RS4 vs S4 - which is "better"?

[Worldrider]

I've been looking for an RS4 for a few months now - just haven't found one that's clean enough in my price range. In the meanwhile, the RS4 research has been a ton of fun, and has almost turned into a hobby. I thought you might enjoy this recently posted review from "Everyday Driver" that pits similarly priced vs ...

Think you know the winner??

https://youtu.be/DkVI3FLQZAI

[PetrolDave]

This is the quote that does it for me: "This engine has a whole lot less personality" when talking about the B8 S4 compared to the B7 RS4.

I just LOVE the V8 sound, no supercharged V6 can come close to that.

It's not all about how fast you go, it's about HOW you go...

[doug97gxe]

This is the quote that does it for me: "This engine has a whole lot less personality" when talking about the B8 S4 compared to the B7 RS4.

I just LOVE the V8 sound, no supercharged V6 can come close to that.

It's not all about how fast you go, it's about HOW you go...

you sound like the B8 S5 owners who can't let go of their cars because it sounds better

you should have stopped at your second line.. your third line is pure bullshit

you can only drive around listening to your car for so long.. you bought a performance car.. you want performance.. when your V8 is a little under 300 whp and the B8 S4 is well over 400 whp with just a tune and pulleys its very embarrassing

[WinterRunner]

^ this guy and his V6T love

[GrandMarkie]

you sound like the B8 S5 owners who can't let go of their cars because it sounds better

you should have stopped at your second line.. your third line is pure bullshit

you can only drive around listening to your car for so long.. you bought a performance car.. you want performance.. when your V8 is a little under 300 whp and the B8 S4 is well over 400 whp with just a tune and pulleys its very embarrassing

lol

[NYC_Legacy]

you sound like the B8 S5 owners who can't let go of their cars because it sounds better

you should have stopped at your second line.. your third line is pure bullshit

you can only drive around listening to your car for so long.. you bought a performance car.. you want performance.. when your V8 is a little under 300 whp and the B8 S4 is well over 400 whp with just a tune and pulleys its very embarrassing

I think most of us RS4 owners knew what we were getting into. Yes there are plenty of faster cars out there; embarrassing? get your dick outta your hand. I very well could have purchased a B8 S4 for what I paid for my RS. I totally agree with, its about "HOW you go" there is a reason Audi choose to drop the 4.2 V8 motor in the R8. Plus my cold starts in the morning and screams to redline never get old.

[doug97gxe]

I think most of us RS4 owners knew what we were getting into. Yes there are plenty of faster cars out there; embarrassing? get your dick outta your hand. I very well could have purchased a B8 S4 for what I paid for my RS. I totally agree with, its about "HOW you go" there is a reason Audi choose to drop the 4.2 V8 motor in the R8. Plus my cold starts in the morning and screams to redline never get old.

so what's the reason for them dropping a v6 into the next R8?

[AvusPdx]

there are many other cars that are far better bang for your buck if you just want "performance". Its funny when people buy a 4 door family car sporty sedan and just talk about "pure performance". We can fit 4 golf bags in our trunk, a baby seat and weighs like a tank. Just enjoy it for what it is with the great engine/exhaust note, exclusivity and presence, and the timeless look.

B8 S4 and RS4 are both sporty sedans. They are not purposely built sports car.

[NYC_Legacy]

The V10 was the latest 2017 revision last I checked, future changes more than likely fuel economy just as the rest of the automotive industry is moving towards forced induction. Leave the "B7 RS4" section on the forums if you came to smack talk our chassis and be argumentative.

[Worldrider]

you sound like the B8 S5 owners who can't let go of their cars because it sounds better

you should have stopped at your second line.. your third line is pure bullshit

you can only drive around listening to your car for so long.. you bought a performance car.. you want performance.. when your V8 is a little under 300 whp and the B8 S4 is well over 400 whp with just a tune and pulleys its very embarrassing

I drive around listening to my car 100% of the time (unless I'm on the phone). Because I have a car worth listening to. Aural drama is one of the key ingredients to the soul of a true sports car.

