RS4 test drives

Tea 1000

So mik, how did it go? Was either one noticeably cleaner than the other? How did the different seats compare? Is the clutch on them a bit severe in city driving or is it OK? How does it sound at the redline?
Are you going to drive an E90 M3 for comparison? Anything else on the potential list?
(You should close the other thread).

166man

RS4 always seemed that bit cooler to me than the M3, maybe it's to do with the rarity factor. I remember sitting in one in an Audi dealership in 2007 and being in awe of the sculpted front seats.

Seriously cool car, update this thread Mik, we (I) want to know what it was like compared with the ST?

Tea 1000

166man wrote: »

RS4 always seemed that bit cooler to me than the M3, maybe it's to do with the rarity factor. I remember sitting in one in an Audi dealership in 2007 and being in awe of the sculpted front seats.

Seriously cool car, update this thread Mik, we (I) want to know what it was like compared with the ST?

Yep, the M3 was kind of the default choice for folk with a few bob, so things like the RS4 are a welcome alternative.
To be fair though, if anyone bought either an RS4, M3, C63 AMG or IS-F they'd be getting a seriously decent car. We could argue all day and night about the flaws of one versus the merits of another, but those 4 are epic in their own right!

Anan1

With that kind of power I think i'd feel a bit too much tied to fair weather without the AWD.

Tea 1000

Anan1 wrote: »

With that kind of power I think i'd feel a bit too much tied to fair weather without the AWD.

Ah you'd be surprised what decent tyres and modern stability control systems can do! Sure looking at the other tyre thread those same stability control systems are keeping 60% of people on the road in even light drizzle!!

Nope, with that kind of power I'd fear for my license first and foremost!

Anan1

Tea 1000 wrote: »

Ah you'd be surprised what decent tyres and modern stability control systems can do! Sure looking at the other tyre thread those same stability control systems are keeping 60% of people on the road in even light drizzle!!

Yeah, but they do it by cutting power!! AWD will let you use more power more of the time.

dgt

I'd love to drive one someday, even if its just a test drive, see what its like

Max Power1

Tea 1000 wrote: »

Ah you'd be surprised what decent tyres and modern stability control systems can do! Sure looking at the other tyre thread those same stability control systems are keeping 60% of people on the road in even light drizzle!!

Nope, with that kind of power I'd fear for my license first and foremost!

+1
And I think AWD in a high power car detracts from the driving experience. RWD FTW

Anan1

Max Power1 wrote: »

+1
And I think AWD in a high power car detracts from the driving experience. RWD FTW

You'll be telling me you only want rear wheel brakes next!

Seriously, RWD is good fun but 420bhp is often simply too much for the rear wheels. At times like that you're sacrificing acceleration and probably expensive tyres too.

Max Power1

Anan1 wrote: »

You'll be telling me you only want rear wheel brakes next!

Seriously, RWD is good fun but 420bhp is often simply too much for the rear wheels. At times like that you're sacrificing acceleration and probably expensive tyres too.

Nah, but there is a lot to be said for cornering and feeling the back kick out if you put the power down too soon. I think AWD takes away from it somehow. Unless it is rear biased AWD of course!

I think that the RS4 is a car I am going to have to blag my way into a test drive of! (At least I will look credible, arriving in a 535! :P )

Matt Simis

Anan1 wrote: »

You'll be telling me you only want rear wheel brakes next!

Seriously, RWD is good fun but 420bhp is often simply too much for the rear wheels. At times like that you're sacrificing acceleration and probably expensive tyres too.

You arent putting down anywhere near 420bhp in a traction sensitive situation, AWD or not so thats a moot point. AWD is great for the 365days a year accessibility, but it also slightly hollow in the same way getting a perfect game of bowling in with the lane guards is.. even if you never totched them. Its a cuddly blanket.


This gen RS4 was the first (IRC) to heavily push the Torsen bias to the rear to try and emulate RWD however, so it might not be as "overt" in its coddling.

Anan1

Matt Simis wrote: »

You arent putting down anywhere near 420bhp in a traction sensitive situation, AWD or not so thats a moot point. AWD is great for the 365days a year accessibility, but it also slightly hollow in the same way getting a perfect game of bowling in with the lane guards is.. even if you never totched them. Its a cuddly blanket.

