Weight Issue?

[SKIZNITS]

Is it just me or does the 3950lb S-tronic weight get into your head sometimes? Seems like the V6 should have been much lighter but bigger overall car volume supercedes that, I guess.
Since it seems that many of you are major enthusiasts regarding speed/hp/torque #'s etc...doesent that weight seem high? Especially if your competing with models like 335 that are 300lb lighter? Maybe im off here but seems like this would come into play...
I know its quattro and I guess that adds about 200lbs....comp to bmw.
Can someone educate me so I can pull the trigger on this vehicle? I need a new car badly...
Skiz

[ItsDubC]

So the weight of this car is the deciding factor for you, regardless of the power it puts down and the driving feel? Have you test-driven it yet? A test drive would likely help you the most in this situation.

[L0U]

Given that the dimensions are bigger, and it is awd, and has a 50lb sport differential, the weight is on par with the bmws. A 5 series bmw wieghs more. I find the size to be perfect, if it were smaller, I would not have chose it. The weight is normal to good for a car of this size, yet the performance exceeds for a car of this size.

Considering the extra gains in size vs a B7, the extra weight is pretty slim really. Had the car stayed the same size it would have deffinitely lost mass vs a B7.

[riegeraudi]

Actually it is only 20lbs heavier than the BMW if you are going to compare apples to apples you need to compare to BMW 335xi which weighs 3824lbs compared to the S4 at 3847lbs. Than you have to consider that the S4 is larger and also has the LSD and now the S4 looks actualy lighter than the 335xi doesn't it?
And if you consider what Lou said above you can see that the S4 is a much more advanced car than the 335i that is three years old. If you want to get the 335i, I would strongly suggest you wait the 1-2years for the new 3 to come out. The current 335i has so many problems that it makes Audi look like a Japanese car when it comes to reliability.

[SKIZNITS]

Well, I guess it kinda shocked me when the weight was that high. I have been looking for awhile(including 911's which may have skewed my thought process) and when I saw that the M3 was weighing in at 3800...I thought that was a tank.
I was hoping that the S4 woulda been closer to 3700 but...

Anyway, I have test driven the new S4 3 times in the last month and was happy but not completely sold on it. But the last test drive I had in it was pretty good...BUT...when I checked the fuel gauge...there were only 10 miles left in the tank. This made it fly...but who drives it like that. A tank of gas is at least 200lbs eh?

I have tested in the last few months: 2009 911, 911S pdk, 2008 turbo 911 w/ tiptronic, new M3, 335, V8 X6, 2008 S4 paddle, A4, Q5...
Gotta admit Porsche blew it with their pdk. While it may be fast, the thumb push button was definitely not satisfying. Marketing wise it was a great idea...
M3 paddle was pretty good also...

Overall still torn... unfortunately....

[L0U]

of all the cars you test drove, the S4 was the biggest for interior space for 4. Get a 2 seater if you don't carry things in your trunk or back seat.

[riegeraudi]

Sorry to tell you this put the S4 doesn't compare with any of those cars except the 335i. Like Lou said if you don't need four seats why even bother. If I was only needing 2 seats then it will definitely either be a cayman S, or 911, GT-R or an M3. Scratch everything else off the list. 335i, S4, X6 etc. is way underclassed when you are comparing to the above cars.
Hope that should make it easier.

[SKIZNITS]

Actually...it was the fold down back seat in the S4 that got me to test it. It made me realize the impractical nature of the 911. So I decided I needed something that I could put a rack on top and also use as a sporty sedan.

Anyway, does anyone else have any issue w/ the curb weight? Maybe thats why fuel efficency hasnt been too hot.
How about those who are driving it now w a full tank, does it feel any different?

Ill probably go ahead and get a S4...but still would like to hear from you guys!
Thanks.

[hlgladiator]

Motor Trend lists curb weights as such:

B7S4: 3,990 lbs.

B8S4: 3,714 lbs.

