Has anyone seen the Top Gear review of the S4...?

[FourRingRider]

I ran across this while searching for a Top Gear episode featuring the Audi S4... I must say I am a bit disappointed in the review.

The S4 is a car for dull business men... really? and BMW, Mercedes, and Audi all make exactly the same car?

I figured they would talk more about how well built the car is, tight gaps, high quality materials, great fit and finish all around, great looks, new advanced Eaton supercharger, great fuel economy... And to top it off they didn't even have the Stig run it around the track... I really wanted to see where it placed on the board after going around their track.

http://youtu.be/Ld_nn9H-AAY

[myth7676]

they're echoing the propaganda of whoever's paying them

[ShawFM]

Compared to the Vaxhaull with a 6.2l V8 and a supercharger, I would say the S4 is dull. Did you see the smoke coming off those tires! That would be fun.

[pkzbora]

the only car that Clarkson regularly praises is the M3 and the CLK black. And Hammond's fav is porsche

[ahcow]

It's top gear, you watch it for fun factor, not useful reviews.

[V8Beast]

I ran across this while searching for a Top Gear episode featuring the Audi S4... I must say I am a bit disappointed in the review.

The S4 is a car for dull business men... really? and BMW, Mercedes, and Audi all make exactly the same car?

I figured they would talk more about how well built the car is, tight gaps, high quality materials, great fit and finish all around, great looks, new advanced Eaton supercharger, great fuel economy... And to top it off they didn't even have the Stig run it around the track... I really wanted to see where it placed on the board after going around their track.

http://youtu.be/Ld_nn9H-AAY

Top Gear does'nt favor Audi!!!!. . .

[pkzbora]

It's top gear, you watch it for fun factor, not useful reviews.

agreed, but it is still frustrating at times to watch them hate on cars that we all love

[Guitarmageddon]

Typical bunch of limey pricks, what did you expect from them? EVERYONE in automotive journalism and television is hard for the m3, so naturally that will always be on top. Ive always hate this. Funny the car they compare it to, not even the same type of vehicle. I would take an s4 over that garbage any day of the week. Its like comparing a beetle to NHRA funny car...not that the s4 is the beetle or that other garbage was the funny car, but you get the point. They rarely review good cars on that show anyways. American top gear is far superior.

[V8Beast]

Typical bunch of limey pricks, what did you expect from them? EVERYONE in automotive journalism and television is hard for the m3, so naturally that will always be on top. Ive always hate this. Funny the car they compare it to, not even the same type of vehicle. I would take an s4 over that garbage any day of the week. Its like comparing a beetle to NHRA funny car...not that the s4 is the beetle or that other garbage was the funny car, but you get the point. They rarely review good cars on that show anyways. American top gear is far superior.

But seriously Audi needs to make a rear wheel drive car!! Imagine if the b6 s4 was rear wheel drive!!!!. . . .Thing would be a MONSTER!!!!!

[Ynnekdude]

American top gear is far superior.

HA! Gave me a good laugh. Your sarcasm is quite convincing.

And I wouldn't say Top Gear doesn't like Audis. In fact, Clarkson loved the R8.

[V8Beast]

HA! Gave me a good laugh. Your sarcasm is quite convincing.

And I wouldn't say Top Gear doesn't like Audis. In fact, Clarkson loved the R8.

The R8 was the only audi he liked!!! Every other audi he made it seem like it was garbag!!! Especially the RS5. . .

[Scotty@Advanced]

I don't think i'd purchase stock with anything top gear (american, aussie, or british) has to say about any car. I watch Top Gear because for it's entertainment value and nothing more.

[essfour]

Also, the use of the S4 in this video was not intended to be a direct comparison but rather a metaphore which echoes all of the more-or-less up tight sport sedans available from Germany. "The S4 is exaclty like all of it's rivals from BMW, Mercedes, Etc", was more or less the concept of that video. I didnt find it to be independently negative towards the Audi per se. It was simply an example used to illustrate the Vauxhauls more raucus nature compared to German refinement. So dont stress, there is plenty of positive press out there to read about our beloved S4's.

[essfour]

A perfect example of this would be Audi's extensive use of sound deadening materials found in the air intake, as well as the extremely quiet stock exhaust system... In stock form, especially compared to the VXR, the S4 is on the duller side of refined...

[pkzbora]

The R8 was the only audi he liked!!! Every other audi he made it seem like it was garbag!!! Especially the RS5. . .

very true

[DATZ]

The R8 was the only audi he liked!!! Every other audi he made it seem like it was garbag!!! Especially the RS5. . .

Clarkson loved the B7 RS4 when he raced it against French mountain climbers, and May chose the RS4 for his entry in the "best 4 door" episode. And we all know the B8 S4 > B7 RS4, so by the transitive property, Top Gear guys love the new S4.