F1 is more technologically advanced now than ever, but fan interest is waning. One of the main complaints? The engines today sound boring.

I love the visceral thrill of acceleration, but it's the noise that gives me goosebumps.

Some people get it, some don't.

https://youtu.be/5SoZiTxdQyw

[Worldrider]

so what's the reason for them dropping a v6 into the next R8?

Porsche dropped turbo I4s into Cayman/Boxster. More power, more frugal. A lot of reviewers are saying it was a mistake, as some of the magic is now gone...

[Chuuey]

This video captured exactly why I sold my B8 and purchased an RS4.

[Toronto5.5]

S4 these days cost less than an RS4. I love my RS.

[doug97gxe]

The V10 was the latest 2017 revision last I checked, future changes more than likely fuel economy just as the rest of the automotive industry is moving towards forced induction. Leave the "B7 RS4" section on the forums if you came to smack talk our chassis and be argumentative.

make me leave tough guy

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I drive around listening to my car 100% of the time (unless I'm on the phone). Because I have a car worth listening to. Aural drama is one of the key ingredients to the soul of a true sports car.

F1 is more technologically advanced now than ever, but fan interest is waning. One of the main complaints? The engines today sound boring.

I love the visceral thrill of acceleration, but it's the noise that gives me goosebumps.

Some people get it, some don't.

https://youtu.be/5SoZiTxdQyw

different strokes for different folks.. i rather be fast and quiet than slow and loud

[Lugi20]

different strokes for different folks.. i rather be fast and quiet than slow and loud

This is the only thing that matters -- it basically comes down to personal opinion. I, personally, did not like the B8(.5) S4's... the B7 RS4 felt better to me, for reasons I can't fully explain.

[doug97gxe]

This is the only thing that matters -- it basically comes down to personal opinion. I, personally, did not like the B8(.5) S4's... the B7 RS4 felt better to me, for reasons I can't fully explain.

I personally like the look of the B7 over the B8.. said that many times.. and i would prefer a B7 RS4 Twin Turbo over a B8 S4 any day.. however the comment of rather sound good over performance just sounds stupid to me.. give me both or i will take performance

[CoreyRS]

make me leave tough guy

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different strokes for different folks.. i rather be fast and quiet than slow and loud

Stock for stock, RS4 is faster. Modified for modified, you might be able to make a B8 s4 faster, but its still <<<< RS in aesthetics, so who cares about a maybe?

[doug97gxe]

Stock for stock, RS4 is faster. Modified for modified, you might be able to make a B8 s4 faster, but its still <<<< RS in aesthetics, so who cares about a maybe?

looks wise i will take a B7 over a B8 .. even an B7 S4 before a B8 S4

[jdmnomore]

My list of cars pretty much describes how i feel on this subject.. after having driven an RS i couldnt even go a year with the b8.5. Just to soft and dull in all areas suspension, steering engine etc. I realize there is tuning potential on the b8 but a mid 12s car is all i need i dont race at all and there is always something faster so using dougs logic anyone not driving a ugr lambo or alpha gtr should be embarassed. However Having people congratulate me on my new A4 was quite embarassing.

The RS line gives you the satisfaction of dating a woman with tits and ass. The S line is like dating a girl with one or the other.. i dont like compromise.

[Peter1.8t]

Stock for stock, RS4 is faster. Modified for modified, you might be able to make a B8 s4 faster, but its still <<<< RS in aesthetics, so who cares about a maybe?

I have yet to see a b8 s4 come close to hanging with my rs4, and I've played with a few of them.

[Kambesama]

Its all a mater of opinion. You want performance others want sound. Can't go around pushing opinions onto others that don't see it the same. That's how arguments always come up. I've driven a S5 and S4 with a pulley, tune, and exhaust system. Its a bat out of hell and sounds nice. In the end I still love my B6 S4 and B7 RS4.