Other than that both weights are with an automatic transmission, I'm not sure what the conditions are for each weighing, but FWIW, Cars.com lists the B8 at 3,637 (no weight listed for the B7).

Also, MT lists the curb weight for a 335i with xDrive (and automatic tranny) as 3,814 lbs.

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2010/bmw/3_series/335i_xdrive_sedan/3169/comparisons/index.html?Vehicle0.Make=BMW&Vehicle0.Model=3-Series&Vehicle0.Year=2010&Vehicle0.Trim=335I%20xDrive;_SD;AWD;L6&Vehicle1.Make=Acura&Vehicle1.Model=TL&Vehicle1.Year=2010&Vehicle1.Trim=Technology;_SD;FWD;V6&Vehicle3.Make=Audi&Vehicle3.Model=S4&Vehicle3.Year=2010&Vehicle3.Trim=;_SD;AWD;V6&PageNumber=1&TotalPages=3&Vehicle[2].Make=Audi|7&Vehicle[2].Model=S4|1113&Vehicle[2].Year=2008&Vehicle[2].Trim=;_SD;AWD;V8|1;35;3;15

Sorry, big link, but it shows power/weight/etc numbers for all 3 cars (and a TL as a default filler).

[SKIZNITS]

Audi site has S-tronic at 3924lb and the manny at 3847.
Not sure what mag it was but it was the one that ranked the S4 over the 335 but made sure to put in bold red print that the weight as tested was 4000 something...
Guess ill take it to the truck stop on the next test drive...

[Okan509]

Is it just me or does weight not mean shit? When I buy a car I barely ever look at weight, unless it weighs over 6k because then I can write it off as a work truck...

Test drive it with nothing but how it feels in mind, this car should be getting better MPG then a 335 also.

This car feels so smooth and nimble that I am very surprised that you weren't sold on it.

[joseaudi]

Well, I guess it kinda shocked me when the weight was that high. I have been looking for awhile(including 911's which may have skewed my thought process) and when I saw that the M3 was weighing in at 3800...I thought that was a tank.
I was hoping that the S4 woulda been closer to 3700 but...

Anyway, I have test driven the new S4 3 times in the last month and was happy but not completely sold on it. But the last test drive I had in it was pretty good...BUT...when I checked the fuel gauge...there were only 10 miles left in the tank. This made it fly...but who drives it like that. A tank of gas is at least 200lbs eh?



Overall still torn... unfortunately....

are you seriously worried about what a tank of gas weighs? Why does this matter. A little paranoid are we?

[riegeraudi]

Really a gas of tank will weigh the same in a S4 as it will in a 335i so if the tank size is the same who cares. And if you really care that much about weight you shouldn't really be getting the Audi or the BMW. And why would you even test drive the Q and X6. Sorry to say this but you aren't making sense in your pickiness of the Audi weight and the choice of some of the cars you test drive.

[kovachian]

Weight bothersome? Buy a Kia. Otherwise, get over the numbers and buy what stirs your emotions.

[SKIZNITS]

Nah...I really like the feel of the S4. Close to the whole package for me.
I just wanted to hear your side...thanks. Sounds like no one really cares about the lbs. Thats good. And yes..I am picky. Always was and probably always will be.

I guess I shoulda made it clear that I was all over the place when I was first looking. Wasnt sure if I was going big(SUV) or sporty. The Q and the X6 were on the lot, thats why I drove the SUV's. Also, was never going to get the turbo 997, just felt that I might as well set a baseline to compare the rest of the vehicles I drove. After driving that I realized I would never use it to its potential. It looks nice but quick blasts to 90mph in a couple blocks would get me in trouble...
Plus, while its considered a potential daily driver, everyone I know with a porsche struggles to do anything practical with it...

