Test Drove S4

[stix123123]

I test drove the new S4 yesterday and I have to say that car is a beast. I currently drive a B6 S4 so I was curious how the car would behave without the V8 engine. The new S4 pulls and it pulls hard. The engine definitely packs a punch. It definitely feels much faster than my car. The top end was good too. Even on the highway I down shifted to 5th and the car pulled very well.

The car I test drove had the 7 speed s-tronic transmission and it was very nice. Like people have mentioned, the exhaust gives a little pop/blurp when you shift. The shifts were instantaneous. I have no complaints with the transmission

The interior of the car is great. This car had the black/silver leather interior which was sporty but not over the top. The back seats have more leg room than my B6. Not much to say about the interior... Audi has that down pat.

My only complaints are that the exterior of the car is somewhat underwhelming. I think Audi has started to make the A4 and S4 look pretty much the same with only small differences. I feel like the appearance of the B6 S4 vs. a B6 A4 is more drastic. Again I bought the S4 I have now because it isn't too flashy, so the new B8 looks great, I just wish it had a little more to distinguish it from the A4. The second issue is a small one, but the speedometer has a bunch of wasted real estate. My first highway pull I thought the car was slow, until I realized that 60mph mark hits at about 9 o'clock on the speedometer. A stupid complaint, but I dont see why the speedo needs to go up to 200mph.

The new B8 S4 is a great car from the 20 minutes I got to drive it and it's a car I am considering getting. Anyone who ends up getting one, will love it.

[Fineass4]

Thanks for the review. I visited a dealer nearby here in socal, they had an ibis white S4 with white/black interiors. The front end and interior is perfect. However, the back end is no where as aggressive or distinctive looking compared to back of the A/S5, IMO. I couldn't even get inside the car, let a alone test drive! Supposedly you have to do all the paperwork, get your financing and credit ran before they'll let you test drive. Is this normal?

[LI Audi]

thanks for the review and your thoughts.. I tend to agree that the S4 is too understated, especially with Audi continuing to flip flop wheel packages between the s and s-line

[schmally]

Thanks for the review. I visited a dealer nearby here in socal, they had an ibis white S4 with white/black interiors. The front end and interior is perfect. However, the back end is no where as aggressive or distinctive looking compared to back of the A/S5, IMO. I couldn't even get inside the car, let a alone test drive! Supposedly you have to do all the paperwork, get your financing and credit ran before they'll let you test drive. Is this normal?

how old ru???

[schmally]

most sales reps would like you pre qualified before they waste their time

[toaster]

stock for stock, the b6 s4 looked "more" different than the a4, compared to the b7/b8, but the usp a4 and s4 weren't too different looking...in fact, the usp kit is further looking from the a4 than the s4 kit, due to the different shaped front valence and thinner rear. the b6 s4 and a4 have the same rounded front bumper and fat rear.) i never understood why audi didn't give the usp kit to the s4, looks better too.

i can think of one reason why the new s4 speedo goes to 200...

the rear of the b8 is one of the greatest letdowns in recent automotive history. the front of the car is fantastic (with the leds, without the leds it's kind of a joke,) but the rear is just horrendous all around.

i like my b7, but i still think the old usp b6 was the nicest all-around looking audi to date...just such a clean looking front, back and profile.

[Fineass4]

how old ru???

28, although I do look younger than my age, but regardless. From the way I spoke, he should of known I did my research on the car before coming in. I probably know more about the car than he does!


most sales reps would like you pre qualified before they waste their time

That's a ridiculous idea, 'waste their time'! They're are salesman/woman, what else are they suppose to do beside help people who are interested in their car? Why, do people just go to dealership for the heck of it? After all, the car starts in the mid 40's, not a freaking lambo or bentley, come on now.

[valis]

You'd be surprised at how many people come in to joyride cars. The last thing they need is someone taking it out and doing some high rpm clutch drop.

[stix123123]

28, although I do look younger than my age, but regardless. From the way I spoke, he should of known I did my research on the car before coming in. I probably know more about the car than he does!



That's a ridiculous idea, 'waste their time'! They're are salesman/woman, what else are they suppose to do beside help people who are interested in their car? Why, do people just go to dealership for the heck of it? After all, the car starts in the mid 40's, not a freaking lambo or bentley, come on now.

