sport diff vs no sport diff?

[Peteyg39]

Is the sport diff an absolute must? Does anyone have an S4 without it and think its ok? I would odv like to buy one with it but will i be dissapointed without it? I will most likely be purchasing a certified pre owned B8 S4 and wont have the luxery of custom ordering. Thanks for any advice.

[awdjunkies]

Here is one of the many threads on this subject already but you get the point..
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ght=sport+diff

[Zee Dgerman]

I wouldn't get the car without it, but it all depends on how you drive really. If you like to cruise along and accelerate once in a while it probably won't make a big difference. On the other hand, if you like to drive the car fast on twisty roads and the track you'll prob miss it.

[tofuking]

I wouldn't get the car without it, but it all depends on how you drive really. If you like to cruise along and accelerate once in a while it probably won't make a big difference. On the other hand, if you like to drive the car fast on twisty roads and the track you'll prob miss it.

+1

[S4twister]

May I rephrase a quote to express my opinion:

Getting S4 without sports differential is like getting a free-blowjobs-for-life voucher and then saying "I only plan to use it once a week".

[helix139]

If you won't use the sport diff there is probably no reason you shouldn't just get an A4 S-Line instead. It really makes a huge difference in the driving experience and the feeling it provides is intoxicating.

[dankone]

I don't have the sport diff. However, I do wish I had it. It was out of my budget when i got my car. If you don't have it you wont miss it. I don't track my car but I do some spirited driving from time to time and its not like the car handles terribly without it or something.

The car will still have significantly better handling, tighter steering response and a much sportier feel than a regular A4 out of the box..

some will disagree but it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. When in doubt i also remember - I'm coming from an RS4 and that car didn't have sport diff or torque vectoring capabilities.. Just sayin.

[Dave-B8S4]

I wish i had gotten the sport diff as well.
Unfortunately i bought my car directly from dealer and at the time all the dealers in the radius were sold out and on back order for like 3 months so i took the showroom car they had at the time.

[apexit1]

I would def get it given the option. That's said I would still buy the car without it assuming tree was no otter way to have it. Who ever said to just get an s line a4 is off base I think. This car is much more than a sports rear dif.

[Dave-B8S4]

This car is much more than a sports rear dif.

I Agree.
I still have tons of fun without it but it's obviously a nice + if you can get it , get it.
if not dont stress over it you'll still love the car :)

[Dr GP]

The sports diff is THE option that makes the S4 special. If you like to drive even slightly aggressively on occasion, you will be sorry that you didn't get if. If you plan on driving like an old lady(BTW, I'm 60 yrs old) you won't miss not having it.

[Chestlock]

May I rephrase a quote to express my opinion:

Getting S4 without sports differential is like getting a free-blowjobs-for-life voucher and then saying "I only plan to use it once a week".

LOL

[Peteyg39]

Ok cool thanks for all your help so far guys. I appreciate the advice. I knew the diff was a must but needed a little reasurance.

[BLACKS4-10]

I would def get it given the option. That's said I would still buy the car without it assuming tree was no otter way to have it. Who ever said to just get an s line a4 is off base I think. This car is much more than a sports rear dif.

+1

[MRxPresident]

i've driven both on the track... if you're a real driver its not a necessity BUT it is definitely a big difference to have it, it helps correct a lot when you're coming out of a corner

[clochner]

i've driven both on the track... if you're a real driver its not a necessity BUT it is definitely a big difference to have it, it helps correct a lot when you're coming out of a corner

Is it possible for a more advanced driver to correct the understeer as much as the sports diff?

[MRxPresident]

Is it possible for a more advanced driver to correct the understeer as much as the sports diff?

absolutely... down to an exact feel of the drive, obviously i'm talking way more advanced than i am, however I don't like push button cars, ie... i can't drive the gtr worth a flip, but my gt3 i'll destroy =)

also i like to make things a little more driver controlled, if i make a mistake, i'd like to correct it so i can go faster, if my car is trying to do it for me i can never hit that optimal speed

[NWS4Guy]

Is it possible for a more advanced driver to correct the understeer as much as the sports diff?

You can add a very stiff rear sway to combat understeer, but there is no amount of driver skill that can talk the rear outside wheel into spinning faster in corners to snap the rear around.

[ibiski]

Seems like some Audi god once said "Thou shall not buy an S4 without the sport diff" and everyone repeats the same thing over and over. Just curious, how many guys here actually drove and compared the sport diff S4 vs. non-sport diff, because after getting used to my car (sport diff equipped), I tried a non-sport diff on a used S4 that my dealer had on the lot and I could not tell the difference in normal driving. Granted, I didn't take it to the track, but I think that the sport diff must have is a bit exaggerated.

