lexus is 350 vs audi s4
#17
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I test drove a used 2013 S4 yesterday for the hell of it. It has soooo much more power than my 2014 350 Fsport it was shocking, the extra torque was extremely evident. The DCT transmission is 10x better than the Lexus in shift times and the downshift throttle blips are 100% seamless.
I also drove a new A3 turbo quattro and to be honest, it felt as fast as my IS. After looking at some test numbers at Motor Trend, the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times are very, very similar....this coming from a 220 hp 4 cylinder in the A3. The lateral acceleration and figure 8 times lean heavily towards the A3. I have to be honest here, the performance, gas mileage, and handling of the IS 350 is not on par with the competition.
I'm considering an S3 but at this point, I have only seen one in mags and/or online. My local Audi dealer will have one next month.....gonna check it out. I also want to look at the new Golf R when it comes out which is built on the same platform and has the same drivetrain as the S3.
To answer the OP's question, If I could afford the S4, I would definitely get it! I also believe the quality of the Audi vehicles is getting much better than the other German cars.
I also drove a new A3 turbo quattro and to be honest, it felt as fast as my IS. After looking at some test numbers at Motor Trend, the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times are very, very similar....this coming from a 220 hp 4 cylinder in the A3. The lateral acceleration and figure 8 times lean heavily towards the A3. I have to be honest here, the performance, gas mileage, and handling of the IS 350 is not on par with the competition.
I'm considering an S3 but at this point, I have only seen one in mags and/or online. My local Audi dealer will have one next month.....gonna check it out. I also want to look at the new Golf R when it comes out which is built on the same platform and has the same drivetrain as the S3.
To answer the OP's question, If I could afford the S4, I would definitely get it! I also believe the quality of the Audi vehicles is getting much better than the other German cars.
#18
My best friend owns an S4 and I've got the IS350 so I've spent plenty of time driving both. Speed wise there's no contest, the S4 is a missile and the S-Tronic is one hell of a transmission too. Handling wise, I'd say they're on par. My friends S4 has the Adaptive Suspension and we've taken both cars up to the mountain roads and I have no problem keeping with him and we both drive pretty hard. Interior wise I say on par but I find my IS Seats more comfy than the Audis and my friend agrees on that too. Steering is where I think the Lexus is better. I don't have the variable ratio steering but I think its weighting and response is really good and the S4's steering feels light and numb in comparison.
I even thought of the S4 myself but I'm not fully convinced its 12-15K better. Honestly, it all depends on what you're looking for. If straight line speed is your main concern and money isn't an object then go for the S4. Frankly speaking I'd still get my IS. its not the fastest but I don't really care. Its still Plenty quick enough and its a beautifully made car that I know will last a long time without issues. It still puts a smile on my face whenever it and I haven't regretted buying the car in the 9 months and 11K miles I've had it.
I even thought of the S4 myself but I'm not fully convinced its 12-15K better. Honestly, it all depends on what you're looking for. If straight line speed is your main concern and money isn't an object then go for the S4. Frankly speaking I'd still get my IS. its not the fastest but I don't really care. Its still Plenty quick enough and its a beautifully made car that I know will last a long time without issues. It still puts a smile on my face whenever it and I haven't regretted buying the car in the 9 months and 11K miles I've had it.
#19
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I test drove a used 2013 S4 yesterday for the hell of it. It has soooo much more power than my 2014 350 Fsport it was shocking, the extra torque was extremely evident. The DCT transmission is 10x better than the Lexus in shift times and the downshift throttle blips are 100% seamless.
I also drove a new A3 turbo quattro and to be honest, it felt as fast as my IS. After looking at some test numbers at Motor Trend, the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times are very, very similar....this coming from a 220 hp 4 cylinder in the A3. The lateral acceleration and figure 8 times lean heavily towards the A3. I have to be honest here, the performance, gas mileage, and handling of the IS 350 is not on par with the competition.
I'm considering an S3 but at this point, I have only seen one in mags and/or online. My local Audi dealer will have one next month.....gonna check it out. I also want to look at the new Golf R when it comes out which is built on the same platform and has the same drivetrain as the S3.
To answer the OP's question, If I could afford the S4, I would definitely get it! I also believe the quality of the Audi vehicles is getting much better than the other German cars.
I also drove a new A3 turbo quattro and to be honest, it felt as fast as my IS. After looking at some test numbers at Motor Trend, the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times are very, very similar....this coming from a 220 hp 4 cylinder in the A3. The lateral acceleration and figure 8 times lean heavily towards the A3. I have to be honest here, the performance, gas mileage, and handling of the IS 350 is not on par with the competition.
I'm considering an S3 but at this point, I have only seen one in mags and/or online. My local Audi dealer will have one next month.....gonna check it out. I also want to look at the new Golf R when it comes out which is built on the same platform and has the same drivetrain as the S3.
To answer the OP's question, If I could afford the S4, I would definitely get it! I also believe the quality of the Audi vehicles is getting much better than the other German cars.
#20
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I think you're comparing mainly initial acceleration, which ofcourse turbo has it's advantage..
Try to go on more open road and go WOT, it's the top end where the IS350 shines.. Probably can't outpace an S4 but an A3 - come on!
Have you guys tried to do max speed? I got to 180km/h and noticed how much noise entered the cabin - considering how heavy this car was I would have expected a lot more insulation
Try to go on more open road and go WOT, it's the top end where the IS350 shines.. Probably can't outpace an S4 but an A3 - come on!