[Okan509]

Now you are making more sense... haha I was worried for a second. Wonderful car in every aspect. Drop dead gorgeous interior

[- Jeremy -]

I have a problem with the weight as well. I have both a 2007 GTI (wife's car) at around 3100 lbs and a 2008 R32 (my car) at around 3600 lbs. I can definitely feel the difference in either car's willingness to change direction quickly, but the AWD in the R32 definitely gives it superiority in the corners.

Maybe my perspective is different than most, though. I make a trip to the Nurburgring every month to drive for a day. I also drive Hockenheimring at least a few times during the year.

I want a car that can rail transitions and chicanes like a Lotus without the inconvenience ;) That'll never happen, but I can dream!

Anyway, I know the S4 is a porker, but it's still on the top of my list to buy next spring. Other cars on my list are the C63 AMG, M3 and 911S.

The S4's price, features and practicality win it for me. I just hope its performance around the 'ring help me forget about its weight.

- Jeremy -

[NWS4Guy]

I can't wait to see some S4 numbers around the Ring personally :)

[jimmyrecluse]

I can't wait to see some S4 numbers around the Ring personally :)

Ya, when is this going to happen wtf?

[- Jeremy -]

Ya, when is this going to happen wtf?

I'll let you know when I get mine ;)

It'll probably post around 8:15 - 8:20. SportAuto ran the S5 around in 8:26 and I suspect that the S4 will be a tiny bit faster than that. The M3 did it in 8:05, C63 AMG in 8:13 and the RS4 in 8:25 to give you a frame of reference.

Curiously, looking at the GIAC dyno shows the S5 putting out about 250 hp at the wheels. The old RS4 putting out around 275 hp at the wheels. If APR's S4 dyno is consistent among all new S4's, then the S4 has a big advantage over S5 and RS4. I've also seen the video of the new S4 beating the RS4 consistently in drag races. Straight line acceleration means a lot for 'ring times.

What I'm really curious to see is difference with and without the sport differential. There's no way I'd buy this car without it, but I'd still like to see an objective test around a long track like the 'ring.

Not that any of this matters much, but I do like to drive the hell out of my cars...

- Jeremy -

[L0U]

hide yourself, the rs4 boys are not going to take kindly to this blasphemy! I can see the vein in the head pulsing on a few owners allready.

[NWS4Guy]

I believe the S4 just for the engine alone will perform well. The incredibly wide torque band will allow a lot of grunt coming out of corners and speeding up faster than many other cars listed by Jeremy have.

[riegeraudi]

Nah...I really like the feel of the S4. Close to the whole package for me.
I just wanted to hear your side...thanks. Sounds like no one really cares about the lbs. Thats good. And yes..I am picky. Always was and probably always will be.

I guess I shoulda made it clear that I was all over the place when I was first looking. Wasnt sure if I was going big(SUV) or sporty. The Q and the X6 were on the lot, thats why I drove the SUV's. Also, was never going to get the turbo 997, just felt that I might as well set a baseline to compare the rest of the vehicles I drove. After driving that I realized I would never use it to its potential. It looks nice but quick blasts to 90mph in a couple blocks would get me in trouble...
Plus, while its considered a potential daily driver, everyone I know with a porsche struggles to do anything practical with it...

Ok that makes a lot more sense now. I thought you were nuts or a troll. The only competitor for the S4 I would say is the 335i and possibly the C63. In reality thought probably only the C63 since the 335i has so many problems. The M3 is a lot more in Canada not sure about the states though.
Anyways from your statement that you don't drive the cars that aggressively then the S4 should be good.

[jimmyrecluse]

I'll let you know when I get mine ;)

It'll probably post around 8:15 - 8:20. SportAuto ran the S5 around in 8:26 and I suspect that the S4 will be a tiny bit faster than that. The M3 did it in 8:05, C63 AMG in 8:13 and the RS4 in 8:25 to give you a frame of reference.