[S4Meteor-ite]

I don't have the sport diff. However, I do wish I had it. It was out of my budget when i got my car. If you don't have it you wont miss it. I don't track my car but I do some spirited driving from time to time and its not like the car handles terribly without it or something.

The car will still have significantly better handling, tighter steering response and a much sportier feel than a regular A4 out of the box..

some will disagree but it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. When in doubt i also remember - I'm coming from an RS4 and that car didn't have sport diff or torque vectoring capabilities.. Just sayin.

totally agree, i think someone saying if you buy the s4 without sport diff you may aswell buy a a4 s-line is a ridiculous statement, this car is not a sport diff on wheels, theres a lot more to it. Out of the box the S4 is my first Audi and handles far better than anything i have ever owned so im more than happy, Most of my driving is built up residential and after looking at when it actually kicks in properly i decided i would have neigbours knocking on my door complaining about my driving being unsuitable. When i do get to more open areas with some bend its nice throwing in the bends more with fast road driving, but i dont ever think "i wish i'd got sport diff". if i move to another area with different road routes i may well change my mind.

[apexit1]

I haven't.

[Dr GP]

Seems like some Audi god once said "Thou shall not buy an S4 without the sport diff" and everyone repeats the same thing over and over. Just curious, how many guys here actually drove and compared the sport diff S4 vs. non-sport diff, because after getting used to my car (sport diff equipped), I tried a non-sport diff on a used S4 that my dealer had on the lot and I could not tell the difference in normal driving. Granted, I didn't take it to the track, but I think that the sport diff must have is a bit exaggerated.

I didn't drive both before I ordered. SA told me I didn't NEED it. He was right. But I ordered it anyway and glad I did. I also like being able to switch from Auto to Dynamic to Comfort, depending on the driving situation. Although I rarely use the Comfort mode. And you are right. In normal driving, there is little if any difference. It is when you start driving somewhat aggressively or get in low traction situations that the sport dif makes a difference.

[MRxPresident]

i've driven both on the track and you CAN tell the difference

[S4Meteor-ite]

i've driven both on the track and you CAN tell the difference

yes i would say if you drive fast road twisty's regularly and/or track your car at all it would be a must have.

[fasttoys]

I have it and feel for 1k its worth it. I can tell a differance and i like the extra response in dynamic mode. Car feels faster. The only negative mine is leaking at only 1,500 miles and will be taken apart this coming Monday by Audi to fix the problem.

[HAWKiS5]

I have the sport diff, but..........how do I know I have it?.......I mean........I notice the car is good in corners, but so was my previous S5 that did not have it. Tried several curvy roads with sport diff on Comfort, Auto and Dynamic, but don't feel any difference. Would I pay 1K for it in a new car........? Don't know, maybe only for "second hand trading in reasons" to people who think the sport diff is some magic...........?

[fasttoys]

I have the sport diff, but..........how do I know I have it?.......I mean........I notice the car is good in corners, but so was my previous S5 that did not have it. Tried several curvy roads with sport diff on Comfort, Auto and Dynamic, but don't feel any difference. Would I pay 1K for it in a new car........? Don't know, maybe only for "second hand trading in reasons" to people who think the sport diff is some magic...........?

Ok when you change it to dynamic mode you don’t feel the engine mapping change? Just cruise at 30 MPH & keep the engine at the same speed push dash buttons through its mode's when you get to dynamic mode you will feel the difference. The car will lunge forward & the steering gets tighter that alone is worth 1k. After driving many differnt M cars for the last 11 years I could not drive this car without it. I still feel the steering is too soft for a sports car and lacks feel. My wife's 2009 3 series feels much tighter than my S4. She drove it the other day and said the steering felt like her old VW passat 4 motion, she like's the BMW.

[HAWKiS5]

Ok when you change it to dynamic mode you don’t feel the engine mapping change? Just cruise at 30 MPH & keep engine at the same speed push button through its mode's on the dash when you get to dynamic you will feel the difference. It lunges forward the steering gets tighter that alone is worth 1k. After driving M cars for the last 11 years I could not drive this car without it. I still feel the steering is too soft for a sports car.