[essfour]

James May also loved the RS6 Avant when he raced it down a mountain road at some euro-ski resort..

I'd say there is a decent amount of Audi love on TG

[GSS5]

Compared to the Vaxhaull with a 6.2l V8 and a supercharger, I would say the S4 is dull. Did you see the smoke coming off those tires! That would be fun.

this exactly. that wasn't even a review. nothing to about.

[pyramid]

They regularly rip on Audis and Audi owners but it's all in good fun.



I was laughing hard when Jeremy was demonstrating the cruise control in some car and he showed how you could adjust the automatic following distance from safe to Audi. :lol:

[nick71692]

I wish our cars sounded like that

[NWS4Guy]

Top Gear is a comedy show which also happens to have cars in it.

[B_S373N]

IIRC Clarkson had high praise for the B6 S4 on multiple occasions and for everyday use he said he would take it over the E46 M3.

It's not hard to see where they're coming from regarding the B8 S4. Hammond and Clarkson review cars more as toys and art and frequently say that cars would be better (or perhaps more entertaining) if they only were worse. Clarkson said the R8 V10 was brilliant but lacked character and that the Corvette, for all its flaws and build quality (bits were coming off as he was driving it) was a lot more fun. As much as I like Audis (I have a B8 S4 on order) I can see where he's coming from.

The B8 S4 is quite an understated car, from the way the power is delivered to the sound that it makes.

[tgoss]

Clarkson loved the B7 RS4 when he raced it against French mountain climbers, and May chose the RS4 for his entry in the "best 4 door" episode. And we all know the B8 S4 > B7 RS4, so by the transitive property, Top Gear guys love the new S4.

This is one of my fav episodes of all time.

[Ciscokidz]

Well since I watch it like an addict, but rarely agree with their "reviews" which are generally off-the-cuff and designed to provoke and entertain rather than be accurate or helpful, I'd say their diss makes me like the S4 even more.....As an M3 owner, I HATED it when Car and Driver would pronounce it the best car year after year, reinforced the arrogance of BMW and its dealers....! Gotta say though, the insurance rates on these cars don't exactly say boring businessman owners to me, mine is outrageous even with a clean record and no accidents in 15 years.

[Pgr1990]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieFCLeyAUxM
Watch this review with Tiff Needell on fifth gear.. Jeremy Clarkson is a blowhard for British cars and British engineering. Are you sure that S4 isn't the V8 model? Because that video is a bit old.

[steve0827]

If you look for the review on the B6 S4 vs. the E46 M3, Clarkson actually really liked the B6 S4....IIRC that is :P

[Ciscokidz]

Oh and I guess while I'm at it, I'll say from direct experience that anyone who say BMW, MB and Audi all build the same cars has 0.0 credibility with me: Their performance lines in particular are completely different approaches to the same demographic, though BMW is shifting their strategy a bit towards Audi. BMW build comparatively light, hi revving high HP low torque platforms that (up until the new M5) scream "I'm an M!" in styling cues, handle better than anything else out there that are daily drivers; minimal, substandard interiors that can be cheap looking unless well optioned, but the cars are engaging to drive, and demand full driver engagement to be driven at 9/10ths. BMW's are hard and expensive as hell to mod for serious performance gains, and getting more TQ is almost impossible. This is changing as BMW is going to turbo's rather than displacement for all future M's . Audi builds a comparatively more refined platform, typically very understated in exterior differentiators, a bit heavy, gorgeous interiors, powerful drivetrains with low end grunt, lower redlines and of course that amazing, if weighty AWD. The Audi can be tweaked up to maybe 80% of the BMW handling with OEM options, and the Audi can be driven at 9/10ths almost lazily, the AWD makes the twisty parts of the track silly easy, even if you misjudge the apex. The Audi's are far easier to mod to wring out impressive HP and TQ gains. MB seems to build performance cars that are almost caricatures: Massively overpowered, heavy, loud and some are brutally stiff. I was seriously down the path of a C63 until I drove a friend's for 30 mins on a track. At first all that HP makes you giddy, it's just so easy to steer with your foot, but after awhile you realize that the twisties become a chore in that car, you are constantly trying to get its mass on the right line, and it is just waiting for the next straight so you can actually use that power without constant wheelspin, and of course don't get me started on the interior, lets say that a Camry interior is as good or better than a C class MB, you've got to get to a well-optioned E before the interior becomes tolerable!. MB sells on spec sheets and brand lovers, IMO. Sorry for the rant, but I'm guessing many on this board own these cars BECAUSE they are so different from the other Deutch designs.....

[LeadToRome]

cisco, mix in some paragraphs and line feeds, I can't read that.

It's top gear, you watch it for fun factor, not useful reviews.

Oh c'mon, the Ford Fiesta review was full of useful information! How to get away from baddies in a mall, "is it green?", whether it is suitable for an amphibious assault and much more!