If the car had maybe half the power then i'd agree with you. I've only owned two AWD cars, but both are faster and more fun than they would have been without. I haven't driven an RS4 myself, but i'd be very surprised if it weren't a better car for the AWD.

mik_da_man

So forgetting the other thread for now :P

I test drove the two RS4's below yesterday:

1. Cork Reg

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/RS4/4.2-FSI-/33413662002428610/advert?channel=CARS&featuredListingClickThru=true

2. Tipp Reg

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/RS4/Quattro-/35213675041995570/advert?channel=CARS&featuredListingClickThru=true

I drove the Cork reg first.


Arrived at the dealer and it was out front ready for me to have a spin.

He came out and gave me they keys and left me a while to look over it by myself.

First impressions is that it's a very impressive looking car, large tail pipes, lovely flared arches, filled well by the 19" wheels.
Lovely colour too

So to compare the two cars.
The gerneal condition was pretty similar, the Tipp reg one was a bit tidyer on the inside
The cork reg one was better specced IMO
It had nicer seats, steering wheel, mirrors and had a sunroof, had sport mode, which the Tipp one didn't seem to have, or I didn't see it anyway...
The tipp one had the bluetooth from factory which resulted in the different steering wheel, but it had an aftermarket exhaust which sounded AMAZING!

I had a denect enough spin in the cork one, first impressions was that sound! I loved it! (Tipp one sounded better though).
The car was very easy to drive in city traffic, a lot easier than I expected tbh.
Light clutch, steering wasn't too heavy, just like driving a normal A4 at low speeds really (nearly!)
The seats in the Cork one were very supportive, held you in place well without being too tight, the tipp one's seate were good, but not as supportive.

It was quite a bit differnt to drive than the ST!
When I got onto an open strech I gave it a blast, the sound was unreal.
It had a very profressive power curve, unlike the ST which has a huge turbo kick. In the RS4 I found myself way past :P at the speed limits in no time, to be expected I suppose, but it was quicker than I would have thought.

As you drive faster the steering gets a bit heavier and more responsive.
it's very sure footed and has immense grip. and did I mention the sound!!
It doent really need 4th to 6th as your past any irish limit by then!

From my limited enough drive of them they both seemed like tight enough cars, no noticeable difference in the power/handling that I spotted.

all in all an absoloutely fantastic car to drive and I could see myself having one pretty soon.

mik_da_man

Tea 1000 wrote: »

So mik, how did it go? Was either one noticeably cleaner than the other? How did the different seats compare? Is the clutch on them a bit severe in city driving or is it OK? How does it sound at the redline?
Are you going to drive an E90 M3 for comparison? Anything else on the potential list?
(You should close the other thread).

Good idea!!

Just on the list question, I'm looking for a saloon really, kinda set on the RS4 but will have a spin in this later in the week for comparision:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/M5/M5-/37213752811216790/advert?channel=CARS

Matt Simis

mik_da_man wrote: »

Good idea!!

Just on the list question, I'm looking for a saloon really, kinda set on the RS4 but will have a spin in this later in the week for comparision:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/M5/M5-/37213752811216790/advert?channel=CARS

The E90 M3 is a saloon! An M5 competes at a higher level than the RS4, so its not a "fair" comparison" but an interesting one none the less. Despite the AWD is needed talk above, I remember one of the guys on Octane who had both Ferrari's and an E60 M5 commenting the power was delivered so excellently you could keep up with any exotica while sipping a cappuccino while on a conference call.

thecomedian

I've never driven any of those cars, but what a choice you have.
I don't know if I'd be able to choose, the power from the M5 but I do like the look of the RS.

Tea 1000

Anan1 wrote: »

You'll be telling me you only want rear wheel brakes next!

Seriously, RWD is good fun but 420bhp is often simply too much for the rear wheels. At times like that you're sacrificing acceleration and probably expensive tyres too.

I'll sacrifice traction for fun any day though!

I think I'd be put off by an after market exhaust. I'm a bit anal about having things the way they left the factory when they're in that category of car.

mik_da_man

Matt Simis wrote: »

The E90 M3 is a saloon! An M5 competes at a higher level than the RS4, so its not a "fair" comparison" but an interesting one none the less. Despite the AWD is needed talk above, I remember one of the guys on Octane who had both Ferrari's and an E60 M5 commenting the power was delivered so excellently you could keep up with any exotica while sipping a cappuccino while on a conference call.