Of course I feel the gas response change (I never drive in Comfort/Auto, it is "too lame" for this kind of car imho), I feel the steering change (the Comfort/Auto mode is too much Volvo for me, so also here I always drive in Dynamic) and I also feel the Suspension change (most of the time I let this in Auto, Comfort is too much "Buick" and Dynamic too stiff for our roads here), but the question was how you feel the Sport diff setting change from Comfort via Auto to Dynamic??? Or even feel you paid 1K for this apparantly technically advacned option???

(BTW: I drive always in Individual with Engine and Steering in Dynamic and Supension and Sport diff in Auto).

[ahcow]

I think it is worth it for the extra modes, and if you have navi, the individual mode too. Also, if you like to accelerate on turns (i.e. on ramps that aren't straight), it's better to have it.

[helix139]

Of course I feel the gas response change (I never drive in Comfort/Auto, it is "too lame" for this kind of car imho), I feel the steering change (the Comfort/Auto mode is too much Volvo for me, so also here I always drive in Dynamic) and I also feel the Suspension change (most of the time I let this in Auto, Comfort is too much "Buick" and Dynamic too stiff for our roads here), but the question was how you feel the Sport diff setting change from Comfort via Auto to Dynamic??? Or even feel you paid 1K for this apparantly technically advacned option???

(BTW: I drive always in Individual with Engine and Steering in Dynamic and Supension and Sport diff in Auto).

The biggest effect is how early it allows you to lay down power coming out of a curve. Go into a 90 degree curve and get on it early and the amount of assist will change based on your setting. With the sport diff in comfort, you'll get more of a regular AWD feel with understeer, while with the dynamic setting selected it feels almost like RWD, with the rear wheels rotating the car and the nose tucking in.

[jeffc31337]

Do you want a differential oil leak? Then yes!


just kidding. I have the sport diff and LOVE it. It helps combat the huge weight off car and makes it way more neutral than 2 ton AWD car should be.

[sgary1]

Seems like some Audi god once said "Thou shall not buy an S4 without the sport diff" and everyone repeats the same thing over and over. Just curious, how many guys here actually drove and compared the sport diff S4 vs. non-sport diff, because after getting used to my car (sport diff equipped), I tried a non-sport diff on a used S4 that my dealer had on the lot and I could not tell the difference in normal driving. Granted, I didn't take it to the track, but I think that the sport diff must have is a bit exaggerated.

Well said. It cracks me up when people write "you must get the sport diff", "you should just get an A4 S line if you don't get the sport diff". I've had my S4 for almost 2 years now. I love this car. I live in the foothills of Sacramento. I have lots of twisty backroads to have fun on, and for those who might say "well you don't drive hard enough", I have done many racing (not driving school) events at Sears Point, Laguna Secca, Thunder Hill, I've also been a driving instructor at HPDE events, so I think I know how to drive hard. I have driven a car with the sport diff, and my honest opinion is unless you track the car, you won't miss the sport diff. One of the comments I see is how much fun on ramps are with the sport diff. I think the reason most people mention on ramps is because they are one of the only places people feel confident enough to push the car hard enough to feel the sport diff work. On a back country road you would have to push the car to 9 or 10 10ths to feel the sport diff work, and I don't think most people have the balls to drive a country road (with telephone poles, trees, ditches, fences, other traffic, hillsides, cliffs) hard enough to say they needed a sport diff. Many things were done to the b8 S4 to improve handling over previous versions. Moving the weight of the the engine further back from the front wheels, 40/60 torque split as opposed to 50/50, and yes the sport diff. None of the Audi's before the b8 had the sport diff ,including th RS4, and people still loved them.

Now before everybody starts tearing me apart, I would like to say that the sport diff is a great piece of technology. For a $1000.00 option it should almost be standard. When I turn in my leased S4 I will order my next one (if I stay with the S4) with it. I just wish people would quit saying this car sucks without it, because it really misleads people looking for an honest opinion.

Now, everybody go and enjoy your cars.............sport diff or not.

[HAWKiS5]

Now before everybody starts tearing me apart, I would like to say that the sport diff is a great piece of technology. For a $1000.00 option it should almost be standard. When I turn in my leased S4 I will order my next one (if I stay with the S4) with it. I just wish people would quit saying this car sucks without it, because it really misleads people looking for an honest opinion.

Now, everybody go and enjoy your cars.............sport diff or not.

