Don't hate as I do love my S4 but I may move on....lots of feedback available

[pdqgp]

The community here has been great and I'm in one respect depressed that I am likely leaving. Time flew by and I've loved my car for the 3 years I've owned it. That said, I have an itch and I took it about as far as I'm comfy with the mods I've thrown at it. Catalysts are on the chopping block thanks to the dual pulley and I know that but I am not sure I want to stick it out replacing them and putting the additional money towards it just yet. Did I say I'm going to really miss the power?

I've been shopping everything from SUV's to sedans with thoughts that I'm very likely going to lease this next vehicle as I'm set on adding a new car to the family for my wife and another for my son and will likely after then having 3 perhaps 4 vehicles in my driveway get an itch for a true sports car once again. I miss my Vette and it's been 7 years and I'm due for another mid life crisis with one.

I think I've found my next ride and of all the vehicles I've driven and I've been in a lot. Last night I found a great deal on a 2018 Infinity Q5 Red Sport with AWD. 2018 has some really nice refreshes and while it's not perfect, neither is the S4 yet it is by far as of today one of the best values out there. I own my S4 so all that equity is going towards the two new cars mentioned above and I can still get a short term lease on the Red for far less than anything else out there.

Anyone shopping or looking to compare I have lots of opinions and feedback on what's out there. The parting feedback is the S4 platform is awesome for what it is and the mods available on such a long standing platform are great and completely transform the car. I tell people all the time, even if I were to invest another $2k+ into repairs and additional items, the vehicle is still a great value. I can't think of another car like ours that offers the ameneties, AWD and can run mid 11's for so cheap. Even from a roll she surprises and hangs with cars that cost much more.

All that said I am looking forward to the additional benefits a new 2018 offers. Some of the safety and convenience features are pretty awesome and well worth it. Yes there are some trade offs and again, it's not a perfect car, but the value is strong and power is still very much there especially while at speed. She certainly won't take a back seat to many even in stock form and if I do get the itch to mod, I am pretty certain a tune is out there to wake up the turbos even if it's just a little.

Anyway, I know I lot of folks here hate members after they decide to move on but I owed everyone another post as I've met with a dozen or more members and learned a lot. I'll still likely be involved in the forums and especially on the detailing forum still. I'm about 95% sold and hope to have things worked out late next week either way. Until then, fire away with thoughts, questions and yeah even a few jabs I'm sure.

Thanks all!

[LYKUNO]

I suspect that there aren't that many folks here that would hate you for moving on. Most of us have nothing but respect and well wishes for someone like you who was a positive contributor and who offered help and useful advice about detailing and other aspects of S4 ownership. I hope you find happiness with your new ride and will give us a thorough comparison of it to your Audi. We all have to move on to something sooner or later, and not always something with 4 rings. We'll miss you here - best of luck!

[The Machine]

I don't think we have ever interacted here on the forum as I am pretty new to it, but I wish you the best of luck. There comes a time in everyone's life for something new and at least you're picking an equally badass car to try out, so I don't think anyone can fault you for that. At least you're not giving up the S4 for a Prius, if that were the case, you'd probably have to put your flame suit on, lol.

[AudBoost]

As LYKUNO said I don't think anyone is going to blame you for moving on. I am in the same boat and can't decide if I want to move onto a bigger car (probably an S6) or stay in a sports sedan (M3 or ATS-V).

As for the Infinity I really think it is going to be hard to beat what that car has to offer at it's price point. My father owns a Q60 Red sport and I am seriously impressed every time I drive the car. Has all the tech you can ask for and at 400hp that car definitely surprises people. It's only a matter of time until tuners get a hold of that thing and we see some big numbers from it. The only one complaint I have about it is that it seems Infinity is a little confused on where it wants to market the car. Are they aiming for it to be a sports car or a luxury car? Its seems like it stuck somewhere in the middle.

Good luck in your search!

[SteveYem]

No hard feelings here, and honestly if I weren't hell-bent on hanging onto a 6MT daily driver as long as possible, I might be looking at other options as well. Lots more to choose from in the world of automatic transmissions. Good luck with your next adventure!

[Motown_Dub]

No hate here.

Good luck man, I understand the need to scratch the automotive itch. My S4 and I are in a good place and likely to stay together for a few more years but when the time comes, she will be dumped and I won't look back.

[jygesq]

from what I read the display system is very slow. and not so responsive. I would check that out.

[doughboy17]

Thanks for all your contributions and best wishes. Honestly, if my city would have had an Infiniti dealership, I do not know whether I would have made the decision to purchase my first Audi -- an A4 -- 7 years ago. The G37x Sport I test drove was a bad ass car! I loved it!

The biggest thing that would concern me about the Red Sport would be the drive by wire steering. Every time I get back in my A4 I am reminded how much better the steering is than even the electric steering on my S4.

