From SQ5 to S4 ?

[Norskie]

I have '15 SQ5. I miss my WRX, primarily because it had a manual transmission and the COG was low. I'm considering selling the SQ5 and picking up a B8 S4 (and a pickup, to do the towing stuff I do with the SQ5 once in a while).

Other than dimensions and the transmission, is the S4 mechanically identical to the SQ5 ?

Any achilles heels on the S4?

[DOCEVG]

Have both (S4 is 6MT). Same engine in theory, but quite different in performance and handling, obviously. If you can swing it, keep the SQ5 and pick up an S4.

[Norskie]

Have both (S4 is 6MT). Same engine in theory, but quite different in performance and handling, obviously. If you can swing it, keep the SQ5 and pick up an S4.

Main issue is parking space, and it's that difference in performance I'm seeking.

I'm curious about the S4 manual in snow .. when you do a 4-wheel drift is the stability control aggressive? In previous awd+manuals some have been aggressive (535ix) and some not (WRX, Outbacks, older A4). The ones I had with automatics (SQ5, Legacy, A6) have been very aggressive to shut down the fun in a hurry. I'm curious how the S4 does?

[DOCEVG]

B8.5 stability control is more aggressive than my older manual cars (the 2007s) and way more aggressive and less fun my since-sold manuals (4000 Quattro, and urS4s and urS6s), but less aggressive than the SQ5.
Hit your neighbors up for more parking spaces like I do (they're all snowbirds and head to AZ or CA for the winter-Oct to May-and let me use their garages)!

[fstr n u]

We now have a 2019 SQ5 and I still have my Stg 2 IE SP S4 6MT...the SQ5 with more weight pulls a tad harder from a dead stop on the same Nokian studded tires.

Yes buy an S4/S5 with 6MT .....super fun.

My S4 with TCS turned off as much as it'll go still allows for hooliganism....big drifts in deep snow. Partial traction on will shut your drifting down tho....