[giovanni0330]

Who cares what others think - all that matters is that as individuals we enjoy the car. Getting satisfaction from within maks for greater happiness. Who cars about strangers opinions no matter who they are... If you like something reviews should not matter.

[fasttoys]

the only car that Clarkson regularly praises is the M3 and the CLK black. And Hammond's fav is porsche

Yea TOP GEAR on the RS5 VRS M3. http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/02/21/to...e-vs-audi-rs5/

[fasttoys]

Oh and I guess while I'm at it, I'll say from direct experience that anyone who say BMW, MB and Audi all build the same cars has 0.0 credibility with me: Their performance lines in particular are completely different approaches to the same demographic, though BMW is shifting their strategy a bit towards Audi. BMW build comparatively light, hi revving high HP low torque platforms that (up until the new M5) scream "I'm an M!" in styling cues, handle better than anything else out there that are daily drivers; minimal, substandard interiors that can be cheap looking unless well optioned, but the cars are engaging to drive, and demand full driver engagement to be driven at 9/10ths. BMW's are hard and expensive as hell to mod for serious performance gains, and getting more TQ is almost impossible. This is changing as BMW is going to turbo's rather than displacement for all future M's . Audi builds a comparatively more refined platform, typically very understated in exterior differentiators, a bit heavy, gorgeous interiors, powerful drivetrains with low end grunt, lower redlines and of course that amazing, if weighty AWD. The Audi can be tweaked up to maybe 80% of the BMW handling with OEM options, and the Audi can be driven at 9/10ths almost lazily, the AWD makes the twisty parts of the track silly easy, even if you misjudge the apex. The Audi's are far easier to mod to wring out impressive HP and TQ gains. MB seems to build performance cars that are almost caricatures: Massively overpowered, heavy, loud and some are brutally stiff. I was seriously down the path of a C63 until I drove a friend's for 30 mins on a track. At first all that HP makes you giddy, it's just so easy to steer with your foot, but after awhile you realize that the twisties become a chore in that car, you are constantly trying to get its mass on the right line, and it is just waiting for the next straight so you can actually use that power without constant wheelspin, and of course don't get me started on the interior, lets say that a Camry interior is as good or better than a C class MB, you've got to get to a well-optioned E before the interior becomes tolerable!. MB sells on spec sheets and brand lovers, IMO. Sorry for the rant, but I'm guessing many on this board own these cars BECAUSE they are so different from the other Deutch designs.....

I agree 100% good rant At the end of the day its up to the owner. My friend dislikes my new M3 he preferred my B8 S4. All I can say if you are buying the car to impress others you will never be happy.

[Ciscokidz]

cisco, mix in some paragraphs and line feeds, I can't read that.

^^Wow you're right, last time I post after a couple of beers

and hour and a half wrestling with an obscure BMW issue in the garage!

[BobbyJim]

Oh and I guess while I'm at it.....

Of course there are differences between the German cars if you look closely enough, but looking at the entire spectrum of cars from all over the world, there are a lot of similarities between them too. An off-the-cuff remark about all German cars being the same is hardly an in-depth review, is it?

And anyway, British Top Gear rocks :)

[FourRingRider]

Glad I got you guys talking... So many TG fans in here, nice!

We all know that wasn't a real review of the S4, but I guess it was a bit disappointing to see the S4 sorta getting picked on. Considering I am a big fan of TG and a "petrolhead" I really wanted to see the S4 get a review and a go around the track. Wanted to see where it placed on the board amongst the exotics. Maybe one day...

I don't think I've even seen an episode of the American TG... any good? Simply stated though, Clarkson makes the Brit version of the show what it is - GREAT!

[pyramid]

Yea TOP GEAR on the RS5 VRS M3. http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/02/21/to...e-vs-audi-rs5/

the video doesn't work there. here you go: http://www.streetfire.net/video/bmw-...s5_2203263.htm

[StratJohn]

cisco, mix in some paragraphs and line feeds, I can't read that.



Oh c'mon, the Ford Fiesta review was full of useful information! How to get away from baddies in a mall, "is it green?", whether it is suitable for an amphibious assault and much more!

Possibly the best episode ever. You really only need 120hp on marble.

[Brooklyn]

lol - it's only fun when they like your favorite brand, right? comedy. i've watched at least two episodes where they lauded praise on audi products, even when underpowered compared to the competition, and let's be honest, they aren't alone in their praise for the M3.

[Chestlock]

I don't think they were picking on the S4 so much - the Hamster's Pikey reference tied everything they were really saying together. Take that into consideration and in fact there was quite a lot of praise for the S4

[John4378]

They regularly rip on Audis and Audi owners but it's all in good fun.



I was laughing hard when Jeremy was demonstrating the cruise control in some car and he showed how you could adjust the automatic following distance from safe to Audi. :lol:

would that be considered a cock ring?

[FourRingRider]