I think it depends on the salesman not necessarily the dealership. I'm 26 and have no problem test driving whatever cars I want now that I have my B6 S4. When I was 22 I had just graduated from college and was looking for a new car. Went to the local Audi dealership in my 1995 Toyota Corolla (the car my parents bought for me in high school) and the salesman would not let me test drive a pre owned A6. The guy said "we don't just let people joy ride in them." I replied that I wasn't joy riding and that I was a serious buyer. He said they sell these cars without test drives and essentially told me to be on my way. I was pissed (obviously) so I stopped going to dealerships and started doing everything over the phone with other dealerships. Found one that had a perfect B6 S4 and put a $500 refundable deposit on the car. I made it a point to talk to the salesman after I got the car to show him that I was a serious buyer and that he blew a sale and I ended up buying a car that was twice as expensive as the car he wouldn't let me test drive. Don't judge a book by its cover!

[Fineass4]

That will be my new strategy, get things going on the phone/email before coming in. I still want my S4 [:D]

[stix123123]

stock for stock, the b6 s4 looked "more" different than the a4, compared to the b7/b8, but the usp a4 and s4 weren't too different looking...in fact, the usp kit is further looking from the a4 than the s4 kit, due to the different shaped front valence and thinner rear. the b6 s4 and a4 have the same rounded front bumper and fat rear.) i never understood why audi didn't give the usp kit to the s4, looks better too.

i can think of one reason why the new s4 speedo goes to 200...

the rear of the b8 is one of the greatest letdowns in recent automotive history. the front of the car is fantastic (with the leds, without the leds it's kind of a joke,) but the rear is just horrendous all around.

i like my b7, but i still think the old usp b6 was the nicest all-around looking audi to date...just such a clean looking front, back and profile.

I agree with you on the B6 Ultra Sport looking a lot like the S4, but they are not very common. Most of the B6s where I live are the kind with the black lowers. Those cars compared to the S4 are night and day.

[nick71692]

I agree the b6 usp is one of the best looking cars which is why i will not get rid of mine. I actually have a list of over 9 people who are waiting to buy my usp because they love the look so much

[Sin_city_Rings]

I just test drove the S4 today as well. The one i test drove was a premium plus 7spd. All that is needed to say is AMAZING! This car is a rocket and i would love to have one! [hail]

I just dont see the justification in getting a vehicle that looks exactly like mine with a much bigger engine for 10-15k more....i will pass for now [=(]

[kmach1]

Also test drove an S4 yesterday - it was a Prestige 6MT. Took it for an extended test drive and the first thing I noticed was the gobs of torque throughout the powerband. When I hit the twisties with the suspension, steering and sport diff in Dynamic mode, turn-in was responsive, followed by instant traction when I got on the gas. Quattro + sport diff = win. Driving it reminded me of driving the R32-34 Skyline GTR...floor it into a corner, brake hard, turn wheel, mash the gas, power out of the corner with traction to spare. I was so into the driving experience I didn't really check out the MMI or other interior features - the seats felt supportive though.

I was VERY impressed - it gave me the same sort of reaction I got when I first drove my E46 M3, just in a different way.

[orlandosk2]

I am 22 and test drove without doing anything but giving my license [:D]

[doctorheine]

i test drove and didnt have to do anything except call my buddy who works there :-)

[Spacecadet_CC]

I agree the b6 usp is one of the best looking cars which is why i will not get rid of mine. I actually have a list of over 9 people who are waiting to buy my usp because they love the look so much

STOP IT you guys! I am starting to miss my B6 USP all over again! I was depressed for several weeks when I lease returned the car. It was like a first love. I actually wish I would have had the $$ to buy the car for a project car, but that option would not work out.

If you have a B6 USP - keep it as long as you can. A truly great machine.

[Sin_city_Rings]

i test drove and didnt have to do anything except call my buddy who works there :-)

X2 [:D]

[LODOSS]

Don't talk like your sig then you should be fine. =p

[SpeedETC]

I test drove one early in the week and I agree with the OP. It is a quick car, very torquey. Everything is much more focused than my B6. Better steering, handling, throttle response. The looks are too close to the B8 A4 for my taste and the exhaust note is lacking. The salesman turned down the radio so I could hear the engine and I started laughing... But after looking underneath and seeing the mufflers/resonators, it could have a good tone with a nice aftermarket set up. It has me thinking...

