Audi S4 #6 of 10 Fastest Cars Under $50K

[S4_Phantom]

If this belongs in the chatter box feel free to move it. Anyone else see this article? http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...-cars-50k.html

They claim the stock S4 can do 0-60 in 4.4. A little ambitious maybe? Anyway, interesting article on what you can get under $50k. If speed is your thing there is lots of competition for a lot less money. I'm happy spending the extra money cause I'm a car snob. Nothing compares to overall feel of the Chariot, IMO. Plus for some reason I'm obsessed with those silver mirrors. Every time I see an Audi that's what I look for. Like I said, I'm a car snob.

[Portlander]

So the S4 was actually tied for 5th along with the 335i which has been clocked slower than the Audi in every "stock vs stock" acceleration test I have read. Have seen numerous articles and road test videos confirming the S4's 4.4 zero to sixty potential along with a 13.1 quarter. None of the American brands ahead of the S4 are in the same league when it comes to class and luxury and I still have not warmed to the CLA 45's exterior with the exception of it's rear profile.

[roger v]

CLA 45 is #1? seriously?

[troyguitar]

S4 with DSG and launch control can probably do 4.4 or better easy, it's a beast. Calling it under $50k is kind of lame though, a DSG S4 with no options whatsoever is $49500. With tax and options it's a $60k+ car, same with the 335ix.

[Portlander]

I think Car & Driver or Motor Trend clocked the CLA 45 at 4.2 to sixty which is pretty impressive for a four cylinder turbo. Pretty sure the Mercedes is at least 300 pounds lighter than the Audi.

[chrisbryan89]

I think Car & Driver or Motor Trend clocked the CLA 45 at 4.2 to sixty which is pretty impressive for a four cylinder turbo. Pretty sure the Mercedes is at least 300 pounds lighter than the Audi.

I'm just curious to see what tuners are going to be able to do with it, given it's pushing 26 psi stock. Kind of thinking it is already close to it's potential stock, without a turbo replacement

[Leor604]

Real question is if someone gave you that list and $50k, which would you pick?

I made the right choice in 2011 and I would make the same decision today.

[b8audis4]

Yes It's fast although the nice thing is that it doesn't have a crappy interior like a lot of the others and looks good.

[b8audis4]

Real question is if someone gave you that list and $50k, which would you pick?

I made the right choice in 2011 and I would make the same decision today.

Without a doubt the S4. I had a 335i and wouldn't go back. Crappy interior. Also mine was a manual but I don't think that they have a DCT.

[Portlander]

Sounds like the S4 is the winner amongst it's loyal fans!

On a side note, my car finally arrived at the Rhode Island port on December 31st and should be delivered to the dealer at anytime now. There was a delay due to my car not being Sport Differential equipped so they had to actually tow it off the vessel instead taking the risk of negotiating the offload ramps to get it safely on the pier. I am still looking forward to seeing it in person!

[s4buckeye]

I'm just curious to see what tuners are going to be able to do with it, given it's pushing 26 psi stock. Kind of thinking it is already close to it's potential stock, without a turbo replacement

lol, wrong. they are doing it already with an ECU only tune. As was said in another thread, AMG doesn't put engines out there that are maxed and I think MB is well aware that the aftermarket exists.


Stage 1 at this point:

450hp ECU tune already from Carlsson:

"Carlsson’s flagship CLS conversion is for the CLA45 AMG, which comes with 360hp and 4WD as standard. Carlsson boost the output of their CCA45 RSR to 450hp, which turns the compact four-door Coupe into a supercar killer."

http://www.carlsson.de/carlsson/en/p...lasse_C117.php


414hp ECU tune already from RENNtech:

http://www.renntechmercedes.com/www/node/1268

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[levigarrett]

CLA 45 is #1? seriously?

Why not? It's a fast car in every comparo.