Granted my personal Audis are manual and the S5 and B8 S4 were automatic. I prefer manual over automatic so I am biased there.

[iparatroop]

Jeez, some of the responses in here are like nails on a chalkboard.
My personal opinion means nothing, so I'll put some facts into my response.
1. The B7 RS4 is a way easier to eyefuck than a B8 S4 is. No one cares what you do to your B8, its still not an RS like you wish it was.

2. The B7 RS4 sounds 423x better than the B8 S4. Even the dude who says he would rather be quiet and fast rolls his windows down when he hears the guttural sound of a V8 and watches Gumbal exits on YouTube.

3. The B8 S4 lacks character and feel. The steering feels wooden and muffled, there is no "oomph" (very scientific term) when you step on the go pedal and the car just never feels "alive".

4. You can do your pulley and tune and we can line up. You'll be the first B8 S4 to show me the rear plate and that includes some formidable APR Stage 2+ cars that I've played with on the road. And even if your car is faster than mine, it will never sound or look as good.

I don't hate the B8 S4. I think it's sexy. It's basically that other Kardashian sister, though. I had the option of the B8 S4 a couple of times, and both times chose the B7 RS4. The purist in me couldn't pick tech over the driving experience.


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[iparatroop]

you sound like the B8 S5 owners who can't let go of their cars because it sounds better

you should have stopped at your second line.. your third line is pure bullshit

you can only drive around listening to your car for so long.. you bought a performance car.. you want performance.. when your V8 is a little under 300 whp and the B8 S4 is well over 400 whp with just a tune and pulleys its very embarrassing

Wait, wait, wait a cotton-pickin minute. You just compared a stock RS4 to an S4 with a tune and pulleys. You just settled the argument right there, and not in favor of your precious S. You have to MAKE your car fun. The RS comes with the fun already installed. Thanks for your time.


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[doug97gxe]

Wait, wait, wait a cotton-pickin minute. You just compared a stock RS4 to an S4 with a tune and pulleys. You just settled the argument right there, and not in favor of your precious S. You have to MAKE your car fun. The RS comes with the fun already installed. Thanks for your time.


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Right


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[CoreyRS]

/thread

[Peter1.8t]

Wait, wait, wait a cotton-pickin minute. You just compared a stock RS4 to an S4 with a tune and pulleys. You just settled the argument right there, and not in favor of your precious S. You have to MAKE your car fun. The RS comes with the fun already installed. Thanks for your time.


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I've never understood why people compare stock to modified across different platforms....

It's no surprise that b8s4's can be quick with just a pulley and tune. Aftermarket software for any factory forced induction motor has been a recipe for success. For example the URS4/6, any of the 1.8t's, B5S4, the b8s4, etc. Regardless of what you add, it will still not sound like the BNS v8, it will still be numb to drive, and it won't have those wide hips.

Modified for modified, well the rs4 is faster than any b8 s4. And when you take these things to the next level they make all sorts of wonderfully awesome sounds.

[doug97gxe]

I've never understood why people compare stock to modified across different platforms....

It's no surprise that b8s4's can be quick with just a pulley and tune. Aftermarket software for any factory forced induction motor has been a recipe for success. For example the URS4/6, any of the 1.8t's, B5S4, the b8s4, etc. Regardless of what you add, it will still not sound like the BNS v8, it will still be numb to drive, and it won't have those wide hips.

Modified for modified, well the rs4 is faster than any b8 s4. And when you take these things to the next level they make all sorts of wonderfully awesome sounds.

Same reason we are here comparing a v8 with a v6 ..because we can


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[SweetinsanityTT]

I drove and researched both cars while looking for my next vehicle. I ended up choosing the RS4.

