Importance of Sport Diff?

[lemonlime]

I'm in the market for a 2014+ and I'm curious about how many of you feel that the sport diff is crucial to their driving experience. I'm old (44) and don't drive particularly aggressively. I'm not really interested in either track days nor auto-x. I really want something nice and well-appointed with the sporty looks and the power of the S4, which is why I'm not looking at an A4, and the A6 is out due to lack of 6MT option. I do like to drive some of our twistier roads quickly, but even then I'm not sure if I would need the sport diff - I may not drive aggressively enough to notice, I guess.

It's not that I would mind paying a small premium for it, but it makes the online search return a lot fewer hits.

Thoughts?

[theweebabyseamus]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-no-sport-diff

[EHesh14]

You just checked off almost every box for not justifying the extra cost of having a sports diff. Save some money and enjoy it without, or if you make a good enough deal the sports diff would be a fun bonus. I've driven s4's with and without them and your style of driving you probably would even notice it.

[SDV325]

You really have to throttle (accelerate) around corners to feel the full effect of the sports diff.

Based on your driving style, id assume its not a deal breaker for you

[arad85]

I'd just like to say I'm 53 and drive aggressively. I like the sports diff (and the 034 rear sway bar that has planted the rear end nicely) :)

[mmm def]

I've owned one without and currently have one with. It's nice and all but based on your driving style not a necessity. I wouldn't let it be a deal breaker either way.

[bhvrdr]

I've had both and I currently have the sport diff and I don't find it necessary. It's an OK feature but would definitely not be a deal-breaker for me. I can have fun tossing around either car.

[tonton]

Ive read somewhere that it costs upwards of $10k to replace the diff if it fails or whatever. I chose not to get it in mine.

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[Dr GP]

I'm 66 and would not buy an S4 without the sport dif. The sport dif, it is not only a performance option but is a safety option as well. You do know that the B9 A4 comes with Quattro and a 6MT? Not sure if a 252 hp turbo 4 cyl doe it for you. Audi seems to want to put that engine in all their cars

[doug97gxe]

I'm in the market for a 2014+ and I'm curious about how many of you feel that the sport diff is crucial to their driving experience. I'm old (44) and don't drive particularly aggressively. I'm not really interested in either track days nor auto-x. I really want something nice and well-appointed with the sporty looks and the power of the S4, which is why I'm not looking at an A4, and the A6 is out due to lack of 6MT option. I do like to drive some of our twistier roads quickly, but even then I'm not sure if I would need the sport diff - I may not drive aggressively enough to notice, I guess.

It's not that I would mind paying a small premium for it, but it makes the online search return a lot fewer hits.

Thoughts?

there is no importance.. its to give you the illusion like you're driving a rear wheel drive car.. but on this forum there are somethings that are a "must have" for the culture and this is one of them like e-codes and avants

[blackfunk]

there is no importance.. its to give you the illusion like you're driving a rear wheel drive car.. but on this forum there are somethings that are a "must have" for the culture and this is one of them like e-codes and avants

LOL, so true. Don't have one get prepared to understeer off the road and burst in flames. I've had both wihout and now with, honestly makes so little difference in day to day driving that it shoulld not be a deal breaker.

[LYKUNO]

I don't track my car so could probably have skipped ticking the SD option when I ordered it. But now that I have it, I really do appreciate what it does. There is nothing like having an idiot tailgating you on an on or off ramp and being able to totally leave them in the dust. You look back in the rearview mirror and see that try as they may, there is just no way for them to keep up with you. Such fun!

[absolutarin]

The fun (err...orgasm) I derive from driving in the curvy back roads with the confidence that I won't fly off tangentially makes me think that I made a better decision going with the Sport Diff option. Well, you need to have to good tires and suspension too but that is not is how I drive every day...I just do it sparingly :)

If you drive calmly and don't feel the need to push your car to the limits...juuuuust for fun...I don't think you're losing a lot without the Sport Diff. Sport Diff option is a thousand bucks extra. So I'd suggest invest that money on a good exhaust - you'll find yourself listening to your exhaust sound more than driving on curves.

P.S. 44 is not old

[gfro1234]

I personally opted for the non-sport diff with the idea that it would probably be more reliable long term. I'm 26 and definitely enjoy a sporty car but it's also my daily driver and I don't go racing/doing track events either

[jonwoods]

You have to put the diff in sport mode and really get close to the handling limit of the car to even notice it. You can certainly feel it bring the back end around when you're putting down full power out of a corner but in all other situations (which for almost all people is all of the time) it's completely unnoticeable.

[F1Senna]

I had to wait an extra two months to find a 6mt with the sport differential and all the options I was looking for. For me personally, it was well worth the wait. It definitely helps with the understeer Audi's are notorious for. I do drive on canyon roads frequently and like to push the car quite hard...it is an S4 after all right? Really think the sport diff should have been included as a standard feature rather than an option. Just my opinion.

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[fx_warrior]

Well I have it and glad I do. No not important, but if you drive hard enough especially back roads, freeway ramps, or whatever... you'll know it's there.

[jygesq]

I have it, I odered car new. Nothing out there for the money makes your car handle around corners like it is on rails. That said you could live without it , if you never tried it .But once you do, you can not imagine not having it.