[blackfunk]

For what its worth I had a G37 back in 08 and it was honestly the most fun car I've ever owned. It wasn't the best, or the fastest but it had the most character. I loved it. That being said, I also test drove the Q50 Red Sport and hated it. The engine while a gem was saddled with that piss poor 7sp. Which I'm sure is great for everyday driving just wasn't sporty enough for me. However in terms of overall value its hard to top. I did like the infotainment setup, and it is fairly spacious. I do think that its a good replacement for anyone looking to replace their S4 or with the Q60 the S5. Personally I think they look better than the S4/S5 B9's. The S5 GC is still better looking IMH though. The next place where it is outclassed is in the interior where I think Audi has a better quality of materials and better fit and finish. Design is subjective but I prefer the Audi's in the regard.

[mungie]

Make sure you include insurance quotes in your decision. The lease on Infiniti is attractive no doubt, but insurance was 33% higher for a q50 than S4 for me.

[MrFunk]

I've driven a few of those as loaners (San Fran HERTZ has some nice rentals!). I've always been impressed with how they drive and probably have the most "sporty" driving experience of any of the "Asian" sport sedans on the market. They also look nice. Go for it! I think you'll miss your S4 though... but in today's modern day ppl feel they need something new every 3 years and the industry encourages it... Have you price compared/shopped a new S4? Since you're looking at an Auto Tranny that would be a good compare. Plus you'll get an Audi loyalty discount (not a ton but something). Heck - I'd even shop an RS3 too (which I'd take over an S4 - much more soul and way more special motor).

[Dr GP]

No hard feelings here, and honestly if I weren't hell-bent on hanging onto a 6MT daily driver as long as possible, I might be looking at other options as well. Lots more to choose from in the world of automatic transmissions. Good luck with your next adventure!

Agree. And as time goes on, our MT options become increasingly more limited. BTW, saw a road test of the Infinity Redline sedan and coupe and on Motorweek and it was favorable. Also saw one in a parking lot the other day. Pretty nice, although I have never driven one.

[4DOORFUN]

I can't imagine the new Infiniti would be any more fun to drive than your dual pulley S4. The new Infiniti has a lot a power, but so does your car. I think Infiniti is trying to be a luxury brand. The older Infiniti's were more raw and geared towards true performance. I owned a 2009 Infiniti G37S Sedan for seven years. It was RWD, had a true mechanical limited slip diff. and it was a six speed manual trans. It wasn't super powerful, but it also wasn't too terribly heavy. The steering response was excellent and the motor's throttle response was instantaneous. It was absolutely more fun to drive than my current S4. It had a very tail happy rear end which made it a blast to drive. But those days are over. Infiniti does not make a car like that anymore. The Q50 Redline does not get the mechanical limited slip diff or a manual trans. That tells me Infiniti has changed.

[B8Addict]

For what its worth I had a G37 back in 08 and it was honestly the most fun car I've ever owned. It wasn't the best, or the fastest but it had the most character. I loved it. That being said, I also test drove the Q50 Red Sport and hated it. The engine while a gem was saddled with that piss poor 7sp. Which I'm sure is great for everyday driving just wasn't sporty enough for me. However in terms of overall value its hard to top. I did like the infotainment setup, and it is fairly spacious. I do think that its a good replacement for anyone looking to replace their S4 or with the Q60 the S5. Personally I think they look better than the S4/S5 B9's. The S5 GC is still better looking IMH though. The next place where it is outclassed is in the interior where I think Audi has a better quality of materials and better fit and finish. Design is subjective but I prefer the Audi's in the regard.

+1. I had a G37 as well and it was a blast. It was just the terrible 7 speed automatic that frustrated me. To know that the exact same gearbox is in the new car is absurd. I have driven the red sport and that god awful transmission + turbo lag is just so frustrating to deal with when trying to have fun. In regard to just driving it casually though I am sure it will be fine. Personally if I had a choice I would get the Q50 hybrid as it has good power and great fuel economy. I would have probably picked one up instead of the S4 had they used a ZF or DCT gearbox in the hybrid.

[jzamorski]

I considered leasing the Red Sport Q50 as well, but the transmission didn't cut it for me. Still its a really great value and they have fantastic leases. I decided to just get back into another '13 S4 to bide my time until something more attractive comes along in my price range.

FYI, burger tuning has the jb4 for the q50's already. http://www.burgertuning.com/infiniti...nce_tuner.html

[pdqgp]

Thanks guys. I did a few final runs/blasts with my car. Flat-out fast as hell for as big as she is. 75-130mph is a hoot for sure. Mid-range torque is awesome. The exhaust is getting really deep and throaty which is cool, but it's a sign the cats are being done in. No drivability issues though. I'm just going to pull off some badging and trade her in. We've already pretty much agreed on things but it needs a final pencil on paper. I'm pretty sure they will take it in with the stock peelers and my Blizzaks. I'll likely be selling my Niche M131's with the Pilot Super Sports on it. THey are balanced perfectly and the wheels are all 100% perfect too. 8/32nds of the 11/32nds left on all of them. Wear is even across the tread too.