[CorneliusRox]

None of the American brands ahead of the S4 are in the same league when it comes to class and luxury

You'd be surprised with how good they are getting. All of the low end American cars are very low end. All of the equipped mid-high end American cars are getting very nice. I almost got into a 6.1L SRT8 Challenger (only one without MDS and has lots of potential), and the interior was not holding me back much. The exterior is incredible IMO, but there is very little aftermarket support (mostly a lack of tuning options if I decided to fab up a turbo kit).

But what I am getting at, is in the last few years, they have come a long way, and you should go check them out before your next purchase. That low end torque and HUGE powerband is always fun.

[IceFour]

S4 with DSG and launch control can probably do 4.4 or better easy, it's a beast. Calling it under $50k is kind of lame though, a DSG S4 with no options whatsoever is $49500. With tax and options it's a $60k+ car, same with the 335ix.

Agreed mine was $57k... you'd be hard pressed to find one under $50k.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

[S4_Phantom]

$50k is a lot for a car nowadays no matter how you cut it. I don't think I would drive many or any of the other options on the list. But the list is sort of impressive nonetheless. Mid to low 4s used to be supercar status not too many years ago. This is something we now take for granted. I even admit that although the S4 can go mid 4s to 60 it could be and should be faster. But I love it for what it is... a kick ass daily driver good for any weather that gives me complete confidence at any speed.

[S4_Phantom]

Forgot to add that the article said under $50k base MSRP. Even though both the Audi, BMW and Benz can push $60k they made the base price cutoff.

[chrisbryan89]

I'm not a fan of the American muscle, but it is pretty impressive what you can get for your money in the performance department with them

[IceFour]

Forgot to add that the article said under $50k base MSRP. Even though both the Audi, BMW and Benz can push $60k they made the base price cutoff.

Sucks for people who may be interested in cars like these and don't know. They then try to look for these cars and add options they like/need then go "Well shit this is way more expensive then I thought." At least only the S4 and the 335i are the ones that are misleading.

[phxS4]

I think 50/60k is a lot of money for a car. So even though power does play a role in with my decision making, I still appreciate the luxury that Audi brings to the brand. Although, there are a few other luxury brands thrown in the mix here, I would think that some of the American brands don't carry the same type of service or treatment that Audi/BMW/MB does. I would say that its probably a bit subjective to most on the whole customer service thing, but to me it's pretty important.

But then again, I have never bought an American brand so I could be talking out of my ass.

[Trench]

S4 is actually tied for 4th if I'm reading it correctly.

[saxon]

If you want all out performance the new 5.0 is hard to beat

[vwfansince4]

Sucks for people who may be interested in cars like these and don't know. They then try to look for these cars and add options they like/need then go "Well shit this is way more expensive then I thought." At least only the S4 and the 335i are the ones that are misleading.

I think what's also misleading (in a way) is assuming a regular Joe can make any of the 400+ hp RWD cars hit those 0-60 #'s. While its true those cars are capable of those #'s, it's also not easy to do.

[Icarque]

how would the chariot do in a 60k group of cars?

[MrFunk]

Lol. This is an idiotic article for an automotive magazine. They must have been too lazy to come up with an actual real test and compare. Since when is only 0-60 the definition of a fast car?? It should be measured by how fast they all get around a track in similar conditions. Anyone can compile a list from data found online of 0-60 times and print a top ten like this. Stupid.

I'd be more interested in a top ten fastest modded 40-50k cars with total mods adding up to no more than 5k.

Yawn

[roger v]

Why not? It's a fast car in every comparo.

I think I'm just made with Mercedes because I was treated so poorly when shopping for a CLA.

[moose_head]

It's just a top 10 list to make you click through 10 pages of ads. I'm sure they'll happily build a top 10 list based on anything else people with click on... 1/4 mile times, build quality, under $25k, over $100k,whatever.

[b8audis4]

how would the chariot do in a 60k group of cars?

I think in the quick comparison maybe not so well. The reason is because a base m3 and c63 would be in there. I think in every other department though it would do extremely well.