The choice came down to the personality of each car. The S4, while a great car with a lot of potential, simply felt disconnected. It was to refined and lacked the personality I was looking for. The RS4, while older, felt more mechanical and had the raw personality I was looking for.

Driving the RS4 is an experience. It speaks to you and lets you know what is going on with the road around you. I know there are faster cars out there but ultimately I could car less how fast my car is compared to others.

It comes down to a personal choice of what you like but I do have one question....How in the hell do you S4 owners put up with that speedometer in your car??? I know theres a digital one but on the manual one all legal speeds and in the very bottom left hand corner. Drove me nuts on the test drive.

[Mr.Wrong]

you sound like the B8 S5 owners who can't let go of their cars because it sounds better

you should have stopped at your second line.. your third line is pure bullshit

you can only drive around listening to your car for so long.. you bought a performance car.. you want performance.. when your V8 is a little under 300 whp and the B8 S4 is well over 400 whp with just a tune and pulleys its very embarrassing

Actually PetrolDave nailed it for the majority of owners out there. It's about total package and not just one aspect, hence B7 RS4>B8/.8 S4. Aren't you same guy that rags on V8 S5 and RS5 guys in that section...

[doug97gxe]

Actually PetrolDave nailed it for the majority of owners out there. It's about total package and not just one aspect, hence B7 RS4>B8/.8 S4. Aren't you same guy, that rags on V8 S5 and RS5 guys in that section...

Yeah I did make that quite clear in my first post


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[vwblackb5]

Always love all flavors of RS4's (B5 and B7).. wide fenders and big butt stuff FTW! My vote would be wait for a B9 RS4 if Audi NA brings it stateside or go F80 M3 then upgrade to P-Car later on lol

[Eric F]

I also bought my RS4 almost exclusively for it's presence. There are so many other cars out there that are faster that it wasn't even a point of consideration for me. It's nearly a decade old now so just about every factory performance car since is faster and it's not too hard to modify an econobox to be faster now too. Plus, it's about 1,000 lbs to heavy and the engine is in about the worst possible location, especially for an AWD vehicle. But I daily drive mine, and I consider it a good day when I can actually manage to go 60 mph. So yeah, going fast wasn't high on my list of priorities.

But the thing about the RS4 is it looks good and sounds amazing all the time. It doesn't matter if you're going 15 mph. It is one of the greatest sounding engines ever produced that didn't come from Maranello or Sant'Agata. And I think the changes they made to the bodywork are both subtle and dramatic at the same time. I think they executed the design perfectly.

I have nothing against the B8 S4 or any other performance car from Audi. They are all great cars. But the thing is, I did not do any cross shopping or consideration of features when I decided to buy an RS4. The first time I ever saw and heard an RS4, I knew at that moment that I had to own that car. That is the impact the car had on me.

[Peter1.8t]

Always love all flavors of RS4's (B5 and B7).. wide fenders and big butt stuff FTW! My vote would be wait for a B9 RS4 if Audi NA brings it stateside or go F80 M3 then upgrade to P-Car later on lol

I'm really excited to see the b9 rs4/5, whichever Audi decides to bring here. The new c63 AMG is a sweet car, and you know they will make a more hardcore version of it. Saw my first m4 GTS yesterday. Incredible car. Audi needs to step up to the plate to play with the other Germans.

[AvusPdx]

I'm really excited to see the b9 rs4/5, whichever Audi decides to bring here. The new c63 AMG is a sweet car, and you know they will make a more hardcore version of it. Saw my first m4 GTS yesterday. Incredible car. Audi needs to step up to the plate to play with the other Germans.

I've tried to visualize a wide fender B9, but it looks so bloody boring in the current design. Even looking at the B9 S5, no excitement what so ever. They need to nail it hard for the B9 RS4, or make it way more aggressive or Audi is going to lose the potential buyers to M/AMG imo.

