (I just love the V6T)
5) B8 Has a stack more legroom in the rear and with my kids growing up, this is a major consideration
6) B8 will have a better resale than the B7 which, as soon as the B8 was released, fell like a rock
7) B7 sat nav screen was an add on to the B7 dash - on the B8 it all looks planned

I agree with some of the other comments though, V8 sounds better, RS4 with the flared arches looks real good, and sorry to have to say this but the boot in the B7 is better (forgive me - I'm an old man)

So, in terms of an overall winner, we are all different with different priorities but for me, the B8 absolutely hands down. As for the sound, I think this is a ploy too but I think that when they bring out the RS4 in the B8, they will give it a bit more of a rasp!

[riegeraudi]

You say Audi purposely takes some harshness off the s4, yet bash them for doing it with the rs4? It's the same situation here, all around capabilities and drivability with 420HP

No that is not what I meant. What I meant is that if I am paying 40% more for an RS4, the RS4 should have more refinement and performance than the S4. Perfect example is the 335i vs the M3. Not sure if you have driven these two cars but the M3 is faster and much more refined than the 335i. While the 335i ride is choppy and loose, the M3 is not only handles better but also rides better and is more luxurious. When we compare the RS4 we can't say the same. The RS4 is not the fastest nor does it handle the best vs the M3 and C63 and that is the simple reason it is losing in sales to the other two. The fact is when you pay this much for a car it can't be an all arounder it has to be the best in a certain field because the fact of the matter is that the RS4, M3 and C63 are very specialized car unlike the S4 which is built to be a faster alternative to the A4 and it is priced and marketed this way.

[Sharkfin]

But yet again, Audi isn't BMW and you made that argument above. They try to do things differently. And for the record, the B7 rs4 won comparison tests for years before the M3 was refreshed and then won. OF course audi never came back to challenge after that. I don't want to argue with you anymore, you are way too opinionated in almost every post I've seen of yours.

[riegeraudi]

But yet again, Audi isn't BMW and you made that argument above. They try to do things differently. And for the record, the B7 rs4 won comparison tests for years before the M3 was refreshed and then won. OF course audi never came back to challenge after that. I don't want to argue with you anymore, you are way too opinionated in almost every post I've seen of yours.

Thanks for the personal attack! This is the internet and people offer opinions I don't say you have to agree I am offering my opinion the way I see it. You are the one who is arguing my opinion and I just restated what I meant.

[Sharkfin]

If it was an attack I would have been much more harsh. Good day