I don't think the s4 is made for just power. You buy a corvette for that. If you want good handling a good transmission and a quick car in something you can daily drive and take to the track and the canyons then go with the s4. I don't think the m3 or c63 are as good of daily drivers.

[SwankPeRFection]

Subaru or bust! Lol

Seriously, for the price and performance, you can't beat them. My purchase list would be...

S4
STI
CLA AMG
WRX

The CLA would be #2 if it weren't for the wannabe AWD that's in it.

[SwankPeRFection]

I'm not a fan of the American muscle, but it is pretty impressive what you can get for your money in the performance department with them

I'm actually surprised that Dodge dares to push their price into the 40's while Ford and Chevy is still in the 30's.

[drob23]

It's just a top 10 list to make you click through 10 pages of ads. I'm sure they'll happily build a top 10 list based on anything else people with click on... 1/4 mile times, build quality, under $25k, over $100k,whatever.

Lol, yup, and I took the bait

[roger v]

I think in the quick comparison maybe not so well. The reason is because a base m3 and c63 would be in there. I think in every other department though it would do extremely well.

I don't think the s4 is made for just power. You buy a corvette for that. If you want good handling a good transmission and a quick car in something you can daily drive and take to the track and the canyons then go with the s4. I don't think the m3 or c63 are as good of daily drivers.

Where do you get a NEW M3 or C63, base or not, for 60k?

[b8audis4]

Where do you get a NEW M3 or C63, base or not, for 60k?

Base in the $60s.

[s4buckeye]

Base in the $60s.

Stripped to the bone maybe.

I don't think the m3 or c63 are as good of daily drivers.

I have owned all three and currently use two as a DD. AWD aside, the M3 and C63 being far different cars than the S4 and different even when compared to each other, the M3 and C63 (stock) are far more engaging as DDs than an S4. Drive all three back to back for an extended period and then tell me they are not.

YMMV.



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[drob23]

Where do you get a NEW M3 or C63, base or not, for 60k?

The sedan version (e90) M3 debuted at a cheaper sticker than the coupe (e92), especially towards the end where dealers were selling e92's for like 80-90k fully loaded with matte paint etc. BMW dealers are also more likely to bargain and there's always ED where you pay below invoice (didn't count against dealer allocations).

[s4buckeye]

The sedan version (e90) M3 debuted at a cheaper sticker than the coupe (e92), especially towards the end where dealers were selling e92's for like 80-90k fully loaded with matte paint etc. BMW dealers are also more likely to bargain and there's always ED where you pay below invoice (didn't count against dealer allocations).

True. BMW and MB will give the car away to get you in it.



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[Trench]

It's just a top 10 list to make you click through 10 pages of ads. I'm sure they'll happily build a top 10 list based on anything else people with click on... 1/4 mile times, build quality, under $25k, over $100k,whatever.

Some executive needs a bonus. Pageviews!!!

[BoostEasy]

If you want all out performance the new 5.0 is hard to beat

Yup. And the stang and the camaro have practically limitless aftermarkets for speed parts.

It's tough to pick just one attribute for a car and I personally wouldn't find 0-60 particularly useful unless I was 23 again.

[drob23]

Yup. And the stang and the camaro have practically limitless aftermarkets for speed parts.

It's tough to pick just one attribute for a car and I personally wouldn't find 0-60 particularly useful unless I was 23 again.

Not that this thread needs to stay on topic, but did you see the early pricing on the new Z/28 Camaro? 75k http://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/03/2...8-75000-price/

Is this so they can move them well under sticker but still make a profit?

[s4buckeye]

Not that this thread needs to stay on topic, but did you see the early pricing on the new Z/28 Camaro? 75k http://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/03/2...8-75000-price/

Is this so they can move them well under sticker but still make a profit?

No, I think it was so as not to kill the ZL1 and SS sales.

[centexvic]

I came from a 370z and I would say with the sport package/summer tires it is as fast or slightly faster than the s4 in perfect conditions. Add in any kind of heat/cold/wet or hint of the unexpected and the s4 takes it.