+1

[svander]

Well said. It cracks me up when people write "you must get the sport diff", "you should just get an A4 S line if you don't get the sport diff". I've had my S4 for almost 2 years now. I love this car. I live in the foothills of Sacramento. I have lots of twisty backroads to have fun on, and for those who might say "well you don't drive hard enough", I have done many racing (not driving school) events at Sears Point, Laguna Secca, Thunder Hill, I've also been a driving instructor at HPDE events, so I think I know how to drive hard. I have driven a car with the sport diff, and my honest opinion is unless you track the car, you won't miss the sport diff. One of the comments I see is how much fun on ramps are with the sport diff. I think the reason most people mention on ramps is because they are one of the only places people feel confident enough to push the car hard enough to feel the sport diff work. On a back country road you would have to push the car to 9 or 10 10ths to feel the sport diff work, and I don't think most people have the balls to drive a country road (with telephone poles, trees, ditches, fences, other traffic, hillsides, cliffs) hard enough to say they needed a sport diff. Many things were done to the b8 S4 to improve handling over previous versions. Moving the weight of the the engine further back from the front wheels, 40/60 torque split as opposed to 50/50, and yes the sport diff. None of the Audi's before the b8 had the sport diff ,including th RS4, and people still loved them.

Now before everybody starts tearing me apart, I would like to say that the sport diff is a great piece of technology. For a $1000.00 option it should almost be standard. When I turn in my leased S4 I will order my next one (if I stay with the S4) with it. I just wish people would quit saying this car sucks without it, because it really misleads people looking for an honest opinion.

Now, everybody go and enjoy your cars.............sport diff or not.

Very well put, sir. Thank you.

And my car has it, so I'm not agreeing out of regret.

[staticuxo]

Well said. It cracks me up when people write "you must get the sport diff", "you should just get an A4 S line if you don't get the sport diff". I've had my S4 for almost 2 years now. I love this car. I live in the foothills of Sacramento. I have lots of twisty backroads to have fun on, and for those who might say "well you don't drive hard enough", I have done many racing (not driving school) events at Sears Point, Laguna Secca, Thunder Hill, I've also been a driving instructor at HPDE events, so I think I know how to drive hard. I have driven a car with the sport diff, and my honest opinion is unless you track the car, you won't miss the sport diff. One of the comments I see is how much fun on ramps are with the sport diff. I think the reason most people mention on ramps is because they are one of the only places people feel confident enough to push the car hard enough to feel the sport diff work. On a back country road you would have to push the car to 9 or 10 10ths to feel the sport diff work, and I don't think most people have the balls to drive a country road (with telephone poles, trees, ditches, fences, other traffic, hillsides, cliffs) hard enough to say they needed a sport diff. Many things were done to the b8 S4 to improve handling over previous versions. Moving the weight of the the engine further back from the front wheels, 40/60 torque split as opposed to 50/50, and yes the sport diff. None of the Audi's before the b8 had the sport diff ,including th RS4, and people still loved them.

Now before everybody starts tearing me apart, I would like to say that the sport diff is a great piece of technology. For a $1000.00 option it should almost be standard. When I turn in my leased S4 I will order my next one (if I stay with the S4) with it. I just wish people would quit saying this car sucks without it, because it really misleads people looking for an honest opinion.

Now, everybody go and enjoy your cars.............sport diff or not.

'06-'08 B7 S4's are 60/40

[stormrider]

I got to drive two cars back to back.
One w/ sport diff, one w/o.
I drove both the same route, w/ four on/off ramps.
Having RWD BMWs in the past, i could definitely feel the difference.
I ordered mine with it.

[joneze93tsi]

The sport diff is worth every penny.
If you are too skittish to do it in the dry, wait till it rains and play, it will become obvious when it's working.. ;)

I've never had so much fun in an Audi, rotating the rear with power on oversteer.
On the A4 w/ full suspension and NT05's, throttle lift/ snap oversteer yes, but never power on through a corner oversteer, it's just brilliant.

I agree though, this should be standard, it really elevates the car to new levels of fun not found previously.

[NWS4Guy]

I think if someone is too skittish to try it dry, they certainly won't with less grip on the road.

In fact, if they are too skittish to try it dry, they should just not get it.

[joneze93tsi]

I think if someone is too skittish to try it dry, they certainly won't with less grip on the road.

In fact, if they are too skittish to try it dry, they should just not get it.

Excellent point, I'm laughing over here.
If you intend to drive your S4 64mph in the fast lane and take onramps @ 25mph, please go buy something else.

Thanks,

-Audi

[belinko]

So this is how all of the B8 drivers with the "sport diff" drive?

Time to go hit up some off ramps and round abouts. LOL

Agreed with sgary1.



^^^ This Audi '97 A6 doesn't have a "sport diff".