What do you think of the 2007 Audi RS4?

 

I have had mine for about 3000 miles. A link to a review I wrote just after I bought the car:

http://forums.audiworld.com/rs4b7/msgs/6757.phtml

The engine has loosened up a bit and revs like crazy. A fabulous daily driver. The 993TT was not driven at all for a month! Now back to it though. Interesting comparing the two cars:

Both 4WD
Both have engines outside the front/rear axle (Audi is like Porsche done backwards)
993TT has monster power and torque and you can feel it
RS4 power begins low in the RPM range but really seems to pull in the higher revs

Which is faster? Come on. 993TT with nearly 600 hp vs 420. and P-car is nearly 1000 pounds lighter.

I will say these cars compliment each other well. It is certainly a blessing of sorts to be able to have both in the garage.

I added a few pics of the RS4 to may gallery, page 2.

 

Unless you really need all wheel drive, I'd pass on this over weight sedan. Heavy, high reving low torque manual transmission cars are miserable in day to day traffic. If all your runs are on the autobaun or on ramps, its sounds tempting. But do a reality check, this car will not be on a track for more than 3 hours of it entire massively depreciating natual life. As a 400 hp car, it runs the risk of being dusted by every AMG model on the street, unless you get perfect shifts or your in the rain.
On a more positive note, I think the lap timer is pretty cool and certainly trumps the chrono timer that porsche is marketing.

JJB

 

Wow! I should have bought a Prius. What was I thinking?

I drive more than 50 miles a day in L.A. traffic and was pleasantly surprised. I replaced a BMW 540i Sport with auto with the RS4 and have not missed the BMW at all.

The RS4 has incredible handling despite the weight. How about the 8 piston caliper front brakes with two piece rotors? The motor? The suspension? The look? Yes, it is expensive. It is limited. It is diffentiated in many ways. And it is not for everyone.

For me, a perfect companion to the P-Car.

Check with some owners, read some posts on the Audi boards, take a test drive. If you have not driven the car, it is very hard to appreciate.

 

Dan,
I checked and the Pruis doesn't come with a lap timer. I read your report and I considered it before I made my post knowing when writing ones opinion someone may take issue. I look forward to driving one as soon as the dealers recognize that to sell them, you have to let customers drive them.

JJB

 

No worries. I was lucky on the test drive front. My partner bought one, then let me have it for about 90 minutes. That sealed the deal for me.

Prius does come with those cool car-pool lane stickers...

 

Dan, let Jim drive your RS4 and I'll bet you can taunt him into another big bust! I almost got it done in my car a few months ago, but he came to his senses too soon.

 

I don't have an RS4 (yet) but I have an 05 S4 and an 02 911 C4S. S4 has a ton of torque, much more than an M3 or base 911.

The S4/RS4 is better in driving around town than my C4S, lots of torque instant acceleration. The S4 is very easy to shift in traffic. The clutch is very light.

I agree that Depreciation is bad, but I'd take an S4/RS4 over an AMG anyday. IMO an AMG is a fast Lexus with a big engine, not a sports sedan.

 

i also had a 05 S4 avant.
i really dont like the car. it's accelaration and torque feel low for such a big motor (maybe due to wt of it being an avant). understeers a lot. but the int. fit and finish is excellent and suspension firmness is just right for street use. other than that, i much rather drive porsches. if i can't fit something in the porsche, i just call wife to have her pick it up in her giant boxing a6 avant, LOL.

 

[QUOTE=RaceCarDriver]I don't have an RS4 (yet) but I have an 05 S4 and an 02 911 C4S. S4 has a ton of torque, much more than an M3 or base 911.

The S4 makes its 302 ft lbs. at 3000 rpm which is very useable. The RS4 makes its 317 ft lbs. at 6000 rpm combined with a 4:11 rearend to get you moving. I couldn't find a torque graph, but my guess is the RS4 is about 240 at 3000 rpm. Which goes to my point, if you don't have to contend with slow stop and go this could be a great car. Remember, none of the car ads have bumper to bumper traffic in them. Several of my cars have average mph readings, which shows over the last 2500 miles of street and highway I'm averaging 33mph!
If I'm faced with the prospect of driving the 405 freeway, my manual transmission cars stay in the garage. It not the smooth shifting gear box, its the 2000 clutch engagements one makes fatigue.
JJB

 

I just finished turbocharging my Prius....and put down 284whp...!

Wanna race?

 

420 HP @ 7800 RPM
317 FT-LB @ 5500
AT 3000 RPM, TORQUE IS ABOUT 295 ACCORDING TO THE GRAPH (CONVERTING FROM EURO NUMBERS).