[EIAlfonso]

Its a used car, you'll end up paying about $600 more for a car with the sports diff. I think that's a pretty inexpensive mod and when you sell it you'll get a portion of it back so maybe $300 when all is said and done for a sports diff is a very good deal and a nice performance upgrade.

There aren't many or any mods for $300 installed that will give you that kind of bang for the buck

[Alkemix]

I honestly can feel.the sports diff make a difference even in moderate driving. You won't need it but feeling the rear steer you through the turns is part of why an S4 is the car that it is. That said, the 6mt is more important of a driving differentiator. If you're stuck in a decision between 6mt and sport diff, get the 6mt is more important, however if you can get both, you should have it to get a car that stands further apart from an A4

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[SForePlayin']

It's not a necessity, especially if you only like going fast in a straight line. If you like going fast around corners and curves, you can definitely feel it helping the car in the turn. It makes the car more agile. It also increases the fun and smile factor. And as DrGP stated earlier, there's an increased safety element to it. I've never driven an S4 without a sport differential, but I can say that if I were to do it all over again, I would get it.

[MrFunk]

With what you're looking for in a sports sedan I would say it's not a must have. If the car you find has it then great... but don't make it a priority. If you end up getting a car WITH it I think you will enjoy the benefits. Even in regular daily driving it's working. When I turn mine off (put in soft mode but keep steering and throttle in dynamic) I can notice the difference even when just making lane changes. It just seems to give the steering a more "anxious" feel. The car changes directions quicker...

One thing to keep in mind though - if you plan on selling the car privately later (not trade it in) you may find most buyers will be looking for a car with SD. If you plan on trading it in to a dealership then won't matter so much. They may offer you slightly less for it.

[TexasDfwS4]

I feel the need for it once and a while and I glad this one has it. My last S4 didn't and I plowed into a curb because of not having it. I was pulling out of a parking lot and so ass hat was speeding around the corner, I'm glad I had it then for sure. I had to mash the pedal and the car came around beautifully, what a rush that was. Anyway If you like a car and it doesn't have it then remember to not put your self in the position to need the feather.

[jokingjimmy]

I'm 66 and would not buy an S4 without the sport dif. The sport dif, it is not only a performance option but is a safety option as well. You do know that the B9 A4 comes with Quattro and a 6MT? Not sure if a 252 hp turbo 4 cyl doe it for you. Audi seems to want to put that engine in all their cars

What I'm about to say, I say with all due respect.

Screw you OP.

44 is not old. (I'm 44 lol).

there is no importance.. its to give you the illusion like you're driving a rear wheel drive car.. but on this forum there are somethings that are a "must have" for the culture and this is one of them like e-codes and avants

I echo the other sentiments here.

Basically:
- If you find a car without, and you like it, you'll be ok buying it.
- If you find a car with, and you like it, you'll be ok buying it.
- If you get Sport Diff there is a very small increase chance to resale down the line since more people look for S4s with SD than those that look for ones without.
- I'd recommend looking at the B9 A4 with the "Sport" package with dynamic steering. 252hp on a lighter car, upgraded tech, manual tranny is not bad. My buddy ordered with the special sport package and dynamic steering and says steering is tighter that his B8.5 S4.

Good luck with your hunt!

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[lemonlime]

I'm 66 and would not buy an S4 without the sport dif. The sport dif, it is not only a performance option but is a safety option as well. You do know that the B9 A4 comes with Quattro and a 6MT? Not sure if a 252 hp turbo 4 cyl doe it for you. Audi seems to want to put that engine in all their cars

Thanks! I've looked at the new 6MT A4 a couple of times but I can't seem to get past the new interior, and I think I want more zip than 250 hp.

[lemonlime]

Its a used car, you'll end up paying about $600 more for a car with the sports diff. I think that's a pretty inexpensive mod and when you sell it you'll get a portion of it back so maybe $300 when all is said and done for a sports diff is a very good deal and a nice performance upgrade.

There aren't many or any mods for $300 installed that will give you that kind of bang for the buck

That's a very good point.

[lemonlime]

What I'm about to say, I say with all due respect.

Screw you OP.

44 is not old. (I'm 44 lol).

Lol...

[doug97gxe]

Thanks! I've looked at the new 6MT A4 a couple of times but I can't seem to get past the new interior, and I think I want more zip than 250 hp.

If you haven't been inside a B9 don't trust the pictures it's night and day it's amazing


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[B18b1ex]

You can easily live without it.

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[MrFunk]

If you haven't been inside a B9 don't trust the pictures it's night and day it's amazing


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I completely disagree. I think they botched the interior.

[LYKUNO]

I completely disagree. I think they botched the interior.

I agree. I had a B9 A4 for a loaner one day last week and was not impressed. The switchgear was cheap-looking and the non-retractible MMI screen felt intrusive, even though it didn't block vision of the road/surroundings in any way. The car had less than 5K miles and had a horrible rattle in the driver's door. A new A5 Sportback on the dealer's lot had the same exact interior.

[14S4GWM]

^. I agree, I had one as a loaner for a week the other week and wasn't impressed at all.

[jokingjimmy]

Bag with that, cup holder placement is win in the B9! I wish my B8.5 cup holder was moved up like the B9. I can only have short cups and still be able to shift easily lol.

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[TexasDfwS4]

I can't remember the last time I used the cup holder. I keep bottled water in the door.