Review: 2010 Audi S4
10-09-09, 07:35 AM
#61
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Nice write up as always MM you add a nice deminsion of relevance to the Car Chat boards, in fact without you and 1sick these boards would seriously loose substance. Your work does not go unappreciated.
<-----This female car freak (as my friends would call me) says thank you..
<-----This female car freak (as my friends would call me) says thank you..
Last edited by Milla...; 10-09-09 at 07:40 AM.
10-09-09, 08:13 AM
#62
Lexus Test Driver
Dont forget the Audi drive select, which changes the power steering boost, suspension stiffness, steering lock to lock ratio and throttle mapping, all with one push od a button. Thats a great system when you get sick and tired of the sport ride and want to cruise for a while in comfort.
10-09-09, 12:36 PM
#63
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Audi have some of the best interior in its class, C&D do make some questionable remarks sometimes. As far as exhaust note, many on the Audi is complaining about the note in the new 3.0T V6, it doesnt sound as nice as the 4.2L V8 it replace, but that pretty much a given when going from a V8 to a V6.
The S4 is a brand new design and the 335 is a few years old, these two cars will gp back and forth as far far as who will be on top. In a few years, the new redesign 3 series will be rated batter than the S4.
10-09-09, 12:46 PM
#64
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I feel the BMW's run flat tires hurt the ride comfort,are noiser and don't handle as well as a high performance summer conventional tire.
The S4 stock tires are Max summer performance Bridgestone Potenza RE050A or High performance summer Pirelli Cinturato P7.
I did the switch with an all season Michelin Pilot Sport Plus and there's a big difference in noise,ride comfort and handling is great.Sticky soft rubber high performance summer conventional tires would make the handling even better.
My 335 will not see snow and never sees rain but still will be used in winter's dry days so I went with all seasons.As you may know summer tires do not do well even o dry roads when the temp drop to 40 F and lower.
The S4 stock tires are Max summer performance Bridgestone Potenza RE050A or High performance summer Pirelli Cinturato P7.
I did the switch with an all season Michelin Pilot Sport Plus and there's a big difference in noise,ride comfort and handling is great.Sticky soft rubber high performance summer conventional tires would make the handling even better.
My 335 will not see snow and never sees rain but still will be used in winter's dry days so I went with all seasons.As you may know summer tires do not do well even o dry roads when the temp drop to 40 F and lower.
Also, in complaining about the ride your run-flat tires gave, did you run them at the recommended tire pressure? Run-flat or not, they are still designed, in normal driving, for the recommended PSI. If you overinflate them (perhaps with an inaccurate tire gauge), they will ride stiffer-than-normal, just like a conventional tire would.
Last edited by mmarshall; 10-09-09 at 12:49 PM.
10-09-09, 12:57 PM
#65
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
It would of been great for C & D to compare the 335 xdrive vs. The Audi S4. The xdrive 335 is quicker than the S4 with a 0-60 time of 4.7 vs. 4.9 for the Audi. Magazine impressions are what they are.. People will have to try these cars out for themselves.. The price of an equipped xdrive 335 is closer to that of the S4 and is the fair comparison regardless of outcome.
The 4.9 second 0-60 figure is also Audi's own published figure (for both the 6-speed manual and S-Tronic). Although I'm not saying it happened this time, car magazines, on occasion, when they can't get reliable 0-60 times or if they vary too much, have been known to just print the manufacturer's official figure instead.
10-09-09, 01:06 PM
#66
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First, for a real comparison, they should have compared a 335xi AWD with the S4, not a RWD 335i. Second, I didn't notice that much "rumble" drom the S4, though it did have some mild exhaust noise, and I also disagree with C&D's assessment of the Audi's "plain" interior. The version I tested, with the $1000, two-tone leather (real, smooth leather, not that cheap synthetic grained stuff) , was superbly well-finished and appointed inside.
To me if they had any sense, they would have tested all 3...why leave the 335x out?
I think what C&D is saying with the interior is well, its old and the same thing over and over in every model they have, thus it is "plain".
10-09-09, 01:11 PM
#67
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Mike's (1SICKLEX) work certainly does not go unappreciated either......nor, I might add, do nice comments here like yours. 
If you have any auto questions or review requests, also feel free to PM me.
