I currently own a 2000 audi S4 that is modded. I am seriously considering upgrading to a 993 c4s which I think is a great car. I test drove one the other day and I loved it. One big problem though, my Audi S4 is considerably faster.
I know it's not a fair comparison because I have bi-turbo's and Porsche is built for handling and braking but I feel as though I might miss the power I currently have. (second gear feels slow in 993)
So, if I find the right car, at the right price, I will move to a Porsche but I'm in no rush.
Are there any serious potential problems that the 993 C4S might have that I should be aware of??
Would you recommend this upgrade?
thanks.

 

You must have one chipped-up S4 to consider a 993 slow! Nonetheless, I think the 993C4S is a great car, the only knock I would have against it is the added weight(and loss of front trunk space) over the C2S, and if you plan to track it, the awd. You get all the turbo suspension/brakes on that car, but none of the hp. Why not save a few bucks (and a few lbs) and go with a C2S and skip the awd? There are a few annoyances associated with the 993, like the squeaky windshield, pulleys that throw belts occasionally, spoiler walls that don't last, but all very minor in my opinion. Don't forget the $100 oil changes.

If you can sacrifice 2 doors and a trunk, I'd make the move (up). Just be sure to find a car with good history and records and do a proper pre-purchase inspection.

Jason
97 993
02 WRX [S4 -hp -big$ ;^)]

 

If you feel the 993 c4s is down on power compared to your s4, try a test drive in a 993tt. Its a different experience. I drove a friends twin turbo and now I'm looking to trade up from my '95 993 c2. If you can afford the extra 15-20k compared to the c4s it would be money well spent. The tt also has tons of aftermarket upgrades available if 400hp isn't enough. Just my opinion. cheers and happy hunting!

 

What is wrong with tracking the C4S???
does the AWD have a problem on the track??

 

Thanks for the advice variable but I have a belief system. If you buy a turbo, buy it new. Old turbo's = other people's problems..
that's just my opinion..

 

Nothing except the added weight and more parts to eventually need replacement.

Greg

 

My S4 is a stage two upgrade..
I have about 320hp with no apparent lag.
(I have upgraded hoses and bypass valves.)
I'll tell you this, I track my S4 often and I can't remember the last time I pointed a non race car by..
I've flown by porsche's (non turbo's) camaro SS, M3's, you name it.
The S4 is an outrageous car (the porsche is still nicer of course.) Just be careful when you pull up to a S4 at a light, you might be in for a surprise..

 

B-Line,

I can understand your feeling about Turbos, but there is a huge difference between the S4 Turbo and the 993TT. I currently own the 993TT and had an S4. The Audi turbos have a number of reliability issues -blown turbos, bpv's most notably. The 993TT does not suffer from these weakness'. Buying a used 993TT is no problem if you get a proper PPI.

While the non turbo 993's are slower than your chipped S4, I think you will fell more connected to the 993 - it sticks better than the S4 and has a real sports car feeling. Back to the 993TT - you can chip that car and get ~500HP without opening the engine AND without impacting reliability.

On the AWD issue, there is no problem tracking the C4 - it is not a tossable as the 2WD versions, and has more understeer in stock form than the C2 - but far less understeer than a stock S4. All can be tuned to be tail-happy, if that is what you want. The big + on the C4S is that you get the Turbo brakes.

Good luck in your search.

 

Didn't mean to impune the reputation on the C4S on the track. Only meant that extra weight doesn't help. Also, many prefer the standard rwd set up on the track (i.e. easier to rotate car). AWD cars tend to "push" or understeer naturally.

 

Thanks Mark,

I am going to be looking for a CS4. I'm in no rush so I'll wait for the perfect one.
As far as understeer goes, I kinda prefer the predictability of understeer rather than the fun but sensitive oversteer. Since I have been a long time quattro owner (a4, s4)
I have become very comfortable with the control of a awd car. I would rather have a car push then lose control of the rear.
thanks for the advice...and yes... I will track the car often...I am a track junkie..

 

Uh, B-Line, buddy:

I have a heavily modded S4 with probably a lot more stuff on it than you have (a claimed, but totally bogus, 340 h.p.). I also have a 993 3.8 RS. In my opinion, the S4 is a bit of a pig on the track. It is too heavy and unbalanced to do much in the corners--and I have tracked it a bit. I have a custom-built H&R coilover suspension on the car, plus down pipes, race chip, Alcon brakes, intake, swaybars, race wheels, and a bunch of stuff you probably never thought of. Know what? I vastly prefer the Porsche--any Porsche--on the track. The S4 is fab for peeling out of a parking lot and impressing parking attendants and such, but straight-line acceleration isn't everything. At some point, you have to turn the steering wheel.

The other problem with S4s is their atrocious reliability--haven't you been reading the AuiWorld board and the stories of all the blown turbos, the fried clutches, etc.? How about the car's unerring ability to warp rotors every time you track it? I just warped both my Alcon rotors--nearly $500 apiece--after two track days. This is a non-problem on a Porsche. How about that Audi tranny? You like the rubbery linkage?

Let me put this in the words of Mullah Muhhamad Omar to make it really clear: "P-car, built like tank. A-car, built like tricked-out Volkswagen." (Pardon my Arabic...)

Lee in D.C.

 

I agree with DcLee, I (briefly) had an Audi RS4(Euro 380 BHP model), which although fast in a straight line did not have any feeling to its steering, brakes and shift etc to compare with any later 911.Great car for long distance touring but not for track work or plain excitement.I drive the RS(993)just for the sake of it but never the RS4...just my opinion though!

 

I'm having a hard time understanding how an S4 is "considerably faster" than a 993. I don't buy it. Maybe a little quicker straight line, but it should get smoked on the track. No disrespect, but there's no denying it's simply a yuppie mid-size "trying" to be a sports car. I know, I know.. "What about the M3? That's not a pure sports car and it handles great." My reply is that the M3 is a sports car trying to be a yuppie mid-size.

 

I gotta dive in here guys as this is a fairly entertaining thread. My 993 tt is modded out to a legitimate 480 hp and is a blast at the track. It is a tough car to have fun with on the street, however, since one can barely scratch the surface of the car's potential without breaking major traffic laws.

I also have a modded out S4 (Forge bypass valves,ABT ECU, Borla exhaust, MTM suspension) as my daily driver and never cease to be amazed by what a blast it is to drive. Sure it doesn't handle like a rear engined 911, but it has gobs of torque and is a great straight line screamer. One area where it has my 993TT beaten hands down is the seats. The Audi seats absolutely blow away my Porsche seats.

My biggest regret with the Audi is that I'll probably have to get something bigger in the near future as my little girls grow. Maybe I can snow my wife into believing that an E55 is MB's entry level economy sedan! Regards to all.

 

DCLee and others..

Take it easy on B-Line, at least he's moving in the right direction (towards a p-car)!! :^)

Jason