[vwblackb5]

I'm really excited to see the b9 rs4/5, whichever Audi decides to bring here. The new c63 AMG is a sweet car, and you know they will make a more hardcore version of it. Saw my first m4 GTS yesterday. Incredible car. Audi needs to step up to the plate to play with the other Germans.

I've tried to visualize a wide fender B9, but it looks so bloody boring in the current design. Even looking at the B9 S5, no excitement what so ever. They need to nail it hard for the B9 RS4, or make it way more aggressive or Audi is going to lose the potential buyers to M/AMG imo.

Agreed. Quattro GmbH better not disappoint on the B9 RS4/5 haha. My yolo roadmap is dependent on this fact lol. Need to own at least one RS or M model before dipping into the delicious 911 flavors




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[your daddy]

So much hate. can't we all just get along? I mean we all drive audis right.....? and for the record, I love my RS, but my 1.8t mk4 GTi is faster. (oh ya, and lighter than a B8)

[DOCEVG]

Sure we can get along. If everyone liked the same thing, what a crappy boring world this would be. There really isn't anything wrong with an x is better than y argument.
Here's a comparo from a poster on another Audi website after watching that video:
"RS4 = smoking hot MILF that ran track back in college but still kills it on the dance floor.
S4 = the above without the boobs and stilletos; but can write code."

I think thats pretty accurate.

As someone who owns and daily drives several examples of both cars (full JHM (exhaust and tune) RS4, Milltek catback RS4, B8S4 DSG (stock), B8 S4 6MT (suspension mods), and B8.5 S4 6MT (suspension mods + AWE exhaust)), neither the RS4 nor the S4 is better than the other. They're just different, each excelling in an area another might fall down in. Sound: JHM RS4 all day. Refinement and daily driveability: S4. Handling: toss up between RS4 with stock suspension and B8.5 S4 with suspension mods. 0-60: B8.5 S4. Cruising at 80: RS4.

I think any potential buyer of either model needs to decide what driving/appearance criteria are most important and pick the vehicle that ticks the most boxes relating to those criteria. I couldn't decide so got both!

[iparatroop]

I would hate to have a whole bunch of red bar cars to choose from ^^^


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[PetrolDave]

so what's the reason for them dropping a v6 into the next R8?

Stupid emissions regulations that are expected to lead to Germany passing a law that by 2030 ALL cars MUST be electric - not hybrid, pure electric.

[IronmanS4]

[QUOTE=DOCEVG;11691990]Sure we can get along. If everyone liked the same thing, what a crappy boring world this would be. There really isn't anything wrong with an x is better than y argument.
Here's a comparo from a poster on another Audi website after watching that video:
"RS4 = smoking hot MILF that ran track back in college but still kills it on the dance floor.
S4 = the above without the boobs and stilletos; but can write code."

I think thats pretty accurate.


Haha ! that's my quote from QW. FWIW- I would sell my 2015 S4 over my Rs4 without flinching . Don't get me wrong...it's a nice car, bought it for DD status, but it doesn't have the emotion of the RS4 . I've had a LOT of cars...I work for Audi . If you go to any Audi HQ you'll see that a lot of the hardcore employees drive either an RS4 or some type of 911. The RS4 will never happen again . FYI...the guy that was head of the 4.2 in the RS4 and R8 was the same guy that designed the S14 motor. It is a very bespoke powerplant. We stuff the 3.0T in A6's A8's,Q7's Q5's the taco truck at Neckarsulm.....etc...

Geez, listen to the Rs4 motor , that sound is what Ford emulated in their flatplane crank GT350R motor. Frankly, my S4 sounds like a$$ at cold start.

I've had a car with over 400+whp...driven 800hp cars....in the end , there's always going to be a faster car than yours, so ultimately your DNA is going to want something more than just HP. One can always add HP ...that's commensurate to one's bank account. But to add emotion, styling and verve...that can only come from the factory.

A clean, well sorted un-modified RS4 will always be worth something, in fact, it will most likely either stay where its at as far as prices, or go up one day soon.