Second report.

Despite all the small nicks in the windshield, the S4 drives great.  It's so different from the 92x.  I take most corners at a gear higher, since the V8 just pulls from lower rpm's.  On the freeway, there's no need for a downshift to pass, even in 6th gear.  Of course, there is no lag in acceleration, just smooth linear acceleration up to 7,000 rpm.

The steering effort is a little more than the 92x (which I like).  And the clutch is so much lighter than the 92x.  When I was moving the cars around and got into the 92x, I thought I was pressing the brake pedal at first, but it was the clutch I was pressing.

Hopefully this weekend, I'll drive around the island and get the highway mpg for the S4.  I gotta get the front plate mounted (damn Hawaii that requires front plates).  Audi wants over $135 for a front plate mount for the S4.  I'm thinking of going with the heavy duty velcro or the 3M industrial double stick tape route.  Or I'll just bite the bullet and screw the plate directly on the front bumper.

Needs more supercharger, ohlins and stasis exhaust

Last edited by gonzocycle (2012-01-13 17:18:54)

speed808 wrote:

Second report.

Despite all the small nicks in the windshield, the S4 drives great.  It's so different from the 92x.  I take most corners at a gear higher, since the V8 just pulls from lower rpm's.  On the freeway, there's no need for a downshift to pass, even in 6th gear.  Of course, there is no lag in acceleration, just smooth linear acceleration up to 7,000 rpm.

The steering effort is a little more than the 92x (which I like).  And the clutch is so much lighter than the 92x.  When I was moving the cars around and got into the 92x, I thought I was pressing the brake pedal at first, but it was the clutch I was pressing.

Hopefully this weekend, I'll drive around the island and get the highway mpg for the S4.  I gotta get the front plate mounted (damn Hawaii that requires front plates).  Audi wants over $135 for a front plate mount for the S4.  I'm thinking of going with the heavy duty velcro or the 3M industrial double stick tape route.  Or I'll just bite the bullet and screw the plate directly on the front bumper.

I liked the heavier steering feel, too, but it was pretty damn precise.  Then again, the car is considerably heavier than the 92x, so its expected.  That clutch is pretty light, yeah.  that 8 just pulls and pulls...but if you want to shake off any traffic, dropping a gear and stepping on the gas is like getting knocked back in the seat by a sledgehammer.  Awesome.  For such a big car, it's real nimble.  My dad sold his - the mpgs were just too much for his commute...and he bought a Cayman S.  Still says he sometimes misses the s4a.

The heavier steering "feel" is due to the much higher caster spec'd for all German cars, it causes stronger self centering and helps with precision, but the big reason is the "sneeze" factor needed for safe Autobahn running (especially bearing in mind that anyone who lands a license (not so easy, BTW) can go as fast as they or their car can go, enthusiast or not).

caster is faster 

'cuz U mayk such a byg deel uf yt...

This thread needs less grammar nazi's, moar S4 Avant'ss's.

speed808 wrote:

tlow98 wrote:

Ditched the girl huh? 

Taking advantage of this opportunity 

Nice.

Nope.  Keeping the Corolla S for her.  The Corolla S is the daily driver.  The 92x and S4 are the weekend cars.  I'm just glad I can park the S4 in the garage, the 92x in the driveway and the Corolla S on the street.

no offense, but what's the point of having 2 sporty wagons for weekend cars? why not sell the 9-2x and put the money toward the s4 or maybe buy something else different (a jeep or a convertible?)
the car looks really really clean, please don't drill holes in the bumper.
this thread also needs more pictures

Bunnspeed wrote:

cjaama wrote:

speed808 wrote:

Nope.  Keeping the Corolla S for her.  The Corolla S is the daily driver.  The 92x and S4 are the weekend cars.  I'm just glad I can park the S4 in the garage, the 92x in the driveway and the Corolla S on the street.

no offense, but what's the point of having 2 sporty wagons for weekend cars? why not sell the 9-2x and put the money toward the s4 or maybe buy something else different (a jeep or a convertible?)
the car looks really really clean, please don't drill holes in the bumper.
this thread also needs more pictures

I think keeping the 92x is a smart idea in this situation. To begin with, the 92x Aero is like the 'poor man's Avant', namely it's a fun fast wagon that's actually affordable to beat on on a daily basis. It's a car thats value and reliability aren't all that negatively affected by racking up the miles. The 6MT S4 Avant, on the other hand, is so rare and so expensive to pile on the miles in (in terms of depreciation, gas, and maintenance) that it's a good idea to keep the miles down on it. Every mile it racks up gets you that much closer to an exorbitantly expensive repair or service interval, and reduces its value, which correlates with its 'unicorn' status afforded to such a clean, low mile example. The S4 isn't a car you want to piss away, but something to be saved for special-ish occasions. BUT, it is such a nice, wonderful car that the whole point of buying it was to buy something epic, not something practical. This way he can both drive something that's a reliable throwaway car that's fun, and also have something reeaally nice to hold onto for a while. Plus, as I mentioned before, the S4 will be practically free if he keeps the miles down and sells it for what he bought it for within the next year or three.

Well said.  I still really like my 92x and like I mentioned before, it's paid off, has low miles (41K), and it's still a blast to drive.

Just the other day, my GF had to use the Corolla and I used the 92x to go to work.  I would never want to drive the S4 to work.  Too many people in my bldg. don't know how to park and open doors nicely (door dings).

BTW-- loving those wheels!

Bunnspeed wrote:

cjaama wrote:

speed808 wrote:

Nope.  Keeping the Corolla S for her.  The Corolla S is the daily driver.  The 92x and S4 are the weekend cars.  I'm just glad I can park the S4 in the garage, the 92x in the driveway and the Corolla S on the street.

no offense, but what's the point of having 2 sporty wagons for weekend cars? why not sell the 9-2x and put the money toward the s4 or maybe buy something else different (a jeep or a convertible?)
the car looks really really clean, please don't drill holes in the bumper.
this thread also needs more pictures

I think keeping the 92x is a smart idea in this situation. To begin with, the 92x Aero is like the 'poor man's Avant', namely it's a fun fast wagon that's actually affordable to beat on on a daily basis. It's a car thats value and reliability aren't all that negatively affected by racking up the miles. The 6MT S4 Avant, on the other hand, is so rare and so expensive to pile on the miles in (in terms of depreciation, gas, and maintenance) that it's a good idea to keep the miles down on it. Every mile it racks up gets you that much closer to an exorbitantly expensive repair or service interval, and reduces its value, which correlates with its 'unicorn' status afforded to such a clean, low mile example. The S4 isn't a car you want to piss away, but something to be saved for special-ish occasions. BUT, it is such a nice, wonderful car that the whole point of buying it was to buy something epic, not something practical. This way he can both drive something that's a reliable throwaway car that's fun, and also have something reeaally nice to hold onto for a while. Plus, as I mentioned before, the S4 will be practically free if he keeps the miles down and sells it for what he bought it for within the next year or three.

i would agree that he keep the 9-2x if it was his daily driver, but it's not. unless i'm missing something.