Good point on the saloon version!
I always perferred the Audi's tbh, but the M5 should be an interesting drive for comparision

Max Power1

mik_da_man wrote: »

Good point on the saloon version!
I always perferred the Audi's tbh, but the M5 should be an interesting drive for comparision

I think at the end of the day that is what it comes down to. When spending that much on (a) buying the car and (b) fuelling and running her, it has to be something that you will love - even if it feels like she bankrupts you :P

scwazrh

Does anyone know whats the road tax and achievable mpg on the rs4 (Old man question I know! )

Anan1

scwazrh wrote: »

Does anyone know whats the road tax and achievable mpg on the rs4 (Old man question I know! )

Motor tax is top rate on the old system, €1809 I think. MPG depends on the driver. 10-15, maybe? More if you're a scaredy cat.

SniperSight

Anan1 wrote: »

Motor tax is top rate on the old system, €1809 I think. MPG depends on the driver. 10-15, maybe? More if you're a scaredy cat.

Single digits is easily achievable :-P but its a good time!! B-)

TheBazman

mik_da_man wrote: »

Good point on the saloon version!
I always perferred the Audi's tbh, but the M5 should be an interesting drive for comparision

At least you've had a passenger spin in an M5....be interested to see your feedback from driving it

mini_brian

I'm lucky enough to say I've driven all 3 (ex BMW worker)

Have to say the RS4 would be my choice all day long.

The M5 is stupid fast, but so hard to drive smooth and horrible around town and in carparks etc.

M3's are fantastic but again I always found it hard to drive super smooth. Lovely power but just hard to get it down. Also the interior isn't comparable to the RS4 IMO.

If you can find the RS4 with the flat bottom wheel, the high back seats and its in good nick, I don't think you can go wrong. They're just a bit special and rarer than an M3.

Whatever you buy will be great but just make sure it's an RS4! lol

Best of luck.

unkel

TheBazman wrote: »

At least you've had a passenger spin in an M5....be interested to see your feedback from driving it

+1

V10, RWD only, over 500BHP. Must be another step up from an RS4 to very close to supercar performance

unkel

mini_brian wrote: »

The M5 is stupid fast, but so hard to drive smooth and horrible around town and in carparks etc.

Did you drive the SMG or the manual?

TheBazman

unkel wrote: »

Did you drive the SMG or the manual?

It's only smg on these shores and it is jumpy if you leave it in auto. Best to use paddles around town.

I drove the M5 too and it is stupid fast, I only drove it in M mode on back roads though so it was definitely jumpy .

Been a passenger in it though a good few times around town and my friend always drives it in auto and didn't notice it being jumpy. He said he only uses the paddles when driving hard, it's in auto most of the time.

Supergurrier

Dibs on shotgun spin at next boards meet if you get this mik

mik_da_man

TheBazman wrote: »

At least you've had a passenger spin in an M5....be interested to see your feedback from driving it

Yeah Cheers for that spin!
It always impressed me how efortless the power/speed was, it just chewed up the road.
Looking forward to having a spin for myself.

Tea 1000

mini_brian wrote: »

I'm lucky enough to say I've driven all 3 (ex BMW worker)

Have to say the RS4 would be my choice all day long.

The M5 is stupid fast, but so hard to drive smooth and horrible around town and in carparks etc.

M3's are fantastic but again I always found it hard to drive super smooth. Lovely power but just hard to get it down. Also the interior isn't comparable to the RS4 IMO.

If you can find the RS4 with the flat bottom wheel, the high back seats and its in good nick, I don't think you can go wrong. They're just a bit special and rarer than an M3.

Whatever you buy will be great but just make sure it's an RS4! lol

Best of luck.

I found the M3 remarkably easy to drive smoothly. It is exceptionally responsive on the throttle though, so I guess if you have a dose of the shakes in the right boot it might be different.
Although I did only drive the paddle shift one, not the manual. Did they sell the E90/E92 M3 in manual over here? I've never seen one.

Padraig Mor

Tea 1000 wrote: »

Although I did only drive the paddle shift one, not the manual. Did they sell the E90/E92 M3 in manual over here? I've never seen one.

I think pretty much every one I've seen advertised has been manual?!