Just be sure, for a review request, that it is for a vehicle that is reasonably available....I can't review a Rolls-Royce or a Bugatti Veyron, for instance.
<-----This female car freak (as my friends would call me) says thank you..
10-09-09, 01:21 PM
#68
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I think what C&D is saying with the interior is well, its old and the same thing over and over in every model they have, thus it is "plain".
10-09-09, 01:31 PM
#69
Lexus Test Driver
I too agree the AWD BMW should have been used regardless of what C&D's excuse was. BMW added AWD to their car to compete with Quattro. Two top of the line models, both with AWD, and in the same class should have been the parameters to stick with. If one comes out worse then another or more expensive, then let that be the natural benefit or defactor and part of the final judgment. You can't customize a test like that to help one car come out better than the other. They need to win on their own natural merits.
10-09-09, 01:36 PM
#70
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Okay I have my toilet paper....
THey said they didn't include it b/c they felt the 335i with RWD is the more compelling performance package. Also the sport package 335x does not include the lowered sport tuned suspension. They did say the 335x is faster initially but the 335i catches up at 120mph. The RWD is 2k cheaper. Finally they felt the additional weight, extra body roll and worse weight balance would hinder overall performance.
So its not included.
Since the S4 without AWD would be FWD, well we know it would get its *** kicked without AWD.
THey said they didn't include it b/c they felt the 335i with RWD is the more compelling performance package. Also the sport package 335x does not include the lowered sport tuned suspension. They did say the 335x is faster initially but the 335i catches up at 120mph. The RWD is 2k cheaper. Finally they felt the additional weight, extra body roll and worse weight balance would hinder overall performance.
So its not included.
Since the S4 without AWD would be FWD, well we know it would get its *** kicked without AWD.
10-09-09, 01:42 PM
#71
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
THey said they didn't include it b/c they felt the 335i with RWD is the more compelling performance package. Also the sport package 335x does not include the lowered sport tuned suspension. They did say the 335x is faster initially but the 335i catches up at 120mph. The RWD is 2k cheaper. Finally they felt the additional weight, extra body roll and worse weight balance would hinder overall performance.
Since the S4 without AWD would be FWD, well we know it would get its *** kicked without AWD.
Last edited by mmarshall; 10-09-09 at 03:25 PM.
10-09-09, 02:08 PM
#72
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First, for a real comparison, they should have compared a 335xi AWD with the S4, not a RWD 335i. Second, I didn't notice that much "rumble" drom the S4, though it did have some mild exhaust noise, and I also disagree with C&D's assessment of the Audi's "plain" interior. The version I tested, with the $1000, two-tone leather (real, smooth leather, not that cheap synthetic grained stuff) , was superbly well-finished and appointed inside.
The (probable) reason the 335xi is faster off the line is that, even with the added weight/drag of AWD, all four tires bite and there is less wheelspin, which is just wasted power. It also means, with FWD, that the traction control cuts in more and retards the power, although, for some max-run tests, they leave the T/C off. The RWD model, of course, catches up later because it is lighter.
According to Audi, there are no FWD S4 models........Quattro is standard.
According to Audi, there are no FWD S4 models........Quattro is standard.
To me the S4 is more special, the seats, the wheels, the rarity, the trim....However as the price goes up to 55k and higher (it was 59k in C&D) well that is CTS-V, IS-F, C63, M3 pricing....
10-09-09, 02:22 PM
#73
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Thanks for the review, MM. I love A4/S4/5 and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
However, despite Audi's reputation for fit and finish excellence, I noticed a bit of trim in my A4's instrument panel loosening up.
However, despite Audi's reputation for fit and finish excellence, I noticed a bit of trim in my A4's instrument panel loosening up.
10-09-09, 03:31 PM
#75
Lexus Fanatic
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Sure....anytime.
Yes, I enjoy most of things about driving Audis, and, especially, BMWs, but you can keep the I-Drive and MMI systems.
Audi doesn't, and never did, build the most durable cars on the road....they have never been known as reliability champs, particularly in electronics. Some of the plastic interior parts right behind the steering wheel are not that well-done, but most of the interior trim and fit/finish is superb, at least when new.
I love A4/S4/5 and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
However, despite Audi's reputation for fit and finish excellence, I noticed a bit of trim in my A4's instrument panel loosening up.