[Bpitz15]

I test drove one early in the week and I agree with the OP. It is a quick car, very torquey. Everything is much more focused than my B6. Better steering, handling, throttle response. The looks are too close to the B8 A4 for my taste and the exhaust note is lacking. The salesman turned down the radio so I could hear the engine and I started laughing... But after looking underneath and seeing the mufflers/resonators, it could have a good tone with a nice aftermarket set up. It has me thinking...

what dealership?

[quattroanillos5]

i like my b7, but i still think the old usp b6 was the nicest all-around looking audi to date...just such a clean looking front, back and profile.


I could not agree more! I love every single line on the B6S4 (There are very few cars I can say that about under $100k) which is why I bought a CPO'd B6 instead of a B7

[Silververtu]

Thanks for the review. I visited a dealer nearby here in socal, they had an ibis white S4 with white/black interiors. The front end and interior is perfect. However, the back end is no where as aggressive or distinctive looking compared to back of the A/S5, IMO. I couldn't even get inside the car, let a alone test drive! Supposedly you have to do all the paperwork, get your financing and credit ran before they'll let you test drive. Is this normal?

go to another one.

[JTurbo]

Was this MV Audi? They let me drive the white S-tronic S4 they had on the lot. Of course, Im 39 years old and *did* buy my RS4 there a year ago :) Good for them .. It sold a new S4 :) I now have a brilliant red prestige S-tronic on order for November delivery. Loved it. Like others mentioned, gobs of torque from 2500rpm up. I really liked the drive select system as well. As for the interior, it destroys the interior on my RS4. Audi really outdid themselves with the interior on the A5/S5 and the new A4/S4.

[SpeedETC]

what dealership?

Hoffman Audi in East Hartford

[ibiski]

Was this MV Audi? They let me drive the white S-tronic S4 they had on the lot. Of course, Im 39 years old and *did* buy my RS4 there a year ago :) Good for them .. It sold a new S4 :) I now have a brilliant red prestige S-tronic on order for November delivery. Loved it. Like others mentioned, gobs of torque from 2500rpm up. I really liked the drive select system as well. As for the interior, it destroys the interior on my RS4. Audi really outdid themselves with the interior on the A5/S5 and the new A4/S4.

how do you compare it to your RS performance-wise?

[JTurbo]

how do you compare it to your RS performance-wise?

I didnt drive it hard enough to be able to make a full comparison. However, it has more useable low end torque, without question. The RS4 is a monster from 5k to 8k RPM, but I did not drive the S4 over 4500rpm. The transmission certainly shifts faster than I can, without a doubt. I like the suspension (with drive select in dynamic mode, not sure how a base S4 would compare) better on the S4 than the DRC on my RS4 .. however, DRC is gone and my RS4 has STASIS motorsports on it :) So it turns in quicker than the S4 and stays flatter under braking and accel. However, a stock to stock comparison I like the 2010 S4 with drive select more than a stock RS4 with DRC. Braking feels similar on both.

[Brian@AudiMV]

Was this MV Audi? They let me drive the white S-tronic S4 they had on the lot. Of course, Im 39 years old and *did* buy my RS4 there a year ago :) Good for them .. It sold a new S4 :) I now have a brilliant red prestige S-tronic on order for November delivery. Loved it. Like others mentioned, gobs of torque from 2500rpm up. I really liked the drive select system as well. As for the interior, it destroys the interior on my RS4. Audi really outdid themselves with the interior on the A5/S5 and the new A4/S4.

Scott? Is that you messin around on here?

[saw1]

Thanks for the review. I visited a dealer nearby here in socal, they had an ibis white S4 with white/black interiors. The front end and interior is perfect. However, the back end is no where as aggressive or distinctive looking compared to back of the A/S5, IMO. I couldn't even get inside the car, let a alone test drive! Supposedly you have to do all the paperwork, get your financing and credit ran before they'll let you test drive. Is this normal?

That is not normal. Here in Atlanta, they pulled the car off the showroom floor to let me test drive it. I was very impressed, the S4 is one of several cars I am considering.

[JTurbo]

Scott? Is that you messin around on here?

Yes indeed it is :) How are you? I went in a few weeks back (when I ordered mine) and looked for you, but you were nowhere to be found!