Curiously, looking at the GIAC dyno shows the S5 putting out about 250 hp at the wheels. The old RS4 putting out around 275 hp at the wheels. If APR's S4 dyno is consistent among all new S4's, then the S4 has a big advantage over S5 and RS4. I've also seen the video of the new S4 beating the RS4 consistently in drag races. Straight line acceleration means a lot for 'ring times.

What I'm really curious to see is difference with and without the sport differential. There's no way I'd buy this car without it, but I'd still like to see an objective test around a long track like the 'ring.

Not that any of this matters much, but I do like to drive the hell out of my cars...

- Jeremy -

Oh echt? sehr gut, macht schnell!

[equ]

I want a car that can rail transitions and chicanes like a Lotus without the inconvenience ;) That'll never happen, but I can dream!

Anyway, I know the S4 is a porker, but it's still on the top of my list to buy next spring. Other cars on my list are the C63 AMG, M3 and 911S.



This, the cayman S does well. Not particularly strong in the straights (though sufficient with about 4.8 0-60 measured) but neither are the loti. To top it off, it's comfy.

[sakimano]

Is it just me or does the 3950lb S-tronic weight get into your head sometimes? Seems like the V6 should have been much lighter but bigger overall car volume supercedes that, I guess.
Since it seems that many of you are major enthusiasts regarding speed/hp/torque #'s etc...doesent that weight seem high? Especially if your competing with models like 335 that are 300lb lighter? Maybe im off here but seems like this would come into play...
I know its quattro and I guess that adds about 200lbs....comp to bmw.
Can someone educate me so I can pull the trigger on this vehicle? I need a new car badly...
Skiz

The V6 is probably made of iron since it's an FI engine...the V8 was made of aluminium. Weight wise, they're probably the same, as near as makes no difference. The V8 was very light and compact (for a V8), and only weighed 430 lbs.

I think the apparent heaviness is the result of the car being a full 5 inches longer and a hair wider than the previous gen. They've done lots of work to save weight, but ate it all up by making the car bigger.

[NWS4Guy]

The V6 is probably made of iron since it's an FI engine...the V8 was made of aluminium. Weight wise, they're probably the same, as near as makes no difference. The V8 was very light and compact (for a V8), and only weighed 430 lbs.

I think the apparent heaviness is the result of the car being a full 5 inches longer and a hair wider than the previous gen. They've done lots of work to save weight, but ate it all up by making the car bigger.

B8 S4 is aluminum block and heads.

http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/models/s4_sedan/features_and_specifications/specifications_table.html

Under Detailed Specs:
Cylinder Block: Aluminum Alloy
Cylinder Head: Aluminum Alloy

[sakimano]

I'll let you know when I get mine ;)

It'll probably post around 8:15 - 8:20. SportAuto ran the S5 around in 8:26 and I suspect that the S4 will be a tiny bit faster than that. The M3 did it in 8:05, C63 AMG in 8:13 and the RS4 in 8:25 to give you a frame of reference.


the RS4 did the Nordschliefe course in 7:58 on a set of Pirelli tires that can only be described as track purpose...but to Audi's credit, they were a Euro factory option. Without them, the same car did the ring in 8:05. It had a sport tuned suspension (factory) and ceramic brakes (factory). FYI, the RS4 that you mentioned with the 8:25 time was an Avant.

[SKIZNITS]

Since the weight is all over the map 3600-4000lb...can those of u who own them chk the door panel for actual weights? I havent chked in years but arent the curb weights etc on the inside panel of drivers side door?

Im just curious about the discrepancies...

[- Jeremy -]

Since the weight is all over the map 3600-4000lb...can those of u who own them chk the door panel for actual weights? I havent chked in years but arent the curb weights etc on the inside panel of drivers side door?

Im just curious about the discrepancies...

Those weights are generally estimated with passengers and fluids in the car. They read much higher than the car really weighs. I don't know why it is...

Oddly enough, in one of the other threads, APR mentioned that their manual tranny car weighed in at 3947 lbs: 100 lbs more than it should be. I don't think they have the Sport Diff, either.

- Jeremy -