Have you guys tried to do max speed? I got to 180km/h and noticed how much noise entered the cabin - considering how heavy this car was I would have expected a lot more insulation
#21
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Sorry if I ruffled any feathers, just giving my thoughts. I wasn't able to get the Audi's above 55mph due to the city streets, so I didn't get a feel for faster speeds.
Motor Trend testing data:
IS 350 Fsport RWD = 5.5 zero to 60 and 14.0 @ 99.8 mph in the 1/4 mile
A3 2.0 quattro = 5.6 and 14.3 @ 98.3 mph
IMO, those numbers are pretty similar but the IS does pull away as the speed increases.
Motor Trend testing data:
IS 350 Fsport RWD = 5.5 zero to 60 and 14.0 @ 99.8 mph in the 1/4 mile
A3 2.0 quattro = 5.6 and 14.3 @ 98.3 mph
IMO, those numbers are pretty similar but the IS does pull away as the speed increases.
#22
My best friend owns an S4 and I've got the IS350 so I've spent plenty of time driving both. Speed wise there's no contest, the S4 is a missile and the S-Tronic is one hell of a transmission too. Handling wise, I'd say they're on par. My friends S4 has the Adaptive Suspension and we've taken both cars up to the mountain roads and I have no problem keeping with him and we both drive pretty hard. Interior wise I say on par but I find my IS Seats more comfy than the Audis and my friend agrees on that too. Steering is where I think the Lexus is better. I don't have the variable ratio steering but I think its weighting and response is really good and the S4's steering feels light and numb in comparison.
I even thought of the S4 myself but I'm not fully convinced its 12-15K better. Honestly, it all depends on what you're looking for. If straight line speed is your main concern and money isn't an object then go for the S4. Frankly speaking I'd still get my IS. its not the fastest but I don't really care. Its still Plenty quick enough and its a beautifully made car that I know will last a long time without issues. It still puts a smile on my face whenever it and I haven't regretted buying the car in the 9 months and 11K miles I've had it.
I even thought of the S4 myself but I'm not fully convinced its 12-15K better. Honestly, it all depends on what you're looking for. If straight line speed is your main concern and money isn't an object then go for the S4. Frankly speaking I'd still get my IS. its not the fastest but I don't really care. Its still Plenty quick enough and its a beautifully made car that I know will last a long time without issues. It still puts a smile on my face whenever it and I haven't regretted buying the car in the 9 months and 11K miles I've had it.
#23
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Puts a smile on my face too. Perfect driving position and ergonomics for me. I also smile when people get caught up in how fast a car is. Here in LA, I never get to use even what the IS 350 offers. I opened her up on the way to Carmel and got a ticket. Where do all the speed demons go to enjoy their fast Audi's often enough to justify the premium?
The thing that I hate the worst is when the cars sound and look very aggressive but don't pull accordingly. Not saying that IS350 is like that but it is clear that low end torque leaves a lot to be desired.
#24
Oh I know. I grew up with American muscle V-8's and my car prior to this was the Genesis Tau V-8. My first car was a 365hp Chevy with a 4:11 gear, positraction, and a Hurst 4 speed. Used to put wool pads in the tail pipes to quiet it down. When I raced the wool pads would blow out and shock the heck out of everyone. It's a thrill to know that much power is there BUT I wouldn't pay about a 12K premium simply for that. Like most things -- the thrill wears off and only something bigger, faster, with more torque will fix it. My friend has an iPhone 6 Plus -- always raving about the big screen. Where does he go from there? lol I'd like better gas mileage.
Last edited by Glashub; 12-03-14 at 04:21 PM.
#25
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Can you please let me know which choice you made? which car to go? I am in the same boat as you but I want to research first. I know exactly what I'm looking for but not sure if I want to give the S4 a test drive. I want to get the IS 350 in full in the next week or two.
#26
Can you please let me know which choice you made? which car to go? I am in the same boat as you but I want to research first. I know exactly what I'm looking for but not sure if I want to give the S4 a test drive. I want to get the IS 350 in full in the next week or two.
#27
The IS350 is an amazing car, but the S4 is a beast. I don't think the S4 is worth 10-15k more but it's definitely a lot more fun to drive and easier to upgrade if you ever want to go that route.
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I should have went to test drive the more cars before getting the IS lol, not that I regret it cause I do love the looks and interior but I can't say I am completely satisfied with performance
#29
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I do like the S4, but the exterior design is lacking any real passion, in my opinion. I did a search for new S4s near me, and 7 came up in my search, all ranging from $49k to 59k, so they really aren't that much more money (though lease rates are more expensive), at least optioned the way they are around here.
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Oh wow - the A3 2L is this quick? wtf lol doesn't look like the IS can pull away at all
I should have went to test drive the more cars before getting the IS lol, not that I regret it cause I do love the looks and interior but I can't say I am completely satisfied with performance
I should have went to test drive the more cars before getting the IS lol, not that I regret it cause I do love the looks and interior but I can't say I am completely satisfied with performance
As far as the S4 is concerned it is just in a totally different league. Even though ISF compares with RS4 but in a real world setting I would compare S4 to ISF. It is just that far ahead of IS350.
Last edited by salvadorik; 12-04-14 at 12:05 PM.