They are prepping my new car today. I'll be doing a full correction on it anyway so I really don't care if they touch it. The 7spd auto isn't the best but honestly I've driven far worse. I didn't notice any turbo lag at all. I've owned several turbo cars and no doubt the SC has much fatter torque down low but this one scoots well. Infotainment for 2018 is light years faster than the 2016 I drove which is nice. Still no Android Auto, but honestly, I might not even use it and won't base my car selection on that. Sound system is on-par with ours. Overall, very comparable really. Not perfect but then that's why it's going to be a lease.

Here's a sneak peak of what she looks like even though these aren't my pics:

[fstr n u]

Can't go wrong with any of these luxury sports coupe/sedans. Each of them have a unique look, and set of driving dynamics/feel. Whatever you buy, enjoy the hell out of. Cars will come and go...it's important to continue enjoying the freedom and excitement driving offers. Before we know it, there may be such significant emission and government regulations that driving will lose some of it's enjoyment.

Best of luck choosing your next ride,

Ryan

[bhvrdr]

Congrats. We had a G37S back in 2012 and it was a really fun car to drive. As long as you use the paddles it wasnt bad to shift either IMO. That car allowed you to bang on the redline all day long... full manual control with the paddles. Hope yours brings you tons of fun. Looks better than my G37 did IMO. That was the one thing I never liked about that car.

Mike

[BG SQ5]

Congrats! As a fan of luxury sport sedans, these continue to pique my interest. The biggest shortcoming I keep reading about is the transmission. I guess it's not intended to compete with the M and AMG offerings, but in reality that's what I'd lean towards if I was in the market. I'm guessing even a S4 or S5 SB would feel a bit more sporty/performance-oriented. I loved my Lexus and have always had a lot of respect for the Infiniti offerings as well though.

It's only a matter of time until tuners get a hold of that thing and we see some big numbers from it.

I considered leasing the Red Sport Q50 as well, but the transmission didn't cut it for me. Still its a really great value and they have fantastic leases. I decided to just get back into another '13 S4 to bide my time until something more attractive comes along in my price range.

FYI, burger tuning has the jb4 for the q50's already. http://www.burgertuning.com/infiniti...nce_tuner.html

AMS is well on their way with these. In fact, they're actually partnered with Infiniti for the 'Red Alpha' project. Last I heard they were well over 400 whp and running mid-11s with some basic bolt-ons and tune.

[mmm def]

I drove a red sport when I was getting the itch for something else and really liked it a lot. I couldn't give up a 6mt so I ended up with a civic type r. Talk about a weird switch. Happy though. Enjoy your new ride!

[Oloung1]

I think I've found my next ride and of all the vehicles I've driven and I've been in a lot. Last night I found a great deal on a 2018 Infinity Q5 Red Sport with AWD. 2018 has some really nice refreshes and while it's not perfect, neither is the S4 yet it is by far as of today one of the best values out there. I own my S4 so all that equity is going towards the two new cars mentioned above and I can still get a short term lease on the Red for far less than anything else out there.

the infiniti q cars look amazing inside and out. im interested in your feedback specifically on how the stock rs400 steering feels compared to other recent cars or even your modded b8.5. and if you start modding your rs400 before your lease turn in, you have to link me on your build thread. the detailing work on your s4 was completely insane and i know you will DIR with the new rs400

[zub79]

My wife just turned in her Q50 lease. Prior to that she had a G37. I liked the feel of the G37 better. The steering while horrible on the Q50. I guess it was the drive by wire system they added that you couldn’t opt out of. Hopefully they improved that. I also think the whole center infotainment area is starting to get very dated looking.

Those were the two main negatives. Great engine and great sound from them.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[pdqgp]

Well she came home today and while I've yet to go through all the features and figure them all out, I can say they have definitely improved the infotainment system and steering as well as the suspension. All are very good. The only initial thing that will take some getting used to is not having a DSG that was floating a great APR Tune. That baby really snapped off up-shifts and now that I'm back in a regular automatic, the differences stand out.

That said, welcome home to my garage a brand new 2018 Midnight Black Metallic Q50 Red Sport 400 AWD loaded up with all the options including the Sensory Package and ProActive Package and a bunch of other goodies. Now off to get some rest before I detail it this weekend and line up some early modifications.

[4DOORFUN]

Nice looking car. Keep reporting back to us the differences. Thanks.

[doug97gxe]

Nissan does amazing with performance .. if only they still did stick shift ... and the removal of the Z from line up next year proves manual is really being removed from all their performance cars

i've actually toyed with the idea of a G37 Sport Sedan 6 MT with a built motor and a Twin Turbo kit as a current project car.. love the body of the G

[AeyBeCei]

Theres a recall on the ECU, a buddy of mine with a q50 RS had to take his to the dealer.